Norfolk City Council approved a new overlay district for Willoughby Spit on Tuesday, capping short-term rental growth by banning new vacation properties within 300 feet of existing ones. Rip it.
Candidates in Norfolk's only contested City Council races, Wards 3 and 4, are pushing for municipal investment beyond Downtown and Ghent, prioritizing housing authority oversight, violence prevention, and neighborhood equity. Rip it.
City Manager Pat Roberts defended Norfolk's network of more than 200 Flock surveillance cameras before City Council on Tuesday as the DeFlock Norfolk Coalition rallied outside City Hall demanding the city cancel the contract. Rip it.
Norfolk 911 dispatchers are fielding about a third fewer non-emergency calls after the city launched an AI-powered system to answer routine inquiries and keep human operators focused on real emergencies. Rip it.
Norfolk Public Works crews spent the week clearing drainage choke points and preparing to monitor flood-prone underpasses as Hurricane Isaias approaches Hampton Roads. Rip it.
Norfolk's Bureau of Cemeteries relies on dedicated volunteer crews to help care for more than 182,000 historic graves spread across eight municipal burial grounds and 400 acres. Rip it.
After spending months living among the headstones at Cedar Grove Cemetery, a stray dog dubbed Lucky is heading to a rescue group following care at the Norfolk Animal Care Center. Rip it.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones launched a permanent Voter Protection Section to investigate ballot access issues, registration cancellations, and local election administration across the Commonwealth. Rip it.
Early voter turnout is surging across Virginia, with election offices statewide logging steep increases in ballots cast ahead of Election Day. 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.
The Navy is overhauling JEB Little Creek's 638-unit Shields Hall barracks for the second time in 11 years, swapping out a failing HVAC system and bedroom carpets through next summer. Rip it.
Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Rose confirmed that Ghent School is no longer part of the district's Phase 2 consolidation plan and will stay open for now. Parents and teachers pressed the School Board at a Wednesday public hearing over the closures that remain on the table for 2027-2028. Rip it.
The Virginia Department of Education is sending more than $37 million in school construction grants to Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Franklin, with $1.5 million of that going to Norfolk's Lake Taylor High and Madison Alternative Center. Rip it.
Kindergarten readiness in Virginia rose from 51% to 57% over the past year, with gains among Latino, Black, low-income and English-learner children, though Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway says wide gaps remain. Rip it.
Virginia educators are navigating artificial intelligence in the classroom, weighing the technology's potential for critical thinking against the risks of student shortcuts and distorted historical simulations. Rip it.
The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation unveiled conceptual plans for an ADA-accessible pedestrian bridge spanning Norfolk Southern tracks from Jeff Robertson Park to the Railyard District, bypassing the narrow Hampton Boulevard underpass. Rip it.
Crews finished westbound HRBT repaving early, but Norfolk drivers face up to two full weekend closures heading eastbound into the city later this month. Rip it.
Virginia's Intelligent Speed Assistance program has installed 90 speed-limiting devices in the vehicles of reckless drivers in its first three months, out of 145 referrals statewide. Rip it.
The Chesapeake Bay earned its highest health score since 2006 with an overall C+, led by a B+ rating in the lower Bay off Cape Henry. Rip it.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality released draft guidance asking developers of landfills, power plants, gas compressor stations and some data centers to measure the cumulative pollution burden on lower-income communities and communities of color, and is taking public comment. Rip it.
Sentara Leigh Hospital hosts a free community day on Oct. 17, featuring the Nightingale air ambulance, the Norfolk Tides mascot, and walk-in 3D mammogram screenings. Rip it.
Sailors from Naval Station Norfolk racked up 137 water slide runs at Great Wolf Lodge, raising $14,700 for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Rip it.
The Norfolk Admirals open their ECHL season on the road Friday at 7 p.m. against the Savannah Ghost Pirates, playing this year as the league's only team without an NHL or AHL affiliation, and return to Scope for the home opener Oct. 23. Rip it.
Norfolk State piled on 48 first-half points en route to a 62-0 homecoming shutout over Virginia Lynchburg at Dick Price Stadium, prompting officials to shorten the second-half clock. Rip it.
Old Dominion University retired Taylor Heinicke's No. 14 jersey Thursday night, making the former NFL quarterback the first Monarch football player to receive the honor. Rip it.
Following ODU's 10-3 victory over Appalachian State, Monarchs head coach Ricky Rahne honored a halftime bet by diving shirtless headfirst down a rain-soaked mud hill behind the end zone. Rip it.
The Miami Dolphins claimed Norfolk native and former Norview star Kaytron Allen off waivers, adding the rookie running back to their roster just one day after Washington released him. Rip it.
Broadway in Norfolk's touring production of “Spamalot” has set up camp at Harrison Opera House, bringing Pythonian absurdity to the NEON while Chrysler Hall awaits its major overhaul. Rip it.
The OV Sea Hags, a year-old Ocean View troupe of broom-wielding dancers who raise money for local nonprofits, host the Ocean View Witch Walk at Ocean View Park at 6 p.m. Saturday. Bring your own broom. Rip it.
Just weeks after floodwaters breached the Wells Theatre, Virginia Stage Company returned to the stage with Lloyd Suh's 1973-set comedy “The Heart Sellers,” following two immigrant wives bonding over Thanksgiving. Rip it.
The d'Art Center is celebrating 40 years anchoring Norfolk's visual arts scene with an anniversary fundraiser featuring live auctions, mystery box prizes, and bites in the NEON District. Rip it.
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, music director Eric Jacobsen, and saxophonist Branford Marsalis are up for two Grammy nominations for their collaborative classical album, Sound of the Sun. Rip it.
A second Virginia Symphony Orchestra recording, with violinist Gil Shaham and music director Eric Jacobsen, is up for Grammy consideration across three classical categories. Rip it.
Oscar-nominated director James Spione and Pamunkey Chief Kevin Brown teamed up on “The Native Shore,” a new documentary tracing 10,000 years of Chesapeake Bay history through tribal leaders' own voices. Rip it.
Virginia Opera stages Leoncavallo's backstage tragedy Pagliacci at the Harrison Opera House in November, with Zach Borichevsky and Sarah Tucker leading the cast and a Pagliacci After Dark afterparty following the Friday night performance. Rip it.
Little Theatre of Norfolk is holding open auditions for Thornton Wilder's apocalyptic comedy The Skin of Our Teeth at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on Hampton Boulevard. Rip it.
Three artists explore the tactile intersections of cyanotype, ink, and photography in “Ink & Exposure,” opening October 26 at TCC's Visual Arts + Design Center downtown. Rip it.
Norfolk singer-songwriter James Turner brought his indie-rock project Feign Kin to WHRO's Curate Sessions stage for an intimate performance of “Too Slow.” Rip it.
The Barry Art Museum is calling on locals to dig out their vintage and contemporary paper dolls to help build out a new study collection. Rip it.
Slover Library unearths the city's lost architecture, streets, and vanished landmarks on Thursday, Oct. 29 during a presentation on “The Norfolk That Disappeared Part II.” Rip it.
Built in 1931, Downtown Norfolk's Selden Arcade blends Romanesque Revival and Victorian commercial design, serving as the centerpiece for local walking tours spotlighting the city's early architectural history. Rip it.
The Elizabeth River Project is hosting traditional craft workshops and oral storytelling sessions exploring Indigenous ties to local waterways at Paradise Creek Nature Park and the Ryan Resilience Lab. Rip it.
Dragon Faire brings two days of cosplay, tabletop gaming, and giant turkey legs to the NEON District on November 14 and 15. Rip it.
Currently on Display:
Is, Was: Glass and Metal by Christopher Wilmarth at the Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Ilse Bing Between Paris and New York at the Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Rafael Soldi: Soft Boy at the Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Constellations: Contemporary Jewelry from the Dallas Museum of Art at the Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Fibrous: A Juried National Exhibition of Paper & Textile Artworks at d’Art Center. Rip it.
Mythus: A National Exhibit of Folklore Inspired Artworks at d’Art Center. Rip it.
Handwork at the Hermitage: A National Collaboration with Craft in America at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. Rip it.
The Sloane Collection at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. Rip it.
Plein Air Works From An Alley In Richmond by Anne Wrinn at The Gallery at Elation. Rip it.
Perry Glass Art Collection at Glass Light. Rip it.
Walashek Industrial & Marine is investing $5 million to expand its Norfolk headquarters, adding 40 jobs and relocating Navy hovercraft maintenance from San Diego to Little Creek. Rip it.
Norfolk-founded Haynes Furniture and The Dump are permanently closing all 12 locations after 128 years as fourth-generation family ownership retires, with liquidation sales underway including the North Military Highway showroom in Norfolk. Rip it.
Breeze Airways resumed its seasonal nonstop route between Norfolk International Airport and Phoenix this month, running flights three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Rip it.
Norfolk International Airport opened online bidding for its latest surplus auction, putting an eclectic haul of vehicles, electronics, jewelry, and airport equipment up for grabs. Rip it.
Regional business leaders launched Start in Hampton Roads, a new workforce platform designed to help local employers recruit, hire, and retain talent across the 757. Rip it.
The Ten Top will close its original Shirley Avenue restaurant at the end of 2026 and merge operations into its Ten Top Market at 5115 Colley Avenue in January, ending more than 15 years across from the Naro. Rip it.
Hampton Roads home prices rose 2.74 percent in September to a median of $375,000, with Norfolk up 1.85 percent, while active listings across the region reached 6,357, the highest count since April 2020. Rip it.
TowneBank sold four former Old Point National Bank offices for a combined $9.5 million over June and July, among them the 6,926-square-foot Ghent wealth management building at 1812 Granby Street, about a mile from TowneBank's own Colley Avenue office. Rip it.
Wilson Pipe & Fabrication bought a 39,914-square-foot industrial building at 2701 Saint Julian Avenue from Julian Terrace LLC for $2.6 million in late July. Rip it.
Fri October 16
Mx Wave of the Month Amateur Drag Contest at The Wave. 12:00 am. Rip it.
Norfolk Run Club Meetup at Yorgo's Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Fall Educator Night! at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights at NEON District. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: Community Mural with The Womxns Collective at The Plot. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights - Free Shows at Push Comedy Theater. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: BAM in the Wild: Paper Lanterns at The Plot. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: Artist and Handmade Vendors at Cofer Lot. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: Melt With Us: Hot Glass & Cool Treats with This Great Mercy Band at d'Art Center. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: Artist Glowcase, Zines on Magazine, and Collectors Hang Suite at Granby St Glow Juice Bar. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: The Lost & Found Department at Tender Heart Tattoo. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: The Garden: Sound Bowl Healing and Guided Meditation at Renova Center. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: Free Punch and Pie Art at Commonwealth Tattoo Gallery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: 1980s-Themed Works by a Granby Street Native Artist at Cool & Curated. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: Rock & Roll & Alternative Karaoke with Works by C.A. Simmons at Sanctuary. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
NEON Nights: Dance Performances by Twinkle Toes Performing Arts Center at NEON District. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Volleyball vs. Howard at Gill Gymnasium. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
DETOURS Opening Night at Zeke's NFK. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Desiree Jordan performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
FREE NEON District Mural Tour at The Plot. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Family Twilight Trek - Owl Night at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Bethel Music at The NorVA. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
CeCe Winans performs live at Chartway Arena. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Drag Queen Dinner Show at Illusions The Drag Queen Show. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Virginia Symphony: Mozart's Gran Partita at Attucks Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
The Heart Sellers at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Pride Night. Rip it.
Goth Night at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Music Bingo with Nick Taylor at The OV Beach Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Fresh Radio 16th Birthday at The Annex. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Nick Franzitta performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Free Stand-Up Comedy with Jennifer Warner After The Heart Sellers Pride Night at The Wells Theatre. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
I Just Wanna Dance at Baxter's on Granby. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
October Fright Nights: The Shining at Naro Cinema. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Teacher's Pet - Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Sat October 17
Morning Group Bicycle Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 7:00 am. Rip it.
Ocean View Run Club Weekend Long Run at Cova. 7:15 am. Rip it.
Run Build Conquer group run at FR8 House Coffee. 8:30 am. Rip it.
ZooBoo at The Virginia Zoo. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Tidewater United Championship at Poplar Hall Park. 9:30 am. Rip it.
2026 Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival at Stockley Gardens. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Girl Scout Outdoor Art Day! at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Marty C Moore performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Barraud Park Grand Reopening Celebration at Barraud Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Fairytale and Fantasy HIIT at Granby St. Glow Juice Bar and More. 11:00 am. Rip it.
38th Annual Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival at Town Point Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Bike Swap at Slow & Steady Bikes and Goods. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Vida Vibrante at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Fall Fest at COVA Brewing Co. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Downtown Norfolk Historic Walking Tour at The Mermaid at Bute St. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Betty's Social at For Creatives. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Smores Than Meets The Eye at The Muse Writers Center. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Grateful Jed, Nomad, and DJ Ben Egan at Toast + Perro Blanco. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Friendspeeding 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.
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank's Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
The Little Black Dress Cocktail Hour at Town Point Club. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Desiree Jordan performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Murder Mystery Dinner at The Granby Theater. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Nurse Blake: But Did You Die? Comedy Tour at Attucks Theatre. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Drag Queen Dinner Show at Illusions The Drag Queen Show. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Vent Session: An Improv Comedy Experience at The Venue on 35th. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Pushing Dragons: An Improvised Dungeons and Dragons Adventure at Push Comedy Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
The Heart Sellers at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
DJ Mixology performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Grizzly performs live at Baxter's. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
The Ramblers perform live at Willoughby By The Bay. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
That's So Trash at 37th & Zen. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
October Fright Nights: The Lost Boys at Naro Cinema. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Sun October 18
ZooBoo at Virginia Zoo. 9:00 am. Rip it.
2026 Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival at Stockley Gardens. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Slow and Steady Group Ride at Slow & Steady Bike Goods. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Robbie Meade performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Packed House Fall Market at Packed House. 11:00 am. Rip it.
38th Annual Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival at Town Point Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
2026 Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival at Stockley Gardens. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Fish, Grits, R&B Karaoke & Football at Granby St. Glow Juice Bar & More. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Aone performs live at Baxter's. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th and Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
WLW Fall Wine Festival Meetup at Town Point Park. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
The Heart Sellers at Wells Theatre. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Missy Elliott HBCU Battle of the Bands at Norfolk State University William "Dick" Price Stadium. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Restorative Yoga & Hot Stone NFK at Sky's The Limit Yoga Co. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Merci Football Pickup at Lakewood Park. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Julia Cole's LOVE YOU TO DEATH TOUR at The Annex. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Matt Holloman performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Karaoke Night at Public House. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Orapax brings back their beef-stuffed dolmades, ladling house-made lemon dill sauce over the tender grape leaves. Rip it.
Sip the Neon-Stop or Ready, Set, Glow! mocktails while roaming the NEON District this Friday from 6 to 10 PM. Rip it.
Hit Chelsea Bakehouse in West Ghent for their limited-time broccolini and cheddar pizza while this simple, sharp pie is still firing. Rip it.
Ilo Bistro ushers in fall with seared tuna paired with cauliflower, a caper raisin emulsion, and almond grape brown butter. Rip it.
Colley Cantina gives the classic White Russian a campfire spin with espresso rum, Hershey's s'mores syrup, toasted marshmallow, and a crunchy graham cracker rim. Rip it.
Slurp all-you-can-eat raw, grilled, and fried oysters alongside pulled pork BBQ and Orange Crushes at Stony’s Dockside on October 25th for $60. Rip it.
Catch eerie local storytelling at Elation Brewing to preview their fresh Ghost Light Lager, a collaboration heading to Generic Theater's new Granby Street stage. Rip it.
Glasco’s Jook Joint snaps into the weekend with crisp, house-made pickles to cut through dinner and drinks. Rip it.
Orapax lines up five courses alongside deep pours of Black Stallion Napa Valley wine on October 27 for $95 per person. Rip it.
Glasslight Hotel layers rich seared scallops over silky purée and crusted fish finished with briny roe for serious downtown plate work. Rip it.
Plunge The Grilled Cheese Bistro’s soppressata and mozzarella-stuffed olive tomato focaccia straight into a dipper of parmesan-topped tomato bisque. Rip it.
Find crackly tempura fried oyster mushrooms when you slip behind the orange door on Granby and start dinner with Codex’s . Rip it.
Four Eleven York layers warmth and spice into a single, thoughtful bite of sweet potato pavé laced with vadouvan curry and sweet onion soubise. Rip it.
The Birch mixes a bittersweet cool-weather warmer pairing rich Byrrh Grand Quinquina with Navy Hill’s alcohol-free G&T. Rip it.