As 2024 ends, the VPM News staff decided to share some of our personal favorites from Central Virginia's year in news.
The rules were as follows: Reporters and editors could submit write-ups of their own work — or that of a colleague's — as long as it aired or published in calendar 2024.
Only editors viewed the blurbs prior to publication to edit them for style and clarity.
Parental support is critical to the health, safety of trans youth
(Editor's note: Features Editor Whittney Evans also said this was her favorite story.)
As a mom, this story really hit home, because while it focuses on a current hot button issue, it also speaks to struggles that every parent faces with their children.
These parents are asking themselves, "How do I do what I think is best for my child and my family?"
Different parents may come to different conclusions, but what's clear in this story is the love these parents have for their children and their desire to do what they believe is right.
—Adrienne Hoar McGibbon, video editor
How did a WWII-era gun spend decades in a Chesterfield evidence room?
My favorite story of the past year was the one that I did on a Nazi machine pistol being discovered in the Chesterfield County Police Department’s evidence room. The pistol was a souvenir brought back from the Second World War by a soldier who likely handed it off to his brother, a resident of the county.
I discovered this story by sifting through public records and finding out the nature of an item that the Board of Supervisors was voting on. That led to me finding out the backstory of such a strange turn of events that ended up with a Nazi weapon being in possession of a county resident.
—Billy Shields, Chesterfield County reporter
How was my spouse allowed to give away our retirement to a stranger?
Curious Commonwealth stories are endlessly entertaining. But in "How was my spouse allowed to give away our retirement to a stranger?" Whittney was able to solder together a personal narrative, explain how retirement accounts work, and discuss mental health, the pandemic, state legislation and horses.
That's a lot for a single piece of journalism.
—Dave Cantor, digital news manager
No story I read this year took me on a bigger rollercoaster ride. Patti McFarland’s story at the center of the piece was fascinating. It answered questions I didn’t even know I had about IRAs.
And I loved the combination of the web story (including Edward Linsmier’s photography) and Whittney’s in-depth audio feature.
—Sean McGoey, assistant news editor
The Migrant Story of Virginia's Eastern Shore
I loved Keyris’ piece, because it took intersecting topics — immigration, cultural integration and community building — and explored its local angles.
It’s a beautiful look at the growing and vibrant community in Virginia’s Eastern Shore through the eyes of its residents, and it’s a fantastic watch and read.
—Dawnthea M. Price Lisco, managing editor
I am a Virginian — born and raised — but I had never been to the Eastern Shore until this year. I had heard about Latinos on the shore — their jobs, their stories, their challenges and triumphs and I was curious — what brought them to settle there? Why?
That's what led to this compilation of stories that make up a rich and vibrant community.
Latinos have become ingrained into the Eastern Shore — they cultivate the lush farmlands, they harvest the Bay's abundant waters, they help sustain the country's food systems. Little by little, they've planted their own seeds and now call the shore home.
Reporting and producing this piece was my 2024 work highlight!
—Keyris Manzanares, City of Richmond reporter
The True Cost
I chose this VPM News Focal Point story because of the care and dignity that was evident throughout it as it delved into firsthand accounts of the difficulties that come with living with poverty.
As a society, we often view poverty as a moral failing, but as Angie Miles says in this piece, “financial strife can make its way to anyone, even the most responsible, especially if they have no support network available to help.”
—Elliott Robinson, news director
RVA's Got Issues and VPM News: Who's Got Your Vote?
I’m gonna cheat a little bit (twice). I think my favorite pieces, plural, from VPM News were RGI’s Richmond mayoral interviews. They were in-depth and filled in a gap in an atmosphere when friends and neighbors complained they knew very little about the mayoral candidates. Rich is a great interviewer, and Shaban’s portraits also dovetailed so well with it.
I want to include a couple honorable mentions too. Those are the series on Tavares Floyd, how VCU student journalists covered protests, and Patrick and Lyndon’s work on data centers and solar development. Personally, I had a great time writing a profile of Virginia Speaker Don Scott, and often I like the photos Shaban takes for my pieces more than my own work.
—Jahd Khalil, state politics reporter
Transgender student rights in Virginia
I really enjoyed Whittney's continuous coverage on trans students' rights in Virginia.
As a graduate of the Hanover County Public School system, I'm continually fascinated with what's happening in Hanover's schools. Many parents and students have attended meeting after meeting this year, who've expressed their displeasure with the school system's conduct, concerns over children's safety and the board's motives.
J. Doe is one of those students, or was at least, whose story really illustrates that there are vulnerable people everywhere who are scared and unable to speak up for themselves, but I am happy we were there to tell this one.
—Lyndon German, Henrico and Hanover reporter
What was in Orange County's water?
Patrick Larsen’s story — and continuing coverage — about water contamination in Orange County stood out to me in 2024. It’s such an important topic that I don’t think gets much coverage. The stories are the result of Patrick’s close reading of technical documentation and careful sourcing.
And especially with new EPA standards for PFAS contaminants in drinking water announced earlier this year, it’s an issue that I think should be on everyone’s radar – especially considering the General Assembly has waited to act on drinking water standards.
—Megan Pauly, education reporter
Why are there so many tattoo parlors in Richmond?
As someone who has gotten all but one of her tattoos in Richmond, I thought that this was an interesting read. Who knew that the history of why stretches back so far? I certainly didn’t!
I love that as time goes on, tattoos are becoming less “taboo” and more mainstream, and the city’s vibrant arts culture certainly reflects that.
—Meghin Moore, news editor
The Lasting Burden of College Debt
Every now and then I wake up to find that Megan Pauly has dropped a heroically researched, deeply sourced and — importantly — moving piece that seems sure to change the perspective of anyone who reads it. And sometimes, our legislators rise to the challenge — such was the case here, when the GA moved to limit transcript withholding in Virginia this year.
This Focal Point feature is just the tip of the iceberg. Megan’s covered transcript withholding for years, most extensively in the 2021 Dreams Deferred series. It’s inspiring to see the changes that came from it.
So, despite countless bangers published this year (also check out Megan’s coverage of school infrastructure and the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board ft. Sean McGoey, and a look at Virginia university protest policy changes following pro-Palestine demonstrations ft. Jahd Khalil), I have to tip my hat to this piece.
—Patrick Larsen, environment and energy reporter
Una guía para votantes de VPM Noticias en 2024
This is one of my favorite things we got to do this year.
Our communities are changing and we are becoming more diverse. This stood out to me because it allowed us, VPM News, to be more inclusive, and have more of our work accessible to our Spanish-language readers.
This is still more of a place where we will continue to improve and get better, and this was us fulfilling our duty to community service.
—Shaban Athuman, multimedia journalist
Check out the best of VPM News photography in 2024