In a new Va Dept of Education report, none of Norfolk’s schools earned a “distinguished” ranking and more than half were “off-track” or worse. Rip it.
Norfolk School Board approved an increase in their annual salaries. Pay for regular members will go from $3,060 to $25,000. Rip it.
The Norfolk Public School Board discussed an updated long-term school consolidation and equity transition plan, presented during Wednesday’s meeting. Rip it.
Virginia’s recently published enrollment data indicates that state schools will need about $1.2 billion over the next two years, more than was projected just weeks ago amid challenges in funding other key areas. Rip it.
Governor-elect Spanberger has proposed sweeping changes to health care, utility regulation and housing. Rip it.
A JLARC report finds that just a few localities in the state contain a majority of gun violence incidents and also have the highest police officer vacancies. Rip it.
Virginia will implement new restrictions on liquid nicotine and vapor products starting December 31, potentially forcing many vape shops to close and limiting consumer options. Rip it.
Starting January 1, several new Virginia laws will take effect including baby food protections, social media age restrictions, spam call rules, insurance changes, minimum wage increases, and more. Rip it.
Habitat for Humanity dedicated homes to 2 first time homeowners in Norfolk this week. Rip it.
Local officials held a ribbon cutting for the recently completed Newport Gardens Apartments on 36th Street. Rip it.
The ForKids Housing Crisis Hotline is seeing another year of record-breaking calls for help with more than 78,000 calls so far in 2025. Rip it.
The cold weather this week sent Norfolk’s homeless shelter to max capacity. Rip it.
Researchers and Chesapeake Bay area conservationists are opposed to new guidance on the best practices to protect animal populations and habitats from the impacts of withdrawing surface water. Rip it.
The EVMS pediatric chair is speaking out over a change to hepatitis B vaccine regulations. Rip it.
Virginia’s U.S. Senators urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a letter, to “prioritize” a vaccine strategy for the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Rip it.
The USS Gravely, which carries around 300 sailors, returned to Naval Station Norfolk Saturday after a four-month long deployment supporting U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) missions. Rip it.
The Maury Commodores clinched a third consecutive VHSL Class 5 state championship in a win against Highland Springs. Rip it.
The Lake Taylor Titans secured a Class 3 state championship with a win over Kettle Run this week. Rip it.
ODU’s defensive line held South Florida to just 10 points in a 24-10 ODU victory in the Cure Bowl. Rip it.
Porchella, the grassroots neighborhood jam, goes down on December 27th, so keep your holiday lights up a few more days! Rip it.
The Chrysler Museum of Art announced its upcoming season of exhibitions, including pioneering video art, he vibrant tradition of Chinese glass, feature photography, and more. Rip it.
The Chrysler Museum’s Wonder Winterland brings Second Ending Brass quintet, the Great Chrysler Bake-Off, and a ton of other activites to life on December 27th. Rip it.
Keep an eye out for the strolling santa band appearing around Downtown. Rip it.
The Virginia Stage Company is putting on two Christmas carol specials this December. Rip it.
Desperate Measures, a new musical, is coming to Generic Theater next month. Rip it.
Building a custom Santa sleigh from scratch? That’s just one of the things you can do at the 757 Makerspace. Rip it.
Currently on Display:
Tapio Wirkkala: Still at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Susan Watkins and Women Artists of the Progressive Era at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Nam June Paik: Electric Television at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Reminiscent: A National Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Impressionism at d’Art Center. Rip it.
The Vault: Tiny But Mighty 4 - An Annual National Juried Exhibit of Small Artworks at d’Art Center. Rip it.
Co•incidence, the Fall Senior Exhibition at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
River of Earth: Meaning and Material in Self-Taught Art From Appalachia at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
The CAN Collection at Assembly. Rip it.
Perry Glass Art Collection at Glass Light. Rip it.
CONNECTED - A series of animals and nature scenes in oils and sand on canvas at The Gallery At Elation. Rip it.
Neil Dion’s Weird Trails at Zeke’s. Rip it.
According to the Virginia Lottery, in 23 days, the Interim Gaming Hall at Harbor Park made a profit of roughly $1.4 million. Rip it.
New emergency power generation rules that allow Tier II generators are supported by major data center providers who want constant power from state utilities. Rip it.
LS Cable & System announced a $689 million investment along the Elizabeth River, building on the first phase of the project that got underway in April. Rip it.
Virginia's unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5% in the latest preliminary jobs report, despite a net decrease in total employment in the state indicating a total labor force decrease. Rip it.
Virginia started out the year in a strong position and is ending it in a more perilous one according to the 11th State of the Commonwealth report by the Dragas Center at ODU. Rip it.
Ricky Rahne has signed a four year contract extension with ODU to continue coaching the football program. Rip it.
A new study from Virginia Tech suggests that solar panels may produce more stormwater runoff and cause increased instances of flooding. Rip it.
New sales data shows Tito’s led all products at Virginia ABC stores during fiscal year 2025–bringing in about $75 million. Rip it.
The 2026 Economic Forecast with Mark Vitner is on January 27th. Rip it.
Housing inventories climbed across Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia in November, but fewer deals closed as home sales declined across the two regions. Rip it.
The median household income for renters in Virginia came to $61,242 in 2024 per the Census Bureau, up 1.4% from a year ago, and well above the U.S. median income for renters of $54,446. Rip it.
Norfolk-based Free Life is a pop-up bar that is cultivating connection without the alcohol. Rip it.
Don’t miss the West Ghent Annual Tree Lighting, a 50 year plus tradition taking place on December 23rd. Rip it.
Cosmic Anime Rave? Yep, that’s coming to the Norva. Rip it.
The biggest NYE bash in town goes down at Waterside District. Rip it.
Last call for Smartmouth Norfolk this weekend. Rip it.
Fri Dec 19
Norfolk Run Club Meetup at Yorgo's Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Elves Around the City: Pop-Up Holiday Litter Cleanups at . 9:00 am. Rip it.
4th Annual Merry Grinchmas at The Big Free Bookstore. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Pancho performs live at Acclaim at East Beach. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Winterfest on the Wisconsin at Nauticus. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
The Gatsby Gala Market at Locals Marketplace. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Vanessa Rodriguez Open Mic Jam at Maker's Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Desiree Jordan performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Harbor Lights Tour at Nauticus. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Winter New Moon Market at Selden Market at Selden Market. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Winter Solstice Ritual at Mystic Moon of Norfolk. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Desiree Jordan performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Grand Opulence | Seasonal Leisure Affair (Pop-Up) at Cardinal Skate Shop. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Drum Circle at Mystic Moon of Norfolk. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party at Norfolk Scope. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Harbor Lights Tour at Nauticus. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Fortisse, Jet Noize, Dirt Melt, Coffee Resin at The Taphouse Grill. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
The Michael Clark Band performs live at Elation Brewing. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
A Sherlock Carol at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Handel's Messiah with Eric Jacobsen at Harrison Opera House. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Project Pat at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Sleaze Please: A Y2K Indie Night at The Annex. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Project Pat performs live at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Jam: A Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Donna Lewis at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Goth Night at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
MX Wave of the Month w/ Jennifer Warner and DJ Melody at The Wave. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ J Rok performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Tom from Exploding Sun performs live at Tap It Local. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Ugly Sweater Party at PBR Norfolk. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Dave Johnson & The Truth performs live at Chicho's Backstage. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Teacher's Pet - Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Sat Dec 20
Morning Group Bicycle Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 7:00 am. Rip it.
Ocean View Run Club Weekend Long Run. 7:15 am. Rip it.
Holiday Nature Ornaments at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party at Norfolk Scope. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Brian Sewell performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Run It Back - Vinyl & Vintage Clothing at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it.
12 Bars of Christmas Crawl at Waterside District. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Holidaze Fest at GLO Center. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Live Celtic Music w/ Celtic Gifts Shopping at Norfolk Premium Outlets. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
A Merry Little Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party at Norfolk Scope. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank's Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Winterfest on the Wisconsin at Nauticus. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Live Music with Allegra Duchaine at Maker's Craft Brewery. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Feline Navidad- Cat Adoption Christmas Market at Locals Marketplace. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
2025 Big Xmas Benefit: Grateful Jed & DJ Williams Band (Smartmouth Norfolk's Final Show!) at Smartmouth Beer. 5:30 am. Rip it.
Desiree Jordan performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm.. Rip it.
Harbor Lights Tour at Nauticus. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Solstice Slow Down: Yoga and Sound Healing at Sky's The Limit Yoga Co. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Derek Smith performs live at Elation Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Santa Live! at 8410 Old Ocean View Rd. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Adam Hawley Christmas in Norfolk at The Annex. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party at Norfolk Scope. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Sins Of A Father: The Ministry at Attucks Theatre. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Derek Smith peforms live at Elation Brewing. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Harbor Lights Tour at Nauticus. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
XXXMAS 2025 at Norfolk Taphouse. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Sins Of A Father: The Ministry at Attucks Theatre. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Grey Matter at Just Birdies at Just Birdies. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Ugly Sweater Karaoke Party at Benchtop Brewing Company. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
A Sherlock Carol at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Goldfinger at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Goldfinger performs live at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Saturgay w/ DJ Bird & DJ Genki at The Wave. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Annual Christmas Pajama party with Bears at MJ's Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Channel Surf w/ multiple DJs at 810 Granby St. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Hutch performs live at Tap It Local. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Solertech performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Grizzly performs live at Baxters. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Second Saturday Stand-Up at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
HEY MA RNB night at The Annex. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Sun Dec 21
Birding with a Ranger at Lakewood Park. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Slow and Steady Sunday Group Ride at Slow & Steady Bike Goods. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party at Norfolk Scope. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Joe Heilman performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Robbie Meade performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Winter Craftivity at the Chrysler Museum of Art. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Santa Paws is Coming to Hank's for a Tail-waggin' Good Time at Hank's Filling Station. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Christmas Drag Brunch at 37th and Zen. 12:15 pm. Rip it.
DJ GPP performs live at Baxters. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
Sunday Game Day Watch Party at Waterside District. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Shuck the Halls! All-You-Can-Eat Oyster Roast & Holiday Market at Kitchenfinity. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th and Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
A Merry Little Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Open Viewpoints + Winter Solstice Gathering at 202 W 22nd St. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Trad Celtic & Old Time Session live at Elation Brewing. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party at Norfolk Scope. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Christmas Cantata: In-person and Virtual! at Third Presbyterian Church. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Christmas Fest at Locals Marketplace. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Winterfest on the Wisconsin at Nauticus. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Christmas Concert - Christmas at Calvary a Season of Joy at Second Calvary Baptist Church. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
The Swinging Santas live at Elation Brewing. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Donation-Based Sound Bath Meditation with Carly at Norfolk Karate Academy. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Lifeline performs live at The Taphouse Grill. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Donation-Based Yin Yoga & Sound Bath Meditation with Carly & Hannah at Norfolk Karate Academy. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Live Band Christmas Karaoke at 37th and Zen. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Joe Heilman performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
The Nascar Jones Show - Live Talk Show Comedy Extravaganza at Push Comedy Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Half-off all pasta is the fully-loaded way to our hearts. Rip it.
Twelve Nights of Old Fashioneds are back at Toast with highlights like Hot Toki and Montelobos Mezcal. Rip it.
Ramen loaded with crab meat!? Stockpot, you better run it back! Rip it.
They’re saying the Todd Jurich’s meatloaf is the perfect way to warm up this winter. Rip it.
Yes, chicken and waffle grilled cheeses are a real thing and available on Granby Street. Rip it.
It’s soup season and Ten Top is always stocked with the best in town. Rip it.
Ol’ cowboy Syd just dropped the “Earlini,” a brand new martini infused with specialty fruits. Rip it.
Sour Street’s The Devito is a classic margherita with anchovies. Do it for Danny. Rip it.
Winter pies have dropped at Lomo and here’s a hint: Gochujang. Rip it.
Leave out a couple of tacos for Santa this year, because we know he likes rock music. Rip it.
