If you have not heard of Frank & Spoon yet, consider this your introduction. The local Newport News restaurant is building a following for signature chili dogs, handmade beef dumplings, and fresh homemade soups. It is simple comfort food made with care, and that is exactly the point.

Owner Sharan Hada studied Hospitality Management and spent years working in restaurants before opening a place of his own. His goal was to create a spot that felt welcoming, relaxed, and rooted in the neighborhood.

Walk in and you can feel the difference. Regulars talk about the friendly service, the easy atmosphere, and the kind of hospitality that makes you want to come back.

Frank & Spoon is one of those places you try once and end up telling somebody else about.

🚒 Newport News Is Hiring Firefighters, No Experience Required

Newport News is adding 16 firefighter-medic positions and four new lieutenants to help improve response times and ease the strain on a busy department. The new jobs are funded through the city’s approved budget and are meant to help meet national staffing standards. Fire officials say heavy call volumes have led to burnout, and these hires are part of the response. The big note for applicants: no prior firefighting experience is required. If you have ever thought about serving the community, this could be your opening. Read More...

🎓 CNU President Will Stay Through 2031

Christopher Newport University President William G. Kelly is staying put. CNU’s Board of Visitors voted unanimously to extend Kelly’s contract through 2031, saying they want steady leadership during an important stretch for the university. Kelly, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral, has led CNU since July 2023. Board leaders said the extension shows strong confidence in his leadership and the direction of the school. For Newport News, it means CNU’s top job is locked in for the next several years. Read More...

🔥Newport News Fire Department Names First Communications Manager

The Newport News Fire Department has created a new communications role and named Kimberly D. Bracy as its first communications manager. Bracy is a 30-year communications veteran and most recently served as the City of Newport News’ spokeswoman. In that role, she helped lead messaging for major city initiatives, emergency response, and award-winning public outreach work. Now she will oversee media relations, community outreach, and support the department’s new Community Division. For residents, it means the fire department is putting a bigger focus on keeping Newport News informed. Read More...

Here’s what’s happening this weekend 👇

🐾 Empty The Shelters Adoption Event — July 5 To July 26

Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter, 5843 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News. Adoption fees for dogs and cats will be reduced to $70 or less during this summer adoption event. Pets go home spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. If your home has room for a new best friend, this is a good time to meet one. Read more...

👑1619 Black Footprint Fashion Show/Pageant

Get ready to celebrate culture and heritage at the 1619 Black Footprint Fashion Show/Pageant! This powerful live event honors the legacy of enslaved ancestors through daring fashion, originality, and African-inspired artistry.

Expect an unforgettable evening filled with gorgeous attire, African dancing and drumming, inspiring speakers, and a show you truly won't want to miss. Whether you're a fashion lover or simply looking for a meaningful night out, this is an experience like no other.

COMMUNITY

🏚️ Camp Morrison Is Still Waiting For Its Second Chance 

The 110-acre Camp Morrison Industrial Park is back in the spotlight after another redevelopment plan hit community pushback. The World War I-era site has sat mostly empty for decades between the railroad tracks and Warwick Village Shopping Center. Developer D.R. Horton proposed building 638 homes with townhouses, trails, and a dog park, but residents said the plan moved too far from the community-created master plan from 2013. The Planning Commission deferred the vote to allow more public input and design changes. After nearly two decades of starts, stops, and failed plans, Newport News residents still deserve to know what happens next. Read More...

HISTORY & HERITAGE 

⚓ Why The USS Enterprise Is So Hard To Scrap

The USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was retired in 2012 and has been sitting at a pier in Newport News ever since. Scrapping a nuclear carrier is not like taking apart a regular ship. Its reactors require years of careful defueling and decommissioning before major dismantling can begin, and contract delays have pushed the timeline back even further. The Navy now says the ship may not be fully dismantled until 2029. Newport News Shipbuilding built the Enterprise, and eventually, the shipyard may be where her story ends too. Read More...

PUBLIC SAFETY 

⚖️ DoorDash Lawsuit Heads To Court

A Newport News man is suing DoorDash for $25 million after a 2025 motorcycle crash left him with serious, permanent injuries. The lawsuit claims the delivery driver ran a red light, changed lanes unsafely, and should not have been driving alone with a Florida learner’s license. The case is headed to a jury trial in Newport News Circuit Court. Read more...

🛍️ Newport News Gets A Free Mini Mall For Families In Need

Michael Ojujoh had the idea nearly three decades ago while driving a semi truck through Hampton Roads. He wanted to create a place where families could get basic needs without worrying about cost. Now, Bridge the Gap Ministries has opened a free mini mall at 720 Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Suite 122 in Newport News. Inside, families can find food, clothing, books, infant care supplies, and medical items. No price tags. No paperwork. Just help for neighbors who need it. The ministry says its goal is to bridge the gap for families by working with volunteers, ministries, businesses, and community partners. Read More...

🐾 Minnie Pearl Is Looking For Her Forever Family

Minnie Pearl is enjoying life in a foster home while she waits for her forever family. She is playful, energetic, and loves treats, toys, car rides, sunny naps, zoomies, and couch snuggles. She is still building confidence, so she would do best with a patient, dog-savvy family and a home without young children. To schedule a meet-and-greet, email here

😊Thanks!

Thanks for making it to the end!