Virginia

What to know about inauguration-related events in Virginia this weekend – WTOP News

Published

4 months ago

January 16, 2026

What to know about inauguration-related events in Virginia this weekend – WTOP News

Virginia’s capital city will make way this weekend for a host of events related to the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger, who will become the first woman to serve as the state’s governor.

Richmond, Virginia, will make way this weekend for a host of events related to the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger, who will become the first woman to serve as the state’s governor.

Events are scheduled Friday through Sunday, some of which are open to the public and some of which are ticketed.

The theme of the weekend’s events is “United for Virginia’s Future,” a slogan which Spanberger’s team says reflects the deep pride and collective strength that will move the state forward.

Friday’s events

Made in Virginia Market, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., 17th Street Market (100 N 17th St., Richmond, Virginia)

The market is open to the public and will include performances by Pusha T, ELONCE, SynHERgi, Holy River and TeezySoDope.

More than 40 Virginia artisans, small businesses and food vendors will pack the market and offer a wide array of products, eats, art, games and more. Details are available on the Spanberger Inaugural Committee website.

Welcome reception, Friday evening, Virginia Museum of History and Culture

Tickets are required to attend the reception, which will be hosted by Spanberger and her husband, Virginia’s incoming first gentleman, Adam Spanberger.

Saturday’s events

Interfaith prayer breakfast, Saturday morning, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Spanberger and her husband will host a breakfast ahead of the inauguration ceremony to bring together Virginians from different faith backgrounds. Admission to the event is by invitation only.

Inauguration ceremony, noon, Virginia State Capitol

The main event will be held at noon, outdoors on the South Portico of the state Capitol. During the historic ceremony, Spanberger, Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General-elect Jay Jones will be sworn in.

While the event is free, tickets were awarded by a lottery. Winners have been selected and notified. The ceremony will be livestreamed on WTOP.com when it begins.

Inaugural parade, following inauguration ceremony, Capitol Square in Richmond

More than 25 groups from across Virginia will march through Capitol Square in Richmond immediately following the inaugural ceremony. The parade is open to attendees of the ceremony.

A full list of parade participants is available on the Spanberger Inaugural Committee website.

Inaugural ball, doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins 8:15 p.m., Richmond Main Street Station

Tickets are required to attend the inaugural ball, which will be hosted by the Spanbergers. The celebration will feature live performances, food and libations.

Sunday’s events

First gentleman’s breakfast, Sunday morning, Science Museum of Virginia

Pancakes are on the menu for Sunday morning’s breakfast, which is intended to allow incoming first gentleman Adam Spanberger to introduce himself to his fellow Virginians. Tickets are required to attend.

Executive Mansion open house, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Virginia Executive Mansion

Sunday’s open house at the Executive Mansion, as the name implies, is open to the public. However, entry into the governor’s residence is first come, first served.

Guests are invited to enter at the Capitol Square entrance.

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Virginia

Dry and seasonal weather expected in Virginia through the weekend

Published

11 hours ago

May 29, 2026

Press Room

Dry and seasonal weather expected in Virginia through the weekend

RICHMOND, Va. — Friday will be sunny and seasonably warm, with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s.

The pattern of cool nights and mild afternoons will continue through the weekend and through much of next week as upper-level flow continues to bring reinforcing mild and dry air out of eastern Canada.

Rain chances will be very limited over the next week, with only a slim chance with a frontal passage on Monday.

Stay With CBS 6, The Weather Authority.

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Virginia

107-year-old Virginia woman credits faith, family after escaping fire that destroyed home

Published

23 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

107-year-old Virginia woman credits faith, family after escaping fire that destroyed home

PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — Ressie Keen, a 107-year-old Pittsylvania County woman, is safe after escaping a house fire that destroyed her more than 100-year-old home, leaving behind a yard filled with charred debris and scattered belongings.

Keen said she has no special secret to her longevity.

“I ain’t got no secret, just thanking the Lord to let me stay here to see 107,” she said.

Keen said she moved to the home decades ago and built a life there.

“I’ve moved there in 1969, our first crop was made in 1970, and I been living there ever since,” she said.

The fire broke out in Keen’s bedroom on Thursday afternoon. Keen said she and her sitter got out as the fire grew.

“I don’t know what happened, only thing I knew to do was to get out of there. So me and my sitter we got out. She tried to put it out but she couldn’t,” Keen said.

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Pittsylvania County Fire Marshal Scott Hutcherson said investigators believe the fire started with an electrical issue.

“We think we had an electric outlet failure, more or less; an adaptor on the outlet probably failed,” Hutcherson said. He said the fire spread quickly once it ignited nearby items. “It set the bed on fire and the clothes that was on top of it, the material on top of it, what’s pretty much what got the fire going. And then it easily spread to the second story.”

Keen’s son, Ronnie Keen, said the loss has been painful for the family.

“It was devastating real devastating, lot of memories lost. But I know those memories and emotions the things that were sentimental were still right here,” he said.

A family photo album was among the few items recovered. Pointing to one image, Ronnie Keen said, “That’s a picture of the house.”

He added that the album was badly damaged. “It’s so charred it’s kinda hard to open,” he said.

Keen also held onto her favorite cast-iron pan.

“I knew this wasn’t going to get burnt up,” she said.

The home was considered a total loss, but the family said the most important thing is that Ressie Keen survived. She is now living with her son.

“I’m overjoyed that she’s here with us and she’s safe,” Ronnie Keen said.

Hutcherson said to prevent this, make sure that there is a smoke alarm in your home. He says you can reach out to the Pittsylvania County Public Safety office for a free installation of a smoke alarm.

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Virginia

Virginia attorney general launches investigation into Wallens Ridge homicide

Published

1 day ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

Virginia attorney general launches investigation into Wallens Ridge homicide

WISE COUNTY, VA (WCYB) — Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has requested the Virginia Attorney General’s Office investigate the 2025 homicide of a Wallens Ridge State Prison inmate.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed the development to News 5 on Tuesday, May 27.

“The circumstances around the death of Aubrey McKay are of a very serious and troubling nature. Governor Spanberger has requested that the Office of the Attorney General conduct an investigation and initiate any criminal prosecutions that arise. This office will continue its thorough, complete, and timely investigation into these consequential matters,” Attorney General Jay Jones said in an emailed statement.

McKay died on June 4, 2025, while inside the Wise County correctional facility.

The Virginia Department of Corrections confirmed his death is being investigated as a homicide and said at least one officer was either reprimanded or placed on leave.

The Virginia medical examiner’s office listed McKay’s cause of death as multifactorial asphyxia. Virginia State Police also confirmed it is investigating the case.

The Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office also confirmed it will no longer be involved in the case.

A spokesperson for the Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office told News 5 on May 25 that Smyth County would oversee the prosecution because of the nature of the investigation.

Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip Blevins later confirmed he has recused himself from the case.

In a court order provided to News 5 dated May 22, Blevins wrote that he has an association with at least one potential witness involved in the investigation. He was excused from the case.

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