Aug. 14, 2026

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Betsy Sink with the James City County Fire Department demonstrates one of the automated external defibrillators that can be flown to the scene of a heart attack in Toano. (Photo by Nick McNamara)

Nick McNamara

James City County Reporter

A first-of-its-kind study in rural James City County is testing how airborne drones carrying automated external defibrillators can improve heart attack survival rates. 

The program is a collaboration between the county, Virginia Commonwealth University and Duke University. It operates in a 5-mile radius around the Toano fire station. 

When dispatchers identify a cardiac emergency, a dedicated police department drone delivers an AED on a tether, allowing bystanders to administer aid minutes before ground vehicles arrive.

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The app, called AquaRisk, analyzes public information about pipes and contaminants. (Photo via Shutterstock)

After a winter storm shut down a Richmond treatment plant and forced his family to boil water, 16-year-old Henrico County resident Avyay Bharadwaj was inspired to investigate municipal water systems. 

Over the past year and a half, the high school senior developed AquaRisk, a free online tool that calculates water contamination risks for addresses covering 83% of Virginia, including Hampton Roads.

Using AI to consolidate public data from the EPA, the Virginia Department of Health and local utilities, the website generates a risk score based on a home's build date, pipe materials and known local contaminants.

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A plume of smoke rises after a reported Iranian strike on fuel tanks in Muharraq, Bahrain, on March 12, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Fadhel Madhan, Getty Images)

The U.S. Navy confirmed that at least 1,500 troops and their families were ordered to evacuate the base in Bahrain following the start of the war with Iran in February.

The base serves as the Middle East hub for the 5th Fleet and remains vulnerable to periodic attacks in the region. 

Because many affected service members are on temporary duty status, they are ineligible for permanent housing allowances and are left dealing with financial strains, displaced pets and lost personal belongings.

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'We have to talk about everybody': Thoroughgood House summer series highlights lesser-known histories Read More

Groups honoring the 1619 arrival of the First Africans with music, remembrance Read More

Researchers examine native birds as natural pest control on farms Read More

AI chatbots are offering financial advice. Should you trust them? 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 Journalist

Across Virginia, more than 3,000 Flock cameras are estimated to line the highways, roads and parking lots.

The AI-powered policing tool has won wide adoption from law enforcement agencies seeking to use high-tech tools to reduce crime. But the rapid growth of 24/7 surveillance has set off waves of protests in Virginia’s small towns and sprawling counties.

The Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO has documented the spread of Flock Safety systems and other automatic license plate readers throughout Virginia.

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Julius Ayo

Digital Producer

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