State trooper, driver injured after car shootout ends in pursuit and crash

PRINCE GEORGE, Va. (WWBT) - Virginia State Police is looking for multiple suspects after a shooting ended in a pursuit and crash in Prince George County on Saturday evening.

Just before 6:30 p.m., VSP said a trooper witnessed an exchange of gunfire between people inside two cars near the intersection of Puddledock Road and Temple Avenue.

The agency said the trooper turned around and tried to stop one of the cars, which was believed to have been involved in the shooting.

Continue →

Parents await mold test results as Obama Elementary start date delayed

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Parents are still waiting for mold test results at Barack Obama Elementary School as the start of the school year is delayed.

Richmond Public Schools announced Wednesday that HVAC problems led to mold and air-quality concerns in parts of the building.

Continue →

Feds’ proposal to alter Head Start could ‘dismantle’ program in Virginia, parents and advocates say

Amanda Daugherty, a mother from Nottoway County, valued the Head Start program in Virginia because it closely reflected her values and experience before she was hired by the program in October 2021.

Less than six months later, the program came to her aid after her husband died, stepping in to help stabilize her family and give her children a strong developmental and educational start during a time of uncertainty.

Continue →

Va. health dept. improves nursing home inspection backlog, reforms sanction criteria for facilities

Stories of neglect in care or unsanitary living situations have plagued several of Virginia’s nursing home facilities in recent years and data backs up a lapse in oversight by state agencies.

With reform efforts underway, the Virginia Department of Health officials said they aim to adopt sanction criteria by the end of the year to rein in bad actors and get troubled facilities back on track.

Continue →

Here’s the complete VHSL football schedule for 2026

The 2026 Virginia High School League football season opened Friday night with a history-making moment.

Brand new Southern Gap High in Buchanan County, playing its inaugural game and on its home field to boot, posted a 22-6 victory over Holston High of Damascus.

Southern Gap is a consolidated school, created from the merger of Grundy, Hurley, Twin Valley and Council high schools. It is a Class 2 VHSL school, competing in the Southwest District and Region 2D.

Continue →

Notes from the Square: DCCC triples down on its push to flip the 5th Congressional District

Welcome to Notes from the Square, a roundup of state politics and policy news. Each week, we bring you updates on the movers and shakers in Virginia politics as well as the legislation and initiatives they’re supporting or opposing — with a Southwest and Southside Virginia focus.

Got a tip or story idea? Email me at elizabeth@cardinalnews.org.

Continue →

Final Score Friday 2026 Preview: Mills Godwin Eagles

Head coach Pete Gallagher moves up from his assistant position to take over as head coach of the Eagles. All but one of last year's losses were to playoff teams, and four were by a touchdown or less. Luke Roberts returns at QB1 with four of his five offensive linemen back from last year as well including Brody McNeil (Ohio State commit), Payton Cornwell, Saunders Milligan and Ryan Rolston.

Continue →

Amazon plans to launch drone delivery service in Central Virginia

Amazon is planning to launch its Prime Air drone delivery service in a portion of Hanover, Henrico, and the greater Richmond area.

The company is hosting a Community Meet and Greet where locals can ask and learn more about the service, see a Prime Air drone in-person, and talk with members of the Prime Air team.

Continue →

Join us for an evening of good people, good stories, and good energy!

All summer we've celebrated some of the best of our community, profiling people who lift us up and make Richmond a great place to live.

When: Friday, September 25. Doors at 5 p.m, program at 6:15 p.m. Where: The Hippodrome Theater, 528 N. 2nd Street What: Heavy hors d'oeuvres, full bar, music, free parking Dress: Cocktail festive! Cost: $115 for the public, $85 for Richmonder donors (use code Richmonder1 for one ticket, or Richmonder2 for a couples ticket)

Continue →

Two people injured in a late-night shooting

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Richmond Police said two people are injured after a late-night shooting on East 35th Street.

Around 11:30 p.m., police said they found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds near the 200 block of East 35th Street.

They were both taken to the hospital, but the man had a life-threatening wound.

The woman is expected to be fine.

If you have any information about the case you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Continue →

Martinsville Field Notes: Henry County data center changes to be discussed again Tuesday

Welcome to Martinsville Field Notes, where you can find quick updates on what’s happening in Martinsville and Henry County every Friday. In this week’s column, you’ll hear about data centers, exams and trash, but I promise it’s more exciting than it sounds! Don’t forget to check out the last edition if you missed it.

Continue →

Obituary - Ada Lee Carver Wilson

Ada Lee Carver Wilson went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at the blessed age of 94. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Brian Rucker Wilson; sisters, Eunice Carver Hurt and Joyce Carver Beninghove; brothers Alec, Earl and Keith Carver.

Continue →

Domestic violence survivors advocate: When it comes to protecting victims, we can’t afford to look away

When we talk about the future of public safety in our community, we must remember who has the most to lose and include their voices in those conversations. There is a whole community being left out of the conversation. I’ve spent more than 30 years working with victims of violence. For 20 of them, I wore a badge myself, serving with the City of Salem Police Department, where I investigated crimes against women and children. Today, I lead the Roanoke domestic violence services team at Total Action for Progress (TAP), supporting survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives.

Continue →

Goochland Planning Commission recommends denial of proposed Walton Road gun range

GOOCHLAND, Va. (WWBT) - The Goochland County Planning Commission voted 3-1 just before 3 a.m. Friday to recommend denying a proposal for a new gun range off Walton Road.

The recommendation came after nearly six hours of public comment and more than an hour of discussion among commissioners.

Continue →

Obituary - Reginald Junior Ashby

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, our beloved Reginald Junior Ashby, of Glen Allen, unexpectedly departed this life. He was residing at Elizabeth Adam Crump Nursing Home when he answered the call of God and received his heavenly wings.

Several years ago, surrounded by his loving family, Reginald acknowledged Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and committed his life to Christ.

Continue →

Obituary - Sonya Houston White

Sonya Houston White, 60, of Henrico, entered her eternal home on Monday, August 10, 2026, going peacefully in her sleep. She was the daughter of John Marcus Houston and Ethel Lee Robinson Houston. Sonya was born on November 1, 1965 in Atlanta Georgia.

Continue →

LETTERS: Resident opposed to proposed Henrico data center

I invite you to visit the Upham Brook corridor, where the land slopes toward the water and the neighborhood’s daily rhythm is shaped by birds, wind, and the quiet run of the brook itself. The building of a DC BLOX data center campus on the former Azalea Flea Market property would fundamentally alter that landscape, and I hope Henrico residents will look closely at what this project means for our community.

Continue →