Sept. 28, 2026

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Coal piles at DTA's terminal in Newport News. (Photo via Dominion Terminal Associates)

Katherine Hafner

Climate and Environment Reporter

Residents in Southeast Newport News have received official validation of longstanding concerns after a city-prompted study revealed that wind fences could block up to 89% of escaping coal dust. 

Up to 99% of dust particles from terminals owned by Kinder Morgan and Dominion Terminal Associates escape under prevailing winds, coating nearby homes and contributing to high local asthma rates.

The study recommends constructing an 80-foot-tall semi-porous fence. While community activists argue the terminal operators should fund the infrastructure, Kinder Morgan noted it is not currently pursuing a wind fence.

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Signs in front of Granby High School warn motorists they may get a ticket if they're caught speeding by a camera. Only about half of speeders actually pay the fines. (Photo by Jim Morrison)

Localities across Virginia are facing hundreds of thousands of unpaid camera tickets piling up because processing delinquencies through local courts are overwhelming existing dockets. 

To address the issue, a state law taking effect in January will require General District Courts to notify the DMV of unpaid camera fines so the agency can block license and registration renewals. 

However, court officials warn the mandate will be nearly impossible to execute because General District Courts still rely on paper-based systems requiring clerks to manually enter every delinquent record.

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Virginia Beach Schools Superintendent Donald Robertson, left, and Virginia Beach City Manager Patrick Duhaney during a joint special session of City Council and School Board in November 2025. (Photo by John-Henry Doucette)

The Virginia Beach School Board is seeking city approval to allocate $5.8 million in leftover revenue from the 2024–2025 fiscal year after City Council denied its initial plan to boost the division's health insurance reserves. 

Under a revised proposal, $2.8 million would fund a new human resources system, while the remaining $3 million would support a cross-country trail in the city’s Interfacility Traffic Area. 

Proponents say the trail could serve student athletes and generate regional tourism revenue.

However, several school board members pushed back and questioned how the project directly benefits students or educators compared to healthcare funding.

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The British took over NATO Joint Forces Command Norfolk for the first time Read More

AUDIO: Virginia Beach City Attorney Mark Stiles dies unexpectedly Listen Here

Nearly 235,000 Virginians should never have been disenfranchised, state says Read More

Spanberger asked to delay start of home caregiver electronic reporting system Read More

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Julius Ayo

Digital Producer

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