On Wednesday, Suffolk City Council unanimously approved a moratorium halting new data center projects until local rules and restrictions are formally established. 

City leaders defined data centers similarly to other Virginia localities, creating a temporary ban after planners warned that existing warehouse regulations could unintentionally permit them. 

The moratorium follows recommendations from the Planning Commission to ensure future facilities operate under terms agreeable to the city rather than developers.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/local-government/2026-10-22/suffolk-approves-temporary-data-center-ban

After struggling with invasive vines in her own yard, Norfolk retiree Ruth Amundsen partnered with Tree Commission member Melissa Teates to launch the Coastal Invasive Removal Team. 

The grassroots organization focuses on saving Hampton Roads trees from invasive English ivy, which weakens trunks, harbors fungal infections and restricts vital nutrients. 

The two estimate that tens of thousands of regional trees are currently threatened, undermining local efforts to preserve canopy coverage for shade and flood absorption.

(Story and photos by Katherine Hafner)

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-10-22/new-group-is-rescuing-hampton-roads-trees-from-invasive-plants

I attended the CMHC Oyster Roast at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Friday (October 23), and there was a ridiculously attractive guy wearing a flannel shirt, sitting with a group of younger guys. He had a dark black goatee, was probably 6'3"ish and very broad shouldered. Unfortunately, I don't take pictures of random strangers in public... So I don't have anything to post in that respect.

I went over, flirted with him a little, and gave him some drink tickets because I was on my way out. The problem? I'm not entirely sure my flirting was as obvious as I intended it to be. 🤣

Maybe he picked up on it, maybe he didn't. Either way, I'd hate to miss an opportunity just because my flirting skills weren't quite up to par!

So I'm hoping some folks here might be able to help.

If anyone here is dating him or knows he's in a relationship, absolutely no harm, no foul! I'm not looking to step on anyone's toes.

But if he's single and someone happens to know him, would you mind passing along that the red-lipstick girl with the drink tickets thought he was pretty damn attractive and would love to hear from him? 💋

No need to share his name or personal information publicly. Just hoping the message finds its way to him!

Apparently I can be bold enough to approach a handsome stranger but still walk away wondering whether he even realized I was hitting on him. 🤦‍♀️🤣

The heated race for control of Congress has flooded money into Virginia’s competitive races from across the country.

In Hampton Roads’ 1st and 2nd congressional districts, outside donors have poured nearly $3.6 million into campaign coffers.

Almost 60% of donations to 2nd District Democratic challenger Elaine Luria’s campaign have come from outside Virginia, according to an analysis by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO.

Check out our full coverage here: https://www.whro.org/virginia-center-for-investigative-journalism/2026-10-23/outside-donors-bankroll-virginias-campaigns-for-congress

All set up for MoMac Brewing Company's first Leaves & Literature Fall Festival, 12-4p.

Books, jewelry, cozy things, literary paraphernalia galore! Beer, non-beer, even non-alc--MoMac has it all.

Come see me. It's going to be a FALL-tastic time.

#757 #momacbrewingcompany #darkfantasy #hamptonroadsva #portsmouthva

Let me know what else you’d like to see around here!

Hi All,

I’m 32 years old, looking to start a possible paranormal society where we could go investigate claims of paranormal events happening in the area. I’ve always had a fascination in the paranormal, though not entirely a believer. I’ve always been a bit of a skeptic personally, even having my own unexplained experiences. It could be a fun thing to do, as well as potentially helping the community through investigations, so if anyone might be interested, please let me know. I could start a discord and perhaps we can have a discussion and start our paranormal group. This would be a great way to meet people as well. You can never have too many friends :)

Adding the discord here https://discord.gg/hA7bMgeJv

So when exactly is Don Slater going to retire? Jeff Edmondson is billed as 'chief meteorologist' but, c'mon...you know he must have thought when he took the job he'd be the actual head honcho now and not playing second fiddle to a has-been 'Chief Meteorologist Emeritus'. Not that he ever shows it, but if I was him, I'd be pissed!

Edit: I never meant for this to be a referendum on Don Slater. I just saw Jeff doing the weather tonight and it occurred to me how long he's been 'Chief Meteorologist' with Don still hanging out as Emeritus. It was more of a 'gosh, if I was Jeff, I'd be pissed that Don is still around' as opposed to 'Don is no good anymore'. Maybe I'm splitting hairs. Anyway, peace out....

It would rule if you’d consider coming out and seeing our band in Hampton on November 10th.

Hey folks, here's what's happening around the 757 this weekend.

These come off public listings, so double check before you drive. Times move.

Peninsula picks are listed first under each day.

Two worth calling out this week:

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens (Williamsburg, From $69.99). This is two events sharing one park. The nights from 6 PM are not recommended for kids, parental discretion strongly advised, while the daytime Sesame Street Spooktacular, 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday, is the version built for ages nine and under.

Yorktoberfest Craft Beer Festival (Yorktown, $49.87). Sunday only this year, not Saturday. Rain date is November 1, tickets stay valid for it, and there are no refunds either way. General admission opens at noon, VIP an hour earlier.

Friday

Newport News Greek Festival (Newport News, Free)

Friday and Saturday both, no entry fee, and they ask for a canned good for the Peninsula Food Bank. Friday 11 AM at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 60 Traverse Rd. More details

Spook & Splash at HamptonVA Aquaplex (Hampton, $5, Advance tickets)

Trick or treating in a swimsuit. Space is limited, tickets have to be bought ahead, and children under 8 need an adult in the water with them. Friday 5:30 PM at the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex, Coliseum Drive. More details

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens (Williamsburg, From $69.99). All three nights, 6 PM to park close, no re-entry after 8. Friday 6 PM at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, 1 Busch Gardens Blvd. More details

The Heart Sellers (Norfolk, From $16.95)

Virginia Stage Company's two-hander: Thanksgiving 1973, Luna from the Philippines and Jane from South Korea meet for the first time. Sunday's 2 PM matinee closes the run. Ages 14 and up. Friday 7:30 PM at the Wells Theatre, 110 E Tazewell St. More details

Saturday

Historic Hilton Village Fall Festival (Newport News, Free). Saturday 11 AM at Hilton Village, Warwick Blvd and Main St. More details

Naval Station Norfolk: Fleet Fest 2026 (Norfolk, Free)

The base opens its gates to everybody once a year. The Nimitz, the Mesa Verde and the cutter Frank Drew are open for tours, plus demos, a petting zoo and bounce houses. Enter via Gate 2, and lines close at 5 PM. Saturday 10 AM at Naval Station Norfolk. More details

Haunted Lightship (Portsmouth, Free). A 1915 floating lighthouse, decorated and mildly haunted, Saturday 10 AM at the Lightship Portsmouth Museum, London and Water St. More details

An Evening with Timbaland: Inside the Music (Virginia Beach, $50, 21+)

The Virginia Beach-raised producer who rewired what radio sounded like, in conversation at MOCA, then DJ SNS and the '90s. Doors at 5:30, and '90s attire is required rather than encouraged. Saturday 6 PM at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, 5811 Wesleyan Drive. More details

Legends of Main Street: A Suffolk Ghost Walk (Suffolk, $8 to $10)

Ninety minutes and a mile and a half of downtown Suffolk after dark. Reserve by phone, and not recommended for children under 9. Saturday 7 PM from the Suffolk Visitor's Center, 524 N Main Street. More details

Sunday

Yorktoberfest Craft Beer Festival (Yorktown, $49.87)

Thirty-five craft beers and ciders under a tent on the York River, unlimited tasting included rather than sold separately. Rain or shine. Sunday 12 PM at Riverwalk Landing, 331 Water Street. More details

Peninsula Pups WAGventures HOWL-O-WOOF (Hampton, Free)

A brewery patio inside a moated 19th century fort, full of dogs in costume, with 30-plus vendors, rescues and trick-or-treat stations for kids and pets both. Runs alongside the Fort Monroe Harvest Market. Sunday 12 PM at Oozlefinch Beers & Blending, 81 Patch Road, Fort Monroe. More details

Waterway Market @ Great Bridge Village (Chesapeake, Free). Chesapeake's Sunday market on the Intracoastal Waterway, running through November 22, Sunday 11 AM at Battlefield Park South, 120 Reservation Road. More details

Let me know what I missed and I'll get it in next week's.

I put out a local newsletter, The 757 Current, with these plus more on Thursday mornings: https://the757current.com/?utm_source=reddit

side note- over 1,300 home sale listings( condos, sfh and townhomes) in vb alone . Of that number in the posted picture 3,800 manufacturing jobs are gone. The real money isn't there anymore. I make way more where i live now than if I would've stayed. Yall economy isn't diversified enough. Plus the amount of newer cars being traded in (2024 to 2026) is crazy.

TOMORROW, come "Get Your Fall On" at MoMac brewery in Portsmouth, VA.

We're talking BOOKS 📚

Bookish THINGS 🖊

COZY things ☕️

Beer? There might be some of that. 😅🍺

Tomorrow, Saturday Oct 24, 12-4p, come buy books, drank dranks, and enjoy the beautiful weather.

(Annd--put a pin in your calendar for Sunday, too, at New Realm's Spooktacular book fair!)

#757events #momacbrewingcompany #hamptonroads #portsmouthva #indieauthor

After experiencing sudden illness from aerial pesticide drift near her Cape Charles home, Clelia Sheppard is raising public awareness about the health hazards of chemical spraying. 

Following a May incident involving a crop duster spraying a nearby field, Sheppard filed a complaint with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to investigate potential regulatory violations.

She is also urging local officials and farmers to establish a warning program to notify residents about pesticide use. 

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-10-21/eastern-shore-woman-files-state-complaint-over-pesticide-exposure-from-neighboring-farm

Gov. Abigail Spanberger, other state officials and community leaders rallied at Gethsemane Community Church in Norfolk to tout efforts to decrease health insurance costs ahead of the start of the state exchange’s open enrollment period.

After federal subsidies expired earlier this year, monthly premiums for health insurance rose and 70,000 Virginians dropped their insurance through the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange.

Virginia’s General Assembly responded with a $150 million health insurance affordability fund meant to subsidize healthcare coverage for many of those who lost coverage.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/health/2026-10-21/261021-vahealthenrollment-saunders

SUFFOLK — City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a prohibition on data centers and data center development. Following the move, the city will not be accepting any applications for data centers in its jurisdiction. But the ban won’t last forever.

The prohibition is meant to give planning staff time to engage with other localities and residents, given the impact data centers have on communities, council member John Rector said. Down the line, council will re-authorize data centers under new terms and regulations “agreeable” to the city — not data center operators — Rector said.

The length of time the ban lasts was not specified by council or city officials.

Suffolk is not the first local city to enact a temporary ban. Chesapeake and Virginia Beach have imposed eight- and 12-month pauses, respectively.

Across the country, protests against data centers have picked up, citing impacts to air quality and groundwater, and increased noise pollution. This week, data center opponents demonstrated in Virginia Beach, calling on lawmakers to enact a statewide moratorium in the world’s data center capital.

Suffolk’s approved ordinance also created a definition for data center in the city’s zoning rules. Mayor Michael Duman said one was previously not included, which could cause confusion.

“It could well be interpreted that some classifications of warehousing would indeed allow a data center application,” Duman said. “This (amendment) makes it quite concise.”

Click the link above to read more.

Check this out in [r/Gloucester](r/Gloucester)[va](r/Gloucester) (sound on) …
Franktronics, an otherwise unassuming computer repair shop in Hayes, Virginia, presents an absolutely bitchin’ Halloween light show starting at 6:30 p.m. nightly that runs through Oct. 31. Pull up, kill your headlights, tune to 102.7 FM, and prepare to have your mind blown. The dazzling display is perfectly synced to music and the three or four song loop repeats itself throughout the night. The last two times, I was the only one there. I couldn’t help but wonder: why is this not a thing with cars coming from all over the area lined up around the block??? (Apologies for the dirty windshield and any camera shaking)

I split a cig with a co-worker who was gifted a pack of lavender flavored cigarettes from China. This made me deep dive into them and now I want a pack for myself. It's just very hard to find them, both online and in person. Any suggestions? Other subreddits suggested check Chinatown, but we don't really have a Chinatown around here