Federal prosecutors indicted state Sen. Louise Lucas alongside six family members on racketeering and conspiracy charges, alleging she used her legislative power to protect a $4.5 million family cannabis enterprise with a location in Downtown Norfolk. Rip it.
Norfolk voters will decide at the ballot whether to approve a 1% sales tax hike dedicated to funding public school construction and renovations over the next 20 years. Rip it.
Norfolk Public Schools paused the planned closure of The Ghent School through at least the 2027-28 school year after city plans for the Lindenwood campus disrupted the district's consolidation timeline. Rip it.
Norfolk officials propose rolling back parts of the city’s 2018 resilience building standards to spur development, replacing mandatory flood-proofing measures with voluntary incentives for builders. Rip it.
As protests over Norfolk’s 200-plus Flock license-plate cameras reach City Hall, City Council candidates broadly defend the surveillance technology while offering varied proposals for oversight and data retention. Rip it.
NRHA subsidiary Hampton Roads Ventures allocated millions in federal tax credits across Virginia and Louisiana this past year, leaving Norfolk without a single local investment since 2008. Rip it.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger visited Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church in Norfolk to roll out a $150 million state subsidy program aimed at lowering health insurance premiums. Rip it.
Norfolk City Council voted 7-1 to effectively freeze new short-term rentals across Willoughby by imposing a 300-foot buffer rule, prompting neighboring Ocean View civic leagues to weigh similar density caps. Rip it.
Old Dominion University faculty and administration remain at odds over a rapid push toward eight-week online courses and leadership's handling of campus safety concerns. Rip it.
State lawmakers are urging Virginia building officials to legalize single-staircase apartment buildings up to six stories, aiming to lower construction costs and spur infill development on narrow lots. Rip it.
New Virginia legislation aims to ease local zoning barriers on accessory dwelling units, clearing the path for homeowners across Norfolk to build detached backyard cottages and garage apartments. Rip it.
Recent federal rollbacks on steel chassis mandates could soon bring stackable, multi-family manufactured homes to Virginia neighborhoods under the state's newly modernized zoning laws. Rip it.
With roughly 300,000 Virginians facing potential Medicaid loss under tightened federal rules, state officials launched a new coalition to keep eligible residents from dropping off the rolls over paperwork hurdles. Rip it.
Virginia lawmakers are advancing bipartisan bills to impose a statewide moratorium on new data centers, targeting surging electric bills and heavy strain on Dominion Energy's power grid. Rip it.
Virginia’s proposed environmental justice guidelines would push industrial developers to weigh cumulative pollution impacts in historically overburdened neighborhoods like Norfolk's Berkley, though compliance remains strictly voluntary. Rip it.
Virginia kindergarten readiness rose 6 percentage points to 57% this past year with notable gains among underserved students, though 43% of incoming children still fell short of state benchmarks. Rip it.
A new state education report calls for expanded postsecondary planning tools and clearer tuition guidance as local groups help Norfolk-area families navigate recent federal financial aid overhauls. Rip it.
Three months into Virginia’s new Intelligent Speed Assistance program, 90 convicted reckless drivers have had devices installed that physically prevent their cars from exceeding posted speed limits. Rip it.
Norfolk's emergency communications center is now using conversational artificial intelligence to handle more than 40% of non-emergency calls, freeing dispatchers to focus on urgent 911 requests. Rip it.
Less than two weeks after launch, the TSA quietly placed its program allowing non-ticketed visitors past security at Norfolk International Airport on hold indefinitely without explanation. Rip it.
Norfolk International Airport is auctioning off over 200 unclaimed lost-and-found items, including unopened AirPods, moss-covered purse planters, a boom lift, and an abandoned Toyota Prius. Rip it.
St. John’s AME Church secured over $685,000 in grants toward a $1 million restoration of its 1888 sanctuary, but the historic congregation needs community support to finish the work. Rip it.
Sentara Obici Hospital unveiled a dedicated Butterfly Room funded by a $35,000 gift from local nonprofit Kennedy's Angel Gowns, giving families experiencing infant loss a private space and specialized cooling bassinet. Rip it.
Sentara and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare are raising funds for free mammograms and patient care through BraZazzle and Bra-Ha-Ha, two regional art contests turning decorated bras into stories of survival. Rip it.
The Morring Community Foundation brings its second annual Creepy for a Cause gala to the Chrysler Museum of Art on Halloween, raising money for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Rip it.
Armed with crowbars and hammers, the newly formed Coastal Invasive Removal Team is mobilizing volunteers across Norfolk parks and cemeteries to pry suffocating English ivy off mature trees. Rip it.
Norfolk students across Calvert Square, Diggs Town, Young Terrace, and Grandy Village took pledges to reject gun violence and resolve conflicts peacefully for the Day of National Concern. Rip it.
Amtrak is paring Norfolk service down to a single daily train with a mandatory bus transfer in Alexandria during a nine-day tunnel track overhaul in Washington. Rip it.
Norfolk election officials spend days after the polls close verifying printed precinct tapes at the Circuit Court, qualifying provisional ballots, and preparing for state audits the city has undergone five straight years. Rip it.
Fresh off a 4-3 non-conference run, Michael Vick's Norfolk State squad opens MEAC play on Saturday against reigning champion South Carolina State, who carries an 11-game conference winning streak. Rip it.
The 2-5 ODU Monarchs travel to Louisiana Tech on Saturday aiming to jump-start an offense that currently ranks last in FBS football at 266.9 yards per game. Rip it.
Sun Belt coaches slotted ODU women's basketball sixth and relegated the Monarch men to 11th in the conference preseason poll, handing both squads early bulletin-board material ahead of November tipoffs. Rip it.
Old Dominion men's basketball dropped a 71-57 exhibition to VCU at Chartway Arena, but held the Rams to 25% second-half shooting during a late rally. Rip it.
Will Gavin scored twice and Matt Vernon stopped 35 shots as the Norfolk Admirals beat Atlanta 3-2, wrapping a 2-1 road trip before Friday's home opener at Scope. Rip it.
Local musicians suit up as Sheryl Crow, the Foo Fighters, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Devo, Third Eye Blind, Rick James, and AC/DC for one-night-only tribute sets at Saturday's 10th annual LAVA Halloween Extravaganza at Toast and Perro Blanco. Rip it.
The Virginia Zoo welcomed a rare female Eastern mountain bongo calf last week, marking a significant conservation milestone for the critically endangered antelope species. Rip it.
A 1988 letter by local researcher Kathleen Edwards Watson spurred the city to officially recognize the 200 Black WPA laborers who cleared swampland to build Norfolk Botanical Garden. Rip it.
Generic Theater rallied more than 100 volunteers to transform part of the Masonic Temple across from Granby High School into its new black box home after 18 years beneath Chrysler Hall. Rip it.
Virginia Stage Company explores friendship, isolation, and the immigrant experience in Lloyd Suh’s Thanksgiving-set two-hander "The Heart Sellers" at the Wells Theatre. Rip it.
The Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and Virginia Stage Company are lobbying state lawmakers to cap reseller markups after scalpers resold $35 tickets for up to $500. Rip it.
The OV Sea Hags, a costumed troupe of self-described crones, bring synchronized broom dances set to German hip-hop to Ocean View and community stages across Norfolk. Rip it.
Former Virginian-Pilot editorial cartoonist Walt Taylor, a longtime Ghent fixture who spent 15 years quietly sketching daily life and patrons inside Cafe Stella, died Oct. 8 at age 79. Rip it.
"Sam Allen: A New October," a 30-minute documentary tracing the Negro Leagues baseball career of the 90-year-old Norfolk native, premiered Oct. 17 at Virginia Peninsula Community College. Rip it.
Nauticus is releasing 500 free tickets for military families on Monday morning ahead of its Nov. 15 Military Appreciation Night at Winterfest on the Wisconsin. Rip it.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger asked state regulators to freeze electric rates for six years and expand customer bill credits if the proposed Dominion-NextEra utility merger is approved. Rip it.
Dominion Energy’s new 20-year roadmap plans for 39 gigawatts of new power generation, keeping natural gas in the mix alongside solar as electricity demand doubles and customer bills climb. Rip it.
A state watchdog report found Virginia's IT agency is falling behind on artificial intelligence oversight, leaving departments navigating vague rules despite 76% of surveyed state employees actively using AI tools. Rip it.
The Estates at Talbot Park wrapped up extensive renovations across its historic 295 apartments in Norfolk, adding central air and modernized interiors while welcoming back relocated residents. Rip it.
Scientists and policymakers met at William & Mary to map out bringing commercial nuclear fusion to Virginia as data centers strain the state's power grid. Rip it.
As U.S. cruise demand surges toward a record 22.4 million passengers in 2027, AAA Tidewater reports local travelers are increasingly booking shorter getaways right out of downtown Norfolk. Rip it.
Morningstar Properties bought the 12,579-square-foot restaurant building at 8180 Shore Drive for $3.8 million from East Bay Landing LLC. Rip it.
Norfolk’s Lake Taylor High and Madison Alternative Center will receive a slice of $1.5 million in state construction grants, part of a larger $37 million regional funding rollout. Rip it.
The Norfolk Navy Exchange earned the Navy’s highest retail honor this week, taking the Bingham Award for customer service and operations topping $46 million in annual sales. Rip it.
After being torn down and rebuilt, the Broad Creek Crossing Chick-fil-A on North Military Highway is hiring 160 workers ahead of its upcoming reopening. Rip it.
Martin’s Soul Food faces a $250,000 setback after thieves cut the power, gutted four rooftop A/C units, and stripped the copper wiring from its upcoming East Virginia Beach Boulevard location. Rip it.
More than 1,000 revelers are expected to pack Toast and Perro Blanco on Saturday for the 10th annual LAVA Halloween Extravaganza, where doors open at 3:30 pm and food trucks, vendors, and group and individual costume contests fill the hours until AC/DC closes out the night. Rip it.
Naval Station Norfolk opens its gates to the public this Saturday for Fleet Fest, featuring free ship tours, military demonstrations, and live entertainment on the world's largest naval base. Rip it.
Fri October 23
Norfolk Run Club Friday Morning Run at The Donut Dugout. 6:00 am. Rip it.
O's Donuts Equipment & Inventory Sale at O's Donuts. 8:00 am. Rip it.
10th Annual Witches & Whiskers at Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Trick 'r Trees at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Night Market with The Second Layer Collective. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Flea Market After Dark: Halloween Edition at COVA Brewing Co. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Skylark, Skip Hancock perform live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Masquerade in Ghent at Colley Avenue. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Artists in Residence Reception at The Goode Family Visual Arts School & Hermitage Museum. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The Vibration Open Mic at Maker's Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Illusions Drag Queen Dinner Show at EZ Lounge. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Live Music Bingo with Nate Sacks at Wasserhund Brewing Company. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
The Russell Scarborough Trio performs live at Mosaic Steel Orchestra. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Maury vs. Lake Taylor Football game at Powhatan Field. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Admirals vs. Trois-Rivières Lions at Norfolk Scope. 7:05 pm. Rip it.
Elijah Rock: Memories Unleashed at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
The Heart Sellers at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
FOAM-O-WEEN: Ooky Spooky Foam Party at The Wave. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
A Nightmare on Church St. at The Annex. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Music Bingo with Nick Taylor at The OV Beach Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Haunted Norfolk Tour at USS Battleship Wisconsin. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Goth Night at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Tassels of Terror spooky burlesque show at Live Body Brave Studio. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Charlton Phaneuf/The Charltones perform live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Desi Alexander at The NorVA. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
POLTERGEIST: October Fright Nights at Naro Cinema. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Ghent Masquerade After Party at The Public House. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Good Tymes: Customer Appreciation at Baxter's. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Sat October 24
Morning Group Bicycle Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 7:00 am. Rip it.
Ocean View Run Club Weekend Long Run at Vessel Craft Coffee. 7:15 am. Rip it.
TNDO Run Club group run on the Elizabeth River Trail at Town Point Park. 9:00 am. Rip it.
2026 ERT Botanical Tours at Elizabeth River Trail. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Renewal Cares 3rd Annual 5K Walk/Run at Waterside Drive. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Ghent Antiques Flea Market at Ghent Antiques. 9:00 am. Rip it.
CHKD Wholesale Pansy Sale at St. Pius X Church Norfolk. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Halloween Spooktacular at St. Mary's Home. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Caffeine & Creativity Art Market at Mudita Cafe & Bar. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Reign in Science Day at Innovation Research Park II at Old Dominion University. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Indigenous Voices of the River at Ryan Resilience Lab. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Pink and Pearl Brunch at Faith Anointed Deliverance Church. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Highland Park Halloween Party on North Colley at Colley Avenue. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Toddler Yoga NFK at Sky's The Limit Yoga Co. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Brian Sewell performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
SOR Halloween Party at The Annex. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Halloween Puppy Parade at Chelsea Business District. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Spooky Market at Tender Heart Tattoo. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Heroes and Hounds at Elation Brewing. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Experience India at Richard A. Tucker Memorial. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Ligayafest at Maker's Craft Brewery. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Downtown Norfolk Historic Walking Tour at The Mermaid at Bute St. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
The Heart Sellers at Wells Theatre. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Know the Signs at The Slover. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Ghouls & Goodies Night Market at Sanctuary Railroad District. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Ghent Community Picnic at Stockley Gardens Park. 3:30 pm. Rip it.
Let's Get Spooky: Bloom Bingo Social at Maker's Craft Brewery. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk African American History Tour at Norfolk Public Library: Blyden Branch. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Grip n' Clip Rope Competition at Send It Climbing Gym. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Halloween Bar Crawl at Peck & Pour. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
10th Annual LAVA Halloween Extravaganza at Toast & Perro Blanco Mezcaleria. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Halloween Trunk or Treat Event at Atlantis Games & Comics. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Trunk-r-Treat & Outdoor Movie Night at Christ United Methodist Church. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank's Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Victoria Station 50th Anniversary Prime Rib Nite at Todd Jurich's Bistro. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Better By Tuesday perform live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Nightmare on Granby Street Halloween speakeasy at Blackeyed Peas Restaurant. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NSU Volleyball vs. Morgan State at Gill Gymnasium. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Illusions Drag Queen Dinner Show at at EZ Lounge. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Haunted Temple. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Party of the Dead cabaret dinner theater at 37th and Zen. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Saturday Singles Mixer at Chicho's Backstage. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Spooky Stories Under the Ghost Light at Elation Brewing. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Tyler The Creator Flower Boy + Igor Vinyl Listening at Vessel Craft Coffee. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
ZZYNITO and Khalif perform live at Granby St. Glow Juice Bar. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Admirals vs. Trois-Rivières Lions at Norfolk Scope. 7:05 pm. Rip it.
The Heart Sellers at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Dani Assis with the John Toomey Trio at Attucks Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Death Harvest (Brett Lloyd) Performing Live at Chicho's Backstage. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Battle Of The DJS at The Annex. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Haunted Granby Theater Annual Halloween Party at The Granby Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Waterside Singles Bar Crawl at PBR Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Kai Wachi at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
House of 1000 Corpses: October Fright Nights at Naro Cinema. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Miles Mulkey performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Dance of the Dead spooky dance party with DJ Paul at 37th and Zen. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
DJ Saint James performs live at Baxter's. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Pirate Takeover at Gryfitti at Dockside. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Sun October 25
Fall Harvest Market at Maker's Craft Brewery. Rip it.
25 on the 25th at The Virginia Zoo. 9:30 am. Rip it.
City Girls Walk VA at Caffiend Coffee Co. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Slow and Steady Group Ride at Slow & Steady Bike Goods. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Marty C Moore performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Halloween Harvest Festival at The Chrysler Museum of Art. 11:00 am. Rip it.
4th Annual Oyster Roast at Stony’s Dockside & Morningstar Marina. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Fish, Grits, R&B Karaoke & Football at Granby St. Glow Juice Bar. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Aone performs live at Baxter's. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
SUNDAY NFL with Mingle 757 at Azalea Inn Grill and Time Out Sports Bar. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th and Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
The Heart Sellers at Wells Theatre. 2:00 pm. Post-Show Talkback. Rip it.
Norfolk Admirals vs. Trois-Rivières Lions at Norfolk Scope. 3:05 pm. Rip it.
Merci Football Pickup at Lakewood Park. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
UNCOMMON 757 Run & Social Club night run at Waterside District. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Bobby Wilson & Company perform live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Karaoke Night at Public House. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Brothers Nicholas and Gilbert Mariano opened Break Bread at Palace Station in Ghent, dishing out pork belly gochujang Benedict, smoked salmon bruschetta, and mimosa flights. Rip it.
Childhood friends Jonathan Flores and Jonathan Hernandez are slinging 18-hour slow-cooked birria tacos and tallow-rich consommé until 2 a.m. outside their El Chuyo trailer on Granby Street. Rip it.
Todd Jurich's Bistro serves a classic roast prime rib of beef au jus for a $69 prix fixe dinner this Saturday, October 24th. Rip it.
Crawl downtown Norfolk for fall seasonal sips like Three Ships’ Triple Pumpkin Latte alongside Cure’s Cornbread Latte and Maple Rosemary Latte. Rip it.
Sip Elation Brewing's new Ghost Light Lager while catching spooky, open-mic neighborhood tales told under the glow of the Masonic Temple's Generic Theater. Rip it.
Crush a messy, fully loaded hot dog stacked high with crunchy, flavorful toppings at Pixels. Rip it.
S’mores Amore slides a frosty chill into the campfire classic with their sticky, graham-crusted S’mores Ice Cream Sandwich. Rip it.
Pull up to Glasslight Hotel for their seasonal Chef’s Tasting Table, a five-course blind sprint through the kitchen's sharpest rotating ideas. Rip it.
Trade your standard morning brew for a vibrant, violet pour of The Purple Stuff latte at Apelu Island Cafe. Rip it.
Saltine lines up a four-course dinner matched with winter-inspired cocktails and live demos from their chef and mixologist on December 9 and 10. Rip it.
Crudo Nudo pairs slow-roasted, seared delicata squash with airy whipped goat cheese and spiced pepitas to kick off your late-night spread properly. Rip it.
Anchor your late-night table at Toast with a cheese plate built for picking at while the conversation wanders between friends old and new. Rip it.
Lock down your Thanksgiving turkey reservation with Pendulum Fine Meats before the holiday order board fills up. Rip it.
Four Eleven York folds roasted kabocha squash, brown butter, sage, and local Tidewater Mushroom Co. oysters into a rich autumn risotto built for chilly nights. Rip it.
Omar’s Carriage House runs weekend specials of coppa-pressed veal parmesan alongside napa cabbage-wrapped swai roulade over bacon vinegar potatoes. Rip it.