Riverside's Top 5 Stories of 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we're reflecting on the stories that resonated most with our readers this year. From dreams of major league sports to the reality of our most iconic landmark potentially changing hands, these five articles sparked the most conversations, garnered the most views, and best captured what mattered to Riversiders in 2025.

5. Three Poly Grads Turn Holiday Window Painting Into Year-Round Business

What started as a Charlie Brown tribute on a teacher's windows has become Raincross Window Painting, a thriving small business run by three Riverside City College students. Jewell, Ariel, and Felicity's hand-painted holiday scenes brought nostalgic charm to neighborhoods across Riverside, proving that local talent and creativity can turn into something special right here at home.

4. City Council Unanimously Approves $200M Northside Soccer Stadium Negotiations

The City moved forward with negotiations for an ambitious soccer stadium and entertainment district on the former Ab Brown Sports Complex site. The proposed development includes a 5,000-seat expandable stadium, over 1,100 housing units, and retail space—part of Riverside's growing vision to become a regional destination for sports and entertainment.

3. Riverside Named as #2 Most-Likely Location For NFL Expansion

A national study named Riverside as the second most promising metro area for potential NFL expansion, sandwiched between Austin and Orlando. While the proximity to LA's two teams presents challenges, the possibility of professional football in the Inland Empire captured imaginations and sparked conversations about Riverside's potential as a major sports market.

2. Festival of Lights Returns This Saturday

The Mission Inn's 33rd annual Festival of Lights once again transformed downtown into Southern California's premier holiday destination. This year's event carried special significance as the first Festival of Lights following owner Duane Roberts' passing in November, honoring the legacy of the man who created this beloved tradition that draws tens of thousands of visitors and generates $154 million in economic impact annually.

1. Mission Inn Hotel Sale Saga

No story captured Riverside's attention more than the potential sale of our most iconic landmark. Our November reporting that the Mission Inn Hotel was being marketed for approximately $85 million dominated conversations across the city. The story took an unexpected turn when we published our accountability follow-up, openly addressing reporting errors and the complexities of covering sensitive real estate transactions. Together, these stories sparked crucial conversations about journalism, transparency, and what the Mission Inn means to Riverside's identity.

These stories reflect the pulse of Riverside in 2025—a city dreaming big about its future while grappling with change to its most treasured institutions. As we head into 2026, we're committed to continuing this work: bringing you the stories that matter, holding ourselves accountable, and serving as your eyes and ears at City Hall and across our community.