| news@whro.org | 757-889-9312 |
|
|
The new Flight Dynamics Research Facility at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton on July 31, 2026. (Photo by Katherine Hafner) |
'A soaring future': NASA Langley launches massive new wind tunnel |
|
|
| Climate and Environment Reporter |
|
|
Local and federal officials recently gathered at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton to celebrate the opening of the Flight Dynamics Research Facility, the agency's first major wind tunnel built in more than 40 years. The $57-million facility combines and replaces a pair of century-old wind tunnels. Operating similarly to an indoor skydiving tunnel, the new facility has a top wind speed of about 117 miles per hour. Upcoming projects slated for testing include Boeing’s Transonic Truss-Braced Wing design and the RAVEN SWIFT vehicle, which could advance future package delivery drones or air taxis. |
|
|
Regional planners asked Hampton Roads residents what matters most to them. Here’s what they said. |
Public transit ranked in the top five issues concerning Hampton Roads residents. (Photo via Hampton Roads Transit) |
A survey conducted by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission revealed that residents rank housing as their top concern, closely followed by education and public transit. Conducted across 17 localities to help align public priorities with leadership, the survey gathered input from more than 2,000 residents on key regional issues. Local planners noted that housing's top ranking was expected because of the ongoing shortage impacting economic growth, though public transit ranking third above roads and flood mitigation surprised officials. |
| How to take advantage of Virginia’s sales tax holiday weekend |
School supplies, clothes, emergency preparedness and energy-efficient items are included in the exemptions. (Photo via Canva) |
Virginia’s annual sales tax free weekend runs this Friday through Sunday, applying to in-store and online purchases. Depending on where you are, shoppers can save between 5.3% and 7% on eligible items, with most Hampton Roads residents saving 6%. Qualifying goods include school supplies, clothing, shoes and hurricane preparedness gear. |
|
|
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has restored voting rights to more than 66,000 Virginians Read More |
More than 4 million people are no longer receiving food aid amid sweeping changes to SNAP Read More |
Trump tariffs added more than $800 million to Dominion Energy’s offshore wind project Read More |
Bedbugs, bad Wi-Fi: Federal workers say forced summer relocations have been chaos Read More |
|
|
Virginia Beach voters in a previous election. (Photo by Zach D. Roberts) |
What do you need to know for the November elections? |
|
|
WHRO News is planning our annual voter's guide for this year's local and Congressional races. Before we ask candidates their plans for office, we want to know what our readers need to know to make an informed choice at the polls. Submit the topics and questions you want to ask candidates, and we'll find the most common ones to ask and share their answers before the general election in November. |
|
|
Local journalism is made
possible only because of
generous WHRO donors |
| |
|
Thank you for being a part of the WHRO journalism community! If you benefited from this email, forward it to a friend. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here to be one of the first people get the most important local news every weekday. |
|
|
Copyright 2026 WHRO Public Media | 5200 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk VA 23508 | 757.889.9312 | news@whro.org | Who funds us? You received this email because you signed up for the WHRO News newsletter from WHRO Public Media. | WHRO Public Media | | | |
|
|
|
