> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Catch up on The Richmonder's local reporting - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/catch-up-on-the-richmonders-local-reporting/ - Published: 2025-05-25T10:00:21.000Z - Updated: 2025-05-25T15:24:18.000Z - Description: As our journalists take a breather on this holiday weekend, we invite you to revisit some of the in-depth storytelling we've done over the past couple months. I've shared some of my favorites below. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter On Friday, the Baltimore Banner's founding editor [announced she was leaving](https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/kimi-yoshino-leaving-banner-74XLVPZ22JAN3JRABLXKCXMFIM/) for a role at the Washington Post. The Banner is an early success story in the nonprofit journalism space, as is [Cardinal News](https://cardinalnews.org/) in Southwest Virginia. We're proud to follow in that tradition, guided by a similar vision that information is the lifeblood of a community. As legacy outlets decline, we believe it is crucial to protect the community conversation, and invite all Richmonders to the table as we chart our region's future. - To help us expand our reach, please consider becoming a member for [$9.99 a month](https://donate.stripe.com/aEU8xm7EWefggx29AP), or [$115 on an annual basis](https://donate.stripe.com/8wM8xmf7ob34fsYbJ1). As our journalists take a breather on this holiday weekend, we invite you to revisit some of the in-depth storytelling we've done over the past couple months. I've shared some of my favorites below. Thank you for reading The Richmonder, *Michael Phillips, founding editor* *mphillips@richmonder.org* ### Housing: [**Richmond has identified 539 vacant buildings this year. Here’s where they are.**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-has-identified-539-vacant-buildings-this-year-heres-where-they-are/) Our interactive map showing where the city has classified a building as "vacant," as well as information on what that means and how to report a property. [**Tiny homes could be Richmond’s newest strategy to fight homelessness**](https://www.richmonder.org/tiny-homes-could-be-richmonds-newest-strategy-to-fight-homelessness/) A national organization wants to build about 30 homes, each measuring about 400 square feet, in a small gated community with on-site support just north of downtown. [**All-cash home sales rise as sellers retain the upper hand in Richmond market**](https://www.richmonder.org/all-cash-home-sales-rise-as-sellers-retain-the-upper-hand-in-richmond-market/) In 2023, about 19% of home sales in the region were cash-only, up from 14% before the pandemic. For sellers, taking a cash-only offer makes the transaction significantly less risky. ### Government: [**What’s coming with Richmond real estate tax bills? More growth, then a freeze**](https://www.richmonder.org/whats-coming-with-richmond-real-estate-tax-bills-more-growth-then-a-freeze/) Richmond homes will be assessed this year, with expected 6% increases, but then won't be assessed in 2026\. We explain why, as well as what awaits on the other side. [**THE NEXT 50 YEARS: Richmond’s zoning overhaul envisions a denser city. What will that look like?**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-next-50-years-richmonds-zoning-overhaul-envisions-a-denser-city-what-will-that-look-like/) "I think we spent a lot of the last 70 years doing exactly the wrong thing," said one supporter of increasing density and housing variety in the city. [**As the city cracks down on nonprofit funding, one group got $250k outside of the traditional application process**](https://www.richmonder.org/as-the-city-cracks-down-on-nonprofit-funding-one-group-got-250k-outside-of-the-traditional-application-process/) Despite receiving significant money from the city, the group did not appear to file the corresponding tax paperwork with the IRS. ### Education: [**RPS, bus drivers clash over alleged strike and firing of five employees**](https://www.richmonder.org/rps-bus-drivers-clash-over-alleged-strike-and-firing-of-five-employees/) Far from an isolated incident, the dispute is the latest in a long-running debate over whether bus drivers should be guaranteed a minimum amount of pay during overtime shifts. [**Former Gov. Doug Wilder accused ex-Wilder School adviser Bill Leighty of ‘prejudicial’ conduct before he was fired, emails show**](https://www.richmonder.org/former-gov-doug-wilder-accused-ex-wilder-school-adviser-bill-leighty-of-prejudicial-conduct-before-he-was-fired-emails-show/) More on the firing of a VCU teacher and adviser, who said he didn't ask a question requested by former Gov. Doug Wilder at a forum. ### Leisure: [**Woofy Wellness Ranch seeks to reinvent doggy daycare by making it educational**](https://www.richmonder.org/woofy-wellness-ranch-seeks-to-reinvent-doggy-daycare-by-making-it-educational/) You've seen the bus driving around town. Here's where it is taking the dogs of Richmond... [](https://www.richmonder.org/author/kayley/) [**New Mayo Island park ‘on track’ to open in fall of 2026**](https://www.richmonder.org/new-mayo-island-park-on-track-to-open-in-fall-of-2026/) See renderings of what Mayo Island will look like once it is transformed into a city park. [**Donor Q&A: How do we choose which people to quote?**](https://www.richmonder.org/donor-q-a-how-do-we-choose-which-people-to-quote/) You asked, we answered. --- Sent this by a friend? [**Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/sign-up-for-the-richmonders-free-newsletter/) Want to support The Richmonder? [**Become a donor for $9.99 a month**](https://donate.stripe.com/aEU8xm7EWefggx29AP) and keep quality local journalism in the community.