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Audrey Polverari

Multimedia Journalist working in Richmond, VA

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richmondmagazine.com •

Ripple Effects

The following is an extended version of the article that appears in our September 2026 issue.

In the mid-1970s, the James River’s health reached an all-time low. Following decades of industrial activities, the Kepone chemical dump of 1975 seemed like a headstone. Workers at the Hopewell manufacturing plant fell ill and pollutants pervaded every ecological crevice, prompting a 13-year state ban on fishing. The river that for centuries served as a central means of food, travel, defense and cult...
richmondmagazine.com •

River Teacher

In 2009, Karl Schmidt found his niche. A junior at Ohio’s Kent State University looking for a summer job, he spoke with some whitewater rafting guides at a job fair. No experience required, paychecks for time outdoors — it didn’t take much to convince him. He was more accustomed to paddling the flat waters near his hometown in Ohio, but, drawing on his skiing and mountain biking experience, he quickly grew to prefer the roar of rapids.

“So many things clicked — your brain just gets happy,” Sc...
WRIC ABC 8News •

The driving factors behind Richmond’s pedestrian safety crisis

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond isn’t the largest, busiest or most confusing city to navigate in Virginia, but for pedestrians, it is the most dangerous.


In 2025, Richmond’s pedestrian death rate per capita was the highest in the state. The city recorded 13 deaths last year, outpaced by only Fairfax County’s 14 deaths — though its population is about five times larger.


But most of Richmond’s crashes did not occur randomly. For years, they’ve been clustered on the same roads, near the same...
WRIC ABC 8News •

The grassroots efforts fueling invasive plant management across Richmond

Editor’s Note: The story has been updated for clarification purposes.


RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — At first glance, Anne Wright’s park site is easy to miss — a thick carpet of brown leaves, mature trees and few traces of green in the sparse undergrowth. But not long ago, this area was completely overtaken by invasive plant species like English ivy, likely introduced from the yards of nearby homes. 


As a former biology professor at VCU and one of the founding members of the Invasive Plant Task Fo...
richmondmagazine.com •

Getting the Scoop

The traditional ice cream truck is one of America’s most nostalgic businesses — a boxy, colorful van rolling slowly down the street with its iconic jingle, causing children to sprint from their houses, wads of cash and coins in hand that they pestered their parents to give them.

But modern trucks aren’t cruising Richmond neighborhoods quite the way they used to. Between kids spending less time outdoors, increasingly spread-out homes and rising costs, the classic neighborhood route model is fi...
The Commonwealth Times •

Atlantic sturgeon are making a comeback in the James River thanks to these conservationists The Commonwealth Times

Audrey Polverari, Contributing WriterSpawning season for the endangered Atlantic sturgeon is underway in the James River, marking a brief but critical window of research and advocacy for the prehistoric fish. Once thought to be gone from Virginia’s rivers, the Atlantic sturgeon has made a fragile comeback after decades of work by VCU’s Rice Rivers Center, the James River Association, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and tribal nations. The federally endangered species,...
richmondmagazine.com •

School News

VUU partners with publisher to push student success beyond the classroom

Virginia Union University is raising the scholarly bar through a new partnership with Townsend Press, which will require all graduate and undergraduate students to contribute to an official publication to get their degrees.

The mandate will take effect in the 2026-27 school year, and various forms of contribution will be allowed. Those in master’s and doctoral programs will fulfill the requirement by publishing manusc...
richmondmagazine.com •

School News

Redeemer Episcopal Day School adds a middle grades program

The 2026-27 school year will mark an academic milestone for Redeemer Episcopal Day School in Midlothian: the introduction of a middle school program, starting with the addition of sixth grade.

Previously, REDS consisted only of preschool and kindergarten through fifth grade. The expansion, which fifth grade will be looped into, offers an extensive curriculum grounded in four cornerstones: strong academics, community and service, cr...
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily •

Lilley Brothers Canna Co. Partners with Nonprofits to Host ‘A Day in the Garden’ Farm Festival | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

SUFFOLK — A hemp farm is inviting people 21 and up to attend a diverse and educational event taking place on Sept. 16 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“A Day in the Garden” will feature live music, local vendors, food and beverages, glass-blowing, and multiple speakers representing nonprofit organizations, all taking place on the grounds of a working hemp farm. 
Jay Lilley, farmer and CEO of Lilley Brothers Canna Co., has been growing hemp since 2018 — a relatively new feat for the Lilley family’s farm, wh...
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily •

Williamsburg National to Host 4th Annual Ryan Phillip Taylor Memorial Golf Tournament | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

WILLIAMSBURG — Working closely with Faith Recovery, local resident and mother Mary Brown is encouraging businesses and golfers to come support addiction recovery in honor of her late son at an annual golf tournament slated for Sept. 22.
All proceeds benefit Faith Recovery’s clinical Christian addiction treatment program, where Brown planned to enroll her son, Ryan Taylor, before his tragic passing while residing in a sober living facility. He was 21 years old. 
“This is very near and dear to us....
richmondmagazine.com •

Purveyor: Pacha Spoonables

History: When Fabrizio and Ximena Biancato immigrated to Richmond last year, they noticed Peruvian desserts were scarce. Tapping into a shared love for the sweets of their home country, they founded Pacha Spoonables — a business offering decadent layered desserts served in 12-ounce cups. The treats, which became popular in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic, are easy to refrigerate, share and enjoy. Ximena notes the name “Pacha” translates to “Earth” from Quechua, reflecting their roots. “This is...
richmondmagazine.com •

Family Portraits

Pieces from Virginia’s most prolific lineage of portrait painters will be on display during The Valentine museum’s “Life on Canvas: Portraits From the Silvette Family” exhibition opening Sept. 24 and continuing through Sept. 6, 2027.

Based in the Richmond region, David Silvette and his sisters, Marcia and Mildred, followed in their father’s footsteps, painting portraits of various historical figures, officials and friends throughout the 20th century. David was confident in his artistic eye, o...
richmondmagazine.com •

Alt-Rock Rarity

Kanawha Plaza is setting the stage for the Violent Femmes’ 45th anniversary tour. On Sept. 23, the alt-rock icons will bring their unique sound to the River City as part of the Live Loud concert series, which will include draft beer, canned cocktails and food trucks on-site.

Formed in 1981 in Milwaukee by Gordon Gano, Brian Ritchie and Victor DeLorenzo, the band shook up the nation’s underground music scene with a blend of punk, folk-rock and a healthy dose of teenage angst, producing hits li...
richmondmagazine.com •

‘On & On’

Spectacle, culture and community come together at Maymont Aug. 8-9 as the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival returns for another celebration of top-notch talent. Alongside a sensational roster including Doug E. Fresh, Johnny Gill, Samara Joy, Leon Thomas and Free Nationals, Grammy Award-winning soul singer Erykah Badu will headline for the second time in the festival’s 16 years.

“That lineup is pretty hot, so people should be prepared to have a really great time,” spokesperson Frances Burruss s...
WRIC ABC 8News •

Sixth annual Easter Eggstravaganza to be held at Chesterfield County Fairgrounds

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Ride on Cannon Foundation is bringing family fun and festivities back to Chesterfield County for its sixth annual Easter Eggstravaganza this weekend.


This free community event will take place on Saturday, March 28, at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds from noon to 4 p.m.


Organizers said in a social post that this “fun-filled community day” will feature:
And, of course, a special appearance from the Easter Bunny himself.
All children aged 12 years an...
WRIC ABC 8News •

‘War in Pieces’ production takes the stage in Richmond next month

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Firehouse Theatre and the Virginia Memorial Foundation have partnered to present “War in Pieces” — a festival of four original one-act plays written by Virginia veterans.


The production opens on Friday, April 10, at the Virginia War Memorial’s Alumni Hall, 621 S. Belvidere St., and will run for 10 performances through Sunday, April 19.


“War in Pieces” was developed through the Mighty Pen Project, the Virginia War Memorial Foundation’s 12-week-long university-level wr...
WRIC ABC 8News •

Chesterfield Sheriff’s Office warns of scammers acting as government employees

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office warned residents of scammers impersonating sheriff’s office employees over the phone.


According to a social post on Feb. 26, the sheriff’s office received multiple reports of people being targeted by fraudsters using false names in the past several weeks.


Residents are advised to be wary of callers claiming they have missed jury duty, court or other related matters. Authorities said one of the main indicators for th...
WRIC ABC 8News •

Five VADOC K-9s receive new custom-fitted body armor

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) received five new bullet and stab-protective police dog vests thanks to a donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.


K-9s Aika, Black Jack, Chase, Chica and Fika’s new custom-fitted gear is National Institute of Justice certified and valued at $1,800 each, according to VADOC.


Each is embroidered with the sentiment: “In memory of K9 Rivan, Virginia DOC, EOW 4-2-24.”
Rivan, a VADOC K-9, was stabbe...
WRIC ABC 8News •

15th annual Richmond Bluegrass Jam coming to Chesterfield County

In the video player above is 8News coverage from the 2017 Richmond Bluegrass Jam.


CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond Bluegrass Jam is coming back to Chesterfield County for the 15th year to raise money for military veterans and their families.


The event will be held on May 2 at American Legion Post 354 in the Midlothian area from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Organizers said in a social post that the family-friendly event will feature:
Proceeds will go to Liberation Veteran Services, whic...
WRIC ABC 8News •

Chesterfield County Public Schools taking applications for hiring event

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) will be holding a hiring event to fill teaching positions for the 2026-2027 school year.


On Saturday, March 7, school representatives will be conducting on-site interviews at various CCPS school locations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.


The district is primarily seeking educators in the areas of:
Candidates wishing to attend this event must apply by March 3. Qualified applicants will be invited to interviews after their app...