WRIC ABC 8 News
Report Card: Virginia's infrastructure is mediocre, requires attention
- Title
- Report Card: Virginia's infrastructure is mediocre, requires attention
- Runtime
- 1:58
- Date posted
- 8 days ago
- Description
- A new report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers is giving Virginia a C grade on infrastructure.
- Title
- 8Sports Knight-Cap: UVA season preview with radio host Jack Fitzpatrick
- Runtime
- 21:49
- Date posted
- 8 days ago
- Description
- On this week's episode of 8Sports Knight-Cap, 8Sports Director Nolan Knight sits down with Fitz The Bill host Jack Fitzpatrick to preview University of Virginia's football season.
UVA's season opener is on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 3:30 p.m. at Scott Stadium.
- Title
- Parents navigate child care, uncertainty after mold closes Barack Obama Elementary
- Runtime
- 3:44
- Date posted
- 8 days ago
- Description
- Instead of teachers and students filling the halls of Barack Obama Elementary School in Richmond, crews are inside the building continuing mold clean-up.
In an update to parents the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 26, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Superintendent Jason Kamras said deep cleaning of the entire top floor and half of the middle floor was on track to be completed by the end of the day. He also said air quality testing was underway in areas that were remediated on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
While the school is being prepared for a safe reopening, parents say they are being stretched thin.
https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/parents-navigate-barack-obama-elementary-mold/
- Title
- 'Don't dream it, be it': Richmond 'Rocky Horror' group to honor Tim Curry's legacy
- Runtime
- 2:26
- Date posted
- 8 days ago
- Description
- Across the world, people are honoring legendary stage and screen star Tim Curry, who died at 80 years old Tuesday night. For one Richmond group, his death hit close to home.
https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/local-rocky-horror-group-honors-tim-curry/
- Title
- Virginia water infrastructure receives C grade from engineers
- Runtime
- 1:34
- Date posted
- 8 days ago
- Description
- An American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) report issued this week says Virginia's water infrastructure needs work, giving the state's overall infrastructure a grade of C.
Taking all states' condition, resiliency and innovation of the commonwealth's infrastructure into account, ASCE engineers gave Virginia's infrastructure an overall grade of C based on the traditional A-F grading scale in schools.
https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/water-infrastructure-c-grade-report-2026/
- Title
- Frozen federal funds delayed HVAC repairs that could have prevented mold at Richmond school
- Runtime
- 2:17
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- Suspended federal funds delayed repairs to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at Barack Obama Elementary School that could have prevented the formation of mold that has delayed students' start date.
Back in August 2024, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) was awarded $15.3 million in federal funding through Community Energy Programs (CEP) for upgrades to schools' HVAC systems.
At the time, Anne Forrester, a Richmond teacher and then-Vice President of Richmond Education Association, said the grant would make a substantial difference for the school district's students and faculty.
https://www.wric.com/news/taking-action/frozen-federal-funds-delayed-hvac-repairs-obama-elementary-school/
- Title
- Experts weigh in on Meta safety protocols for children
- Runtime
- 2:23
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- Social media and mental health experts are weighing in on the new safety protocols Meta has agreed to impose on child users as part of a major settlement involving dozens of states, including Virginia.
After working with children for more than a decade, through the rise of social media, therapist Anna McChesney said she has seen the negative impact the platforms have had.
"We've seen an increase in depression and anxiety," McChesney, a licensed professional counselor at the Center for Creative Healing, said. "We've also seen an increase in things like self-harm."
https://www.wric.com/health/experts-meta-safety-protocols-for-children/
- Title
- Residents restless as air quality issues continue at Legacy at Imperial Village
- Runtime
- 2:09
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- Residents are calling for action after continuous HVAC issues at Legacy at Imperial Village.
We spoke with a resident who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from the owners, but he said problems have been ongoing in the Dogwood building since Wednesday, Aug 12.
- Title
- 'I was ecstatic,' 8News helps solve month's long water line problem for Richmond woman
- Runtime
- 1:27
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- Water just kept collecting in one Richmond woman's backyard, and despite calling the city for months, she said no one would tell her where it was coming from.
Marsha Chavis avoided going into her backyard altogether nowadays since puddles of mud and water started collecting. She said she first noticed the problem in April, and by May she called the Department of Public Utilities to let it know what was going on.
- Title
- Great 8 Rankings: 8Sports department ranks high school football teams ahead of 8Sports Blitz
- Runtime
- 16:47
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- The 2026 high school football season kicks off on August 27th, and each week the 8Sports team will be releasing the 8Sports Blitz Great 8 Rankings.
- Title
- Meta agrees to settlement, making big changes to Instagram and Facebook for kids
- Runtime
- 2:25
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- Meta is agreeing to make big changes to help protect kids on Facebook and Instagram as part of a settlement after claims brought by states across the country.
Meta agreed to a settlement after 47 states, along with DC, and several U.S. territories claimed that Meta “designed Instagram with addictive features, knowingly exposed young users to serious mental harms, and intentionally misled the public about the safety of its platforms,” according to the Virginia Attorney General’s office.
- Title
- How data centers could impact car tax rate in Chesterfield
- Runtime
- 2:15
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors will meet to vote on whether to use tax money from data centers to reduce the car tax rate and ease the community's concerns about data centers.
"We're not trying to be Loudon South, right?" said Matt Harris, the deputy county administrator for finance and administration. "I mean, they have they're just, very, very different scale, different when it comes to this in terms of the number and scale and all those types of things. But again, it's a diversification strategy. We want to have this as part of our mix. I think that's one of the county strengths economically is we don't rely on any one particular sector."
- Title
- 8News Daily Digest for Aug. 26, 2026
- Runtime
- 0:37
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- Check out our Aug. 26, 2026 issue of the "8News Daily Digest," a quick roundup of some of the top stories of the last 24 hours.
Each and every day, 8News is Taking Action, bringing you Central Virginia news and Richmond's most accurate forecasts.
For more on these stories and more, you can find us on-air, online or through our free WRIC+ app.
- Title
- Central Virginia mourns the loss of country music icon Dolly Parton
- Runtime
- 1:41
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- Millions on Wednesday are continuing to honor, mourn and remember Dolly Parton, the beloved musician, successful businesswoman and philanthropist, who died Tuesday.
Parton's family announced the country music Queen Bee's death in Nashville, Tennessee, in a social post made the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 25. She was 80 and died surrounded by loved ones after a brief battle with cancer, her nephew said.
https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/central-virginians-react-dolly-parton-death/
- Title
- Teachers react to extended shutdown for mold at RPS elementary school
- Runtime
- 2:28
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras says the district is working to clean the mold at Barack Obama Elementary School, but RPS educators aren't confident that another mold issue won't happen in the future.
- Title
- Spanberger administration working to mitigate effects of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill'
- Runtime
- 2:25
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is outlining how her administration is preparing to mitigate some of the effects of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
- Title
- Virginia SOL scores improve but remain below pre-pandemic levels, Richmond localities similar
- Runtime
- 1:49
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- Students across the commonwealth are seeing improvements in scores for their Standards of Learning (SOL) exams, but they are still struggling to catch up to pre-pandemic results.
- Title
- Several people injured after crash at GRTC's Downtown Transfer Station in Richmond
- Runtime
- 1:10
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- Several people are injured after officials said a crash occurred at the Greater Richmond Transit Company's (GRTC) Downtown Transfer Station in Richmond, causing a temporary closure on Tuesday.
- Title
- Richmond schools announces steps to fix overcrowding, upgrading buildings
- Runtime
- 1:43
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- After welcoming Richmond Public School (RPS) students back to class for the first time Monday morning, officials and members of the Richmond City School Board announced the start of a roadmap to cut overcrowding for hundreds of students.
RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras said an engagement period will begin a week from Tuesday, hearing from school district families and stakeholders about their input on a new facilities plan.
- Title
- A New Leash on Life: How nonprofit The Lucky Ones Canine Rehab + More helps dogs live better lives
- Runtime
- 31:31
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- Co-hosts Jessica Kirk and Jessica Wetzler talk to The Lucky Ones Canine Rehab + More owner Katie Locks about her nonprofit and how she's helping dogs live better lives.
- Title
- Barack Obama Elementary students to remain out of school as RPS works to clear mold
- Runtime
- 2:22
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- The start of a new school year is underway across the commonwealth, but for students at Barack Obama Elementary, the first day of school is uncertain after additional mold was found in the building.
For now, students will remain out of school as the district waits for mold remediation to be completed at Obama Elementary. The alternative option would've been to have students move to Clark Springs Elementary School. Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Superintendent Jason Kamras presented both plans to the school community during a town hall meeting on Monday, Aug. 24.
https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/barack-obama-elementary-still-no-school/
- Title
- Spanberger says energy and economic development plans to come this fall
- Runtime
- 2:22
- Date posted
- 11 days ago
- Description
- Governor Abigail Spanberger says her administration will be releasing an economic development plan and an energy plan this fall.
- Title
- Barack Obama Elementary closed indefinitely due to mold
- Runtime
- 2:24
- Date posted
- 11 days ago
- Description
- Barack Obama Elementary School is closed indefinitely after 8News confirmed with multiple sources on Monday that there are still noticeable levels of mold across the building.
- Title
- 'Back to basics': Chesterfield schools moves toward less screen time
- Runtime
- 2:35
- Date posted
- 11 days ago
- Description
- Back-to-school means homework, Chromebooks and tests; but for sixth graders at Midlothian Middle School, their day started with playing tug-of-war against their teachers.
Monday, Aug. 24 is the first day of school for elementary students, sixth graders and ninth graders in Chesterfield County, with 483 sixth graders starting at Midlothian Middle. There was lots of excitement mixed with some anxiety for sixth graders beginning the next step of their educational career.
- Title
- The 8-Bit Show: Plucking strings with RVA Harp Club
- Runtime
- 16:36
- Date posted
- 11 days ago
- Description
- On the latest episode of The 8-Bit Show, host Hekla Petursson chats with Erin Roukous, a Richmond harpist & harp teacher, who offers beginner harp classes for adults in an effort to make harp playing more accessible and fun.
- Title
- Kids These Days RVA: Helping parents manage milestones and big transitions
- Runtime
- 18:23
- Date posted
- 11 days ago
- Description
- Co-hosts Delaney Hall and Katie Wells talk about the big changes they're seeing in their kids and how to manage hitting milestones.
- Title
- Hanover resident fears grow after planning commission moves forward with data center campus plan
- Runtime
- 2:24
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- Data center opposition groups are raising concerns after the Hanover Planning Commission voted to send the Iron Horse data center campus to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
More than a dozen Hanover residents went before the Commission at the Aug. 20 meeting, speaking against the technology park. Despite this, commissioners voted to move the project forward in a 5-2 vote.
- Title
- Henrico Police give away free school supplies, haircuts to kids before start of academic year
- Runtime
- 2:16
- Date posted
- 13 days ago
- Description
- Kids in Henrico are heading back to school soon, and thanks to Henrico Police, they're going in style.
- Title
- Henrico school staff raise concerns about mold, persistent HVAC issues ahead of first day
- Runtime
- 2:50
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) leaders face a tight deadline to address HVAC problems affecting several schools. The district says crews will be working throughout the weekend to make repairs before students return to class on Monday.
At Glen Lea Elementary School, staff members have raised concerns about hot classrooms and mold they say has developed in the building amid high humidity.
“The conditions [are] very unsafe and unhealthy,” one Glen Lea staff member told 8News. The employee spoke anonymously out of fear of retaliation.
https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/henrico-county/hcps-staff-concerned-hvac-mold-heat/
- Title
- The Setlist: Catching up with radio icon Rebecca WIlde
- Runtime
- 29:50
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- Hosts Anson Kessinger and Rebecca Wilde catch up with RVA radio icon Rebecca Wilde from Mix 98.1.
- Title
- VUU seeks exception to build apartments on historic Richmond hospital property
- Runtime
- 2:19
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- A historic Richmond hospital where black patients were treated, is once again the topic of a potential demolition.
- Title
- VCU students react to strangulation on campus
- Runtime
- 2:57
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- "We couldn't even make it through our first week without something happening right in front of us," said Red De Leon, a VCU freshman. The fire alarm in his dorm went off while the strangulation was happening, so he happened to be outside.
- Title
- Taylor, Perriello announce opposition to Dominion, NextEra merger
- Runtime
- 2:31
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- Two Virginia Democrats running for seats in Congress have announced they oppose the proposed merger between Virginia-based Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy.
- Title
- The 8-Bit Show: Actress Yancy Butler partners with local non-profit
- Runtime
- 12:08
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- On the latest episode of The 8-Bit Show, host Hekla Petursson sits down with actress Yancy Butler and David Lane, founder of Geek Wellness Education, to talk about their initiatives to help those facing addiction.
‘Even Superheroes Face Addiction’ is a free substance abuse support group taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Toy Lair, located at 4005 W. Broad St. in Richmond.
For future events, follow Geek Wellness Education on social media @GWEcontact.
- Title
- The Political Recap: Poll breakdown, Virginia economy outlook, firefighter censure Governor
- Runtime
- 26:23
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- On this week's episode of The Political Recap, Capitol Bureau reporter Tyler Englander breaks down what happened in Virginia politics this week.
Morning Consult poll: Governor Abigail Spanberger and President Donald Trump
Gov. Spanberger comments on Virginia economy
Firefighters Union censures Gov. Spanberger over collective bargaining veto
- Title
- Great 8 Events: Water Lantern Festival comes to RVA
- Runtime
- 10:22
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- Host Delaney Hall chats with Water Lantern Festival Marketing Director Tess Rowser about what folks can expect at Dorey Park on Saturday.
- Title
- Hanover custodian highlights importance of school's unseen workforce
- Runtime
- 2:49
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- As students return to school, teachers and administrators aren’t the only ones preparing for the year ahead. Custodians are working behind the scenes to make sure classrooms are clean, buildings are ready and students have a welcoming place to learn.
At Ashland Elementary School, Michelle Green has been doing that work for 23 years.
“As soon as the kids get out of school, I’m on it," Green said. "I got to get this school done. I got to get everything done so my babies can come back to a clean, germ-free school.”
https://www.wric.com/back-to-school/hanover-custodian-back-to-school/
- Title
- Richmond High School for the Arts unveils $150 million facility ahead of new school year
- Runtime
- 2:20
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- Richmond High School for the Arts (RHSA) welcomed students and families on Thursday for a first look at its new 300,000-square-foot facility, just days before the start of the school year.
The new building is opening weeks ahead of schedule after flooding at the school’s former building forced students to finish the last school year early.
The new facility can hold just under 2,000 students and features a 933-seat auditorium, a three-court gymnasium, a courtyard, dance studios, multimedia rooms and other spaces designed to support an expanded arts program.
https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/rhsa-new-building-ribbon-cutting/
- Title
- Controversial shooting range in Goochland faces setback
- Runtime
- 0:44
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- A controversial proposed shooting range has taken a heavy blow after Goochland County leaders recommended its rejection following an eight-hour meeting Thursday night.
On Thursday, Aug. 20, the Goochland County Planning Commission held a public hearing at Goochland High School regarding a proposal to build a sports park on a 125-acre property along Old Fredericksburg Road, just off Interstate 64. The meeting went into the early morning hours of Friday, Aug. 21.
https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/goochland-county/controversial-shooting-range-rejection/
- Title
- All About Books: How libraries are serving communities with Showcase's Melissa Chase
- Runtime
- 36:02
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- Host Deanna Allbrittin and Showcase host Melissa Chase talk about how local libraries are going beyond books and serving local communities.
- Title
- Chesterfield promotes water-measuring app for residents
- Runtime
- 2:09
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- Chesterfield County is encouraging the community to download the EyeOnWater app to track household water usage, following the county's lifted voluntary water conservation efforts.
EyeOnWater is a free app that allows Chesterfield residents to track their water usage in real-time and receive alerts about leaks.
- Title
- 'I've been the bearer of bad news': Va. hemp businesses bin majority of product after ban
- Runtime
- 2:41
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- Small business owners are reeling after new hemp laws in Virginia made more than half their inventory illegal overnight.
State law previously allowed the sale of hemp products that contained more than 2mg of THC if they followed a 25:1 ratio of CBD to THC. But on Aug. 15, that changed.
- Title
- Eleven Darby House residents remain in hotels while searching to find permanent housing
- Runtime
- 2:01
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- Eleven residents remain in hotels after July’s Darby House Senior Apartment fire.
According to Henrico County leaders, residents are being supported by the Darby House Resident Fire Recovery Fund, managed by United Way. There are three residents in other hotels being paid for by their personal insurance.
- Title
- Local runner heads to Sydney Marathon, raising money for Comfort Zone Camp
- Runtime
- 1:53
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- A Richmond runner is raising money for the organization Comfort Zone Camp by running the Sydney Marathon in Australia.
Laura Hazlett has been raising money for the bereavement camp designed for children who’ve lost a family member or friend.
- Title
- Spanberger outlines education agenda as students, teachers head back to school
- Runtime
- 2:27
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- As Virginia’s students and teachers return to the classroom, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is outlining her education priorities.
“I’m excited about what the next school year will bring, and I’ll be working hard to make sure that we’re doing all we can to support public schools across Virginia,” Spanberger told 8News.
Spanberger said legislation that passed the General Assembly and that she signed into law, along with the new state budget, prove that she’s made education a priority in her first seven months in office.
- Title
- The Rundown: Getting to know Alexa Bonilla and Emma Goldkopf
- Runtime
- 27:17
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- You may see them on TV but now you can get to know 8News reporters Alexa Bonilla and Emma Goldkopf on this episode of The Rundown.
- Title
- Proposed Goochland skeet range VP explains purpose, vision to Central Virginia
- Runtime
- 1:44
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- Virginia Sports Park (VSP) Vice President Adnan Hamidi sat down with 8News ahead of a contested Goochland Planning Commission meeting Thursday to help move the 125-acre indoor archery center and outdoor skeet shooting course forward.
https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/goochland-county/proposed-shooting-range-vp-goochland/
- Title
- Richmonders react to Flock's new safeguards for camera systems
- Runtime
- 2:39
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- Flock Safety has announced changes to how law enforcement agencies can use its license plate reader technology.
The surveillance technology company announced several new safeguards for its platform on Thursday, Aug. 13, including tools designed to identify potentially improper searches and a requirement that law enforcement users provide a case number when conducting searches.
The changes come as communities across the country continue to debate the use of automated license plate readers, including in Richmond, where dozens of Flock cameras are positioned throughout the city.
https://www.wric.com/news/residents-react-flock-camera-safety-safeguards/
- Title
- Henrico man pleads guilty to murder of toddler
- Runtime
- 1:36
- Date posted
- 16 days ago
- Description
- A Henrico man pleaded guilty to the murder of a toddler who died from drug toxicity in June 2025.
- Title
- Henrico Education Association addresses HVAC issues
- Runtime
- 2:04
- Date posted
- 16 days ago
- Description
- Henrico students are just days away from heading back to school, but a representative from the Henrico Education Association says about 10 schools in the area are facing HVAC issues.
