Good Morning Virginia Beach!

Some weeks are packed with headlines. Other weeks are filled with stories that remind you why this city is such a fun place to live. This week has a little of both. From something making waves around town to local events, community updates and a few stories that deserve a spot on your weekend reading list, there’s plenty waiting below.

Let’s dive in!

— Kim Checcio

Last night, Virginia Beach hosted an intimate listening party for one of our city’s own music icons.

Chad Hugo, formerly of The Neptunes, debuted his new song to the world, “Jumpupw!nya,” which he is calling his first-ever solo track. The event was held at Ace Gallery, where guests heard curated DJ sets from Ron Solo and Chad, along with exclusive Galaxie Gear drops.

VB Living was there and even got behind the booth as Chad played the new track for the crowd. It was one of those special moments that could only happen here, with a Virginia Beach music legend sharing something brand new in the city where his story began.

👉🏼 Click Here: Watch The Launch On Our Instagram Reel

Mount Trashmore will look a little different on Saturday, August 1, when the Water Lantern Festival returns for an evening filled with music, food trucks and hundreds of glowing lanterns floating across the water.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m., giving families and friends time to grab food, enjoy the music and decorate their lanterns with messages, wishes or dedications. The lantern launch begins at 8:30 p.m., just as the sun goes down.

Tickets include admission, a lantern kit, an LED candle and markers. The event is expected to sell out, and ticket prices increase as the date gets closer.

📍 Mount Trashmore, 310 Edwin Drive

👉🏼 Click Here: Reserve Your Lantern Before Tickets Sell Out

Virginia residents can now keep a digital version of their driver’s license or state ID right on their phones, and several Virginia Beach locations are already accepting it.

More than 300,000 people statewide have downloaded the Virginia Mobile ID app. After scanning the barcode on a physical ID and taking a selfie, users can verify their identity or age without handing over their phone.

Locally, the Mobile ID is currently accepted at Ocean Breeze Waterpark, Norfolk International Airport security checkpoints, Virginia State Police, Commonwealth Brewing and Smartmouth Brewing. The list is still limited, but it is growing.

One important note: this is an additional option, not a replacement for your physical license, so you will still want to keep that wallet nearby for now.

👉🏼 Click Here: See How Virginia’s Mobile ID Works

For children on the autism spectrum, flashing lights, loud sirens and an unfamiliar person in uniform can make an already stressful situation feel even more overwhelming. A new Virginia Beach program is helping change that by bringing children and first responders together before an emergency ever happens.

The children were able to meet local officers in a calm, comfortable environment, ask questions and become familiar with the uniforms and equipment they may encounter. At the same time, first responders gained a better understanding of how children with autism may communicate or react during stressful situations.

It is a simple idea that could make a big difference when every second counts, helping local families feel more supported and giving first responders another way to keep children safe.

👉🏼 Click Here: See This Special Program in Action

HGTV makes a full home renovation look like it happens between two commercial breaks. In real life, there are timelines, budget decisions, unexpected discoveries and a whole team working behind the scenes to bring that final reveal together.

Originally featured in Back Bay Living, this article from Virginia Beach-based KB Design Co. shares what homeowners should really expect before starting a renovation, including why good design involves much more than choosing pretty finishes and how the right team can make a complicated process feel surprisingly manageable.

Thinking about updating your home someday? This is worth reading before the first wall comes down.

👉🏼 Click Here: Discover What HGTV Leaves Out

The new Biscuits & Bird has officially opened its first location in Virginia Beach, taking over the former Hardee’s near Home Depot and across from Sam’s Club.

This pilot location is a new fast-casual concept centered around scratch-made biscuits, hand-breaded chicken and comfort food with a few creative twists. The drink menu goes beyond the usual fountain options with lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffee, flavored teas, lemonades, craft sodas and energy infusions.

There is also a community-minded side to the restaurant. Biscuits & Bird plans to donate leftover food to local homeless shelters, helping make sure good food does not go to waste.

Open daily from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

📍 3342 Virginia Beach Blvd.