Honestly, if you grew up around here, you remember the smell of ink on your fingers from The Virginian-Pilot. It was a literal heavyweight. You’d step out onto your porch in Norfolk or Virginia Beach, and there it was—a thick bundle of paper that could probably stop a bullet.
But things have changed. A lot.
If you're looking for a Hampton Roads Virginia newspaper today, you aren't just looking for one masthead. You’re looking for a fragmented landscape of legacy giants, digital startups, and public radio journalists filling the gaps. It’s kinda messy, but that's the reality of local news in 2026.
The Giant in the Room: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press
Let’s talk about the "Big Two." For over a century, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) and the Daily Press (Newport News) were fierce rivals. They were the North and South of the harbor. Then, in 2018, Tribune Publishing bought the Pilot for $34 million, effectively ending the era of local family ownership by the Batten family.
It was a massive shift.
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Pretty soon, the "rivalry" became a roommates situation. By 2020, the Pilot left its iconic headquarters on Brambleton Avenue in Norfolk—now an apartment complex called Pilot Place—and moved in with the Daily Press in Newport News. Then, the hedge fund Alden Global Capital bought Tribune in 2021.
What that actually means for you
If you pick up a print copy today, you’ll notice it’s thinner. Much thinner. Alden is notorious for "strip-mining" newsrooms—cutting staff and selling real estate to maximize profit. This isn't a secret; it’s a business model.
- The Good: They still have some of the best investigative reporters in the state. People like Kate Seltzer are still out there breaking stories on ICE detentions and state policy.
- The Bad: There are fewer boots on the ground. You might see more "wire" stories from the Associated Press than you used to.
- The Digital Pivot: Most of the action happens at PilotOnline.com or DailyPress.com. If you want the news, you’ve basically got to pay for the paywall.
The Rise of WHRO and the "New" Local News
Since the legacy papers started shrinking, others have stepped up. WHRO Public Media has basically turned into a powerhouse. They aren't just a radio station anymore.
They’ve been hiring local journalists left and right.
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Because they are community-owned (by 21 local school divisions), they don't have to worry about hedge fund profits. They cover the stuff that matters to the 757: sea-level rise, the military, and the massive plumbing issues on the USS Gerald R. Ford. It’s high-quality, it’s free, and it’s deeply local.
Don't Forget the Niche Players
Hampton Roads is a collection of distinct cities, and sometimes the big papers miss the hyper-local drama.
The New Journal and Guide
This is one of the oldest African American newspapers in the country. If you want to know what's happening in Norfolk’s Black community, this is the gold standard. They’ve been at it since 1900, and they provide a perspective you simply won’t find in the Daily Press.
Veer Magazine
If you’re looking for the arts and culture scene—the best breweries in Chelsea, the jazz festivals, or the local theater reviews—Veer is where it’s at. It’s independent, it’s edgy, and it’s very "Norfolk."
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The Princess Anne Independent News
Out in the southern part of Virginia Beach, this paper is a lifeline for farmers and residents in the more rural areas. It’s proof that people still want to read about their specific neighborhood, even if the world is going digital.
Why You Should Care About the "Hedge Fund" Problem
There's a lot of talk about "news deserts." That’s what happens when a Hampton Roads Virginia newspaper stops covering a city council meeting because they don't have enough staff. When that happens, corruption goes up and civic engagement goes down.
It’s easy to complain about a subscription price, but honestly, you're paying for a watchdog. Without local reporters, who is going to tell you why your property taxes just spiked or what that new construction project on Shore Drive actually is?
How to Get Your News in Hampton Roads Now
If you want to stay informed in the 757, you can't just rely on one source anymore. You sort of have to build your own "news bundle."
- Support the legacy: If you can afford it, subscribe to the Pilot or Daily Press digitally. Their investigative teams still have resources that others don't.
- Listen to WHRO: Bookmark their news page. It’s some of the most consistent reporting on regional issues like the HRBT expansion or Navy news.
- Check the Independents: Follow the Journal and Guide or Veer on social media to see the stories the big guys miss.
- Newsletters are king: Sign up for local newsletters. Many reporters now have their own Substacks or email blasts that give you the "inside baseball" on local politics.
Hampton Roads isn't a one-paper region anymore. It's a ecosystem. It takes a little more effort to navigate, but the information is out there if you know where to look.
Your Next Steps for Local Info
Start by checking the public archives if you’re looking for historical data; OldNews.com has Pilot scans dating back to 1899. For daily updates, set up a Google Alert for your specific city—Chesapeake, Suffolk, or Portsmouth—to catch stories from the smaller community tabloids that often fly under the radar. Supporting local journalism is the only way to ensure these watchdogs stay on the beat.