> ## 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. # Sept. 9 Newsletter: Celebrating two years of impact! - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/sept-9-newsletter-two-years-of-impact/ - Published: 2026-09-09T10:00:33.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-09T11:23:55.000Z - Description: Before today's headlines, we reflect back on our second birthday, and thank you for supporting The Richmonder as we grow! - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter, #lead, #hide-cta **Weather:** High of 88 as humidity begins to return. **On this date** in 2024, The Richmonder launches with its first headline: “[**In unpredictable contest, Richmond mayoral candidates pitch City Hall reset.**](https://www.richmonder.org/in-unpredictable-contest-richmond-mayoral-candidates-pitch-city-hall-reset/)” [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/Copy-of-vcu-Richmonder-1113-1120-112724-900x150px--1--1.jpg)](https://www.vcu.edu/uncommon/?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) **Today's newsletter sponsored by** [**Virginia Commonwealth University**](https://www.vcu.edu/uncommon/?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting)**.** As a top 20% global university, Virginia Commonwealth University is an unparalleled powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. VCU attacks challenges as opportunities. It's truly a university unlike any you’ve ever seen. --- ### The editor's desk The Richmonder turns two years old today. We launched in response to a need for local news that reflected the concerns of the community. That need continues to grow. This year saw more layoffs at the Times-Dispatch, the shuttering of the Free Press and the launch of multiple sites written by AI bots. Our work isn't perfect, and it's far from done, but we wanted to take today's newsletter to reflect on how far we've come in filling that gap. (If you're looking for today's headlines, you'll find them at the bottom of this email.) Here's to many more years, *Michael Phillips, founder* *mphillips@richmonder.org* --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/09/Richmonder_Politics_Final_102924.jpg) ### Local news Many of you found us during the [**water crisis**](https://www.richmonder.org/texts-show-dpu-officials-believed-backup-generators-were-on-during-early-hours-of-water-crisis/), but local news isn't an "on demand" service. We do the daily work of representing you in meetings and building trust so that we can get it right when it matters. We stand up for Richmonders. We asked about the bike-lane sweeper, and [**it reappeared**](https://www.richmonder.org/cycling-advocates-take-bike-lane-cleaning-into-their-own-hands/). We asked about the Belle Isle parking lot, and officials [**stopped renting it out**](https://www.richmonder.org/amphitheaters-use-of-belle-isle-parking-lot-is-raising-questions-from-nearby-residents/). Our reporting [**was cited by the judge**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmonds-lawyers-told-a-judge-a-phone-was-lost-in-an-airport-city-documents-show-it-might-have-been-found/) in the Connie Clay case. We know being in the community matters. Whether it's [**Rosedale**](https://www.richmonder.org/a-love-hate-relationship-managing-rosedales-aging-trees-is-a-tricky-balance-for-northside-residents/), [**Cherokee Road**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-officials-planning-to-redo-crumbling-cherokee-road/), [**Westwood**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmonds-historic-westwood-neighborhood-has-beaten-the-odds-for-years-can-it-survive-rezoning/) or [**Midlothian**](https://www.richmonder.org/we-are-not-digital-chesterfield-bookstore-celebrates-40-years-of-not-keeping-up-with-the-times/), we want to tell the stories that matter to you. But one of our proudest impacts is the ripple effect as we watch others take an interest in local news. Whether it's traditional media returning to City Hall or influencers weighing in on Instagram, we're all better off when there are more voices at the table. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/09/Richmonder_Education_Final_102924.jpg) ### Education The Richmonder's regular appearances at School Board meetings allowed us to notice that the division [**had secretly been without an auditor**](https://www.richmonder.org/rps-has-been-without-an-auditor-since-may-when-the-previous-one-departed-quietly/) for four months last year. It also allowed us to build trust and tell the story of [**literacy gains**](https://www.richmonder.org/brilliant-at-the-basics-how-one-elementary-school-is-beating-the-trends-and-boosting-literacy-rates/) in a way that brought you inside the schools. Our [**FOIA lawsuit**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-wins-foia-lawsuit-against-school-board-over-redacted-documents/) was a major step to ensuring taxpayer money is accounted for, and we'll continue to fight for the public's right to know. 🟢 The Richmonder has a [****platinum transparency rating**](https://app.candid.org/profile/15673215/the-richmonder-inc-99-3286029) from Candid, a sign of trust in the nonprofit world. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/09/Richmonder_Finance_Texture_040825.jpg) ### Housing Code refresh has been a major topic, and our coverage has drawn rave reviews for sticking to the facts around a sensationalized topic. From our first primer [**17 months ago**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-next-50-years-richmonds-zoning-overhaul-envisions-a-denser-city-what-will-that-look-like/) to in-depth looks into [**small businesses**](https://www.richmonder.org/in-code-refresh-proposal-to-allow-small-businesses-in-neighborhoods-draws-mixed-reviews/) and [**tree canopies**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmonds-rezoning-allows-more-development-should-it-also-require-more-trees/), we've been the go-to source. But we've also demystified the development process with in-depth looks at [**how affordable housing is created**](https://www.richmonder.org/amid-affordable-housing-push-homes-for-the-lowest-incomes-are-a-tough-nut-to-crack/) and the [**special use permit process**](https://www.richmonder.org/what-is-an-sup-meet-richmonds-most-powerful-tool-to-get-around-zoning-rules/). Our intent is to represent everyone, and when the Free Press folded we pivoted to ensure those stories wouldn't go untold, whether they involved [**Black cemeteries**](https://www.richmonder.org/slow-but-steady-restoration-efforts-continue-for-century-old-black-cemeteries/) or [**historic preservation**](https://www.richmonder.org/granite-community-festival-reviving-memory-black-neighborhood/). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/09/Richmonder_AroundTown_Texture_040825.jpg) ### Culture and people Our series naming [**The Richmonder 25**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-meet-the-2026-honorees/) is now up to 50 under-the-radar heroes (and [**two great parties**](https://www.richmonder.org/join-us-for-an-evening-of-good-people-good-stories-and-good-energy/)), but we spotlight the best of the community all year long. - [**Bill Martin was known as the Valentine's leader. He was also a quiet champion for Richmond's LGBTQ+ community.**](https://www.richmonder.org/bill-martin-was-known-as-the-valentines-leader-he-was-also-a-quiet-champion-for-richmonds-lgbtq-community/) - [**These 11 store designs shook up the world of retail – and started in Richmond**](https://www.richmonder.org/these-11-store-designs-shook-up-the-world-of-retail-and-started-in-richmond/) - [**Richmond has a soil problem. Here’s what is being done about it.**](https://www.richmonder.org/photo-essay-richmond-has-a-soil-problem-heres-what-is-being-done-about-it/) One of my favorite things is when people are discussing something they read in The Richmonder with their friends at happy hour. Connecting over our shared love for the city makes us closer and builds the bonds that allow us to tackle tougher topics. --- ### Today's sponsor: [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/260204_1248_jm_MR900.jpg)](https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-offers-dozens-of-new-degrees-minors-and-more-this-fall?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) ### **VCU offers dozens of new degrees, minors and more** Virginia Commonwealth University students have dozens of new options to consider when pursuing degrees, certificates, concentrations, minors and more. The new programs come from across VCU’s colleges and schools and represent numerous academic disciplines. From robotics and AI to healthcare and business, the academic programs reflect the evolving workforce and promote experiential learning for students. Many of the new offerings are designed to help students keep up with fast-moving technologies or fill job market gaps, while others, such as accelerated programs, allow students to earn degrees in less time. [**Read more.**](https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-offers-dozens-of-new-degrees-minors-and-more-this-fall?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) --- ### Today's news - [**With 9 months until legal marijuana sales, a lottery drawing may determine who can set up shop in Richmond**](https://www.richmonder.org/with-9-months-until-legal-marijuana-sales-a-lottery-drawing-may-determine-who-can-set-up-shop-in-richmond/) - In Richmond, the guaranteed winners will be the medical marijuana dispensaries that are already operating. - [**Richmond wants to intervene in the Dominion merger. But the Council needs a do-over vote**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-wants-to-intervene-in-the-dominion-merger-but-the-council-needs-a-do-over-vote/) - Even if the city misses the deadline for intervenor status, Richmond officials could still file less-formal public comments later in the process. - [**University of Richmond completes $66M library project**](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/09/08/university-of-richmond-completes-66m-library-project/) (Richmond BizSense) - Improvements include new study spaces, renovated rare books and special collections spaces, reconfigured outdoor terraces and a relocated and expanded 8:15 Boatwright cafe. --- ### Supporting The Richmonder We are grateful for your support during our first two years! Community contributions have allowed us to grow from three full-time staff to a team of seven, on the way to our goal of double-digit reporters looking out for you. Would you consider joining us as [****a monthly member**](https://buy.stripe.com/cNi28qbape5W7ywg2z9fW0r) or [****one-time donor**](https://richmonder.org/donate), and show your support for local news? As a bonus, new tax laws allow filers who use the standard deduction to claim an additional $1,000 in charitable giving. As a 501(c)(3), we meet that criteria! [****Make a donation here**](https://richmonder.org/donate)****,** or [****learn more**](https://www.richmonder.org/contribute-to-the-richmonder/)****.** --- 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/) Do you enjoy The Richmonder? [**Join us as a donor**](https://www.richmonder.org/contribute-to-the-richmonder/) and we'll send you a hat or mug!