PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — A massive fire ravaged a Petersburg motel Tuesday afternoon, leaving 29 families displaced and the entire second floor of the building scorched. Around 1 p.m. On Tuesday, April 23, crews with Petersburg Fire & EMS, as well as firefighters from nearby Colonial Heights and officers with the Petersburg Bureau of Police, responded to a reported fire at the American Inn, located at 2209 County Drive. Crews saw heavy fire coming from rooms on the motel’s second floor. “Over 25 firefighters from Petersburg and Colonial Heights worked the fire, entered each room, and succe ..read more

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Transportation has announced that there were no fatal crashes on Interstate 95 in Virginia during the weekend of the "I-95 Drive to Save Lives" traffic safety operation, which 14 other states participated in this year. According to the department, there were only six crashes which resulted in injuries on the 179 miles of I-95 in Virginia between Friday, April 19 and Sunday, April 21. During that time, Virginia State troopers responded to a total of 50 crashes, cited 153 drivers for reckless driving and arrested two people for driving while und ..read more

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With temperatures rising and summer just around the corner, the American Red Cross is urging residents of the Richmond area to prioritize water safety as hundreds are expected to spend time in and on the James River. Jonathan McNamara, the communications director of the Richmond Division of the American Red Cross, said preparation is essential before getting into an open body of water -- wearing a life jacket, knowing how to swim, checking the weather and checking water levels ahead of time are crucial. "And if you have a device, preferably your phone, that's going to a ..read more

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- In this digital age, it can feel like you have the world at your fingertips -- but that often means your data is at the world's fingertips too. Proposed legislation in Virginia would protect kids' online privacy, but politics could get in the way. As initially written, Senate Bill 361 focuses on protecting kids younger than 13. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin wanted to up the ante, protecting all minors, but ultimately, senate members rejected his recommended changes. Some parents take a hands-on approach to monitoring what their child is up to online, but these days ..read more

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The principal of New Kent High School is facing a misdemeanor charge following an investigation into an open bottle of alcohol students saw in his car, according to the county's school division. 8News received an email on Tuesday, April 23, that was sent out by New Kent County Public Schools. The school division's superintendent, Brian Nichols, confirmed to 8News that the email's contents were genuine and were indeed written by the division. In that email, the division informed New Kent High School families of an incident that recently occurred on school grounds ..read more

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Top housing officials in the US government paid a visit to Richmond.  A round table with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA), officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and community leaders was held at the Armstrong Renaissance Community Center on Tuesday, April 23.   Officials said the event was a way to lay out strategies for low-income households to "break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient.”  This round table came just days after the CEO of RRHA, Steven Nesmith, announced that ..read more

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Chesterfield County Jail has become the first institution in the nation to adopt a new FDA-approved device aimed at alleviating withdrawal symptoms among inmates struggling with opioid addiction. The Masimo Bridge device utilizes neuromodulation technology to significantly reduce the discomfort associated with drug withdrawal. The device sends electrical impulses to certain parts of the brain that contribute to withdrawal symptoms. Most Chesterfield Jail inmates have endured multiple cycles of opioid addiction and withdrawal processes previously. "What pe ..read more

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Early voting in Chesterfield County will change locations from the General Registrar's Office to the Central Library, beginning Friday, May 3. Starting Friday, May 3, the location for early voting in Chesterfield will be at the Central Library located at 7051 Lucy Corr Boulevard, near Iron Bridge Road. According to the county, this location change will allow space for a larger voting area and more parking, which should lead to an expedited voting process. Central Library hours for early voting: Monday - Friday: May 3 through June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat ..read more

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Less than five months after it began, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney’s campaign for governor is over. Stoney announced today that he’ll abandon his bid for governor in an effort to win the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor next year. Stoney’s withdrawal from the race leaves Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger as the only Democrat left in the race for governor. "You realize that it's bigger than Levar Stoney, it's bigger than Abigail Spanberger, it's about the people of the Commonwealth who need us the most and that's why it's best that we unite behind one candidat ..read more

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A disabled tractor trailer on Interstate 95 North is causing significant backups in Richmond's Southside. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, the tractor-trailer is located at mile marker 74, on the bridge between Richmond's Southside and downtown Richmond. The northbound right lane and right shoulder are currently closed. Northbound traffic is currently backed up nearly to the Bells Road exit. Drivers are asked to use alternate routes and expect delays. Chesterfield’s early voting location will soon change to Central Library AI-generated child po ..read more