Portsmouth, Va.

The eastbound Downtown Tunnel on Interstate 264 in Portsmouth, Va., was closed due to a crash Wednesday evening, shutting down all eastbound lanes. According to Virginia Department of Transportation cameras, the tunnel reopened before 11 p.m., though VDOT warned drivers to expect delays in the area.

After a deadly 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, two locally based non-profits are mobilizing to aid rescue and recovery efforts. These organizations are Mercy Chefs, which is based in Portsmouth, and Operation Blessing, which operates out of Virginia Beach.

The YWCA of South Hampton Roads is facing a need for urgent support after a local nonprofit lost hundreds of thousands of dollars due to a funding pause ordered by the federal government. This money was critical funding relied upon by domestic violence shelters throughout the Commonwealth, and its effects are already being observed locally.

Residents in Downtown Portsmouth will experience a brief power outage early Monday morning, August 3 at 2 a.m., as part of scheduled maintenance by Dominion Energy. The City of Portsmouth has issued a notice about the planned outage.

De'Shaviya Jerry, a mother, was shot and killed by a stray bullet in her Portsmouth, Va apartment on July 23. Her family gathered at the London Oaks Apartments to mourn instead of celebrating her 34th birthday.

Portsmouth residents will vote on November 3 to approve a 1% sales tax to fund improvements and new construction for Portsmouth Public Schools. The tax would be in addition to the existing 1% general local sales and use tax. Portsmouth City Council approved the measure 5-1 on July 28.

OCEARCH is hosting a sweepstakes offering a shark expedition for two. The 'Meet a Shark Sweepstakes' allows participants to win an experience described as the 'ultimate' shark-related adventure.

Jamal Parham pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection to the April 20, 2024, shooting deaths of two men on Lancer Drive in Portsmouth, Va. The victims were found shot to death at the location.

State Senator L. Louise Lucas used $300,000 from her campaign funds to cover legal defense costs after an FBI-related incident involving a raid on her office and personal business in May. A filing on the State Board of Elections website confirmed the use of campaign funds for this purpose.

Chick-fil-A confirmed a data breach involving unauthorized access to customer data, including names, email addresses, and the last four digits of credit card numbers. The incident was confirmed on July 13, 2026, following suspicious login activity to Chick-fil-A One accounts.

The Downtown Eatery & Deli on High Street in Portsmouth, Va., has announced its closure after years of effort to sustain the business. The restaurant highlighted maintaining 5-star ratings on Google and Yelp for 2.5 years in its Facebook post.

Community members in Portsmouth, Va., are supporting homeless individuals during a Code Red air quality alert caused by Canadian wildfires. Health experts advise caution as the smoke lingers, highlighting risks for people who must be outdoors, including construction workers and the homeless.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) addressed a Code Red air quality alert in Hampton Roads due to wildfire smoke, with haze worsening inland. The Super Doppler 10 weather team noted visible gray skies caused by the smoke.

Virginia's 3-day sales tax holiday is scheduled for August 7-9, 2026, allowing tax-free purchases of school supplies, clothing, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products. The event aims to help residents save money on essential items.

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., welcomed the USS Gerald R. Ford for its Planned Incremental Availability after a 326-day deployment involving operations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Red Seas. This marks the carrier's first regularly scheduled availability at a public shipyard.

A man was shot on Broad Street in Portsmouth, according to police. The injury was non-life-threatening, and he was taken to the hospital.

An auto repair expert, David Branch, advises drivers to perform routine maintenance to prevent summer breakdowns caused by rising temperatures and increased holiday travel. Branch, who has worked in the auto repair industry since age 16 and partially owns Canady & Branch, shares these tips to help drivers avoid road issues during the summer months.

Virginia health officials are promoting free CPR and AED training to prevent child drownings following recent incidents. The Virginia Department of Health offers these classes to equip residents with life-saving skills.

U.S. Flag & Signal, a business in Portsmouth, Va., has operated for over 100 years with a red, white, and blue theme. Owner Doris Wilgus stated the business originated in 1920.

Portsmouth Police are searching for 33-year-old Luuah Lamar Bauman, who has been missing for over two weeks and may be experiencing behavioral health complications. He is described as 5-foot-10, 140 pounds, with his last known address in the 3500 block of Hartford Street. Authorities are requesting information from the public.

Dominion Energy highlights that air conditioning accounts for 52% of summer energy bills, emphasizing small steps to reduce costs. The article discusses energy-saving tips with input from Dominion Energy representative Cherise Newsome.

The American Red Cross is hosting the 'Red, White and You' blood drive from June 29 to July 12. Donors will receive a Looney Tunes 250th anniversary item. The event is promoted as a way to contribute to the American experience during Independence Day.

Portsmouth Public Schools is partnering with the Portsmouth Department of Parks and Recreation to provide free meals to children through the Summer Food Service Program. Meals are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and children must be present to receive them.

Dry conditions linked to climate change are exacerbating allergy symptoms during the July 4 holiday. Dr. Robin Anderson, a family medicine specialist, attributes increased allergen complaints to climate change impacts.

Firefighters in Portsmouth responded to a commercial fire on Smithfield Road at 3 a.m. on Friday. The fire was extinguished within 15 minutes.

Charles Ervin Livermon, 31, was arrested again by Portsmouth Police on drug and gun charges after previously being arrested on similar charges and being out on bond. The arrest was made by detectives from the police department's special investigations unit.