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Reposted by Shaban

VPM News @vpm.org · 14/05/2026

A young black bear was spotted in the Oregon Hill neighborhood today! The bear was just roaming around, probably looking for food. He was safely tranquilized and will be released in one of the state wildlife management areas...further away from the city. Photos by @theshabomb.com

A small black bear is seen amidst some greenery. The bear is in the center of the picture.

Richmond fire and police officials are seen pointing at something (probably the bear!).

A Richmond Fire Department official in a navy tee with white and red lettering is seen resting his arm against a wooden fence, as seen through some greenery.

A person with a blue "firefighter" shirt is seen holding a yellow object. An animal control officer is seen in the foreground, but out of focus.

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 19/01/2026

“Her”storic weekend: Glade to be a part of this hard working @vpm.org crew. S/o to my sisters for keeping me motivated, giving me courage, and cheering me on this long week. www.vpm.org/generalassem...

vpm.org

Scenes from the Spanberger–Hashmi–Jones inauguration

VPM News Photojournalist Shaban Athuman brings you regular updates from the capitol.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 17/01/2026

IT'S OFFICIAL: Virginia Governor Abigail Davis Spanberger. From her inaugural remarks, "We do not have to see eye-to-eye on every issue in order to stand shoulder-to-shoulder on others." Via @jahd.bsky.social, photos by @theshabomb.com #VApol

vpm.org

Abigail Spanberger sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor

The Democrat from Henrico County is the first woman elected to lead the commonwealth.

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 05/01/2026

‘‘Twas a busy year

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 28/06/2025

UVA President Jim Ryan resigned under pressure from Trump DOJ. Read more from the rest of the @vpm.org team

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 15/06/2025

This is maybe a 1/4 of the total number of people who attended the Charlottesville “No Kings” rally. S/o to @meghin.bsky.social for having my back

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VPM News @vpm.org · 14/06/2025

Drone photo by @theshabomb.com in Charlottesville taken shortly after the protest started this afternoon.

A photo taken from a drone at the Charlottesville No Kings protest that shows people lined up on sidewalks and grassy areas.

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On the Media @onthemedia.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Some helpful tips for following the awful news out of Minnesota today.

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Kathy Lu (she/her)🫰 @kathylu.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Meet Shaban Athuman of @vpm.org. We met many moons ago! Recently, he told me how he found community in #journalism — from friendships to a career to a sense of belonging. "I tell people that journalism is you looking out for your community," he said. (short 🧵) www.audiencibility.com/kathy-lu-sto...

audiencibility.com

To grow the journalism community, we must teach it ourselves — AUDIENCIBILITY

Shaban Athuman arrived in America not knowing how to speak English. Through photography and his time at a high school journalism workshop at The Roanoke Times, he found a career and a community. We ne...

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 21/04/2025

This is kind of like my origin story. I stand on many shoulders, like @kathylu.bsky.social. Thank you Kathy, for lending me yours to stand on. Read more from our our conversation (www.audiencibility.com/kathy-lu-sto...). Afterwards, invest in your local news. Like @vpm.org

audiencibility.com

To grow the journalism community, we must teach it ourselves — AUDIENCIBILITY

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VPM News @vpm.org · 17/03/2025

Richmond community members gathered on Friday to ride in honor of Mary Munford Elementary School's Principal Greg Muzik, who is currently recovering from life-threatening injuries he sustained while riding his bike. More photos by @theshabomb.com here: www.vpm.org/news/2025-03...

Community members are seen with their bicycles geared up for a bike parade.

A small child holds up a blue card that reads "HEART to Mr. Muzik!"

A mother is seen kissing her child on the forehead during a bike parade.

An aerial view of the Ride for Muzik bike parade passing Patterson Ave.

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 09/02/2025

Here’s a General Assembly update www.vpm.org/news/2025-01...

Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Abingdon, tries to hide as Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, gives his thanks to members of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee during a General Assembly session on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. “We have spent many late nights working on this,” Sen. McDougle said. “Republicans and Democrats. Yes, Senator Pillion, you were there too,” as the Senate laughed and murmured to the remarks.

Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, arrives to give remarks during a General Assembly session on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.

Leftover flowers after the unveiling the “Out of the Shadow” exhibit honoring Black people who served in the General Assembly during the Reconstruction era.

House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, joins Delegates Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, Robert Bloxom, R-Accomack, and Tony Wilt, R-Rockingham, for a press conference after the house Adjourned during a General Assembly Session on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 23/01/2025

Here’s what stood out to me over the last few days at the general assembly: recognition and reflection. Read what I’ve been doing here: www.vpm.org/news/2025-01...

A person falls a sleep while another person gives a speech on the floor of the senate

Miss Virginia and Miss Teen Virginia are reflected on a table as they pray from the galley as parts of Senator, on the Senate floor, pray along with them

A group of delegates applaud their colleague. The Virginia Statue for religious freedom, hangs behind them

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Ida Bae Wells @nhannahjones.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Trump has signed an executive order eliminating all funding for diversity and inclusion in the federal government, sending home DEI staff who will then be laid off. The historical echo for this is when Woodrow Wilson resegregated the federal government in 1913. We have reached the second nadir.

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 18/01/2025

Pictures are worth a thousand words just in case they’re not, I wrote something extra from this weeks’ #valeg www.vpm.org/news/2025-01...

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 15/01/2025

On the 2nd day of the General Assembly, here’s what I saw: Delegates debated three constitutional amendments, but spent most of their time on HJ1, which enshrines reproductive rights in the state constitution. Del.Taylor shed some tears as Del.Freitas graphically described an “abortion” #valeg

A woman wipes away tears as a man talks in graphic details about abortion

Visitors in the gallery can’t hide their surprise as members roast each other

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 13/01/2025

On the first full day of #valeg here’s what I saw, wanna see more? Go @vpm.org

Gov. Youngkin winks, as Lt Gov Earle-sears, Speaker and Senator Lucas applaud

$A refraction of Gov. Youngkin and Lt. Gov Lucas$ Speaker Scott looks over Gov. Youngkin

The House Chamber stands as Gov. Youngkin enters the room

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 12/01/2025

Don’t tell my mom, but I missed doing my dishes

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 11/01/2025

Richmonders trying to forget the 11 extra days of 2024 #rva #rvawater #water #africasaveus

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 11/01/2025

Mentally: I’m here, with the birds

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 11/01/2025

Still no water but happy nonetheless #rva #weather www.vpm.org/tags/richmond

A young boy is seen from a drone playing with pigeons near a duck pond

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 09/01/2025

Lift as you climb : always bringing the high perspective to #rvawater

A man walks up a set of stairs pasts a baby blue wall

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 08/01/2025

It’s only been 7 days into this new year and this is how my mind feels right now

An optical glitch of a snow covered Richmond

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Sam Shirazi @samshirazi.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Virginia Special Election over analysis 1. Dems do well in low turnout elections now 2. Snow storm messed things up for GOP with less Election Day turnout 3. Don’t discount optional permanent absentee list in Virginia Mostly Dems on it and gives boost in Specials

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 06/01/2025

#Snowday Richmond, like every other Mid Atlantic, is currently covered in icy snow #rvawx #weather

People
Play on a snow-covered hill near a basketball court with a Michael Jordan mural

A person walks a dog as they use their phone

A person walks his daughter up a snow-covered hill

A box a Corona Extra sits in a snow covered tree

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Reposted by Shaban

Nick McNamara @nickmcnamara.net · 27/12/2024

The point-in-time count indicates just one trans/nonbinary person lives on the Virginia Peninsula. The LGBT Life Center's housing director says that's wrong, and that the discrepancy is a symptom of a broader issue of engagement and access. www.whro.org/local-govern...

whro.org

A report found only one trans or nonbinary person without housing on the Peninsula. Advocates say that data is wrong.

Limited options during data collection or negative experiences means Hampton Roads localities may not have accurate information on transgender and gender-nonconforming people facing homelessness.

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Meghin Moore @meghin.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

Oopsie the cat update: smol blep

A calico cat is seen sleeping in a shopping cart filled with various blankets. Her tongue is out.

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Meghin Moore @meghin.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

If y’all haven’t seen @theshabomb.com’s best photos of the year for @vpm.org, you’re missing out!

vpm.org

Best of 2024: VPM News photography

Look at the year in Central Virginia news through our photojournalist's eyes.

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 26/12/2024

It was really really really really hard to pick the most memorable photos from this year. But here are 4 of 50 pictures from @vpm.org. The best part: collaborating with my talented colleagues on so many interesting stories. Thank you to all who made this year memorable. www.vpm.org/news/2024-12...

A young man, with no arms or legs sits in front of his art

A picturesque landscape of central Virginia

A loving moment between a proud mother and son

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 23/12/2024

@meghin.bsky.social you could say it’s a steaming hot story

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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Governor Glenn Youngkin is proposing “no taxes on tips” as part of his budget amendments Wednesday

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 12/12/2024

When I met Nikki Giovanni, in 2020. We talked about our names, our pasts, my grandfather (who had just passed), she saved my life and we made some pictures. Thank you May you rest in Peace.

A close up portrait of a woman with short white hair, a dark blue sweater, who is looking in the camera with a soft smile.

A woman wearing a blue sweater, with short white hair, smiles into the white glowing glowing fading sun

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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Since this summer Megan and I have been looking into VCU’s response to student protests for @vpm.org . Here’s the story, and some interesting findings below: buff.ly/3OFuAh1 📸: @theshabomb.com

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Records: Pro-Palestine demonstrations drove university policy changes

A majority of Virginia’s public universities have tightened rules on students’ use of campus space.

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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Just as a refresher, students protesting in April demanded VCU call for a ceasefire in Gaza, where UN bodies (and recently Amenesty Intl t.co/JKq4j1OooX) described Israel’s actions as a genocide. Police showed up and 13 minutes later broke it up by force. 📸: @theshabomb.com

A group of students and police class. The students are in different summer clothe, the police in black with riot shields

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 16/11/2024

On Wednesday, the Va House and Privilege Committee passed three proposed amendments to enshrining the rights for abortion, marriage equality, and voting rights. The full house will vote on them in January. Here are three moments (see more here: www.vpm.org/news/2024-11...)

A white man standing next to a white wall looking ahead intensely

A woman looks on her phone while wearing a pink shirt that reads “REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM 2026”

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 15/11/2024

Fun picture on a story about trees and a mobile mill www.vpm.org/news/2024-11... (which is kinda barbaric, since they’re killing trees I front of other trees)

Wooden dust fly as a man, wearing a hat, lays a piece of lumber to the ground

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 14/11/2024

If you wanna know and see what I’ve been up to go here: www.vpm.org/people/shaba... (I need a new headshot)

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Shaban @theshabomb.com · 14/11/2024

How it started vs how it’s going Two years 16 years In ‘Merca In ‘Merica Hello bluesky, pls be nice to me, I make typos

Four people wearing mismatching colorful shirts and blue jeans.

Four people wearing black turtlenecks and blue jeans

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