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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 1h

As insurers nationwide scale back participation in Medicare Advantage, Sentara Health Plans will discontinue several of its plans next year — a change that will contribute to the layoff of hundreds of workers.

Sentara Health Plans ends certain Medicare Advantage products, cuts 220 positions

As insurers nationwide scale back participation in Medicare Advantage, Sentara Health Plans will discontinue several of its plans next year — a change that will contribute to the layoff of hundreds of...

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 6h

What began as a small gathering of doulas and community health workers in a Henrico library has grown into a statewide conference, held this week in Portsmouth, to strengthen collaboration and improve access to care.

In Portsmouth, doulas and community health workers join forces to improve maternal health

As maternal health disparities persist, Virginia’s doulas and community health workers are stepping up.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 19h

The 69th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show is back this weekend with updated hours due to weather.

You can still visit Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate incredible artists from across the country! 🎨

WHRO News Digital Producer Alexis Mitchell stopped by earlier today!

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 21h

Many military families are facing financial strain as the federal government shutdown continues, with some at risk of missing their next paycheck.

Military families prepare for the possibility of missing a paycheck next week

Lawmakers running out of time before troops miss their next pay day on Oct. 15.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 23h

Williamsburg and James City County have approved a new 10-year funding agreement for their shared school division, ending two years of uncertainty about the partnership.

Read more here: tinyurl.com/3x4ybsyx

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

At Banister Nissan’s locations in Chesapeake and Norfolk, cars drive through an AI-powered arch that scans them in seconds, taking thousands of photos to detect issues such as worn tires, leaks or dents.

AI-powered car inspections? Two Hampton Roads dealerships are the first in the state to use the technology

They say it saves time and makes the inspection process more transparent for customers.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Earlier this week, Virginia Beach City Council voted to begin negotiations with the school division to turn part of the former Bayside 6th Grade Campus into a long-awaited park for Aragona Village.

Virginia Beach city and schools officials set to work out details of land transfer for future park

The city and school district will work out terms for the transfer of nearly 14 acres of the former Bayside 6th Grade Campus. The land could become a park for Aragona Village.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger met Thursday at Norfolk State University for their only gubernatorial debate.

Spanberger and Sears Norfolk debate marked by interruptions, focus on text messages

Gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears participated in their only scheduled debate at Norfolk State University.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

The 2025 gubernatorial debate between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is underway at Norfolk State University.

WHRO News will have a recap of the debate later tonight.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

Did you miss last night's candidate forum featuring candidates for James City County Board of Supervisor and the Williamsburg-James City County School Board?

You can watch the entire event here: tinyurl.com/2rb8dduh

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

The Gallery at the Attucks opens Friday with "Black Voices and Visions." The new art space will feature rotating exhibitions, widening the Attucks' calendar of cultural entertainment.

Visual arts join the legacy of performing arts at the Attucks Theatre

The Gallery at the Attucks opens Friday with "Black Voices and Visions." The new art space will feature rotating exhibitions, widening the Attucks' calendar of cultural entertainment.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

BurgQuest, Williamsburg’s board and role-playing game festival, returns for its second year this weekend at William & Mary’s Sadler Center.

Williamsburg festival invites intrepid heroes, new adventurers to play this weekend

BurgQuest is returning with more games, music, workshops.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

Virginia’s shortage of dental hygienists is straining dental care across Hampton Roads, leaving patients waiting months for cleanings and forcing dentists to take on routine tasks.

Few training programs, growing demand: Virginia struggles to fill dental hygienist jobs

Despite a growing need for oral health workers, Virginia produces fewer than 150 new dental hygienists a year.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

The ongoing government shutdown has halted the National Flood Insurance Program, preventing new and renewed policies and threatening to stall home sales in flood-prone areas across Hampton Roads.

Federal flood insurance is shut down. That could impact home sales in Hampton Roads.

The National Flood Insurance Program is on hold because of the government shutdown and cannot renew or issue new policies.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

Tonight's candidate forum was a success!! 🙌🏽

Catch us again on Oct. 15 for our Williamsburg-area candidate forum featuring candidates for the 69th and 71st House of Delegates districts. ✅

More info here: tinyurl.com/79em37e2

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

LIVE: WHRO and media partner Williamsburg Watch are holding a candidate forum for James City County candidates tonight at 6 p.m. at the Williamsburg Regional Library.

You can watch the event live here: tinyurl.com/2rb8dduh

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 3d

Pageant contestants in dazzling ballgowns and glittery makeup parade around the stage, showing off their sunny smiles, beautiful voices and favorite ways to eat human flesh.

"The Great Filipino American ASWANG Pageant" debuts these glamorous monsters at Old Dominion University on Thursday.

'Great Filipino American ASWANG Pageant' combines folklore, fiends and fun

The production, which debuts on Thursday, Oct. 9, uses the Filipino mythical being, the aswang, to explore real issues of identity and assimilation.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 3d

Virginia’s Department of Energy has launched Energy Connect, an online platform designed to help residents and businesses find incentives for clean energy and efficiency upgrades.

Virginia energy department launches tool to help customers cut electric bills

The goal is to help Virginians access energy incentives, some of which expire soon after cuts by the Trump administration.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 3d

Local economists say the region’s growth continues to trail cities like Jacksonville and Raleigh.

They cite a housing shortage, inflation and new federal policies on trade and immigration as key factors slowing progress.

The Hampton Roads economy has grown since the pandemic, but recent federal changes likely will slow things down, ODU report says

The 2025 State of the Region report discusses how the region’s dependence on the federal government is a strength and weakness.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 3d

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he is creating a new barracks task force that will review and approve a plan for housing junior enlisted troops, typically called unaccompanied housing.

The Secretary of Defense announces new barracks initiative during Oceana ceremony

Pete Hegseth presided over an enlistment ceremony for 60 new recruits at the Virginia Beach base.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 4d

Fort Monroe is launching a “once-in-a-century” planning effort to guide the future of the historic national monument in Hampton while honoring its complex past.

Four renowned landscape architecture firms are finalists to lead the year-long project, which will include significant public input.

Leading landscape architecture firms compete to envision ‘a new Fort Monroe’

Four firms, with portfolios including the Berlin Holocaust Memorial and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will discuss their design philosophies at upcoming talk.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 4d

The tax credits that help more than 300,000 Virginians afford health insurance will expire at the end of this year, unless Congress renews them.

Without these subsidies, premiums could more than double, forcing many in Virginia to drop coverage or change jobs to find employer insurance.

Thousands of Virginians could lose health coverage as ACA tax credits near expiration

The Affordable Care Act subsidies expanded under the American Rescue Plan made coverage more affordable during the pandemic. They’re set to expire at the end of 2025.

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WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 4d

A new booklet that helps people discover Black history in Hampton Roads is available at welcome and visitors centers.

“A Trail of Trials and Triumphs: Unveiling Black History in Hampton Roads” suggests tours of historical sites and organizes the stops in the best order for the day.

A new book encourages visiting where Black history was made in Hampton Roads

“A Trail of Trials and Triumphs: Unveiling Black History in Hampton Roads” showcases sites across the region.

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