Richmond’s famous peregrine falcon couple are back on their nest atop the west tower of the Riverfront Plaza building downtown with four chicks. Now, DWR biologists are planning the next phase of falcon season – chick banding. Once the chicks are approximately 30 days old, DWR biologists will retrieve them, collect important data, and attach identification bands to each chick. These bands are invaluable in identifying Richmond’s famous offspring as they migrate and hopefully go on to have chicks of their own. And this year, DWR is offering the public the opportunity to be present for banding day.
"Richmond Falcon Banding is one of my absolute favorite times of the year and I'm so happy to have the opportunity to once again share that experience with our Falcon Fans,” said DWR Wildlife Viewing Program Coordinator Meagan Thomas. "Banding day is such a big milestone for the chicks, and it's sure to be an unforgettable experience for whoever our lucky winners are."
This unique experience offers a close-up look at conservation in action – an unforgettable moment for nature advocates, bird lovers, and Falcon Cam fans alike. Winners will be drawn on May 18.
Tickets are available for purchase at Go Outdoors Virginia through Sunday, May 17. Each winning ticket includes the falcon chick encounter as well as falcon related prizes.
Visit the DWR Falcon Raffle Webpage to learn more about the raffle and this monumental experience.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion announces 2026 daily lineup, single day tickets, shuttle passes (copy) (copy)
SPorter
Festival season is just around the corner, and the Birthplace of Country Music is preparing to welcome music fans from across the Tri-Cities region and beyond to downtown Bristol for Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Sept. 11-13.
The Birthplace of Country Music and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion are excited to offer the community a first look at the 2026 Daily Lineup.
Headlining Friday night will be St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and Los Lobos, while GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell will take the spotlight on Saturday evening. Old Crow Medicine Show is set to close out the festival Sunday night on State Street. Sept. 13 is expected to go down as the most music-filled Sunday in the festival’s history.
Alongside the release of the daily lineup, Single Day Tickets are now available at BristolRhythm.com. Ticket prices are set to increase on June 30 as the festival approaches.
Shuttle Passes are also now available online, helping festivalgoers enjoy a stress-free weekend in downtown Bristol.
New for the festival’s 25th Anniversary, a limited number of VIP Experience tickets have been added to the lineup of elevated festival offerings. Both 3-Day VIP Experience and Single-Day VIP Experience tickets are now available for purchase at BristolRhythm.com. VIP Experience tickets include access to VIP viewing areas at select stages, VIP meet-and-greet opportunities, the VIP Lounge at The Bristol Hotel, and more. Note that Parking Passes and VIP brunches are not included with VIP Experience tickets.
In celebration of the milestone anniversary, the Birthplace of Country Music has released every historical edition of the collectible Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion posters through the Museum Store. Fans can shop festival merchandise and collectible posters in person at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum Museum Store or online at Shop.BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
Produced by the nonprofit Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion marks its 25th anniversary in 2026 — a major milestone for the community-founded festival that began in 2001.
Fans can look forward to the full lineup reveal on May 27, along with additional merchandise releases throughout the summer. To stay up to date on festival announcements, follow @bristolrhythm on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X, and sign up for email updates at Birthplace of Country Music.
Festival tickets are on sale now, online at BristolRhythm.com or in person at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
For tickets, updates, and more information, visit BristolRhythm.com.
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Griffith to Support Slain Ninth District Officer, Statement on National Police Week (copy)
Jim Talbert
National Police Week, from May 10-16, this year will honor a Grayson County corrections officer, Jeremy Hall, who was killed by an inmate attack in November 2025.
“Officer Hall served the North River Correctional Center in Independence, Virginia, with professionalism, integrity and courage," U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith said. "Ninth District communities and Virginia law enforcement continue to grieve his tragic loss and honor his service.
“In DC this week, Congress will vote on a resolution that memorializes Officer Hall and all law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2025. Their names will also be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall, where Officer Hall’s contributions to the Virginia Department of Corrections and his local communities will be forever honored.
“The Ninth District of Virginia is served by dedicated law enforcement professionals. They meet a variety of challenges, support safe communities and work for our protection. On this National Police Week, I thank Ninth District law enforcement officers and their families for their sacrifices.”
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