As the year comes to an end, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what I saw as I was learning more and more about our Central Virginia community.
The year kicked off with a lot of emotion and history-making as Del. Don Scott Jr. (D–Portsmouth) was unanimously elected to be speaker of the House of Delegates — the first Black person in the role. The General Assembly chamber was filled with a lot of emotions.
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— Keys-Gamarra is emotional as she applauds
Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra applauds as Del. Don Scott is unanimously elected as Virginia's first Black Speaker of the House during the first day of the Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Speaker Scott chats with his mother, Helen
Del. Don Scott shares a moment with his mother, Helen Scott, after being sworn in as Speaker of the House during the first day of the Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. In a historic first for the commonwealth, Del. Scott was unanimously voted in as Virginia's first Black speaker.
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— Two men, sitting on two differest bench chairs, in front of photo of previous House Appropriations chairmen
People wait outside of the House Appropriations offices on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at the General Assembly Building in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Del. Rassoul gives remarks
Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke City, gives remarks during a press conference touting priority bills passing the House on crossover day on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at the General Assembly Building in Richmond, Virginia. Crossover is when bills must be passed in the chamber where they were introduced.
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— Sen. Obenshain is seen highlighted in light at the dais
Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, in the light, listens along Sens. Bryce Reeves, R-Orange, Richard Stuart, R-King George and Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover,
during the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee budget meeting on Sunday, February 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate's monies committees removed Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed income tax cut, while increasing revenues by keeping the governor's plan to tax digital goods — like streaming services or cloud storage.
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— Del. Freitas points towards the capitol as he gives remarks
Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, gives remarks to abortion protesters getting ready to "March for Life" on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Gov. Youngkin joins protesters in the streets
Gov. Glenn Youngkin joins protesters in a "March for Life" on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. After the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision ending constitutional protections for abortion and allowing states to enact bans, Youngkin said he hoped lawmakers in the then-politically divided General Assembly would enact new limits. He asked them to send a bill to his desk banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.
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— A person is seen walking past a dais
A member of the Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines joined others to voice their concerns about the slot machines on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. SB 212 would've created regulation of skill game machines. Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the bill.
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— Combs wipes away tears
Bridgette Combs wipes away tears after giving testimony on HB994 — which established 18 as the legal age of marriage and eliminates the ability for a minor to be declared emancipated on the basis of the intent to marry — in front of the Senate committee on Courts of Justice on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at General Assembly Building in Richmond, Virginia. "I'm a Virginia resident and a child marriage survivor," she told the committee. "It didn't matter if I was 15 or 17, because my parents would have done or had me do whatever was necessary to get me married," she said. HB994 passed in the House and nearly unanimously in the Senate — with the exception of a dissenting vote from Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland.
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— Senators chat amongst each other
Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, chats with Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Abingdon, as Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, listens during a General Assembly session on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Delegates and Staff pose for a picture with
Delegates and staff get ready to take a picture while dressed like Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, in honor of his birthday on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 on the House floor in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Del. Callsen walks with her son, Lucious
Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Albemarle, leaves the General Assembly Building with her son, Lucius Callsen, 10, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Priddy stands between two paintings
Roanoke City Councilperson Luke Priddy looks at his phone as he waits for the House to adjourn on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Sen. Hackworth enters the capitol
Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, makes his way into the Capitol before Gov. Glenn Youngkin gave remarks on a proposed arena deal on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Gov. Youngkin gives remarks as Senetors Lucas and Locke look on
Gov. Glenn Youngkin reacts to General Assembly lawmakers removing an arena deal from the state budget, as Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations, and Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, look on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. President Pro Tempore Lucas, the Senate's most senior member and as the Chair of the Finance and Appropriations Committee, prevented her chamber from considering the proposal, even though the House of Delegates initially signed off.
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— Lucas and Youngkin exit an office
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, leaves a meeting with Gov. Glenn Youngkin during a reconvene session on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Youngkin and Democratic leaders announced they reached an agreement to extend the timeline for budget talks into a May special session. It also provides time for policymakers to gain a clearer picture of a predicted revenue surplus.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Torian listens along with Austin
Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, listens to a budget presentation with Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, during a House Appropriations committee meeting on the budget on Monday, May 13, 2024 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Sickles listens as Lopez gives remarks
Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, listens as Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington, gives remarks arguing that the commonwealth is losing out on millions in climate resilience funding as result of leaving the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the General Assembly Building in Richmond, Virginia. "We did put $100 million in the budget to do the types of things that RGGI is going to do," Sickles said. "But that's a temporary thing. We need a permanent solution, which RGGI provides."
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— 20240917_GAB_APPROPRIATIONS_SA
Colleen Miller, Executive Director disAbility Law Center of Virginia, gives a report on the death of Irvo Otieno on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. Otieno, the 28-year-old who was killed while experiencing a mental health emergency in the custody of Henrico Sheriff's deputies in March of 2023.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin, wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie, gets a tour
Gov. Glenn Youngkin receives a tour of Hotel Petersburg with First Lady Suzanne Youngkin before a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in Petersburg, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin holds a pair of large scissors
Gov. Glenn Youngkin holds scissors following a ribbon cutting ceremony at Hotel Petersburg on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in Petersburg, Virginia.
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For the first time in commonwealth history, both statehouse chambers have Black leadership, with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears as the Senate president and state Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D–Portsmouth) operating as the Senate president pro tempore.
"Over 400 years ago, people who looked like Del. Scott gave their sweat, blood and tears to build this Capitol," Del. Luke Torian (D–Prince William) said in his nomination. "And I would say that is probably only right and fitting and appropriate that 400 years later, a person of color, an African American whose ancestors helped to build this capitol now stands to help lead this House of Delegates."
Shortly after being sworn in as the Speaker of the House, Helen Scott, 81, joined her son on the floor to take a picture. The two shared a playful and joyful moment before he headed back to work.
Over the next several months, the General Assembly debated over arenas, military education benefits, the state budget and many, many more topics.
Shaban Athuman
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VPM News
The University of Richmond women’s basketball team won the A10 tournament in its inaugural showing at the Henrico Sports and Entertainment Center. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney’s time as the capital city’s government head wound down, and five candidates lined up in hopes of taking on the challenge.
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— Mayor Stoney takes a moment, with a family picture displayed on a screen, as he talks about his upbringing
Mayor Levar Stoney delivers his last State of the City on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. "We're also working to reverse course on development deals from before my time as mayor that didn't make sense for Richmond's future," Stoney said. "We are taking back that space for the public, and using it to support our children and families that call Richmond home."
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Players make confetti angels
Richmond forward Faye Parker (24) makes confetti angels with teammate forward Maggie Doogan (44) at the A10 Women’s basketball championship on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Henrico Sports and Events Center in Henrico County, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— A person bikes past the Mayo Bridge
A person bikes past the Mayo Bridge on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The 111-year-old bridge connects Manchester and downtown Richmond over the James River. The city and state wanted to renovate the bridge.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— People walk under a bridge
People make their way under the Mayo Bridge to find a fishing spot on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The 111-year-old bridge connects Manchester and downtown Richmond over the James River.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Mayo Bridge is seen on a foggy day
Mayo Bridge is seen on a foggy morning in November in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Lightening strikes
Lightning strikes over Richmond, Virginia on Friday, August 30, 2024.
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— Dusts fly as lumber falls onto the ground
Gabe Dawkins lays a piece of lumber on the ground during a milling workshop on Friday, October 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— A silhouetted person sitting on the steps of the Library of Virginia
A person sits on the steps of the Library of Virginia on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— A solar eclipse on a cloudy day
Part of a solar eclipse peeks through the clouds on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Buffalo, New York.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— A butterfly flies past solar panels
A butterfly flies past solar panels on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at Dominion's Black Bear Solar Farm in Dillwyn, Virginia. Dominion's Black Bear Solar Farm is an agrivoltaics, a multiuse approach that involves pairing solar installations with agricultural uses.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Sen. Warner gives remarks
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., gives remarks about global threats to the United States at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the Richmond Marriott in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Protesters crash with poilce
Protesters clash with police on Monday, April 29, 2024 at the VCU Campus in Richmond, Virginia. VCU students and community members are demanding that the public university disclose and end financial ties to Israel.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— A bird's-eye view of a farmhouse with the following words on it “Hang on Trump is coming”
A house is seen just off Richmond Highway on Monday, June 3, 2024 in Appomattox County, Virginia. Rep. Bob Good ran against state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— The Diamond stadium is seen on a foggy day
The Diamond is seen on a foggy morning on Saturday, September 28, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.
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Students across the commonwealth, including Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, applied public pressure on their institutions to disclose or distance themselves from their financial ties to Israel over the Israel–Hamas war. Meanwhile, others expressed dismay over the perceived support of the Gaza-based group that the federal government has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
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— Jayne Michaud poses for a portait
Jayne Michaud is a pregnant mom of two in Luray. After bouncing around the country while growing up in a military family, she landed in Florida. There, she met her now-husband and delivered their first child 10 minutes down the road from where they lived. Michaud was six months pregnant with their second child when they moved to the rural, far northwestern part of Shenandoah County. She was shocked to find it would take more than 50 minutes to get to the nearest birthing hospital. "I was Googling like 'Rural maternal health care solutions,' and then it will bring you to different government websites," she said. "And then they'll say 'Contact us if you have any concerns, [are] looking for programs in your area,' all of that good stuff." But, as of late March, Michaud hadn't heard back from any. Her experience helps illustrate the reality for many pregnant people in rural areas: In theory, health systems and government bodies like health departments have mandates to provide obstetrics care in rural areas but, in practice, the care is often simply not there.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Former Attotney Gerneal Kilgore
Former Republican Attorney General Jerry Kilgore who served from 2002 to 2005 is photographed on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at his office in Richmond, Virginia. Language that state officials used in amendments to Gov. Glenn Youngkin's budget proposal could protect their changes from one of the governor's strongest powers: the line-item veto. But two legal officials in former administrations say the law isn't clear on how far the governor's veto powers go, and in a partisan climate, the governor could push those powers. The sales tax hike is included in an item alongside other state tax policies, and the requirement that the commonwealth rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is part of the Department of Environmental Quality's operating budget. "If the governor is going on legal precedent, you would have to line-item [veto] the money part, in addition to the conditions attached to the money, not just the conditions. But of course, that's a gray area," said Kilgore. "The governor may want to figure that out, have the courts figure that out."
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Byers-Robinson sheds tears as he talks about his education
Darryl Byers-Robinson gives remarks about getting his education while incarcerated on Monday, July 1, 2024 at Virginia Department of Corrections Headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. Thirty years after President Bill Clinton banned Pell eligibility for inmates in his 1994 crime bill, thousands of Virginia inmates are newly eligible to receive the grants, which cover full tuition at public two-year schools and a portion of the cost at four-year schools. Due to limited access to programs, only about 600 people who are incarcerated in Virginia are currently using the grants to pursue degrees, according to the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison. There's about 15,000 eligible inmates. Byers-Robinson is intimately familiar with these issues: He obtained a college degree through the Bard (College) Prison Initiative while incarcerated in New York. Byers-Robinson, who now works as an organizer for the Virginia Interfaith Center's initiative for higher education in prisons, is working to coordinate collaboration among stakeholders in Virginia to ensure increased access to college programming in the commonwealth's prisons.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Nzassi plays with a robot
Haven Nzassi, 5, plays with a robot while visiting the Virginia State Capitol on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Schmidt embraces Arbeit
Jalane Schmidt embraces her partner Mimi Arbeit during Swords Into Plowshares' reclaiming the dedication of the Robert E. Lee statue on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Market Street Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. Swords Into Plowshares takes its name from the Bible verse Isaiah 2:4, which celebrates turning tools of violence into ones of peace and community-building. The group, led by the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, hopes to shape a national conversation about Confederate monuments, and what to do with them once they've been removed.
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— Coco wathes as her father casts a ballot
Tyler Long Coco Long, 4, watches as her dad, Tyler Long, casts his ballot at the Institute for Contemporary Art polling location in Manchester on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— People walk under a bridge
People make their way under the Mayo Bridge to find a fishing spot on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The 111-year-old bridge connects Manchester and downtown Richmond over the James River.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Pritchard throws a catfish back into the river
Douglas Pritchard throws a catfish back into the James River on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
In Luray, VPM News met with Jayne Michaud — who helped us understand her difficult experiences trying to access prenatal care in rural Virginia. Former Republican Attorney General Jerry Kilgore explained the governor’s veto powers, while Darryl Byers-Robinson allowed us to capture what it felt like for him to receive an education while he was incarcerated.
Along the way, we saw parts of Virginia — where we live, where we work — through new perspectives.
Shaban Athuman
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VPM News
In an unexpected moment of personal connection, I photographed Bukuru Nyandwi, a Burundian refugee who paints by holding a brush between his lips because he has no arms or legs. It wasn’t our first time meeting: He and I had lived in the same refugee camp, Kanembwa in Tanzania, more than a decade ago. I had not seen him since I was 11 years old.
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VPM News
Growing up, I felt in love with a Kirundi fable “Ibidahura nimisozi,” which translates to “the only thing that never cross paths are mountains.” This sentiment has always been assuring as a reminder, when I meet new people or run into old friends, our paths will cross once again. Nyandwi and I reflected on our paths to here, as he showed me his reflective art.
In the end, we joyfully embraced — knowing we were not mountains.
Check out the VPM News staff's favorite news stories from 2024
