Sara Molina

Chicago, Richmond

News Reporter at WRIC-TV (Richmond, VA)

ABC @8news reporter | @iubloomington journalism alum

Articles

‘A cooler, greener and more resilient Richmond’: City launches project to combat heat, expand green spaces

1 day ago | wric.com | Sara Molina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Earth Day was celebrated around the world on Monday, and Richmond marked the occasion with the launch of a 5-year environmental initiative aimed at cooling down some of its hottest neighborhoods. It’s called “Cool the City” and it is a 5-year plan to plant over a thousand trees across Richmond and invest in environmental workforce development.
‘A loss felt deeply’: Richmond Catholics honor Pope Francis after his death

2 days ago | wric.com | Sara Molina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, led the Roman Catholic Church for more than 12 years until he died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. Guiding over a billion Catholics globally, the loss was felt around the world. In Richmond, dozens gathered at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart for a special honorary Mass led by Bishop Barry Knestout. “With the loss of a pope, there’s always that sadness—someone we know and care about being gone from us,” Knestout said.
Egg-spensive Easter: Sky-high egg prices spark crafty alternatives

5 days ago | wric.com | Sara Molina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — As Easter weekend approaches, a growing social media trend has people across the country — including in Richmond — preparing for the holiday in a more creative, cost-savvy way. The shift comes as egg prices remain elevated. Economists say it’s a trend fueled largely by ongoing supply issues. “We’re still dealing with the fallout from avian flu is the main reason,” said Stephen Day, an economics professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
New grant available for small businesses hit by Richmond water crisis

6 days ago | wric.com | Sara Molina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Small businesses across Central Virginia are seeing a new wave of financial relief following months of struggle caused by January’s water crisis. “It wasn’t just a one-week thing — it’s been several months for a lot of us,” said Samuel Veney, the owner of Richmond restaurant Philly Vegan. Veney said his business lost between $15,000 and $20,000 during the water crisis. On Wednesday, Gov.
‘Faulty components and faulty culture’: VDH says Richmond’s water crisis was decades in the making

1 week ago | wric.com | Ryan Nadeau |Sara Molina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond water crisis that sent shockwaves through the city and surrounding counties in January was the result of decades of negligence, according to a newly-released report from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). For six days in early January, many area residents did not have any water after a power outage at Richmond’s water treatment plant. Those who did had minimal pressure and needed to boil that water before use.
Eyewitness recounts high-speed police chase from Henrico to Richmond

1 week ago | wric.com | Sara Molina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — What started as a quiet Sunday afternoon in Henrico County quickly turned into a violent scene, followed by a chaotic car chase that stretched to Richmond. “I heard the sirens first … and then we heard two loud bangs and then a big boom,” said Henry Wright, a bartender at The Continental Manchester, the restaurant the suspected car from the chase crashed into.
Richmond proposes plastic bag tax, balloon release ban as part of environmental push

1 week ago | wric.com | Sara Molina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The City of Richmond is weighing new sustainability measures this Earth Month, aiming to reduce waste and protect the environment. Three proposals will be presented at a city council meeting sometime in April, said Richmond’s Director of Sustainability Laura Thomas. This includes a five-cent plastic bag tax, enforcement of an existing state law banning balloon releases and enforcing a polystyrene — or styrofoam — ban for food retailers.
RPS bus drivers rally as after-school activity pay threatened

2 weeks ago | wric.com | Sara Molina

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to accurately reflect the current conditions of the two-hour activity pay structure. RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Dozens of Richmond Public Schools (RPS) bus drivers packed into City Hall Tuesday night, rallying at a school board meeting to protest proposed changes to their two-hour activity pay structure. “I feel that the kids are going to be affected the most if they do take away the two hours,” said Chaniqua Jones, an RPS bus driver.
‘I froze’: Woman targeted twice in string of Museum District burglaries

2 weeks ago | wric.com | Sara Molina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond Police Department is searching for a burglary suspect who is reportedly walking into homes during the overnight hours in several neighborhoods around the Museum District and in the Windsor Farms neighborhood. “I was just looking out the window and then all of a sudden, a man pops up and runs around to the back,” said Nicole DiNardo, who nearly had her apartment burglarized twice.
RPS bus drivers rally as after-school activity pay suspended

2 weeks ago | wric.com | Sara Molina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Dozens of Richmond Public Schools (RPS) bus drivers packed into City Hall Tuesday night, rallying at a school board meeting in protest of recent changes to their two-hour activity pay structure. “I feel that the kids are going to be affected the most if they do take away the two hours,” said Chaniqua Jones, an RPS bus driver.