The Virginian-Pilot - Virginia News, Sports, Weather, Business & Things to Do

Once the tallest man in America, Portsmouth native, sheriff deputy remembered by love, warmness

George Bell, a Hampton Roads native and former Harlem Globetrotter, once held the record as the tallest living man in the U.S. He died this week at the age of 67.

File photo of George Bell, 7 feet, 8 inches tall, as a sheriff's deputy in the city of Norfolk. Bell worked on his day off providing security at a park on Nov. 3, 2007, right before he was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the Tallest Man in the United States. He held the record until 2010. (AP Photo / Gary C. Knapp)

Former Virginia Beach prosecutor James Panagis on Friday admitted to stealing money meant for crime victims in order to pay online gambling debts.

Ex-Virginia Beach prosecutor pleads guilty to stealing crime victim funds to cover gambling debts

Odom’s signature coaching moment unfolded March 16, 2018, when his UMBC Retrievers routed Virginia 74-54 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to become the first No. 16 regional seed to topple a No. 1.

UVA finalizing Ryan Odom’s hire as basketball coach, sources say

The first time Keith Bryant Jr. was tried for the 2019 murder of Nate Evans, it ended with the jury deadlocked at 7-5 in favor of acquittal. This time the jury acquitted him after about two hours of deliberations.

2nd trial for man charged with killing William & Mary football player in 2019 ends in acquittal

Trump holds a signed executive order

Trump has ordered the dismantling of the US Education Department. Here’s what that means.

Latest Headlines

Bruton Parish Church hangs plaque to explain existing Civil War-era tablet

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UVA women’s swimmers win four more events at NCAAs, hold commanding lead

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Norfolk State achieves first baseball victory after 0-16 start

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High school scoreboard: No. 13 Great Bridge stuns No. 2 Grassfield in softball upset

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Admirals fall in 11-round shootout in series opener at Reading

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George Foreman, boxing great and businessman, dies at 76

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Norfolk State’s season ends with NCAA Tournament loss to Florida

12 hours ago
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Ex-Virginia Beach prosecutor pleads guilty to stealing crime victim funds to cover gambling debts
Ex-Virginia Beach prosecutor pleads guilty to stealing crime victim funds to cover gambling debts
New Oceanfront breakfast spot opens on Atlantic Avenue after fire burnt down previous structure
New Oceanfront breakfast spot opens on Atlantic Avenue after fire burnt down previous structure
Chesapeake is planning for the future of Greenbrier. Here’s how to get involved.
Chesapeake is planning for the future of Greenbrier. Here's how to get involved.
UVA finalizing Ryan Odom’s hire as basketball coach, sources say
UVA finalizing Ryan Odom's hire as basketball coach, sources say
George Foreman, boxing great and businessman, dies at 76
George Foreman, boxing great and businessman, dies at 76
2nd trial for man charged with killing William & Mary football player in 2019 ends in acquittal
2nd trial for man charged with killing William & Mary football player in 2019 ends in acquittal
Power restored after Virginia International Gateway outage
Power restored after Virginia International Gateway outage
Duke’s Cooper Flagg is back and, according to coach Jon Scheyer, better
Duke's Cooper Flagg is back and, according to coach Jon Scheyer, better
Youngkin signed 1st batch of 180 bills. Here are the highlights.
Youngkin signed 1st batch of 180 bills. Here are the highlights.
US beefing up warship presence in the Middle East; Norfolk-based Truman to stay an extra month
US beefing up warship presence in the Middle East; Norfolk-based Truman to stay an extra month

Business

Nearly one-third of American adults now trust social media for financial advice: Why that’s a terrible idea

Younger Americans are even more likely than the average to seek out financial advice from social media.

Politics

Changes include overhauling rules for protests and conducting a review of its Middle Eastern studies department.

Under threat from Trump, Columbia University agrees to policy changes

Changes include overhauling rules for protests and conducting a review of its Middle Eastern studies department.

Local News

The nonprofit joins a long list of nationwide organizations hit with federal funding cuts.

Williamsburg nonprofit that helps homeless population ending housing program amid federal cuts

The nonprofit joins a long list of nationwide organizations hit with federal funding cuts.

Photos: ODU players show off for NFL scouts at Pro Day

About 10 football players from Old Dominion University demonstrated their skills for NFL scouts during Pro Day at ODU's S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk on Friday, March 21, 2025. James Cahoon, a quarterback from Division III school Bridgewater State University...
Photos: 53rd running of the Shamrock Marathon
Photos: D1 Indoor track and field championships
Photos: NSU women dominate in MEAC title win
Photos: Ocean View celebrates annual St. Patrick’s Day parade
Photos: NSU men earn 2025 MEAC title
Photos: NSU men advance to MEAC championship

Crime and Public Safety

File photo of crime scene tape.

Man arrested in Norfolk shooting near downtown that left 1 dead

Authorities arrested a Norfolk man and charged him in a downtown Norfolk shooting that left...

Sports

Foreman's family announced his death on social media.

George Foreman, the glowering heavyweight who became a lovable champion, dies at 76

Foreman's family announced his death on social media.

757Teamz

Just two seasons into its tenure as a varsity team, the Kellam boys lacrosse team became the first Hampton Roads representative to reach a Virginia High School League championship game.

757Teamz high school lacrosse preview: Kellam is hungry for more after state tournament trip

Just two seasons into its tenure as a varsity team, the Kellam boys lacrosse team...

Restaurants, Food and Drink

Supermarket aisle with empty black shopping cart

Returning to the office? Here are 30 frozen meals ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest

Hers looked at 30 of Amazon Fresh's bestselling frozen meals in six categories.

Opinion

Cartoon by Steve Breen for March 22, 2025.

Cartoon: Sunshine Week

Cartoon by Steve Breen for March 22, 2025.

National News

With massive job cuts, the National Weather Service is eliminating or reducing vital weather balloon launches in eight northern locations, which meteorologists and former agency leaders said will degrade the accuracy of forecasts just as severe weather season kicks in.

Experts say US weather forecasts will worsen as DOGE cuts balloon launches

With massive job cuts, the National Weather Service is eliminating or reducing vital weather balloon...

Military

Eyeing China threat, Trump announces Boeing wins contract for secretive future fighter jet

Critics have questioned the cost and necessity of the program.

National Politics

It's not clear that anything will be done about it. That's a worry for key ethics law experts.

Legal experts say Trump official broke law by saying ‘Buy Tesla’ stock but don’t expect a crackdown

It's not clear that anything will be done about it. That's a worry for key...

Best Reviews

<p>With a variety of shedding tools on the market, you are sure to help your cat meet their grooming needs. Shedding tools keep your cat’s coat healthy.</p>
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Keep your furniture fur-free with the best shedding tool for cats

With a variety of shedding tools on the market, you are sure to help your...