Newport News city offices, buildings and facilities will be closed on Friday, June 19 in recognition of Juneteenth. The Voter Registrar’s Office at City Hall will still be open 8 AM to 5 PM for absentee voting for the Republican Primary, and the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter located at 5843 Jefferson Avenue will be open 12 PM to 5 PM for adoptions.
Governor Ralph Northam announced earlier this week that he is proposing legislation to make Juneteenth a state holiday. While Newport News does not follow the state holiday schedule and instead specifies city holidays in the City Code, City Council has agreed to close city offices on Friday to commemorate this important day in our nation’s history.