Richmond Times-Dispatch Wins 52 Awards at VPAs

Reporter Samuel B. Parker named Outstanding Young Journalist

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a vintage manual typewriter repeated in a grid pattern, conveying the creative energy and craftsmanship of local journalism.The Richmond Times-Dispatch's award-winning journalism is celebrated through a vibrant pop art interpretation of the tools of the trade.Richmond Today

The Richmond Times-Dispatch newsroom was recognized with 24 first-place awards, two best-in-show awards, and a news sweepstakes award at the 2025 Virginia Press Association (VPA) awards ceremony. Additionally, reporter Samuel B. Parker was named the 2025 Outstanding Young Journalist.

Why it matters

The VPA awards are considered the highest honors for journalism excellence in the state of Virginia, recognizing the best reporting, writing, photography, and multimedia work. The Times-Dispatch's strong performance demonstrates the newsroom's commitment to high-quality local journalism that serves the Richmond community.

The details

The Times-Dispatch won awards across a variety of categories, including breaking news, feature writing, investigative reporting, and visual journalism. The newspaper's coverage of major local events and issues, as well as its in-depth storytelling, were praised by the VPA judges.

  • The 2025 VPA awards ceremony took place in April 2026.

The players

Richmond Times-Dispatch

A daily newspaper serving the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area, known for its award-winning local journalism.

Samuel B. Parker

A reporter at the Richmond Times-Dispatch who was named the 2025 Outstanding Young Journalist by the Virginia Press Association.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of our entire newsroom team. These awards are a testament to their commitment to delivering high-quality journalism that informs and engages our community.”

— Paige Mudd, Editor-in-Chief, Richmond Times-Dispatch

The takeaway

The Richmond Times-Dispatch's strong performance at the 2025 VPA awards underscores the newspaper's role as a leading voice in local journalism, providing essential reporting and storytelling that resonates with readers in the Richmond region.