Virginia lawmakers are in their final week of session, and communities on the Peninsula are watching closely to see if Newport News and Hampton will be added to a state program designed to help fund gun violence prevention efforts.
The Virginia General Assembly is considering expanding the Safer Communities program, which provides funding for initiatives like after-school programs and violence interrupters. Norfolk and Portsmouth are already part of the program, but Newport News and Hampton could be added.
The push comes as the Newport News nonprofit Ketchmore Kids faced funding cuts last year when the Trump administration moved to reduce federal spending. Co-founder Troy Ketchmore said he is hopeful state funding could help recover some of what was lost. The organization works with young people, including teaching them ways to resolve conflicts without violence…