A young supporter listens to Abigail Spanberger’s acceptance speech after she was elected Virginia’s first female governor. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, with her husband, Azhar Rafiq, waves to supporters after being elected Virginia’s next lieutenant governor.(Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Supporters listen to Abigail Spanberger’s acceptance speech after she was elected Virginia’s first female governor at the Richmond Convention Center on Tuesday. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Former Norfolk delegate Jay Jones addresses supporters Tuesday after defeating Republican Jason Miyares to become attorney general. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Fall color on Monument Avenue (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Groundbreaking ceremony commemorates Brown Grove School-The Brown Grove School Memorial Committee held a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 26 for a new memorial across from Brown Grove Baptist Church in Ashland. The memorial honors the historic Brown Grove School, a two-room schoolhouse built in 1925 that educated African American children in grades 1–7 until it was destroyed by fire in 1942. The school served as a center of learning, pride, and resilience for the Brown Grove community. Attendees hold hands during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Brown Grove School Memorial, designed in part by civil engineer Fyiad Constantine to symbolize the original two-room schoolhouse.(Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Groundbreaking ceremony commemorates Brown Grove School-The Brown Grove School Memorial Committee held a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 26 for a new memorial across from Brown Grove Baptist Church in Ashland. The memorial honors the historic Brown Grove School, a two-room schoolhouse built in 1925 that educated African American children in grades 1–7 until it was destroyed by fire in 1942. The school served as a center of learning, pride, and resilience for the Brown Grove community. The Rev. Darius Beecham, pastor of The Historic Brown Grove Baptist Church leads church and community members across the street for the groundbreaking.(Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Groundbreaking ceremony commemorates Brown Grove School-The Brown Grove School Memorial Committee held a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 26 for a new memorial across from Brown Grove Baptist Church in Ashland. The memorial honors the historic Brown Grove School, a two-room schoolhouse built in 1925 that educated African American children in grades 1–7 until it was destroyed by fire in 1942. The school served as a center of learning, pride, and resilience for the Brown Grove community. The Rev. Darius Beecham, Saundra Watkins, Brenda Brown, Stefany Whittaker, Benjamin Jackson, Roger Brown, Shelia Spencer and Renada Harris celebrate the start of construction at Brown Grove.(Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond-“Long Exposure Tracks,” an image showing railroad tracks crossing the James River from Richmond’s floodwall, won the Cities & Towns category in the Scenic Virginia Photo Contest. The photo was taken in January by Richmond resident Katelynd Bab, who moved here in 2022. Bab, who has been photographing for about a decade, said she was drawn to how the image reflected the city’s character through its mix of water, steel and skyline. Scenic Virginia announced contest winners last month across nine categories, from Coastals & Waterways to Farms & Open Spaces. The full gallery of winning images is available at scenicvirginia.org. (photo by Katelynd Bab)

Former school site transformed into new housing-Richmond city leaders and residents gathered Oct. 30 in the city’s Oak Grove neighborhood to celebrate the opening of Noon Ingram, a 243-unit limited income housing development built on the former site of Oak Grove Elementary School. The new community offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for families earning between $35,000 and $80,000 a year, with amenities that include a swimming pool, fitness centers, outdoor recreation areas and a dog park. City leaders cut the ribbon Thursday, Oct. 30, to officially open Noon Ingram, a 243-unit limited-income housing development in South Side’s Oak Grove neighborhood. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Former school site transformed into new housing-Richmond city leaders and residents gathered Oct. 30 in the city’s Oak Grove neighborhood to celebrate the opening of Noon Ingram, a 243-unit limited income housing development built on the former site of Oak Grove Elementary School. The new community offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for families earning between $35,000 and $80,000 a year, with amenities that include a swimming pool, fitness centers, outdoor recreation areas and a dog park. Marcelle Williams, a new resident of Noon Ingram, looks over her apartment in the 243-unit limited-income housing development in South Side’s Oak Grove neighborhood. Williams, who moved in Oct. 10, said she was ready for a home that required less upkeep and is pleased to see the long-abandoned site revitalized. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Former school site transformed into new housing-Richmond city leaders and residents gathered Oct. 30 in the city’s Oak Grove neighborhood to celebrate the opening of Noon Ingram, a 243-unit limited income housing development built on the former site of Oak Grove Elementary School. The new community offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for families earning between $35,000 and $80,000 a year, with amenities that include a swimming pool, fitness centers, outdoor recreation areas and a dog park. City leaders cut the ribbon Thursday, Oct. 30, to officially open Noon Ingram, a 243-unit limited-income housing development in South Side’s Oak Grove neighborhood. Richmond City Council member Reva Trammell speaks before the ribbon cutting that celebrated the opening of the housing development. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Halloween blasts off-Bryson Fischer Wesley, 4, suits up as an astronaut for Halloween on Friday during U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan’s annual Community Harvest Festival at the Science Museum of Virginia. The festival offered Richmond-area children a chance to trick-or-treat and explore museum exhibits and activities throughout the evening. (Julianne Tripp Hillian)

Tricks, treats and togetherness-Families flocked to the Science Museum of Virginia on Halloween for U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan’s annual Community Harvest Festival. Aniyah Ruffin, 5, and her sister Miciyah Ruffin, 2, learn about healthy dental practices from Virginia Commonwealth University dental students. The event, held Friday evening, offered Richmond-area children a safe space to trick-or-treat, enjoy museum exhibits and connect with community resources. Guests explored hands-on experiences in the museum’s Speed, Boost and The Power of Poison exhibits, along with its Animal, Art and Eco Labs. Halloween laser shows and live science demos added to the night’s festivities. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Tricks, treats and togetherness-Families flocked to the Science Museum of Virginia on Halloween for U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan’s annual Community Harvest Festival. U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, dressed as the Wicked Witch, greets families during her annual Community Harvest Festival on Halloween. The event, held Friday evening, offered Richmond-area children a safe space to trick-or-treat, enjoy museum exhibits and connect with community resources. Guests explored hands-on experiences in the museum’s Speed, Boost and The Power of Poison exhibits, along with its Animal, Art and Eco Labs. Halloween laser shows and live science demos added to the night’s festivities. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Tricks, treats and togetherness-Families flocked to the Science Museum of Virginia on Halloween for U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan’s annual Community Harvest Festival. The museum opened several exhibits and experiences for children to enjoy throughout the event. The event, held Friday evening, offered Richmond-area children a safe space to trick-or-treat, enjoy museum exhibits and connect with community resources. Guests explored hands-on experiences in the museum’s Speed, Boost and The Power of Poison exhibits, along with its Animal, Art and Eco Labs. Halloween laser shows and live science demos added to the night’s festivities. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lights and color transform Maymont for Garden Glow-Garden Glow has returned to Maymont’s gardens nightly, through Nov. 9. The light sculpture installations at Garden Glow were created by U.K.-based Culture Creative in collaboration with French art studios Tilt and Pitaya. Richmond-based Lighting & Sound Co. worked with Maymont staff on the experience. Right, after dark, Maymont transforms into an enchanted landscape with soft colors and special lighting effects. The annual event features mesmerizing light installations by international artists — some paired with coordinated soundscapes and music — along with the activity filled Glow Village, food and drinks. Proceeds support the care of Maymont’s gardens, resident animals and historic mansion. See maymont.org for details. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lights and color transform Maymont for Garden Glow-Garden Glow has returned to Maymont’s gardens nightly, through Nov. 9. A child takes in the colorful light displays in Maymont’s gardens. The annual event features mesmerizing light installations by international artists — some paired with coordinated soundscapes and music — along with the activity filled Glow Village, food and drinks. Opening times and ticket prices vary. Proceeds support the care of Maymont’s gardens, resident animals and historic mansion. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lights and color transform Maymont for Garden Glow-Garden Glow has returned to Maymont’s gardens nightly, through Nov. 9. A child takes in the colorful light displays in Maymont’s gardens. The annual event features mesmerizing light installations by international artists — some paired with coordinated soundscapes and music — along with the activity filled Glow Village, food and drinks. Opening times and ticket prices vary. Proceeds support the care of Maymont’s gardens, resident animals and historic mansion. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lights and color transform Maymont for Garden Glow-Garden Glow has returned to Maymont’s gardens nightly, through Nov. 9. The light sculpture installations at Garden Glow were created by U.K.-based Culture Creative in collaboration with French art studios Tilt and Pitaya. Richmond-based Lighting & Sound Co. worked with Maymont staff on the experience. Right, after dark, Maymont transforms into an enchanted landscape with soft colors and special lighting effects. The annual event features mesmerizing light installations by international artists — some paired with coordinated soundscapes and music — along with the activity filled Glow Village, food and drinks. Proceeds support the care of Maymont’s gardens, resident animals and historic mansion. See maymont.org for details. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lights and color transform Maymont for Garden Glow-Garden Glow has returned to Maymont’s gardens nightly, through Nov. 9. The light sculpture installations at Garden Glow were created by U.K.-based Culture Creative in collaboration with French art studios Tilt and Pitaya. Richmond-based Lighting & Sound Co. worked with Maymont staff on the experience. Right, after dark, Maymont transforms into an enchanted landscape with soft colors and special lighting effects. L’Envol,” presented by Genworth, features an illuminated flock of origami birds suspended among the trees. The annual event features mesmerizing light installations by international artists — some paired with coordinated soundscapes and music — along with the activity filled Glow Village, food and drinks. Proceeds support the care of Maymont’s gardens, resident animals and historic mansion. See maymont.org for details. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)