As we begin this new year filled with hope and promises — that we’ll keep our new year's resolutions — we look back on 2025 and remember the ups, downs, and moments that made history.
As Richmond’s newly elected mayor, Danny Avula, stepped into his role, the city was immediately plagued by the first of two water crises. Kids sled down the hills of Forest Hill Park while city residents melted snow to flush their toilets, and water distribution centers arose around the city. The legislative session was delayed a week, and VCU men’s basketball took on Fordham in a resoundingly empty Siegel Center.
A family member of Silviano Mora Vera, who was taken from his home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Wednesday, Sept. 24, holds a photo of him, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
Supporters attend a campaign rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger speaks during a campaign rally at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
Former President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
Eden West, 2, and Hunter West pick out a Valentine’s Day card at Vogue Flowers on Feb. 13, 2025 in Richmond, Va.
A person reaches toward a goose in Byrd Park Feb. 14, 2025, in Richmond, Va.
Mayor Danny Avula exits a press conference at City Hall following the lifting of a second city-wide boil water advisory in 2025, Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Rick Springfield strums his guitar with a bouquet of flowers during opening night of the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront on June 7, 2025, in Richmond, Va.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger prepares to take the stage at a rally at her alma mater, J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico, Va., Monday, June 16, 2025.
Ana Vivic, Sydney Tumaw, and Ellie Brower, swim in a pool on the roof of The Collection At American Tobacco Center apartment complex, Friday, June 20, 2025.
Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe performs on the stage at the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront, Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Democrat Jay Jones, left, and Attorney General Jason Miyares, the Republican incumbent, shake hands at the start of the Virginia attorney general debate Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at the University of Richmond.
Republican gubernatorial candidate and current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears resides over the Virginia Senate during a special legislative session, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025.
Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, left, argue during a special legislative session in October.
Cain Gough walks away from the voting booths after voting at Main Street Station on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
An aerial view of a person walking on the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.
Governor Glenn Youngkin poses for a portrait in the Cabinet Room in Richmond, Va., Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.
Ryan Nyquist, a BMX bike rider, participates in the Rumble in Richmond at Gillies Creek Park on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Riders came from all over the country to participate in the event.
Crystal Stewart participates in the 17th annual Cone Parade, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
Parker Dennis grabs Ana Rabogliatti during a snowball fight while their dog, Riggs, watches with a snowball in his mouth at Byrd Park, Jan. 11, 2025, in Richmond, Va.
Forward Christian Fermin celebrates after VCU won the A-10 tournament championship game against George Mason in Washington on March 16.
VCU student Oscar Ferguson-Osbourne is arrested during an altercation between students and campus police in front of James Branch Cabell Library, Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Roasted Bell Pepper Chicken Quarter at Elegant Cuizines, Friday, April 11, 2025.
A soldier from Fort Gregg-Adams salutes a gravestone at Poplar Grove National Cemetery on Memorial Day in Petersburg, Monday, May 26, 2025.
Mary Munford Elementary School Principal Greg Muzik surprises his students by attending their 5th grade graduation after being hit by a car in March on May 30, 2025, in Richmond, Va.
Alex Abelson, 13, embraces forward Landon Johnson after scoring the first goal of the game against FC Naples, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks to Eli Lilly Chair and CEO Dave Ricks after an event and press conference on September 16, 2025, at Main Street Station in Richmond, Va.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger takes a photo of her ballot after voting on the first day of early voting in Henrico County, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
Varina's Josiah Sally (41) becomes emotional after winning the championship game against Loudoun County in Lynchburg, Va., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Ben Cronly, executive director of the Byrd Theatre Foundation, poses for a portrait at the Byrd Theatre in Carytown, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The theatre is in the middle of the third and final stage of its seating renovation.
Former Democratic Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger is joined on stage by her family after being named the first female governor of Virginia in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
The new pygmy hippo calf sits next to its mom Iris at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Mosley, Va., Jan. 3, 2025
Central Wise’s Abbie Jordan (14), left, and Emmah McAmis (32) celebrate after winning the VHSL Class 2 Girl’s Championship game against John Marshall, Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Margaret Doyle touches a photograph of Pope Francis following a Catholic Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, Monday, April 21, 2025. Pope Francis passed away that morning.
Kenley Willis, 5, plays with bubbles during the annual Easter on Parade event on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Va., Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Current Lt. Governor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears reaches her hands up in prayer at the Antioch Baptist on Sunday, July 6, in Fairfax Station, Virginia.
Sarah Calhoun, 38, poses for a portrait in the reflection of a photo of her and her son George, 2, Tuesday, July 29 in Henrico.
Richmond Flying Squirrels outfielder Scott Bandura (5) looks to run to second base as Hartford Yard Goats pitcher Bryce McGowan (35) pitches the ball at The Diamond, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. This game was the last ever to be played at The Diamond stadium.
Varina’s Jabri Pearson (15) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the state semifinal high school football game against Jefferson Forest, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
Colette McEachin, Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Richmond, poses for a portrait, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
Manchester guard Keileen Edwards lifts up guard Mya Adkinson’s chin after their loss to Osbourn Park on March 15, 2025, at the Siegel Center in Richmond, Va.
Flying Squirrels’ infielder Diego Velasquez (1) shatters a bat during a baseball game against the Chesapeake Baysox at The Diamond, in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
A young member of the Martinez family goes to Jaylen Martinez’s casket to say goodbye during his celebration of life on July 2, 2025, in Henrico, Va.
A jockey falls off of ostrich No Fly Zone as Feather Swift and Oprah Henfrey and their jockeys ride past on Friday, July 11, in New Kent, Va.
Danielle Whaley tickles her seven-year-old daughter Rowan Whaley’s chin while she recovers from hip surgery on August 7, 2025, in Portsmouth, Va.
A supporter of Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears looks at his phone during a campaign rally for the candidate in Chesterfield County, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
Richmond Ballet company dancer Izabella Tokev rehearses for an upcoming performance of The Nutcracker at Dominion Energy Center, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.
Mayor Danny Avula speaks about the ongoing water boil advisory at a press conference at the Richmond Public Library, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Monacan’s Emerson Callis is named the 2025 Richmond Times-Dispatch All-Metro Girls Swimmer of the Year, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Speaker of the House Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, and Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, applaud as Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives the State of the Commonwealth address, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.
22-year-old Jaiden Picot uses an exoskeleton to walk across the stage at Virginia Union University after being paralyzed from the chest down on May 20, 2025, at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
The remains of Confederate monuments that once stood in Richmond lay in a lot at the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Tyvon Harris, 17, does a trick on a bike at Southside Community Skate Park, Thursday, June 12, 2025.
The winning horse rushing towards the finish line at Colonial Downs, on Friday, July 11, in New Kent, Va.
Toshya Francis walks Jackson Francis across their lawn to the car on June 6, 2025, in Woodbridge, Va.
People participate in the Sun’s Down, Surf’s Up Kayak Rodeo in the James River, hosted by RVA Paddlesports, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
Richmond Flying Squirrels fans hang out on the field of The Diamond following a game against the Hartford Yard Goats, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. This game was the last ever to be played at The Diamond stadium.
Kyle, with Chesterfield Fire & EMS repels off of a ramp to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge on Pocahontas Parkway as part of a training exercise, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025.
Firefighters respond to a fire at 1706 East Main Street while water from a hose sprinkles over them, June 26, 2025 in Richmond, Va. The fire, which started from cigarette butts, had to be fought in 100 degree heat, resulting in four firefighters being treated for dehydration.
Lee Deihl, owner of Northern Neck Oyster Co., harvests oysters from his under water farm, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.
The tax is part of the City of Richmond Office of Sustainability’s RVAgreen 2050 plan, in which single-use plastic bags at grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies inside city limits are assessed the fee.
In her deposition, former city spokesperson Petula Burks characterized City Hall’s FOIA process as deeply dysfunctional and galling to officials who were required by law to turn over documents.
A number of law enforcement agencies in Virginia are violating state law regarding automatic license plate readers, the now prolific camera systems that constantly monitor vehicle traffic.
Virginia State Police renewed their call for help investigating the death of Alicia Showalter Reynolds, who disappeared 30 years ago on Monday.
Judge Claire Cardwell on Monday sanctioned the city and its attorneys for failing to comply with court orders on document production.
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued an order allowing the state's referendum election on whether to redraw the state's congressional districts to proceed.
More than 66,000 of Virginia’s K-12 students are now educated at home.
Hours after her campaign announcement, a coalition of prominent Virginia leaders announced their support.
A federal appeals court on Tuesday wrestled with whether religious colleges can fire employees who violate their beliefs, as judges considered whether Liberty University lawfully fired an employee for transitioning genders.
Tens of thousands of Virginians have dropped Obamacare coverage after costs soared, and tens of thousands more could do so in the next few days.
The fight over district lines is getting expensive — fast.
Madison Warner, the daughter of U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and former Virginia First Lady Lisa Collis, has died after a long struggle with juvenile diabetes and other health issues.
