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🌱 Patch AM: Why thousands in Newport News are fighting a possible new data center

Spotted on the Newport News calendar: New Year's Day - Beer & Bites

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Hi there, Newport News! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why thousands in Newport News are fighting a possible new data center
  • How a Newport News car lot hid a massive drug ring
  • How a stretched carrier deployment could affect work at Newport News yard

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Day - Beer & Bites .

Find out what's happening in Newport Newsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Newport Newsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: A morning shower or two, with a high of 59 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Friday: A couple of afternoon showers, temps: high: 46, low: 44.
  • Saturday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 52 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Newport News residents rally against proposed data center near Fort Eustis (13newsnow.com) — Newport News officials are weighing potential data center sites near Dozier Road by Fort Eustis, but more than 2,000 residents have already signed an online petition raising alarms about water use and neighborhood impacts. City leaders say the data center idea is just one piece of a broader digital infrastructure plan and promise public input before any land-use decisions affecting Newport News move forward.
   

2. Virginia Car Dealer Heads to Prison for 40 Years After Storing ‘Massive' Amounts of Pot in Vehicles (motorbiscuit.com) — A Newport News auto dealer’s lot was used for years as a hub in a large marijuana trafficking ring, leading to a 40-year federal prison sentence for the operation’s leader. Investigators tied the scheme to airports across the Mid-Atlantic and seized about 1,000 pounds of marijuana and hundreds of thousands of dollars, with local police in Newport News helping crack the case.
   

3. Long carrier deployment projects U.S. strength, and carries costs (seattletimes.com) — Newport News Naval Shipyard is slated to handle major maintenance and upgrades for the USS Gerald R. Ford early next year, once its unusually long deployment ends. The story details how extended operations near Venezuela strain the carrier’s crew, increase long‑term costs, and could complicate the shipyard’s repair schedule that supports many Hampton Roads jobs.
   

4. ‘I am deeply disappointed,' Kiggans says of decision to pause VB offshore wind project (wavy.com) — Newport News–born Congressman Bobby Scott is joining Virginia’s U.S. senators in sharply criticizing the Trump administration’s 90-day pause on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, which they say threatens jobs and investment tied to the region’s shipyards and waterfront. Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans is also breaking with the administration, warning the halt could hurt Hampton Roads’ economy, energy security, and military readiness.
   

📸 Around Newport News

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My dog needs a couple teeth pulled.
    Some places are quoting almost $2000 to do a tooth extraction. My dog is 9 years old. Does anyone know where I can go for help with this? (Nextdoor Hilton Village)
  • HAVE YOU SEEN ME?
    Please scroll right for another photo! Neighbors I have been feeding this guy we call Bruiser for over a year. He comes every day and then usually… (Nextdoor Beechmont)
  • Virginia Department of Human Resource Management posted a job opening for Housekeeping Worker 00398 in Newport News. Apply here.
  • Virginia Staffing posted a job opening for Crater in Newport News. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Newport News here.

Ok Newport News! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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