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Axios Richmond
Virginia and Maryland are in a dispute over Chesapeake Bay crabbing
Tensions over the future of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab population boiled over last week after Virginia officials voted to lift a prohibition on winter harvesting of the crustaceans for the first time in roughly 15 years.Why it matters: The Virginia Marine Resources Commission's decision to repeal the ban drew sharp criticism from their Maryland counterparts, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation directors in both states and regional environmentalists, per the Washington Post.They argue winter dredging puts the entire Bay blue crab population in jeopardy and could threaten the bay's ecosystem.The big picture: The Chesapeake Bay blue crab population is down. The...
The public library is helping Richmonders facing eviction
For the rest of the summer, locals facing possible eviction can get in-person expert help at an unlikely location: their public library. Why it matters: More than 20,000 evictions have been filed in metro Richmond in the past year, which is 83% of the area's pre-pandemic average, according to the latest figures from Princeton's Eviction Lab.State of play: Every week through August, librarians and staff from the Virginia Poverty Law Center will be at the main branch of the Richmond Public Library to help people use VPLC's new online Eviction Defense Center.VPLC launched the Eviction Defense Center last week. The...
Free Richmond events to celebrate Maggie Walker's 160th birthday
Richmond's Maggie L. Walker, a civil rights activist who became the first Black woman in the U.S. to own a bank, was born 160 years ago this month.Why it matters: Richmond has over two weeks' worth of free events to celebrate her July 15 birthday starting this weekend.Here's the breakdown.Friday, July 55-6pm: The Black History Museum is kicking it off at the Maggie Walker statue in Jackson Ward with a storytelling program and a parade to Gallery5.6-7:30pm: Gallery5, which has an RPS student art show dedicated to Walker's legacy from 5-9pm, will have music from the Love Movement and more.July...
The new Virginia laws going into effect on July 1
Hundreds of new laws take effect in Virginia on Monday. Here's a roundup of some of the most notable or interesting ones.Animals🐻 Anyone can claim roadkill like deer or bears to use however they want.🐱 Declawing cats is now illegal unless it's for health reasons.👨💻 Localities can create a public online animal cruelty registry that includes people convicted of felony animal cruelty crimes.Casino🎰 Richmond is no longer eligible to host a casino, and any city with a failed casino referendum has to wait three years before trying again.Petersburg will take Richmond's spot.Crime📝 The definition of a hate crime has expanded...
COVID is on the rise again in Virginia
Data: CDC; Map: Rahul Mukherjee/AxiosThe annual summer COVID wave has begun in Virginia.Why it matters: People congregating indoors to avoid extreme heat and upcoming July 4 travel are expected to drive up infections.Between the lines: Experts say this summer's surge could stay mild, but it still poses a risk, especially to immunocompromised people and other medically vulnerable residents.There's also the unknown role that the new so-called FliRT variants, which are accounting for the majority of infections, might play these next few months.Plus, cases are likely undercounted since not everyone gets tested.The big picture: Virginia is one of 39 states where cases...
The best and worst July Fourth travel times
A record number of Americans are expected to travel this Fourth of July week, according to AAA.Why it matters: If you're one of them, expect traffic however you plan to get to your destination. The big picture: There are some do's and don'ts to avoid headaches during the holiday travel frenzy, when nearly 71 million people are expected to hit the roads or skies between last weekend and through Sunday, according to AAA.Zoom in: Just over 2 million of those Fourth of July week travelers are Virginians, a 5% increase over last year and an 8.5% increase over 2019, WYDaily reports.That includes around 1.9 million Virginians traveling by the car and around 150,000 by air. For car travelers, the best day for minimal traffic is Monday, so put on your out of office now while no one is looking and hit the road. Here are the next best and worst times for driving, per INRIX and AAA:Tuesday, 7/2:Best: after 7pm.Worst: 2-6pm.Wednesday, 7/3:Best: before noon.Worst: 2-7pm.Thursday, 7/4:Best: before noon.Worst: 2-7pm.Friday, 7/5:Best: before 10am.Worst: 11am-4pm.Saturday, 7/6:Best: before 10am.Worst: 10:30am-2:30pm.Sunday, 7/7:Best: before 11am.Worst: 2-8pm.Monday, 7/8:Best: after 7pm.Worst: 1-5pm.
New sparkling water springs in Richmond: Here's where you can get it
There's a new, locally sourced option for sparkling water, one of the hottest trends in the beverage market right now: Natural Spirit. Why it matters: This ain't your grandma's hose water. This is Richmond water sourced from Eastern Henrico's Camp Holly Springs, one of the oldest natural springs in Virginia, the Natural Spirit founders tell Axios. The big picture: Business partners and pals Evan Slagle and Joe Soriero launched Natural Spirit last year, dubbing it the "Wild West of Water." The two became friends while working in the alcoholic beverage world, Slagle selling natural wine and Soriero selling craft...
Study finds Black residents represent majority of Richmond's heat-related incidents
Richmond's cooling centers are likely inadequately located or rarely used, according to new research from the University of Richmond and VDH's Office of Emergency Services. The city doesn't have enough public spaces for people to escape the heat within walking distance, either. Why it matters: The pattern of dangerously high...
Private South Richmond dog park will become public to avoid closure
South Richmond will soon have its first official dog park: Phideaux Field, currently a private dog park run by, and in front of, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church.Why it matters: It'll bring the total number of public dog parks in the city to four. That could help boost the city's ParkScore, an annual measure of cities' park systems by the Trust for Public Land nonprofit.The big picture: Phideaux Field, a small fenced-in area where off-leash dogs can play on Forest Hill Avenue, was in danger of closing due to rising insurance costs for the church, City Council President Kristen Nye tells...
You can live in this lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay
Owning a "rivah" house has long been a status symbol for Richmonders, but a new-to-market property could give a buyer ultimate bragging rights: owning a house in the Chesapeake Bay. State of play: After nearly 20 years of love and restoration work, the owners of Smith Point Lighthouse recently listed their fully restored and livable 1897 lighthouse, the Washington Post reports.Smith Point is an active lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Potomac River and near the Little Wicomico River, about 3 miles off the coast of Reedville. The four-bedroom, one-bath "island" home is less than two...
How to celebrate Fourth of July 2024 in Richmond
It's almost America's birthday, and if you're looking for ways to celebrate, we've got you covered.Of note: Officials everywhere are once again asking locals not to commemorate the holiday with celebratory gunfire.Here are some significantly less dangerous ways to celebrate Thursday, because hopefully you don't have to go to work.🎆 Fireworks showsDogwood Dell FireworksRichmond's annual free show starts at 5:30pm, with the fireworks expected around 9:15pm.There will be live music from Richmond Concert Jazz Band, food vendors and kids activities.Coolers are welcome; booze and dogs are not.Overflow parking and shuttle service from City Stadium is from 4-11pm.Worth noting: Arthur Ashe...
Tazza Kitchen owners opening American grill restaurant "The Granite" in Bon Air
The restaurant group that owns Tazza Kitchen and Conejo is planning to open The Granite in the former Nuevo Mexico in the Stony Point Shopping Center in Bon Air. Why it matters: It's a new restaurant in the shopping center with Southbound, Frank's at Stony Point and Trader Joe's. State of play: The concept for The Granite is an updated take on the classic American grill (think Applebee's, but better), with booth seating, a year-round patio and a private dining room. On the menu, folks should expect burgers, entree salad, steaks and seafood, plus a full bar. What they're saying: "We have been looking in this part of town for a while," said Big Kitchen Hospitality partner John Davenport. "Bon Air is a great neighborhood, and we are excited to add to the new energy at Stony Point Shopping Center."What's next: The Granite should open early next year. Locals and follow the progress on Insta.
14 Richmond events to go to this weekend
We hope you have plans to stay cool this weekend, but in case you don't, we have a few options.Thursday, June 27🪩 Harry's at the Hof has its weekly Cult Classic Dance Party, with a special appearance from drag queen Melanin Monroe. 10pm-2am.Friday, June 28🍻 Basic City Beer Co. has Burlesque Bingo. 7-9pm. $15.75.🇧🇷 KavaClub in the Fan is having a "Brazilian Social Dance" with free beginner classes. 8-10pm. Free.🎻 Rihanna fans: A string quartet will have a candlelight tribute to her at the Dome at the Science Museum. 8:45pm. Tickets start at $49.🏳️🌈 Celebrate the last weekend of Pride...
Report: Richmond's small business growth is "defying the odds"
Richmond's small business community is thriving, particularly in some of the neighborhoods the city targeted for growth in its master plan, according to a new report from Capital One.Why it matters: Richmond's post-pandemic recovery, community-supported small businesses and entrepreneurial ecosystem could serve as a model for other cities looking to support their local business sector, the report found.The big picture: Capital One Insights Center — the NoVa-based bank's research center that focuses on advancing equity and inclusion — partnered with Mastercard to review transaction data at more than 10,000 Richmond small and medium-sized businesses between 2019 to 2023.The research aimed...
Trump campaign to open Virginia field offices: report
The Trump campaign plans to open 11 field offices across Virginia, per a memo obtained by CBS News.The big picture: The former president's campaign is trying to flip Virginia red for the first time in decades.Several recent polls have suggested a close rematch here, though the nonpartisan Cook Political Report still rates Virginia as "Likely Democratic."Virginians have also twice said "no" to a Trump presidency, and his campaign hasn't had a significant on-the-ground presence here yet this cycle.What they're saying: "He must be smoking if he thinks he's going to win Virginia," Don Scott, Virginia's Democratic Speaker of the House,...
Exclusive: New nonprofit news site launching in Richmond this fall
A new nonprofit news site from a veteran Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter and editor will launch this fall: The Richmonder.Why it matters: The outlet will focus exclusively on local government and accountability reporting to start, and its coverage will always be completely free to read. The big picture: Founding editor Michael Phillips never wanted to start a news site, he tells Axios, but when he looked around the local media landscape, he realized Richmond was in desperate need of one. The decline in coverage and resources at his former employer are driving a lot of that need, Phillips said. The once...
Richmond named No. 1 best town to visit in the U.S. by CNN
CNN named Richmond the No. 1 best town to visit in the U.S. this year.Why it matters: Our city is getting its much-deserved flowers.The big picture: CNN travel editors scoured the nation in search of cities that offer a lot to do, "loads of personality" and that don't usually see a lot of tourism. Richmond, of course, got the top spot for its:Museums.Neighborhoods (shoutout Jackson Ward)."Impressive arts" and culture scene (hey there, street art and Hamilton Glass).Restaurants (Lillie Pearl, The Mantu) and breweries (Väsen and The Veil).Festival lineups (hello, Carytown Watermelon Festival).Memorialization of its role in slavery and as the former capital of the Confederacy.How it works: CNN zeroed in on places with a population ranging from 50,000 to about 225,000 residents (Richmond's at roughly 226,000).It also took into account "communities committed to making their towns better," sense of identity and "wow" factor.What they're saying: "Now's a great time for visitors to see for themselves how Virginia's capital city has evolved," CNN wrote.Sabrina's thought bubble: And we've been saying that.Karri Peifer's thought bubble: Don't sleep on CNN's video on the city. It is on point and shows the network really "got" Richmond.
Number of married same-sex couples in Virginia has tripled since legalization
Data: Census Bureau; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosThe number of same-sex married couples in Virginia has increased substantially since the state began recognizing them in 2014, a year ahead of the Supreme Court's 2015 decision that made them legal them nationwide. Why it matters: In Virginia, 6% of the population identifies as LGBTQ — the highest rate in the Southeast.By the numbers: There were 16,603 married same-sex couples in Virginia as of 2022, per the American Community Survey (ACS), up from nearly 5,167 in 2013.And a whopping 59% of same-sex couple households in Virginia were married as of 2022, compared with just...
Hanover School Board eyeing exit from statewide group
Hanover County School Board is considering leaving a century-old statewide school board organization despite the objection of one of its members and the board's attorney telling them its services are valuable, the Times-Dispatch reports.Why it matters: If Hanover's board votes to leave the Virginia School Boards Association, it would be the sixth district to do so in the last year — and would likely follow the others in joining a year-old Republican-backed conservative alternative.The big picture: The 116-year-old VSBA has helped the majority of school districts in the commonwealth in writing legal and policy services around state law, training,...
Richmond has the only mimosa trail in the U.S.
The Richmond area allegedly has the only mimosa trail in the country.Why it matters: It's time beer and wine move over to make room for the real, underground star of our bar scene (we're half kidding).The big picture: The Richmond Region Mimosa Trail went live last October and includes 46 stops on it that span the city and its suburbs.We repeat: 46 stops.Can you imagine having over 40 mimosas? Sounds like a bucket list item for the brave (and people with designated driver friends).Zoom in: The tour is self-guided and ranges from options like mimosas with mini golf at Hotel Greene and mimosas with a drag brunch at Godfrey's to a beer-mosa at Millie's and a mimosa flight at Cooper's Tavern in New Kent.For rooftop bar fans, the OJ-bubbly combo is at Kabana and Quirk.For mimosa pitcher lovers, there's Sidewalk Cafe in the Fan and Lulu's in Church Hill.What's next: People at Richmond Region Tourism told Axios there are some upgrades coming this fall/winter, but that's the most they can share for now.
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