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# May's top stories and more: From the Audience Desk
- URL: https://www.richmonder.org/mays-top-stories-and-more-from-the-audience-desk/
- Published: 2026-06-06T10:00:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-06T10:00:32.000Z
- Description: Got a picture that makes you glad you’re a Richmonder? I'd love to see it!
- Author: Beth Weisbrod
- Tags: Newsletter

*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/)

It’s the first Saturday of a new month, so I’m sending a rundown of your favorite stories from the old month. And then I’m sharing a photo and inviting you to do the same.

### **May’s most read story**

[Richmonder will be first Black woman to drive in a national NASCAR seriesSpurlock will race at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR truck series.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-4f2d15e2-b842-4b55-bf8f-4d2d37dcf862.png)The RichmonderMichael Phillips![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/3ED0KC2-d0852ee6-54ad-4069-b6ad-ece6e335e9a4.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/richmonder-will-be-first-black-woman-to-drive-in-a-national-nascar-series/)

Dystany Spurlock’s [**NASCAR dream**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmonder-will-be-first-black-woman-to-drive-in-a-national-nascar-series/) was the most read story in May. While she wasn't able to make the field in her first attempt at joining the circuit, our homegrown baddie qualified the following weekend. A big Richmond high five to you, Dystany!

### **May’s second-most read story**

[A former Virginia Union student returned to finish his degree – alongside his daughterFour decades ago, Reggie told his mother, Shirley B. Tennyson, that he would one day finish college.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-4a0fe127-3460-4606-a630-55461905ceb3.png)The RichmonderBen Cates![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design-5-9fa2767e-22da-48e0-95ec-8a881ef41e93.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/a-former-virginia-union-student-returned-to-finish-his-degree-alongside-his-daughter/)

Keeping with the theme of inspirational Richmonders, [**Reggie Tennyson’s graduation story**](https://www.richmonder.org/a-former-virginia-union-student-returned-to-finish-his-degree-alongside-his-daughter/) captured a lot of hearts. Turns out, a 64-year-old finally grabbing his Virginia Union University diploma alongside his daughter is a feel-good story with mass appeal. There could very well be a Part 2, because Reggie is starting his master’s degree in the fall. 

### **Squirrels gone wild**

[Flying Squirrels owner sues Diamond District developer over heated encounter at new ballparkAs Richmond officials celebrated the opening night of the city’s new baseball stadium last month, a tense conversation happened in a hallway near the team offices of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-69a9126b-638e-419f-887c-98b3b1f05031.png)The RichmonderGraham Moomaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/040726_CarMaxPark_OpeningDay03-b142edb1-2878-4d1e-9ea4-01042ef1647c.jpeg)](https://www.richmonder.org/flying-squirrels-owner-sues-diamond-district-developer-over-heated-encounter-at-new-ballpark/)

The [**story about the lawsuit**](https://www.richmonder.org/flying-squirrels-owner-sues-diamond-district-developer-over-heated-encounter-at-new-ballpark/) between the owner of the Flying Squirrels and the developer of CarMax Park has Richmond riveted. Congrats to Graham Moomaw for his work uncovering the details – even the target of the lawsuit didn’t know about it until The Richmonder called for his comment.

### **For the fun of it**

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/06/data-src-image-3a3c0265-c902-4c7f-b903-9f1817462015.jpeg)

I snapped this on a recent Saturday morning bike ride.Youngsters gathering at the Belle Isle Nature Exploration Area with the Lee Bridge above feels, to me, quintessentially Richmond. Belle Isle has come so far in the 25 years I’ve been enjoying it, so it makes me especially happy to see groups of youngsters, our future leaders, enjoying it too.

Got a picture that makes you glad you’re a Richmonder? Email it to [**bweisbrod@richmonder.org**](mailto:bweisbrod@richmonder.org). We might feature it in an upcoming newsletter, or on our social media! Just add a sentence or two on why you like it.

Did you know there are still people in our community who don’t know the important work we do delivering impactful news about Richmond? Help us spread the good word!

Send this to a friend, and then enjoy your weekend everyone!

Beth