April 10 Newsletter: Shockoe Institute opens
Weather: A gorgeous spring weekend begins. High of 76.
On this date in 2001, a consultant tells Powhatan County officials to anticipate increased business development as the result of the upcoming Highway 288.
Shockoe Institute opens, confronting Richmond’s history and role in slavery
The 10,000 square-foot immersive and interactive experience, located at Main Street Station, is unapologetic in how it describes Richmond's past.
- "To use those unvarnished, candid words, it matters for people's understanding," Governor Abigail Spanberger said at the opening.
- “It is only in the telling of our whole story, not as we wish it to be, but as it was, that our future can be made better than our past,” said the Institute's CEO, Marland Buckner.
Admission is free but timed-entry tickets will be required during the opening week. Read more, and see photos, here.
An early look at crime in 2026: violent crime down, burglaries of shuttered vape shops and a lot of traffic tickets
Violent crime continued to trend downward in Richmond during the first quarter of 2026 in nearly every category, according to figures presented by the police department Thursday.
RPD will also continue its traffic enforcement blitzes, with a targeted focus on Huguenot Road, Richmond Highway and Chamberlayne. Read more here.
ToolBank waiving borrowing fees in April for 'Richmond Shines' cleanup initiative
Ahead of the annual "Clean the Bay Day," the Richmond ToolBank is offering free tools all month for eligible community projects. Read more here.
Communities in Schools of Richmond names new CEO
Adrienne Cole Johnson has been selected to be the new CEO of Communities in Schools of Richmond, succeeding longtime leader Harold Fitrer.
Johnson currently works for Henrico County Public Schools, where she is the chief of family and community engagement. Read more here.
Opening week continues at CarMax Park
As fans continue to break in Richmond's new baseball stadium, we updated our graphic on beer prices at local venues. The move to CarMax Park came with a slight increase in prices, but the Flying Squirrels remain close to to the area average – Friday Cheers, which is on hiatus this year, also sold beers for 50 cents per ounce.
In other news
- Parents demand answers after Henrico Virtual Academy eliminates grades K-2 (Henrico Citizen)
- The district will not pay for its students to participate in Virtual Virginia.
- Did you know 911 can access your phone's camera? Here's how it helps in Chesterfield (CBS 6)
- Dispatchers can send a link that allows access to your phone's camera.
- Tense budget negotiations reveal deep fractures between mayor, Council (Times-Dispatch)
- “It’s not fair that we can’t have a discussion,” Stephanie Lynch (5th District) told CAO Odie Donald II.
- Jack White Announces Richmond Festival Date. Could This Be Iron Blossom? (RVA Mag)
- His performance will be on Sept. 20.
The editor's desk
Flying to Mexico last week we drove to the Raleigh airport, which had flights leaving on that night to Mexico City, Paris, London, Dublin, Frankfurt and Panama City. I've written about Richmond's quest for an international flight, and definitely had a little bit of envy seeing what Raleighites have available to them.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
Sent this by a friend? Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.
Want to support The Richmonder? Become a donor for as little as $9.99 a month and keep quality local journalism in the community.
