The weirdest moments that defined Richmond in 2025
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Richmonders might forever remember this year as the one that started without running water and ended with a trashed panda passed out in an ABC store bathroom.
Here were some other odd or unforgettable moments of 2025.
January
Mayor Avula took office, a water crisis had some people pooping in bags, Henrico had two earthquakes, and the Commanders almost made it to the Super Bowl.
February
Thousands waited hours for a viral food truck, Gov. Youngkin announced a "Virginia Has Jobs" site and resale tickets for Dave Matthews Band soared to over $2,700,
March
VCU dissolved its DEI office, Youngkin again said "no" to retail weed sales, and the "Greetings from Richmond" mural vanished.
April
A scandal rocked the Virginia GOP, a CSX train horn drove Richmonders wild, a mini earthquake hit near Short Pump and GWAR stormed a Henrico Waffle House.
May
Metallica caused seismic activity at a Virginia Tech show and Zillow Gone Wild featured a $1.6M Richmond home while we had another boil advisory.
June
Allianz Amphitheater opened, Richmond voters rejected former Mayor Stoney in a primary, RIC launched flights to Bermuda, and Virginia got its first Buc-ee's.
July
Richmond police banned feds from tracking immigrants' license plate data, and we learned 18% of single Virginians had taken an AI lover.
August
Richmond Confederate statues headed to Los Angeles and readers debated dog poop etiquette.
September
The Diamond hosted its final baseball game, police raided vape shops — some while in tactical gear — and Francine the Lowe's cat went (briefly) missing.
October
A government shutdown began, Francine was found, a texting scandal rattled Democrats, and Chesterfield's "hot cop" broke the internet.
November
Virginia elected its first woman governor, digital drivers' licenses became a thing, and Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz surprised local students.
December
Special election dates multiplied, Brown's Island closed for renovations, JMU football made history, and drunk raccoon merch raised over $230,000 for the Hanover animal shelter.