Sept. 16, 2026

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Two nurses help move a patient at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center. (Photo by Yiqing Wang)

Yiqing Wang

Health Reporter

A new report reveals that Hampton Roads and Eastern Virginia urgently need more than 3,500 registered nurses alongside hundreds of physical therapists, social service assistants and licensed practical nurses. 

The shortages extend to specialized roles, such as radiologic technologists and mental health counselors, where losing even a single worker can disrupt critical emergency services. 

Officials attribute these gaps to an aging population and pandemic-related burnouts. Obstacles such as childcare or transportation issues also prevent students from completing their training.

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For the first time, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center included cigarette recycling as part of its recent E-Cycling event in Virginia Beach. (Photo by John-Henry Doucette)

John-henry Doucette

Virginia Beach Reporter

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center added cigarette butts to the accepted items for its e-cycling event in Virginia Beach in hopes to increase awareness about recycling cigarette waste. 

Cigarette butts are the most commonly littered item in Virginia. They also contain cellulose acetate, a plastic that harms aquatic life when washed into local waterways. 

The aquarium collects and recycles cigarette litter through TerraCycle, a company that composts the organic material and turns the filter plastics into outdoor furniture and tool handles.

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The Army is training medics to treat a different kind of patient: Wounded dogs on the battlefield Read More

AUDIO: Williamsburg's poet laureate could get a raise and a term extension Listen Here

Federal maps will likely limit Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Fund Read More

As data centers spread, not all U.S. housing markets react the same way Read More

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Julius Ayo

Digital Producer

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