Reporter

Natalie Anderson

Natalie Anderson covers the cities of Chesapeake and Portsmouth. Previously, she was a local government reporter at the Salisbury Post in North Carolina. She's also had stops with the Carnegie-Knight News21 program and The Advocate in Baton Rouge. A native Louisianan and Louisiana State University grad, she enjoys seafood, cooking and LSU sports.

The Portsmouth City Council unanimously voted this week to raise the mayor and council member pay beginning next July. The move was prompted by legislation passed earlier this year granting localities the ability to raise elected officials' pay for the first time in more than two decades.

City Politics |
Portsmouth council members vote to nearly double annual salaries next year

June 13, 2024 at 5:56 p.m.

The Portsmouth City Council unanimously voted this week to raise the mayor and council member pay beginning next July. The move was prompted by legislation passed earlier this year granting...

After around 60 speakers showed up to a nearly fully packed Chesapeake City Council chambers Tuesday, a 6-3 vote rejected a request to place an advisory referendum on the November ballot asking voters whether they want to transition to a single-member ward voting system.

City Politics |
Chesapeake council rejects ballot initiative to poll residents on election system overhaul

June 12, 2024 at 6:21 p.m.

After around 60 speakers showed up to a nearly fully packed Chesapeake City Council chambers Tuesday, a 6-3 vote rejected a request to place an advisory referendum on the November...

"The reason these proclamations are really needed still (is) that there are a lot of residents of Chesapeake, there are a lot of children who are in the LGBT community, who don't feel recognized, don't feel like it's OK to be who they are in their city," said Pride in the 'Peake co-founder Jeremy Rodden.

City Politics |
Chesapeake mayor issues historic first Pride Month proclamation

June 7, 2024 at 5:33 p.m.

"The reason these proclamations are really needed still (is) that there are a lot of residents of Chesapeake, there are a lot of children who are in the LGBT community,...

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott said state lawmakers will return to Richmond later this month to address recent changes to the Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program that covers higher education costs for some military families.

Virginia Politics |
Virginia House speaker confirms special session on military tuition program

June 10, 2024 at 10:49 a.m.

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott said state lawmakers will return to Richmond later this month to address recent changes to the Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program that...

Portsmouth expects to close on the purchase of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail in September. But after a fire at the city jail displaced inmates and staff, the city's working to secure a temporary lease agreement that will allow it to continue to house inmates at the facility before then.

City Politics |
After city jail fire, Portsmouth plans to keep inmates at Hampton Roads Regional Jail until purchase finalized

June 7, 2024 at 5:13 p.m.

Portsmouth expects to close on the purchase of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail in September. But after a fire at the city jail displaced inmates and staff, the city's working...

Legislation passed by the General Assembly this year amended the maximum salaries that Virginia mayors and city council members can earn. So far, two Hampton Roads cities are moving forward to discuss and consider increasing pay.

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City Politics |
Portsmouth, Hampton councils to consider giving themselves raises after state law increases pay scale

June 4, 2024 at 6:31 p.m.

Legislation passed by the General Assembly this year amended the maximum salaries that Virginia mayors and city council members can earn. So far, two Hampton Roads cities are moving forward...

The City Council voted unanimously last week to rename a stretch of road near Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Tidewater Community College to "L. Louise Lucas Drive" in honor of her advocacy and service to the city for more than four decades.

City Politics |
Street near Portsmouth’s casino, TCC to be renamed in honor of Sen. L. Louise Lucas

June 2, 2024 at 10:49 a.m.

The City Council voted unanimously last week to rename a stretch of road near Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Tidewater Community College to "L. Louise Lucas Drive" in honor of her...

The council voted unanimously to appoint Victor S. Edwards III as the new permanent city assessor, starting immediately at a salary of $130,000.

City Politics |
Portsmouth council appoints new city assessor after turmoil

June 1, 2024 at 10:46 a.m.

The council voted unanimously to appoint Victor S. Edwards III as the new permanent city assessor, starting immediately at a salary of $130,000.

A handful of dance and cheer groups were told they can't participate in this year's city-sponsored annual Memorial Day Parade tradition. But earlier this month, most City Council members voted to authorize the city manager to override that decision, with several of them taking issue with the specific concerns raised against the denied groups.

City Politics |
Portsmouth City Council reverses city group’s decision to exclude dance, cheer groups from Memorial Day Parade

May 25, 2024 at 2:55 p.m.

A handful of dance and cheer groups were told they can't participate in this year's city-sponsored annual Memorial Day Parade tradition. But earlier this month, most City Council members voted...

Some leaders are pushing to begin the process of placing a referendum on the ballot in this year's general election asking voters to weigh in on transitioning to a single-member district voting system instead of the at-large system currently used.

City Politics |
Some Chesapeake leaders pushing to ask residents to weigh in on district voting system

May 22, 2024 at 6:15 p.m.

Some leaders are pushing to begin the process of placing a referendum on the ballot in this year's general election asking voters to weigh in on transitioning to a single-member...

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