The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of March 24, 2025:
Diamond District development ‘through the hard parts’
Reported by VPM News’ Dean Mirshahi
Ahead of Richmond’s last baseball season at The Diamond, city officials and others involved in developing a district centered around a new stadium recently touted the project’s progress and gave an optimistic outlook for its future.
Mayor Danny Avula and city council leaders toured the site of the new ballpark late last week, a visit that came a day after a panel discussion on the future of the massive Diamond District project. City officials and business leaders on the panel acknowledged they faced issues, from delays to economic headwinds — to simply getting people to believe in the project.
“There are few things that capture the public's imagination, like constructing new things,” Avula said while touring the CarMax Park construction site. “And so, I think as people drive up and down Arthur Ashe Boulevard, as they see the steel coming up out of the ground, I think it does give people, not just in the city, but across the region, hope and excitement about what's to come.”
Richmond Health Equity Fund helps run club WeOffTheCouch expand
Reported by VPM News’ Keyris Manzanares
Anthony Clary laced up his running shoes, and never looked back while losing 100 pounds and discovering the joy of long-distance running.
“As I started working out, I started moving, I started running. I got lost on those [James River] trails and I started enjoying myself in ways that I didn't realize I could,” the Southside Richmond native said.
Clary then founded WeOffTheCouch, a group working to increase access to running in the city. The organization’s among nine groups receiving about $520,000 from the Richmond Health Equity Fund.
Initially, the program was funded with $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and ultimately seeded by the Health Equity Trust Fund, a part of the local health district. The arrangement, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said at a recent press conference, is the result of City Council President Cynthia Newbille’s advocacy.
“For generations, the majority of Richmond's low-income residents, especially in communities of color, have been excluded from the resources we all deserve to protect and promote our physical and emotional health,” Newbille said at the event in Church Hill with the city skyline behind her.
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth
- Sen. Warner seeks answers about ICE detaining US citizen (NBC Washington)
- Virginia’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board proposal awaits Youngkin’s action (Virginia Mercury)
- Major Lee Enterprises shareholder wants to buy company that owns RTD (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
