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Oct. 12, 2026

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Steven Summerlin, E911 manager for the Norfolk Police Department, speaks about the division’s new AI phone system for non-emergency calls. (Photo via the Norfolk Police Department)

Brian Saunders

Norfolk Reporter

Norfolk's 911 center has experienced a roughly one-third reduction in non-emergency calls since launching an AI-powered phone system to manage routine inquiries. 

The new automated assistant answers common questions, such as filing police reports, storm evacuation details and code enforcement rules, while transferring callers who request a human or require dispatched emergency assistance.

The initiative is meant to address longstanding delays where non-emergency callers waited on hold while dispatchers prioritized urgent emergency calls.

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Making cell service better in Williamsburg requires more small infrastructure and cooperation with service providers. (Photo via Canva)

Cell phone service across Williamsburg remains inadequate, but local officials are struggling to persuade major carriers to build the necessary infrastructure to improve coverage. 

According to a city report presented by Chief Information Officer Mark Barham, dense tree canopy, historic building materials, architectural design restrictions and high tourism volume contribute to widespread reception issues. 

While T-Mobile provides 5G coverage across the entire locality, AT&T and Verizon reach less than half of the city with 5G signals.

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Larry Estes’ winning design for a new Ocean View license plate blends the neighborhood’s past and present. (Photo courtesy of Del. Phil Hernandez)

Ocean View Station Museum Director Larry Estes won a local contest to design a proposed specialty Virginia license plate celebrating the Norfolk neighborhood's seaside history. 

Chosen from more than 150 submissions, the winning design depicts both historic and modern elements, including the former Ocean View Amusement Park roller coaster, a beach scene, a mermaid, crabs and a St. Patrick's Day leprechaun. 

A seven-member committee led by Del. Phil Hernandez selected the design, noting its strong blend of regional heritage and contemporary community spirit.

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In a new documentary, Virginia tribal leaders tell their own history Read More

Plenty of 'heart' comes to the Wells with the VA Stage Co.'s new production Read More

Warner calls for declassification of election threats weeks before midterms Read More

ChatGPT for Teens has special safeguards. A watchdog group finds most don't work. Read More

Virginia Beach School Board Chairperson Kathleen Brown. (Photo by John-Henry Doucette)

John-Henry Doucette

Virginia Beach Reporter

The number of student seclusions in Virginia Beach public schools dropped by nearly 46% during the 2025-2026 school year following the ban on dedicated isolation rooms in February.

School division records show total seclusions fell from 271 to 147, with only a single incident reported in the final months of the school year. Regional special education provider Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs accounted for almost all reported seclusions.

The policy shift followed intense community backlash and legal action surrounding the November 2024 death of an 11-year-old student with autism who had been confined in an unauthorized area at Pembroke Elementary School.

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