🌞Good morning, Newport News! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. If you’re starting today with leftover pie, consider yourself in good company.
In today’s Newport Newser:
✈️ New airport director and a big shift ahead 🚧 Changes coming to Oriana and Warwick 🏈 CNU’s season ends at 10–1 🔦 Local Hero: Sierra Harris 🍲 Virginia Chicken Gumbo
It’s all in today’s Newport Newser! |
Trivia Question❓Which legendary jazz singer known as the “First Lady of Song” was born in Newport News? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
❄️ Don’t Let Your HVAC Give You the Cold Shoulder
Your HVAC’s been grinding all summer, and now it’s begging for a bit of love. A quick tune-up now beats a chilly surprise later. Dran’s Heating & Air keeps Hampton Roads homes cozy, quiet, and running smoothly through fall and winter.
📞 Call 757-975-8355 or visit dranshvac.com to schedule your seasonal check today. |
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Chris Morello is now running the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport. It ends a long stretch without someone in the chair. The place has needed direction for a while, so this already feels like a weight off.
Morello comes from local government work, and he is talking about shifting the airport toward an air commerce park. That idea could change how the space works and who uses it. I hope this finally gives the airport some positive direction.
Read More... |
Oriana Road and Warwick Boulevard are set for a change in early 2026, and I wanted to get it on your radar. The city plans to add a median that cuts off the straight shot across, so anyone on Oriana will turn right onto Warwick. Pedestrian pushbuttons are coming too, which feels like a small win for folks who prefer crossing without a burst of cardio.
The project costs $994,342 through a VDOT grant, and Curtis Contracting expects about six months of work. Detours may show up along Oriana as things move. The project page has the full rundown, and the city line is open at 757-933-2311.
Read More... |
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🏈 CNU’s Season Closes at 10-1 After a Tough 42-28 Loss to Susquehanna |
CNU’s season ended on Saturday after a tough loss to Susquehanna at TowneBank Stadium. The Captains put up points and kept the place loud, but the game slipped away late and finished 42-28.
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🔦This Week’s Local Spotlight |
Sierra Harris |
Meet Sierra Harris, a Newport News artist and educator whose talent has been shining for years. As a teen, Sierra became one of four runners-up in Food Lion’s Roar Against Hunger Design-A-Bag Contest, and her artwork was featured on reusable bags across Virginia. Her creativity also earned recognition from Congressman Bobby Scott in the Third Congressional District Art Competition.
Sierra graduated from Woodside High School and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University. Today, she works with Newport News Public Schools, helping young artists grow. You can also see her artwork at the CAN Foundation in City Center at 11810 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News.
She explains her vision clearly: “My art is shaped by my personal experiences, using faith and culture as the lenses through which I understand the world.”
Newport News celebrates you, Sierra. |
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Your Newport News Forecast |
⛅Thursday 50° 33° Partly sunny
❄️Friday 40° 37° Rain and snow mix
☁️Saturday 48° 35° Cloudy
⛅Sunday 50° 33° Mostly cloudy
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📅This Weekend in Newport News |
🧵 Thursday, Dec 4
🎄🚗 Celebration in Lights (Drive-Through Light Show)
📅 Thu–Sun, Dec 4–7 | 5:30–10 PM (nightly) 📍 Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Ave 🎟️ Per-vehicle admission Why go: A glowing, two-mile holiday light forest you can enjoy without leaving the car. 🎉 Friday, Dec 5
🇩🇪 German Christmas Market – Day 1
📅 Fri, Dec 5 | 3–9 PM 📍 City Center at Oyster Point 🎟️ Free entry; food & vendors extra Why go: German food, vendors, music, holiday lights, and all the festive energy around the fountain. 🎡 Saturday, Dec 6
🏃♂️🎄 Jingle Bell Run – Newport News
📅 Sat, Dec 6 | 9–11 AM 📍 The Mariners’ Museum & Park 🎟️ Registration required Why go: Holiday costumes, jingling bells, and a run around Mariners’ Lake for a good cause. 🍻🎁 German Christmas Market – Day 2
📅 Sat, Dec 6 | 3–9 PM 📍 City Center at Oyster Point 🎟️ Free entry Why go: More German treats, hot drinks, ornaments, and late-night holiday shopping. 💡 Sat–Sun, Dec 6–7
✨🎄 NlightN Holiday Tree Lighting & Lights at the Fountain (Weekend Light Show)
📅 Sat–Sun, Dec 6–7 🕕 Tree Lighting: Sat, Dec 6 | 6–9 PM 💡 Light Show: Sat–Sun | 5–9 PM (nightly) 📍 City Center at Oyster Point 🎟️ Free Why go: Saturday kicks off with the big tree lighting, then both nights feature the full animated light show synced to holiday music at the fountain. 🌞 Sunday, Dec 7
🎄✨ NlightN Lights at the Fountain (Holiday Light Show)
📅 Sun, Dec 7 | 5–9 PM 📍 City Center at Oyster Point 🎟️ Free Why go: End the weekend with Christmas lights and music around the fountain without the Saturday crowds. |
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🍂 Leaf Pickup Starts Dec. 1 See Your Area |
Leaf season is here. Newport News crews begin pickup Dec. 1 with Area 2, then Area 3 on Dec. 22, and Area 1 on Jan. 20. Have leaves curbside by 7 a.m. on your week. Final collection starts Feb. 9.
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🍲Virginia Chicken Gumbo with Ham and Oysters |
Some folks say gumbo belongs to Louisiana. Virginia politely disagrees. This one leans on chicken, salty country ham, and oysters that taste as if they came straight off our coast. It’s warm, rich, and very “yep, this came from here.” I hope you enjoy it the way I enjoy a big bowl of it on a cold Newport News night.
Get the Full Recipe for Virginia Chicken Gumbo with Ham and Oysters |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Ella Fitzgerald |
😊Thanks! |
Thanks for reading Newport Newser today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who has thermostat wars in their household.😁
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