Theology school graduates at Virginia Union University, from left, Donna Cosby, Sheila Dent, Rona Evans and Alice Freeman shed tears of joy during commencement ceremonies in May.

Capitol Police carry away a demonstrator who refused to leave the south steps of the Capitol during a February protest of utility giant Dominion’s plans to deal with coal ash. About eight people were arrested.

Nearly 1,000 people, including Gov. Terry McAuliffe and several elected officials, gather at Diversity Richmond to show their support for Orlando, Fla., following the massacre of 49 people and the wounding of 53 others at a gay nightclub there in June.

Morgan Bullock, seen in silhouette, practices one of the intricate and athletic Irish dance moves in April at the Baffa Academy of Irish Dance in Chesterfield County. The Richmond area teen placed 50th for her solo dancing in the World Irish Dance Championships.

The first pedestrians stream across the newly opened T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge over the James River following the ribbon-cutting in December during the Grand Illumination in Downtown.

The group known as Coaches Against Violence Everywhere joined in a circle of prayer with community members in Creighton Court in January and spoke out against violence that has claimed the lives of young people in Metro Richmond.

Clement Britt Gina Johnston and Falco competed for top honors in the dog-leaping competition during Dominion River Rock festival on Brown’s Island in May.

Brad Spangler takes a closer look at a car crushed under trees felled by a June storm that packed 70 mph winds, dropped 1.6 inches of rain and knocked out power to nearly 120,000 homes and businesses in Richmond and Henrico County. Location: Seminary and Claremont avenues in North Side.

Spectators have a ringside seat as workers use powerful machines to demolish the parking deck of the vacant Richmond Plaza building at 7th and Cary streets in Downtown in August to make way for a 20-story office tower for Dominion Resources.