Reporter

Ian Munro

Ian Munro covers the city of Norfolk. He previously wrote about health issues for The Pilot and Daily Press after over three years reporting on a variety of issues for the Daily News-Record in the Shenandoah Valley. Munro likes conversation, newspaper presses and grassroots stock car racing.

To learn more about how city council members are spending taxpayer dollars, The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press filed Freedom of Information Act requests asking for all expenses that six Hampton Roads cities paid for city council members in 2023. Total expenses range from about $41,000 in Newport News to $12,400 in Norfolk.

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City Politics |
What Hampton Roads city council members expensed in 2023

April 2, 2024 at 1:21 p.m.

To learn more about how city council members are spending taxpayer dollars, The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press filed Freedom of Information Act requests asking for all expenses that six Hampton...

Both cities currently contract their recycling with TFC Recycling. Despite higher costs, city residents have indicated they want curbside recycling to continue.

City Politics |
Virginia Beach and Norfolk weigh recycling options, rising costs before contracts end in June

February 28, 2024 at 6:45 p.m.

Both cities currently contract their recycling with TFC Recycling. Despite higher costs, city residents have indicated they want curbside recycling to continue.

"The open space really only lends itself to, particularly along the river and the trail, to passive use," said Norfolk City Manager Patrick Roberts, addressing a question at the Larchmont-Edgewater Civic League meeting about city-owned property at the former Lamberts Point Golf Course.

City Politics |
Former Lamberts Point Golf Course will remain publicly accessible land, Norfolk city officials say

February 27, 2024 at 4:54 p.m.

"The open space really only lends itself to, particularly along the river and the trail, to passive use," said Norfolk City Manager Patrick Roberts, addressing a question at the Larchmont-Edgewater...

Dominion is seeking to partner with New York firm Stonepeak, which would provide money up front, share construction costs and make a final payment when Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is done. But the deal needs to be approved by regulators first.

Environment |
Dominion seeks to sell 50% share of Virginia offshore wind farm to help finance project

February 28, 2024 at 12:10 p.m.

Dominion is seeking to partner with New York firm Stonepeak, which would provide money up front, share construction costs and make a final payment when Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project...

Danica Royster was elected to Norfolk City Council in 2021 after being appointed earlier that year. Royster said she is not running for reelection this year because she plans to take a larger role in her family's financial firm.

City Politics |
Danica Royster is 2nd Norfolk City Council member to forego reelection bid

February 24, 2024 at 11:45 a.m.

Danica Royster was elected to Norfolk City Council in 2021 after being appointed earlier that year. Royster said she is not running for reelection this year because she plans to...

Elizabeth River Ferry service purchased two new ferries at a cost of $6.4 million. On Friday, the mayors of Norfolk and Portsmouth were on hand to celebrate the boats and lauded the connection they establish between the two cities.

Transportation |
2 new ferries join the Elizabeth River fleet connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth

February 16, 2024 at 6:10 p.m.

Elizabeth River Ferry service purchased two new ferries at a cost of $6.4 million. On Friday, the mayors of Norfolk and Portsmouth were on hand to celebrate the boats and...

Speakers have been regularly attending area City Council meetings, calling for a cease-fire. Tuesday, in Norfolk the Mayor ended a meeting early after a speaker went over and in Hampton, there was back and forth between residents on the violence in Gaza.

City Politics |
In Norfolk, Newport News, city councils hear heated public comments about Israel-Hamas war

February 14, 2024 at 5:17 p.m.

Speakers have been regularly attending area City Council meetings, calling for a cease-fire. Tuesday, in Norfolk the Mayor ended a meeting early after a speaker went over and in Hampton,...

While Norfolk City Councilman Tommy Smigiel said the trend of city budget surpluses shows that the real estate property tax rate could be reduced, the city's budget director said it's not enough for sustained cuts and the extra revenue should be spent on one-time projects instead.

City Politics |
Norfolk has a budget surplus of $17.8M; one council member wants tax cuts

February 15, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.

While Norfolk City Councilman Tommy Smigiel said the trend of city budget surpluses shows that the real estate property tax rate could be reduced, the city's budget director said it's...

The appeal of Cordish Companies' lawsuit against Norfolk was initially argued in July. In October, an unnamed judge recused themselves "from further participation in this matter due to a conflict of interest," according to a filing in the court case. The Court of Appeals of Virginia reheard arguments in December.

City Politics |
Ruling in Waterside developer’s $100 million casino lawsuit delayed after appellate judge’s recusal

February 12, 2024 at 8:17 a.m.

The appeal of Cordish Companies' lawsuit against Norfolk was initially argued in July. In October, an unnamed judge recused themselves "from further participation in this matter due to a conflict...

Passengers took almost 1.34 million rides on the 7.4-mile light rail system in Norfolk in 2019. The Tide finished 2021 with 620,000 rides. That grew to 726,000 rides in 2022 and over 780,000 rides taken last year.

City Politics |
Ridership on the Tide has not bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, but continues growth

February 6, 2024 at 9:04 p.m.

Passengers took almost 1.34 million rides on the 7.4-mile light rail system in Norfolk in 2019. The Tide finished 2021 with 620,000 rides. That grew to 726,000 rides in 2022...

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