Black drivers in Hampton Roads and across Virginia are more likely to be stopped and searched by police than any other racial or ethnic group, according to data just released as part of the new Virginia Community Policing Act. The state law requires police to collect and report information on every traffic stop they perform. That includes demographic information of the driver, why the car was stopped, whether a warning or citation was issued, if the driver was arrested and whether any person or the vehicle was searched. The release marks the second time data has been shared publicly under the law, which was passed in the General Assembly in 2020. A Virginian-Pilot analysis of the data shows that statewide, Black drivers are the only racial or ethnic group in the state that are stopped by police at a higher rate than their share of the population.  Read more in this Sunday's Main News section 
He had come to see the memorial to his late daughter and the others who died with her, but Dwight Brown Sr. couldnât find it. He paced through the Old Dominion University campus, a maze of concrete, glass and brick. Where could it be? Spotting a fire station, he crossed the street. My daughter, LaQuita Brown, died when a disgruntled coworker opened fire at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center in 2019, he told them. Dwight had driven from his home in Greenville, N.C. Heâd seen online that the university had recently opened a memorial to the victims of the mass shooting, and wanted to see it with his own eyes. What happened next made the July 4 trip more than worth it. Read more in this Sunday's Main News section Descendants of First Baptist Church and community members gathered at Lane Auditorium at Bruton Heights Education Center on Thursday to hear updates on the First Baptist Church archaeology site in Colonial Williamsburg. The Nassau Street site is the first physical location of First Baptist Church, one of Americaâs oldest churches founded by free and enslaved Blacks. Jack Gary, director of archaeology for Colonial Williamsburg, reported that his team has now identified 21 grave shafts and two other possible ones in the West end of the Nassau Street site. This could indicate that there are as many as 21 grave sites on the property, but Gary cautioned that they are still expanding the area to look for more grave shafts. Read more in this Sunday's Main News section -
The Tokyo Olympic Games arrive, finally, on Friday â and for the first time in history, there wonât be the swell of spectators in their stands. No matter. For most of the world, this international athletic event has always been a watch-from-home spectacular. The Daily Break is here to make it even more so. The opening ceremony starts at 8 p.m. in Tokyo â 7 a.m. Eastern â but NBC will do a special prime-time rebroadcast at 7:30 p.m. This calls for a party: Itâs Friday night. Itâs the biggest global festival and comes around only every four years â OK, except for world wars and a pandemic â and one that begs us to imagine world peace, awe at peak athleticism and hanker for foam fingers in 50 different languages. Read more in the Sunday Break section After a yearlong delay, the Games of the XXXII Olympiad begin Friday with the opening ceremony at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. Japan is a country rich with culture and tradition, and Tokyo is a city with a culinary and drinks scene thatâs as vibrant and diverse as the more than 11,000 athletes competing in this yearâs Games. If you will be one of the hundreds of millions around the world watching the parade of nations, lighting of the cauldron and the symbolic releasing of the doves, consider these drinks from around the world: Â Read more in the Sunday Break section -
It may be small, but the historic building at 803 S. Church St. in Smithfield holds big memories of the various businesses that have thrived within its walls throughout the years. As of June, the 770-square-foot structure added another occupant, Red Point Taphouse, to its portfolio. Nick Hess, Derek Joyner and Tim Ryan, all Smithfield residents, opened the craft brewery and kitchen together. âItâs been a long time coming,â said Julie Hess, Nickâs wife and general manager. âThey wanted to invest in the community.â Read more in the Sunday Work & Money section
    Â
     Â
See America Again Parade Pics - Summer's Big Adventure What America Eats - Japanese Chicken on a Stick |
