May 11 Newsletter: Virtual Academy powers down
Weather: Cooler temperatures arrive, with some rain mixed in. Temperatures in the 50s this afternoon.
On this date in 2004, plans to extend the Powhite Parkway are shelved due to a lack of regional support.
Today's newsletter sponsored by Maymont, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a cherished public space with a 100-acre-wide “Cheers to 100 Years” festival on June 6.
For some Richmond students, virtual school became a lifeline. Now it's about to disappear.
Liam is non-verbal and has a form of cerebral palsy that limits his mobility. He is also sensitive to movement, noise and other stimuli. He's one of 157 students currently attending the Richmond Virtual Academy, which is likely to be cut for budgetary reasons after this year.
“I was amazed by the school’s ability to meet our kids where they were,” one parent said.
Superintendent Jason Kamras said he would never tell a family what's best for their children, but he believes RPS schools are able to provide similar supports in-person.
“We are at this very difficult juncture where the funding simply isn’t there,” he told The Richmonder in an interview. Read more here.
Ahead of final budget vote, Council members praise overhauled process
As Richmond reaches the end of a revamped budget process meant to bring more order to a system that was previously a little chaotic, city officials have praised the process as much smoother than years past.
Budget season is set to finish tonight, when the Council will hold the last of several public hearings and a final vote. Read more here.
A former Virginia Union student returned to finish his degree – alongside his daughter
More than 40 years ago, Reggie Tennyson told his mother that he would one day finish college. Shirley, who died in 2016, always wanted Reggie to earn his degree.
He officially earned it a few hours before Mother’s Day. His youngest daughter, Ragine Tennyson, made sure it became a reality. Read more here.
PHOTOS: Richmond Ivy open the season with a win in front of 5,324 fans
The Richmond Ivy began their third season of play on Saturday night with a 3-2 victory over Lancaster. The team has not lost at City Stadium in 680 days. See more here.
Led by the state's best player, Matoaca softball's success starts with community
Kaylee Hodges was named the state's best softball player as a sophomore. Now a junior committed to Tennessee, she's leading a tight-knit Matoaca team as it chases a state title. Read more here.
Today's sponsor:
Celebrate 100 years of Maymont with a free community festival filled with live music and fun for all ages on Saturday, June 6, from 12-5 pm! Wander the recently reopened Virginia Wildlife Trail, tour the historic Maymont Mansion and gardens, or just relax and soak it all in with a picnic from local food trucks. Explore 100 acres of nature and history, including The Robins Nature Center and Maymont Farm. Read more here.
In other news
- Richmond approved a public art park pilot. Now it's stuck (Axios)
- The city gave a one-day permit, but the art remains up weeks later. Organizers say they're not being difficult, but the logistics are challenging.
- Chimbo Playground patrons piqued by perplexing pétanque proliferation (Church Hill Lookout)
- Courts for the bocce-like sport are being added to a public park in Church Hill, but there's debate over whether anybody was notified.
- Recent VCU grad killed on Interstate 95 in Mother's Day crash (CBS 6)
- She graduated from VCU in 2025, where she studied biology, with a focus on bats.
The editor's desk
Between the new Idle Hands and Janet's, it's been a very good pastry-eating weekend. Maybe it's time for a roundup of Richmond's best bakeries? Send suggestions.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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