Home | The Ledger Star

Local intelligence at the intersection of politics, business, government, and culture in Virginia and Hampton Roads.

Defense

The Navy’s Largest Shipbuilding Award Will Reshape Virginia

The $76.6 billion submarine agreement is more than a contract for Newport News Shipbuilding. It is a generational economic opportunity for Hampton Roads and a potential legacy project for Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

Ledger Star Staff

•

Jul 30, 2026

Opinion

Virginia is Branding the Wrong Industry and Pitching It's Economy in a Tricorn Hat

Ledger Star Staff

•

Jul 30, 2026

Defense

The Navy’s Largest Shipbuilding Award Will Reshape Virginia

Ledger Star Staff

•

Jul 30, 2026

Education

Virginia’s Workforce Problem Is Not Headcount. It Is Alignment.

Ledger Star Staff

•

Jul 19, 2026

Aerospace

The Pentagon lacks a hypersonics strategy. Virginia already has the map.

Ledger Star Staff

•

Jul 19, 2026

Local Government

Virginia Beach Will Not Become Ocean City Overnight. It Will Happen One Rezoning at a Time.

Ledger Star Staff

•

Jul 18, 2026

Industry

America Says It Wants More Ships. So Why Is Washington Letting Foreign Vessels Carry American Cargo?

Ledger Star Staff

•

Jul 18, 2026

Energy

NextEra promises cheaper power. Virginia should ask what it is giving up.

Ledger Star Staff

•

Jul 17, 2026

Defense

Youngkin joins Red Cell as firm targets gaps in the defense industrial base

Ledger Star Staff

•

Jul 17, 2026

Youngkin joins Red Cell as firm targets gaps in the defense industrial base

The former Virginia governor will help the McLean venture studio build companies designed to move emerging technology into national-security missions faster.

Jul 17, 2026

•

4 min read

Kongsberg Expands at Sea as Its Virginia Missile Factory Takes Shape

The Berg Propulsion acquisition broadens the newly independent maritime company, while the Kongsberg name is becoming increasingly connected to Hampton Roads’ sea, air and space defense economy.

Jul 17, 2026

•

3 min read

Why We Created The Ledger Star

Hampton Roads does not need more news. It needs better intelligence.

Jul 17, 2026

•

1 min read

Virginia leads the nation in workforce training. Hampton Roads shows what that looks like.

The region has built one of the country’s most organized systems for training the skilled workers who will power America’s new industrial economy.

Jul 17, 2026

•

4 min read

Saronic plans massive Texas shipyard for defense and commercial vessels

Saronic plans to begin construction later this year on a new shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, that could eventually employ 10,000 workers and build some of the largest vessels in the world.

Jul 17, 2026

•

2 min read