Local organization bringing holiday support to inmates
Christmas can be a time of isolation for people behind bars, and organizations are working to provide support during the holiday season.
Georgia dominates VCU in 4 Tha Culture opener
The University of Georgia Bulldogs delivered a commanding performance against VCU on Thursday night, cruising to a 72-53 victory at the Henrico Sports & Events Center as part of the 4 Tha Culture Holiday Hoops Classic.
Mendoza earns top Hispanic football award
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was named the inaugural Hispanic Football Hall of Fame College Player of the Year on Dec. 18, an honor recognizing the nation’s most outstanding Hispanic college football player.
VUU coach honored with Triad of Excellence Award
Franck Charles ’16 has turned Virginia Union University’s Track & Field and Cross Country programs into a model of excellence both on and off the track, earning him the Triad of Excellence Award from the John W. Barco Alumni Chapter.
A woman’s holiday tradition inspires
At 90, Dolores W. Whitaker still ushers in the holiday season one wreath at a time.
‘King James’ follows two friends through a decade of basketball devotion
Richmond Shakespeare will present “King James,” a comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Rajiv Joseph, running Jan. 15 through Feb. 1 at Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Theatre Gym.
Midtown64 development set to bring retail, apartments and hotel to Henrico
Greenberg Gibbons last week broke ground on Midtown64, a $500-plus million, 46-acre mixed-use development at the Interstate 64/Broad Street junction in Henrico County.
Evelyn Harris, acclaimed singer and educator, dies at 75
Evelyn Maria Harris, an acclaimed singer, composer, producer and devoted educator whose powerful voice and generous spirit enriched the world of vocal music for more than five decades, died Dec. 16. She was 75.
Hoops standout gives back with clinic, toy drive
Top 100 nationally ranked basketball player Timani Harris returned home Saturday to host a free basketball clinic and toy drive for local youth.
Woodfin to sponsor fan area at CarMax Park
Woodfin-Your Home Team and the Richmond Flying Squirrels will continue their partnership as the local HVAC and plumbing company has been announced as a founding partner of CarMax Park, according to the teams.
High school star Timani Harris to host basketball clinic, toy drive
Richmond native and ESPN Top 100 nationally ranked athlete Timani Harris, who currently plays high school basketball for DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, will host a free basketball clinic and toy drive in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond on Saturday, Dec. 20.
VUU’s Allen, SCSU’s Lunz named HBCU GO Football Players of the Year
Curtis Allen of Virginia Union University and Michael Lunz II of South Carolina State University were named the 2025 HBCU GO Football Players of the Year, recognizing the top offensive and defensive performers in historically Black college and university football.
Capital City Kwanzaa Festival returns Dec. 27
The Elegba Folklore Society will present the 2025 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival on Saturday, Dec. 27 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center’s Exhibit Hall B.
Lego partners with Children’s Museum for holiday charity campaign
Community members built more than 150 Lego brick hearts in Chesterfield County on Dec. 12, part of the toy company’s campaign to encourage people to share their creations online and help children in need.
Hampton hires Malone to lead football program
Hampton University named Van Malone as its 23rd head football coach last week, tapping a veteran assistant with 23 years of college coaching experience to lead the Pirates’ storied program.
Olympian Chaunté Lowe to speak at wellness luncheon
Chaunté Lowe, four-time U.S. Olympian and American high jump record holder, will be the keynote speaker at the 31st annual Women and Wellness Luncheon hosted by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.
NY pastor pleads guilty to tax evasion in church embezzlement case
Paul Mitchell, 60, the lead pastor of a Brooklyn church and president of an affiliated daycare, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to tax evasion in federal court.
Seminary partnership receives $10M for leadership program
Union Presbyterian Seminary has received a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch Seminary Extended: Strengthening Pastoral Leadership, a collaborative initiative with Eastern Mennonite Seminary and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Richmond fire officials urge safety after fatal house fire
The Richmond Fire Department is urging residents to prioritize fire safety ahead of the holidays after a weekend house fire killed two people.
Spanberger inaugural committee unveils weekend event schedule
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s inaugural committee has released the schedule for the Commonwealth’s upcoming inauguration weekend, set for Jan. 16-18.
Virginia Legislative Black Caucus announces new leadership team
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus has announced its executive leadership team for the 2026-28 term, naming Del. Luke Torian as chair.
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026
Virginia’s top athletes, coaches and sports leaders will be celebrated in the spring as the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame unveiled its Class of 2026.
Casino holding job fair downtown
Live! Casino Virginia will hold a job fair Thursday, Dec. 18 in downtown Richmond as it prepares for the opening of its temporary gaming facility in Petersburg.
Fritz Sassine named director of Division of Legislative Automated Systems
Fritz Sassine has been named director of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems at Capitol Square in Richmond, the Virginia General Assembly announced.
Downtown Ashland launches ‘The Great Raccoon Hunt’
Downtown Ashland has turned a local raccoon’s viral fame into a holiday scavenger hunt.
‘Nutcracker’ continues holiday run at Carpenter Theatre
Richmond Ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” is being presented at the Carpenter Theatre through Dec. 23, marking the company’s continuation of a signature holiday tradition.
School Board seeks interim 6th district representative
The 6th District seat on the Richmond School Board will soon have a new occupant, at least temporarily, as the board begins the search to fill the vacancy left by Shonda Harris-Muhammed’s resignation effective Dec. 31.
Library of Virginia plans major renovation of downtown building
The Library of Virginia is planning a major renovation of its downtown Richmond building at 800 E. Broad St., reimagining more than 112,000 square feet on the first and second floors to improve accessibility, flexibility and community engagement.
Petersburg’s stars shine, John Marshall dominates in ‘Battle’ wins
Division I talent was on full display Saturday night as nationally ranked Petersburg and city rival John Marshall delivered commanding victories in “The Battle 2025” doubleheader at Virginia State University’s Multipurpose Center.
Student-athletes honored at Maxie Awards banquet
Richmond’s student-athletes were celebrated Dec. 3 during the third annual Maxie Awards banquet at the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center.
VUU track and field posts standout results at indoor opener
Virginia Union University’s track and field teams opened the indoor season with a surge of early success, highlighted by multiple school records, event wins and breakout performances across two meets.
Kickers sign fullback Mujeeb Murana
The Richmond Kickers have signed fullback Mujeeb Murana, pending league and federation approval.
Spanberger picks Candi King as Secretary of the Commonwealth
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday named Del. Candi Mundon King as Virginia’s next Secretary of the Commonwealth, choosing a lawmaker and longtime community advocate to oversee constituent services and state board appointments in the incoming administration.
Applications open for Richmond Poet Laureate position
With less than a year remaining in the city’s current Poet Laureate term, Richmond officials have opened applications for the next poet to serve in the role.
Trooper breaks window to pull driver from burning Tesla
A Virginia state trooper, along with several Good Samaritans, helped rescue a Maryland man from a burning Tesla early Friday.
Kamala Harris to appear in Richmond to discuss ‘107 Days’
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Richmond on Feb. 2 for a conversation inspired by her bestselling book, “107 Days.”
Chamber outlines decadelong business strategy
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce unveiled its long-term economic strategy, Blueprint Virginia 2035, during the 2025 Virginia Economic Summit and Forum on International Trade, presenting the plan to Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger.
Secretariat’s early training grounds preserved in Virginia
Nearly 350 acres of farmland where Triple Crown champion Secretariat once roamed as a colt will remain permanently protected, preserving one of the most important landscapes in thoroughbred racing history.
VMFA returns 41 ancient terracotta fragments
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has deaccessioned and returned 41 ancient polychrome terracotta reliefs after an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit determined they had been looted.
Holiday Hoops Classic to debut in Henrico
The inaugural 4 Tha Culture Holiday Hoops Classic, a new women’s basketball showcase, is set to take place Dec. 19-21 at the Henrico Sports & Events Center.
H-SC will add club squash with new facility, coach
Hampden-Sydney College will add club squash to its athletic offerings in the 2026- 27 academic year, the school announced.
Evanston marks six years of reparations with national town hall
Six years after Evanston, Illinois, launched its groundbreaking reparations initiative, city leaders and national partners will gather Thursday, Dec. 4 to assess progress and offer guidance to communities nationwide.
City of Richmond hires Ken Martinez as director of revenue administration
The City of Richmond has hired Ken Martinez as the new director of revenue administration in the Department of Finance. Martinez brings more than 23 years of experience in municipal finance, with expertise in revenue management, taxpayer service and tax administration.
Giving Heart marks Thanksgiving feast’s 20th year
The Giving Heart marked its 20th annual Thanksgiving Day Feast last Thursday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, drawing more than 1,000 people to the exhibit hall for a day centered on meals and community connection.
VSU taps award-winning actor Rob Morgan for keynote
Virginia State University recently announced that award-winning actor and VSU alumnus Rob Morgan will deliver the keynote address at the school’s Fall 2025 commencement.
Jones names senior leadership team for attorney general’s office
Attorney General-elect Jay Jones recently announced three senior members of his leadership team who will serve when he takes office in January.
VCU pulls away from Virginia Tech in Battle 4 Atlantis
VCU closed out its Battle 4 Atlantis run with an 86-68 win over Virginia Tech on Friday in Nassau, Bahamas, behind a career-best performance from sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr.
Richmond Fire Department picks three new deputy chiefs
The Richmond Fire Department has appointed three new deputy chiefs to oversee operations, support services and administration.
Spiders add sprint and hurdles coach Andre Moore
The University of Richmond has added Andre Moore to its track and field staff as an assistant coach, bringing the Richmond native back to the program for the first time since 2018.
VCU stuns Dayton, falls in five-set A-10 final to Loyola Chicago
The VCU women’s volleyball team made a statement in the Atlantic 10 Tournament before coming up just short in the championship match at the Siegel Center on Sunday.
