The best local stories can't be found from behind a computer.

Our team of four full-time reporters and more than 20 freelance contributors is on the ground each day across Richmond, sharing your stories and keeping an eye out as government meets to make decisions about your tax dollars.

In 2026, The Richmonder published more than 1,000 stories, including deep-dive reporting that can't be found anywhere else. As the year comes to a close, we invite you to revisit some highlights with us.

Skip to a category: Education | Civic life | Accountability | History | Black issues | Food | Photos | Chesterfield County | Housing | Sports | Data | Nonprofits | Nature

Our five most-read stories

The 'Walk for Peace' enters Richmond on Monday. This is what it's like to walk with the monks

Before thousands packed City Hall to hear them speak, Richmonder correspondent Max Posner spent a day walking with a group of Buddhist monks through rural Virginia. The resulting photo essay is a beautiful look into a pilgrimage that resonated across the country.

• ‘The boys will be boys’: Former students at Trinity Episcopal detail what they describe as a culture of sexual misconduct dating back years
• Developer uses city's ADU law to build 100 backyard cottages
• Jim Ukrop, grocery chain leader and Richmond civic booster, dies at 89
• Downtown’s new homeless outreach workers have been there themselves

Education

For some Richmond students, virtual school became a lifeline. Now it's about to disappear.

The wave of pandemic money began to disappear this year, forcing tough decisions on what to prioritize. Education reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin kept a focus on the students and parents impacted by those decisions. The Richmonder was also proud to stage the 6th District school board debate in conjunction with VPM.

• Parent-teacher associations are more important than ever, leaving the schools without them further behind
• Barack Obama Elementary will close indefinitely after mold is found in art room and on computers
• Holton, McDonnough stress importance of teachers, but differ on details at debate

Civic life

Cycling advocates take bike lane cleaning into their own hands

Led by reporter Graham Moomaw, one of our core roles is to give Richmonders a voice. In 2026, we asked about a bike-lane cleaning machine, and it returned to the streets. We spotlighted a woman on a search for a plaque inside the Coliseum, and are thrilled to report that it has since been found.

• She’s on a quest for a piece of Elvis history, before it’s lost in the rubble of the Richmond Coliseum
• Lawmakers question how Rosie’s was approved to add more gambling machines in Richmond
• City Hall is making its own news, and paying the RTD to distribute it
• Richmond’s new transportation director wants a city ‘built for people.’ His work is increasingly urgent.

Accountability

Hathaway report: RPS director asked subordinates to help him disable security cameras; dozens of purchases remain unaccounted for

The Richmonder will always fight for your right to know how your tax dollars are being spent. For the first time this year, that took us into a courtroom, as we asked a judge to mandate that RPS share an investigation into alleged embezzlement by its director of facilities. We're happy to report that we won.

• Richmond officials charge $5.7K FOIA fee for financial info city is required to publish
• The Richmonder tried to dig deep on DPU billing issues. The city sent a $14.7K FOIA bill
• As Richmond’s FOIA foibles persist, city claims it has no ‘Flock’ contract

History

These 11 store designs shook up the world of retail – and started in Richmond

We start each newsletter with a look back at Richmond's past. We believe the best local news creates a sense of place, and we're committed to celebrating the things that make Richmond a special place to live.

• In the 1930s, this Ashland gardener turned daffodils into a national craze
• Arthur Ashe's statue turns 30 on Friday. It wasn't an easy road to Monument Avenue
• 66 years ago, Highland Springs went on a magic run for its first boys basketball state title
• Dukes, delegates and duels: How a charcoal ‘warming machine’ witnessed centuries of Virginia history

Black issues

Slow, but steady, restoration efforts continue for century-old Black cemeteries

One of the stories that resonated most with us this year was the closing of the Richmond Free Press, which represented Richmond's Black community at a time when the mainstream media often didn't. While we cannot fully fill that gap, we're proud to have the Free Press's final reporter and photographer on our freelance rolls continuing to tell those stories.

• A former Virginia Union student returned to finish his degree – alongside his daughter
• ‘Dark to light’: City unveils plans for infamous Lumpkin’s Slave Jail site
• 'Hire young people': At Shockoe Institute, panelists discuss ways to create economic mobility

Food

Sunday Bagel is the latest entrant in Richmond's bagel wars

One of the things our readers have asked for the most since our launch two years ago was dedicated coverage of Richmond's vibrant food scene. As we add that coverage, we will continue to stay true to our ideals and put readers first, holding to our journalistic standards.

• ‘It’s in our DNA’: Meet the four siblings responsible for some of Richmond’s best Mexican food
• Hibachi at home? These chefs make it a reality.

Photos

PHOTOS: Rolling with the punches: Richmond hosts roller derby invitational

The Richmonder's freelance photographers produce award-winning work showcasing the best of our community.

• Richmond's Flag, Part 3: Modern day boatmen recreate the freedom of the batteaux era
• En garde! More than 2,000 fencers are competing in Richmond at the national championships

Chesterfield County

Chesterfield Towne Center is getting a facelift, but won’t join other mixed-use makeovers

Thanks to a partnership with Report for America, and the generosity of our readers, we were able to add dedicated coverage of Chesterfield County this year. With a population of about 400,000, we believe Chesterfield deserves somebody sitting at the table representing residents as decisions are made.

• At 212 years old, it’s Chesterfield’s most famous tree. But it’s time to say goodbye.
• Nearly 8% of Chesterfield employees are on Ozempic-style drugs. The county says they prevent costlier issues later
• A Chesterfield employee who helped bring Google to the county now works for the tech giant

Housing

Richmond’s rezoning allows more development. Should it also require more trees?

Reporter Sarah Vogelsong has been on top of Richmond's code refresh since the first community outreach meetings, and has produced essential, and fair-minded, stories about how it will impact Richmonders.

• In code refresh, proposal to allow small businesses in neighborhoods draws mixed reviews
• What is an SUP?: Meet Richmond’s most powerful tool to get around zoning rules
• Manchester makes a big investment in public art
• Richmond’s historic Westwood neighborhood has beaten the odds for years. Can it survive rezoning?

Sports

‘That’s what high school football is about’: The Battle of Chester celebrates its 55th installment

Weldon Bradshaw is in his sixth decade covering high school sports in the area, and his experience and knowledge shines through in his storytelling. Along with the rest of our freelance team, you'll find them across the region each night, spotlighting the athletes and rivalries that make sports great.

• Weldon Bradshaw: The games were fun, but these are the moments I'll remember from the high school sports season
• For Richmond’s Super Bowl participants, bumpy roads led to football’s pinnacle
• Kickers start season hoping new business model will begin paying dividends
• Entering his 80s, Dickie Foster is still officiating high school games across the region

Data

We're always looking for ways to present information in a way that makes it easy to understand how it impacts you. Here are some of our top data-driven stories of the year:

• Housing is more out of reach and homeownership is down for younger Richmonders
• I tracked Kings Dominion’s lines all summer. Here’s how to skip them
• Crime continues downward trend in Richmond; Fan passes Shockoe for car gun thefts
• New Fan hotel opens bookings with a price point near the top of the market
• Richmond teachers are making more than neighboring counties this school year

Nonprofits

Richmond's safety-net clinics squeezed by surge in uninsured patients

As a nonprofit ourselves, we want to shine a spotlight on the groups doing work in the Richmond community. It has been a turbulent stretch for local nonprofits, but we have been encouraged by their resolve and optimism as they continue to fill crucial gaps.

• After federal funding upheavals, Richmond nonprofits say they are bruised but not broken
• Finding community just became easier with new online directory
• At 85, Franck Boynton has delivered meals to Richmond’s neediest for almost two decades
• Firewood volunteer Steve Allen delivers warmth to Richmonders who need it

Nature

Ground-nesting bees are a spring phenomenon in Richmond

Richmond is abundant with natural wonders, as well as the occasional reminder that Mother Nature remains in charge. Here's a look at the year in Richmond through the eyes of our reporters.

• For decades, Richmond mandated tidy lawns. A new proposal would give native plants more leeway.
• Richmond fights losing battle against snow, ice as temperatures stay below freezing
• Richmond’s libraries have long been a place for soaking up knowledge. Now they’re soaking up runoff too.
• For sale at Richmond marina: One of the last surviving WWI boats. Needs work.

Have a question about any of these stories? Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org.

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