This plugin gives the look of a magazine-style website with thumbnails and excerpts in a clean layout. Thumbnails are generated automatically, and there is a settings page to set an unholy amount of options. (Really, it’s out of control and I’m sorry.) The latest release also has a “featured post” add-on so you can specify any post you want or just the most recent one to be put in the featured post box. You can also add a css popup for the image that includes the post title and 
Are you using Thesis from DIYThemes.com? Easily place your Recent Visual Posts by simply inserting your desired Thesis hook on the settings page. No code changes needed.
This plugin uses a slightly modified version of the excellent Image Extractor plugin found at <a href="https://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/image-extractor/" rel="ugc">wordpress.org/extend/plugins/image-extractor/</a>.
<h3>I need more help!</h3>
Make sure you check out the <a href="http://oktober5.com/visual-recent-posts-plugin/" rel="nofollow ugc">plugin homepage</a>. If you need my help, check out the <a href="http://oktober5.com/forums/" rel="nofollow ugc">plugin forums</a>

Visual Recent Posts

Displays your recent posts with auto-generated thumbnails and excerpts; also includes a featured post and popup box option.

Ron Rennick

Andrea Rennick

Adds a featured post management page for site admins who can input a sitewide feed address, then select posts via a checkbox. Also includes a widget to disply posts on the main (or any) blog.
We recommend using the <a href="https://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-mu-sitewide-tags/" rel="ugc">Sitewide tags plugin</a> in WPMU, then placing the feed address from the tags blog in the admin menu. Otherwise, any blog feed can be used.
A widget is included. You can also code the output in your theme with <code><?php ra_featured_show($how_many, $read_more, $show_avatar); ?></code> where
<pre><code>$how_many = how many posts to show - default 1
$read_more = add read more link - default show link
$show_avatar = show author avatar - default show avatar
</code></pre>
Also includes a shortcode with parameters where values & defaults match what is above
<pre><code>[ra-featured howmany=1 readmore=1 showavatar=1]
</code></pre>
For questions & updates, please see this post: 
<a href="http://wpmututorials.com/plugins/featured-posts-plugin-and-widget/" rel="nofollow ugc">WPMU Tutorials</a>

Featured Posts

Featured posts plugin & widget for WordPress or WordPress MU.

Visual Recent Posts vs Featured Posts