The current local time in Newport News, Virginia, is determined by the Eastern Time Zone (ET). This zone operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST) during the winter months and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during the summer months. The transition between these two occurs during daylight saving time. For example, if it is 3:00 PM EDT in Newport News, it would be 2:00 PM CDT in Chicago and 12:00 PM PDT in Los Angeles.
Accurate knowledge of the present time is crucial for coordinating schedules, conducting business, and maintaining synchronization with events occurring locally and across different time zones. Historically, timekeeping relied on local observations of the sun. Standardized time zones were introduced to improve efficiency in transportation and communication, particularly with the rise of railroads and telegraphs.