Becoming BadNews: The 757 Report
For decades, Newport News, VA locals have called it ‘Bad News.’ But is that fair—or a warning? This documentary goes beyond headlines, confronting the city’s identity crisis and the people still fighting to turn reputation into renewal.
Documentary in Pre-production October of 2025.
Share your Experiences in Newport News
Every story matters.
Every voice tells the truth of this city.
Becoming Bad News is more than a documentary — it’s a collective conversation about what’s really happening in Newport News, Virginia. We want to hear directly from you — the residents, business owners, workers, artists, and leaders who shape the 757 every day.
Whether you’ve witnessed redevelopment promises fall through, fought to keep a small business alive, or seen positive change worth celebrating, your perspective adds to the full picture of what this city is becoming.
Who We’re Looking to Hear From
- Community Members: Lifelong locals, new residents, and anyone who calls Newport News home.
- Business Owners: From small shops to growing companies — share how city decisions have helped or hurt your journey.
- City Officials & Employees: We invite transparency. Help the public understand the challenges and complexities behind redevelopment, funding, and progress.
How to Participate
You can contribute by:
- Submitting a short written story (100–500 words) about your experience.
- Uploading a short video (1–2 minutes) describing your perspective on Newport News today.
- Requesting an interview if you’d like to speak on camera for the documentary.
Why Your Voice Matters
This project seeks truth, not headlines. By sharing your experiences, you help paint a real, unfiltered portrait of life in a city balancing pride, progress, and pain. Together, we can show the world what Newport News really is — beyond the nickname “Bad News.”
Where Promises Crumble
Newport News: Community Challenges
This documentary reveals how Newport News confronts redevelopment hurdles, amplifies local voices, and seeks to rebuild community identity.
Uncovering Newport News’ Complex Urban Evolution
Follow the city’s efforts and the imbalance of progress, highlighting stories of the small business community and the lack of support from the city.
The City’s Hand: Power, Policy, and Progress
Pulls back the curtain on how Newport News operates behind closed doors—where policies are made, money moves, and progress often comes at a cost. This segment exposes the decisions shaping the city’s future and asks who truly benefits when the city’s hand is at play.
Uncovering Newport News’ True Story
Join us in amplifying local voices and shaping Newport News’ future.