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Trump order could revive Virginia shipbuilding | Virginia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-14 10:37:00

(The Center Square) – Virginia’s shipbuilding sector, anchored in the Hampton Roads region, could see renewed federal investment under a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump aimed at restoring American maritime dominance.

The order calls for more federal investment in U.S. shipyards and aims to speed up ship repairs and construction. These moves could bring more work to facilities in Hampton Roads, where thousands of Virginians support Navy operations and defense manufacturing. Industry leaders and lawmakers say the effort could help reverse years of fleet reductions and workforce shortages in Virginia’s coastal shipyards.

The executive order directs the development of a national maritime action plan, expands financing tools for shipyard upgrades and instructs agencies to streamline contracting processes. It also prioritizes the construction of non-combat ships, including those operated by the Military Sealift Command—a key presence in Virginia’s coastal districts.

From 2014 to 2024, the Navy’s surface fleet in Hampton Roads dropped from 48 to 28 ships—a 42% decline—raising concerns about readiness and long-term job stability.

Newport News Shipbuilding remains the only U.S. shipyard capable of building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and is one of the region’s largest employers.

Rep. Jennifer Kiggans, R-Va., a Navy veteran who represents part of the Hampton Roads region, praised the executive order as a vital step to rebuild the country’s maritime strength and support the local workforce.

“It’s time to revitalize our shipyards, support our skilled workers, and keep our Navy ready to fight tonight!”

In a recent congressional hearing, Kiggans said the country can’t maintain its all-volunteer military or fleet readiness without addressing the same quality-of-life challenges facing military families and shipyard workers.

“We can’t keep doing what we’re doing,” she said, calling for better compensation, housing, and support to retain a skilled labor force.

Matthew Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America, called the executive order “a generational opportunity” to rebuild America’s shipbuilding base—and said Virginia is uniquely positioned to lead it.

“Virginia is a national hub for America’s shipbuilding and repair industry,” Paxton told The Center Square. “The U.S. shipbuilding industrial base supports more than 65,000 jobs in Virginia. These are good-paying, family-sustaining careers that fuel local economies and strengthen communities.”

He noted that Virginia is home to several advanced ship repair yards and plays a central role in maintaining, overhauling and upgrading vessels critical to the Navy’s fleet.

“Virginia will be at the center of that effort,” he added.

W. Sheppard Miller III, Virginia’s Secretary of Transportation, praised the order and emphasized the state’s role in national maritime readiness.

“The United States is a maritime nation — our ability to survive and thrive rests upon the waters. Newport News Shipbuilding plays an integral role in supporting our maritime strategy, ensuring our warfighters are equipped to defend our homeland, our interests, and our allies,” Miller said in a statement to The Center Square.

“The revitalization of our shipbuilding industry is not only crucial to our national security but also has tremendous economic implications for Virginia. The Commonwealth will answer the call to facilitate our nation’s maritime readiness and ensure that America continues to rule the waves.”

The Government Accountability Office has warned for years of federal investment that many U.S. shipyards still face workforce shortages, outdated infrastructure and ongoing production delays. Since 2014, the Department of Defense has spent over $5.8 billion modernizing the shipbuilding industrial base. Still, GAO reports say those upgrades have not yet met production foals or fully addressed capacity constraints. 

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Rain clearing out, dry conditions expected for holiday weekend

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www.youtube.com – WTVR CBS 6 – 2025-07-02 16:35:04

SUMMARY: Rain is clearing out, bringing drier conditions for the holiday weekend. After recent rains, humidity and dew points remain high but are expected to drop as two cold fronts move through, reinforcing drier air. Temperatures will rise into the upper 80s and low 90s with mostly clear to partly cloudy skies and a low chance (less than 20%) of isolated showers tomorrow. Coastal areas like Virginia Beach will see comfortable mid-80s and calm waters. The weekend looks dry and pleasant, with the next rain chance likely early next week as humidity gradually increases again.

Rain clearing out, dry conditions expected for holiday weekend

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Sickle cell research threatened by federal 'Big Beautiful Bill' funding cuts | NBC4 Washington

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www.youtube.com – NBC4 Washington – 2025-07-02 08:11:20

SUMMARY: Federal funding cuts threaten sickle cell research, especially the Sickle Fit program led by Dr. Charity Oyedeji at Duke University. After eight years of work aiding patients with physical therapy for chronic pain, the NIH revoked her $750,000 grant, citing a low return on investment and claiming DEI-related studies promote divisiveness. Sickle cell disease affects about 100,000 people in the U.S., mostly Black patients, causing severe complications. Patients like Linda Combs credit research with life-saving treatments like gene therapy. Oyedeji is appealing the decision and seeking new funding sources, emphasizing the research’s proven benefits in improving patient outcomes.

A doctor says she’s scrambling to figure out how she’ll continue her work helping sickle cell disease patients after the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cancelled her $750,000 research grant, citing DEI and divisiveness as a factor. News4’s Aimee Cho reports.
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Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial; judge indicates they'll keep deliberating

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www.youtube.com – 13News Now – 2025-07-01 15:55:11

SUMMARY: The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial has reached a partial verdict on four of five counts but will continue deliberations, the judge announced. They have sent multiple notes requesting specific testimony, particularly from Cassie Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend and key witness. Ventura alleged that Combs used force and fear to coerce her into drug-fueled sexual performances with male escorts, including a 2016 incident captured on video. The jury is focusing on the trafficking charges and evidence of coercion. Combs denies all charges, claiming all encounters were consensual. If convicted on all counts, he faces life imprisonment.

If convicted, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs could face life in prison.

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