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"New Boss at Jefferson Lab, Free Comics, and Contract Controversy: Weekend Roundup!"

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"New Boss at Jefferson Lab, Free Comics, and Contract Controversy: Weekend Roundup!"

"New Boss at Jefferson Lab, Free Comics, and Contract Controversy: Weekend Roundup!"
Exciting weekend ahead: New boss at Jefferson Lab, free comics Saturday, and more! Know a Newport News business we should feature? Thanks!

EJ Harris

May 1, 2026

Together With:

Good morning, Newport NewsShoutout to the newest graduates of NNPD’s Citizens’ Police Academy. CPA #58 just wrapped up its 8-week program, which means a new group of residents now knows a little more about what happens behind the badge.

 

🚨 Teachers push back on security duties

🧪 New leadership at Jefferson Lab

🦸 Free comics this Saturday

 

Here’s what’s up.

Trivia Question❓

Believe it or not, there’s a real military “UFO” in Newport News. Where can you find it?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Meet SherriAnn Harris, Army Veteran and founder of Craft 2 You LLC. What started as a creative space for children with different abilities has grown into a welcoming community for all ages.

 

Through sewing and hands-on crafts, participants build confidence, strengthen skills, and connect with others in a supportive environment. SherriAnn blends her mental health background, military discipline, and love of crafting as a proud “Therapeutic Craft Professional.”

 

Now offering sewing classes and Cricut workshops for youth and adults.

 

🚨 That’s not in my contract

Some Newport News teachers are showing up early, not to prep lessons, but to check bags and staff security stations.

 

The district added safety after the 2023 Richneck shooting, but whether teachers have to help depends on the school. Some treat it as optional. Others don’t.

 

Teachers are asking for one clear answer district-wide. Seems fair.

 

Read More...

🧪 Jefferson Lab gets a new boss

SURATech, a partnership between SURA and Virginia Tech, takes over operations at Jefferson Lab on June 1.

 

The initial deal runs five years, with room to go much longer. On the horizon: more research partnerships, advanced tech work, and workforce programs.

 

One of the city’s biggest science engines may be about to shift into a higher gear.

 

Read More...

🦸 Free comics? This Saturday. No, really

Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 2, and Newport News is getting in on the fun.

 

Amazing Fantasy Comics is giving away free comics, no purchase needed. Atomic Comics Emporium II is joining in too, so you’ve got options.

 

Bring the kids. Bring yourself.

 

Free comics don’t come around every day.

Your Newport News Forecast

Here’s what’s happening this weekend 👇

Friday, May 1
🐾 Bissell Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters Peninsula SPCA | 11:00 AM.
🩺 Free Skin Spot Check Clinic Riverside Medical Group | 3:00 PM.
🌙 First Friday Moon Market Vancostas Family Restaurant | 5:00 PM.
🎸 Jim Masters Live Hilton Tavern | 6:00 PM.
🐈 The Lovecats Live Coastal Fermentory Uptown | 7:00 PM.
🎸 Mercy Creek Live Craft 60 Taphouse & Grill | 9:00 PM.
🎤 Comedy Game Night Craft 60 Taphouse & Grill | 9:00 PM.
Saturday, May 2
🌱 Spring Native Plant Sale Virginia Living Museum | 9:00 AM.
🎈 Children's Festival of Friends Newport News Park | 10:00 AM.
🚲 Big East End Community Bike Ride Doris Miller Community Center | 10:00 AM.
🍻 Big Brew Day 2026 Tradition Brewing Company | 10:00 AM.
🐾 Bissell Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters Peninsula SPCA | 11:00 AM.
🪴 Plant Swap & Mobile Help Desk Grissom Library | 11:00 AM.
🌮 Cinco de Mayo Party Tradition Brewing Company | 12:00 PM.
👨‍🍳 Rio Chef's Market Rio Chef | 12:00 PM.
🚌 Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Musical Ferguson Center | 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM.
🍼 Wildlife Baby Shower Virginia Living Museum | 1:00 PM.
💨 1st Saturday at Tailored Smoke Tailored Smoke | 3:00 PM.
📖 Romance Book Signing Cove Tavern | 3:30 PM.
🥃 5th Annual Bourbon Night Tucker's Tavern | 6:00 PM.
🎸 Karl Werne Live Craft 60 Taphouse & Grill | 6:00 PM.
⚔️ The Music of Star Wars Ferguson Center | 7:30 PM.
🎤 Comedian Clayton Fletcher Cozzy's Comedy Club | 8:00 PM.
🎸 Bandit Live Moose Lodge 1711 | 8:00 PM.
🎸 Retro Live Hoss's Deli | 9:00 PM.
Sunday, May 3
🌱 Spring Native Plant Sale Virginia Living Museum | 9:00 AM.
🧘 Rise and Thrive Donation Yoga Coastal Fermentory Uptown | 10:30 AM.
🐾 Bissell Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters Peninsula SPCA | 11:00 AM.
🏁 Mother's Day Double Header Peninsula SPCA | 12:00 PM.
✍️ Four Letter Word Series Coastal Fermentory Uptown | 1:00 PM.
🌸 DIY Felt Flower Bouquet Tradition Brewing Company | 2:00 PM.
🎵 The Doo Wop Project Ferguson Center | 3:00 PM.
🎸 Second Wind Live Hilton Tavern | 5:00 PM.
🎸 Coastal Fermentory Live Coastal Fermentory Uptown | 5:00 PM.

 

For a lot of Newport News residents, one test stands between them and a military career or a college degree.

 

Jim McGrath has made it his mission to help them clear it.

 

At McGrath Educational Services, he’s guided more than 100 students to their GED and helped military hopefuls turn low ASVAB scores into qualifying ones.

 

One student went from a 29 to a 52 in just 11 sessions.

 

📍 701 Town Center Dr STE 102

 📞 (757) 813-3809

 

No cookie-cutter plans. Just results.

🔦 Know a Newport News business we should feature?

We’re looking for local restaurants, shops, service providers, nonprofits, and community groups to spotlight in upcoming editions of The Newport Newser.

 

Own a business? Know a good one? Send it our way.

 

We love finding the people and places that make Newport News feel like Newport News.

 

 

🚑 Worth noting: Newport News Fire Department is now one of only five departments in the country using advanced monitor/defibrillators across all frontline units.

 

⚡ Worth watching: More movement at Tech Center Research Park, where the Secure Energy Future Center recently opened.  Read more...

 

🥛 Did you know? Maola’s local plant produces milk, buttermilk, soft-serve mixes, and about 1.5 million gallon jugs every month. Serious milk game. Read More...

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

The U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis. It’s home to the Avrocar, a 1950s experimental “flying saucer.

😊Thanks!

Thanks for reading Newport Newser today! Know someone always asking ‘what’s going on this weekend?’ Send this to them.

 

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