Former astronaut Josรฉ Hernรกndez sees his hometown in Richmond. So he’s paying a visit
Hernรกndez, a motivational speaker with a four-year waiting list, made an exception for Richmond SOL and will be the keynote speaker for the group’s first community awards night.

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Latest News
Dessert N Spice on the move, plus Pucquio announces abrupt closure
A running list of restaurants that have recently closed in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.
Chains Palmetto, Sanaโa, and Cold Stone open in Berkeley, plus Enssaro ready for Rockridge opening
A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.
‘A life with no limits:’ Hugh Shurley joins 90 artists for Richmond Open Studios
Shurley, who works with natural materials and “abandoned memories,” will welcome the public into his studio for the first time.
City
Richmond eyes $120M bond to fix or replace aging fire stations
The city council on Tuesday also approved the police department’s annual military equipment report; rejected a proposed ethics commission; and delayed a labor standards ordinance.
Community
A 50-foot tree sculpture is growing in a south Richmond art studio
Artist Sean Orlandoโs latest whimsical work is expected to be one of the tallest sculptures at Burning Man in years.

Albany’s Match Point announces final service, Pour Manners hits pause, and Oak-Dar closes cafe
A running list of restaurants that have recently closed in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.
SCHOOLS
โWendy isnโt here.โ San Pablo third-grader’s deportation saddens Downer Elementary pupils
More than 400 children have been deported from California since President Trump stepped up ICE enforcement efforts. Here’s how one case made a lasting impression on a local classroom.
Public safety
Teen paralyzed in 2025 Richmond shooting wanted to become a firefighter
Fifty people reported being the victims of gun violence in the last months of 2025. Hereโs how one of them is fighting to recover.
How Richmond works
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Richmondside’s Alejandra Armstrong recognized as โunsung heroโ by SPJ NorCal
As audience engagement editor, Armstrong ensures reaching and serving readers is always top of mind โ from social media posts to headlines, public events and our email newsletters.
Richmondsideโs free newsletter is going dailyย ย
Fans of our weekly newsletter told us they want to see information and news about their city more frequently. So, starting now, we’ll send the Richmondside Report to your inbox Monday through Friday.

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How do you build an outlet for local journalism that is rooted in, representative of, and responsive to communities in a city as diverse, complex, and powerful as Richmond? The answer is listening. We talked to hundreds of Richmond residents who told us what they want from local journalism. Here’s what we learned.

