Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Norfolk’s record cruise season could reshape downtown’s waterfront economy
Spotted on the Norfolk calendar: New Year's Eve Live! Norfolk

Good morning Norfolk! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Norfolk’s record cruise season could reshape downtown’s waterfront economy
- How badly did winter storms disrupt flights at Norfolk International?
- How Norfolk’s shelters are expanding beds during this week’s freezing nights
Also on today's calendar: Noon Years Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Norfolkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Norfolkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, with a high of 40 and low of 29 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 46, low: 37.
- Thursday: Rather cloudy, with a high of 42 and low of 29 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Norfolk celebrates record year for cruise tourism (13newsnow.com) — Norfolk just wrapped up a record cruise year, drawing nearly 340,000 passenger visits and about 100,000 crew members through Nauticus in 2025. With dozens of ship calls completed, the city is already planning for 2027, when Carnival Freedom and expanded Norwegian Cruise Line visits are expected to bring even more visitors to Hampton Roads.
![]()
2. Winter storms trigger nationwide flight delays; Norfolk travelers remain resilient (wavy.com) — Norfolk International Airport saw 46 delays and two cancellations Monday as winter storms in other parts of the country disrupted more than 25,000 flights nationwide. Local travelers at ORF described long, complicated itineraries but mostly took the delays in stride, while airport volunteers reported busy periods in the USO lounge. Officials urge anyone flying this week from Norfolk to check directly with their airline before heading out.
![]()
3. Norfolk homeless shelter ready to take in more people experiencing homelessness during cold snap (wavy.com) — Norfolk has activated its Winter Overflow Warning program so The Center on Tidewater can take in extra adults experiencing homelessness during freezing nights this week. Outreach teams are checking known camps, and residents can call the city’s non-emergency police line for shelter options or 757-756-5600, option four, to ask about donating needed supplies.
![]()
4. January hearing set in Dominion effort to restart wind energy project (13newsnow.com) — Norfolk’s plans to redevelop the Fairwinds Landing marine terminal for offshore wind remain in limbo as a federal judge set a Jan. 16 hearing in Dominion Energy’s lawsuit over a Trump Administration pause on East Coast wind projects. The funding halt already stripped nearly $40 million earmarked for the city, raising questions about local jobs, port investment, and future energy costs.
![]()
5. Keyshawn Davis Back In Business, Returns On Jan. 31 (nyfights.com) — Norfolk’s own Keyshawn Davis is set to return to the ring on January 31 at Madison Square Garden after losing his WBO lightweight title and a planned June homecoming bout in Norfolk for missing weight. The story details his recent controversies, including a post-fight altercation that drew in Norfolk Police, and previews his high-stakes matchup with crafty contender Jamaine Ortiz on a stacked championship card.
![]()
📸 Around Norfolk
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Norfolk
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- New Year's Eve Live! Norfolk
Waterside District, 333 Waterside Dr, Norfolk
7:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Noon Year's Eve
Norfolk, VA Calendar , 3500 Granby Street , Norfolk
9:30 am - Noon Years Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach
Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach , 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy , Virginia Beach
10:00 am - Early Eve Extravaganza at Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach
Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach , 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy , Virginia Beach
3:00 pm - Wednesday Wordsmiths!
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm - New Year's Eve Casino Night
Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach , 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy , Virginia Beach
9:00 pm - Queer Writers Meet-up @ Eleanor's NFK
Elanor’s Norfolk , 801 Boush St Unit B , Norfolk
10:00 am - Architectural Review Board
Norfolk, VA Calendar , 810 Union Street City Hall - 11th Floor Conference Room , Norfolk
4:00 pm - Wednesday Wordsmiths!
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
Wednesday January 7
📣 Norfolk Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Byte Size Basics @ Carrollton
Blackwater Regional Library, Carrollton Branch , 14362 New Towne Haven Ln , Carrollton
4:00 pm - Deck the Hall
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , 306 Cedar Road , Chesapeake
5:00 pm - Write Now! at Slover Library
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm - "Noon" Years Eve Party
Crush It Art Bar , 15154 Carrollton Blvd Suite A , Carrollton
12:00 pm
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Norfolk PatchAM possible:
- ABC Supportive — (757) 664-9058
Meet the Director: Charlene Wimbish, CEO of ABC Supportive – - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- ASL(American Sign Languages) is the most BEAUTIFUL things to signs without making any noises, No its not an GANG BANG signs.
A lot of you mixes up with Gang and ASL. ASL is for us DEAF people to use sign languages to communicate! (Nextdoor Crown Point) - Missing injured tuxedo cat.
I’m helping my neighbor catch Cashew, he’s been spotted and he has an injured front paw, non weight bearing. He has been living outdoors for some… (Nextdoor Meadowbrook)
- Bridge/Tunnel Stoppage: WB on I-64 I-64 Tunnel-HRBT W in Norfolk. All WB travel lanes closed. 9:31AM (X: 511hamptonroads)
- Cleared: Disabled Vehicle: WB on I-64 I-64 Tunnel-HRBT W in Norfolk. 2:10PM (X: 511statewideva)
- TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for Produce Clerk Full Time in Norfolk. Apply here.
- Concentra, Inc. posted a job opening for Medical Receptionist in Norfolk. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Norfolk here.
Ok Norfolk! 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.