Oct. 16, 2026

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A rendering of Suffolk's Northern Shores Elementary addition (left) and Elephant's Fork Elementary (right) over Virginia Beach's Princess Anne High campus. Virginia grant money will help pay construction projects for each. (Illustration by Julius Ayo)

Nick McNamara

Suffolk Reporter

Ashley White

Education Reporter

Four Hampton Roads school divisions will receive more than $37 million in state grant funding from the Virginia Department of Education for building upgrades and replacement projects. 

Approved through the state's School Construction Assistance Program, the funding provides $20 million to replace Virginia Beach's 70-year-old Princess Anne High School, $15 million for Suffolk elementary school projects and $1.5 million split across facilities in Norfolk and Franklin. 

Virginia created the grant program in 2022, a year after the education department found that more than half of schools in the Commonwealth are older than 50 years old.

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Colonna's Shipyard sits next to homes in the Berkley neighborhood in Norfolk. (Image via Marinas.com)

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has released draft guidance urging developers to evaluate and address the cumulative environmental justice impacts of proposed projects on low-income communities and communities of color. 

The updated framework applies to facilities such as landfills, power plants and data centers. It uses a new methodology that combines census data, greenhouse gas emissions and existing industrial stressors. 

To mitigate identified risks, the state recommends applicants provide local compensation or redesign, relocate or scale back projects.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. speaks at a press conference in Virginia Beach with Rep. Jen Kiggans on Oct. 15, 2026. (Photo by Steve Walsh)

U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R) and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hosted a closed-door medical roundtable at Tidewater Community College's Regional Health Professions Center in Virginia Beach. 

Kiggans faces a competitive reelection bid against former Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria. The Second Congressional District features one of the highest concentrations of active duty military personnel and veterans in the nation.

Recent polling from Christopher Newport University shows Luria holding a narrow 3-point lead over Kiggans, placing the contest within the survey's margin of error.

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Is nuclear fusion the future of energy in Virginia? Some officials think so. Read More

Brooms, pointy hats and wicked smiles: The OV Sea Hags cast spells of joy and fun Read More

Richard Linton introduced as 17th president of Virginia Tech Read More

After booting 760K off ACA health plans, the Trump administration adds some people back Read More

Medical assistant Michelle Rojo guides Judith, a patient with diabetes, around the Free Clinic of Culpeper’s food pharmacy on Aug. 26, 2026. (Photo by Carolyn Van Houte)

Elizabeth McGowan

Investigative Reporter

Carolyn Van Houten

Freelance Photojournalist

The Trump administration’s cuts to SNAP are sending an estimated 130,000 vulnerable Virginians off the food subsidy program. A network of nearly 100 food pharmacies in Virginia is struggling to fill the gap — and provide families with healthy produce and food.

Food pharmacies are a relatively new concept: bringing food pantries into healthcare facilities, supporting healthy diets and healthier families.

The Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO reported from farms and a clinic in Culpeper, showing the network of workers and volunteers helping fill the enormous gap left by federal cuts.

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Julius Ayo

Digital Producer

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