Skip to main content

PHOTOS: See Spanberger’s inauguration as Virginia’s 1st female governor

By WTOP Staff

Hundreds gathered in Richmond on Saturday to view the historic inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as Virginia’s first female governor.

Spanberger, a Democrat, beat Republican rival Winsome Earle-Sears in the Nov. 2025 election, leading a Democratic sweep of Virginia’s statewide elections.

Crowds showed up early for the inauguration ceremony, which began at noon on the South Portico of the state Capitol in Richmond.

Spanberger succeeds Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. In Virginia, governors are term-limited to one four-year term.

The new governor will deliver her first address to the Virginia General Assembly on Monday.

The inaugural Parade will take place after the inauguration ceremony, with participants marching through Capitol Square.

See photos here of the ceremony, parade and attendees.

 

Former Brazilian au pair testifies her ex-lover plotted to kill his wife, though lacks some details

By The Associated Press
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — A former Brazilian au pair testified on Wednesday that she turned against her former lover in a sprawling double homicide scheme involving his wife because she “wanted the truth to come out.” For more than a year, Juliana Peres Magalhães did not speak with officials about the 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan, or about Brendan Banfield’s alleged involvement. But attorneys say that days before her own criminal trial, the former au pair changed her mind and began to talk. Now, Brendan Banfield is facing a trial in the aggravated murder of his wife and Ryan, and Magalhães’ testimony has become a key component of prosecutors’ case. Banfield, who has pleaded not guilty, could face life in prison if convicted. The way officials tell it, Banfield and Magalhães lured Ryan to their house. The two then shot him, staging the scene to look as if Ryan had been a predator stabbing Christine Banfield.
Read Next Story

Related News

‘It’s also my journey’: Manassas teacher recognized for impact on immigrant students

Defense attempts to have case thrown out in Banfield double murder trial

3rd child with measles in Virginia visited health care facilities in Woodbridge, Falls Church