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Jan. 20, 2026

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757-889-9312Adam Knoetgen, a teacher from Virginia Beach, looks at a display of shirts at a gift shop along Atlantic Avenue while holding his son, Jason, on Aug. 10, 2025. (Photo by John-Henry Doucette)Virginia Beach makes headway on clearing vulgar tees from resort displaysA few months after Virginia Beach City Council asked businesses to voluntarily remove indecent and vulgar items from street-facing displays, that merchandise has largely disappeared along Atlantic Avenue. 

City leaders and business groups credit a mix of conversations, peer pressure and a city code enforcement sweep for the change, which aimed to make the resort more family-friendly without enforcing obscenity standards. 

Officials and business owners say landlords and retailers have stepped up, and recent checks found no questionable items in windows. The remaining question is whether the changes will hold once the tourist season begins.READ MORE

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More headlinesVirginia lawmakers have proposed a bevy of data center reform bills in 2026 Read more-Virginia’s openly gay elected officials vote to roll back ban on gay marriage enshrined 20 years ago Read more-AUDIO: Norwegian ambassador to the U.S. reaffirms importance of the two nations’ alliance Listen here-Here are the 10 executive orders Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Day 1 Read more

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A replica of a Joint Strike Missile, one of two types of cruise missiles Kongsberg will build in James City County, was on display at the Norwegian company’s factory groundbreaking on Jan. 16, 2026. (Photo by Nick McNamara)Planned James City County missile factory to be fully operational in 2028Construction on Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s first U.S. missile assembly plant will begin by mid-year in James City County, with production expected to start in 2028. 

The $100 million, 150,000-square-foot facility in Toano will employ at least 180 people to manufacture cruise missiles for the U.S. military and will anchor a new industrial park in the area.READ MORE  Local journalism is made possible only because of generous WHRO donorsDONATE NOW 

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