Aug. 28, 2026

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An aerial view of Sunken Meadow Pond when it was temporarily drained as part of environmental surveys a few years ago. (Photo courtesy of Roberta Hammel)

Katherine Hafner

Climate and Environment Reporter

The Nature Conservancy is advancing plans to restore wetlands on a nearly 700-acre Surry County property it purchased for $3 million last year.

The most central and controversial element of the project involves removing a century-old dam to drain the 150-acre Sunken Meadow Pond.

Nonprofit officials argue that taking out the dam will restore natural flow to the James River, revive a globally rare swamp ecosystem and allow native fish and birds to return. 

However, local residents strongly oppose the plan, warning that draining the beloved pond will destroy an established ecosystem, create a smelly eyesore and diminish their quality of life.

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A site plan map for Tenaska's proposed battery energy storage system filed with James City County. (Image via James City County)

Pelican Energy Storage is seeking approval to build a 650-megawatt battery energy storage facility at a former industrial site in James City County to help meet Virginia's surging power demands. 

While the project is projected to generate roughly $90 million in tax revenue over 25 years and 100 temporary construction jobs, residents in the neighboring Grove community view the development as another push toward over-industrialization. 

Grove, a historically working-class and Black neighborhood, has steadily lost riverfront access and green space to industrial projects since the 1950s, leaving local advocates disappointed that the parcel will not become a public recreational area.

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Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle delivers a state of the Navy address during the Hampton Roads Navy League dinner in Norfolk on Aug. 26, 2026. (Photo via the Department of Defense)

Speaking before the Hampton Roads Navy League, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said that the hardest aspect of the ongoing conflict with Iran is the uncertainty surrounding deployment timelines for sailors and their families. 

With two aircraft carriers and multiple Navy ships maintaining a long-term blockade in the region under continuous threat of Iranian fire, the military is navigating logistical challenges and looking for alternative ports for crew rest as its main hub in Bahrain remains vulnerable. 

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Survival and the wisdom of the water are the topics of a climate talk on Friday Read More

Dolly Parton’s legacy in Virginia: Child literacy and beyond Read More

'Remember the little guy': Kaine hears from Virginia farmers as Canada trade fight drives up concern Read More

NDAs are hiding data center deals, drawing ire from locals — and attention from lawmakers Read More

Protesters hold up “BLOCK FLOCK” signs at a Richmond City Council meeting on July 27, 2026 as part of continuing demonstrations against the 99 Flock cameras installed across the city. (Photo by Jaysun Silver)

Kunle Falayi

Data Reporter

As protests against Flock Safety’s surveillance network have spread across Virginia, we wanted to know how police and city hall insiders have reacted.

The Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO requested correspondence about Flock Safety from a handful of Virginia municipalities.

Are elected leaders and police as concerned as residents about the growing surveillance network? Is Flock Safety responding to locals? Does anybody in local government understand how the AI-powered system secures and shares data?

Turns out, Flock has a public relations manual for local police. And we got a copy.

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Julius Ayo

Digital Producer

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