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🌱 Patch AM: How a $2 million fiber project could transform Newport News internet speeds.

Also check out City Council Regular Meeting on the Newport News Patch calendar

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Good day Newport News! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $2 million fiber project could transform Newport News internet speeds.
  • How will $97.8M transform Newport News' Stuart Gardens apartments?
  • How did Newport News schools push graduation rates to 98%?

Also on today's calendar: CANstruction Competition 2026: Where History Lives and Community Builds and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Tropical Rainstorm Isaias, with a high of 79 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Monday: Partly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 75, low: 59.
  • Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 82 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. More Peninsula residents will be plugged in to high-speed internet with extension (pilotonline.com) — Newport News is investing a $2 million federal grant to expand high-speed fiber internet, aiming to close access gaps for roughly 30% of residents who still lack fast service. The project will extend fiber from Newport News and Hampton through both major bridge-tunnels, laying groundwork for a Peninsula-wide network that could eventually link local homes and businesses to faster, more reliable connections.
   

2. Merchants Capital Secures $97.8M for Stuart Gardens Affordable Housing Rehab in Virginia (cremarketbeat.com) — A major $97.8 million financing package is set to overhaul Stuart Gardens, a 491‑unit affordable housing community in Newport News, while preserving income‑restricted rents. Residents can expect modernized one‑ to three‑bedroom apartments, energy‑efficient upgrades, and resiliency improvements, all within the existing historic complex southeast of downtown.
   

3. Newport News achieves record 98% on-time graduation rate (wavy.com) — Newport News Public Schools just hit a record 98% on-time graduation rate for the Class of 2026, with an extremely low dropout rate and all schools fully accredited. Local families can take pride in rising performance across the division, as most schools now meet or exceed Virginia's academic expectations and several have earned Distinguished status.
   

4. Breeden Property Management Earns 10 Hampton Roads ACE Awards (constructionowners.com) — Two Newport News apartment communities, Townes at Jones Run and Avant at Huntington Pointe, just brought home top honors in the 2026 Hampton Roads ACE Awards, spotlighting their teams and overall performance. The recognition underscores strong maintenance, leasing, and resident services at these local properties, which are part of a larger Hampton Roads portfolio managed by Breeden Property Management.
   

5. Collective bargaining debate continues across Hampton Roads as cities weigh employee needs, budgets (13newsnow.com) — Newport News residents should know their City Council has approved a collective bargaining framework for public employees, scheduled to take effect in 2028. The piece explains how this decision fits into a wider Hampton Roads debate over worker pay, benefits, and city budgets, and what it could mean for future taxes and public services.
   

📸 Around Newport News

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Bedroom sets
    For sale 5 beds $600. (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Nino went missing in the Townes at Jones Run neighborhood but he may have been spotted as far as Industrial Park Dr Please help me find him he's very sweet friend and 12 years old Thank you!
    Spread the Word Plz https://neighbors.ring.com/n/zvxj0XDIGZ (Nextdoor Kates Trace - Woodbridge)
  • Shared this here::
    Funny how cats have become the bad guys in a mess PEOPLE created. I keep seeing comments about outdoor cats, the problems they cause, concerns about… (Nextdoor Bernard Village)
  • Christopher Newport University posted a job opening for Housekeeping Worker 00462 in Newport News. Apply here.
  • High Liner Foods, Inc. posted a job opening for Sanitation Superintendent in Newport News. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Newport News here.

Ok Newport News! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath?" — A dirty double crosser ! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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