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Virginia bests North Carolina as the top state for business in 2024
Virginia has reclaimed its title as CNBC's Top State for Business this year, ousting the winner for the last two years (and the commonwealth's chief economic development rival), North Carolina.Why it matters: The ranking is a bragging point for politicians on both sides of the aisle, and for state and local economic developers, who will definitely cite the win in future business recruitment efforts.The big picture: Education, shovel-ready sites for new companies, infrastructure and — shockingly — a divided government are among the qualities that nailed Virginia the top spot, per CNBC. "In a rare feat this year, Virginia...
Why abortion rights won't be on Virginia's ballot this year
Virginia is one of 25 states where voters can't initiate a ballot measure to guarantee abortion access because the process to do it here doesn't exist. Why it matters: Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, voters in states with abortion bans have used citizen-led measures to override restrictions.
What to do in Richmond this weekend, including a Jersey Shore party and dog cuddling
No matter what you decide to do in Richmond this weekend, grab the SPF.Thursday, July 11🪩 "Taylor Shines: The Laser Spectacular" is a laser light show paired with two hours of Taylor Swift songs at the National. 7:30pm. Tickets start at $28.50.Friday, July 12🤫 Go to a silent dance and movie party at Dogwood Dell where "House Party" will be playing while a DJ mixes music. 8-11pm. $25.👊 For anyone who loves fist bumping: Bingo in Scott's Addition is having a Jersey Shore Dance Party. 9:30pm-1:30am. Free.Saturday, July 13🍞 Make your own sourdough bread at Lakeside Farmers' Market. 4:30-6:30pm. $65.👯♀️ Square dance at Studio Two Three in Manchester. 1-4pm. $10.🐶 Drink a beer while cuddling with dogs you can adopt at Kindred Spirit Brewing in Scott's Addition. 3-6pm. Free.Sunday, July 14👣 Elegba Folklore Society's Cultural Center has an "In the Footsteps of Maggie Walker" tour about Walker's life. 2-4pm. $15.🇫🇷 Celebrate Bastille Day at Can Can in Carytown with shows at 5:30 and 7:45. Reservations are booked, but the bar is first come first serve.Bonus pick:🎟️ Tuesday, July 16: Boys Like Girls is performing at the National. 7:30pm. Tickets start at $28.50.
Scoop: EAT Restaurant Partners planning to open 6-8 new restaurants in the next two years
The Richmond restaurant group behind local eateries including Fat Dragon, Osaka, Lucky AF and Boulevard Burger & Brew is planning to open six to eight new restaurants in the next two years. Why it matters: The openings will bring EAT Restaurant Partners' total count of restaurants in the area to nearly 20, solidifying its position as the largest independent restaurant group in Richmond. The big picture: Over the next 24 months, EAT plans to open at least three new restaurants in Henrico, one in Hanover, at least one more in the city and its first out-of-state location in Raleigh, president...
Chesterfield County says no swimming in its parks or riverfront
Police will begin patrolling Chesterfield County parks and riverfronts to enforce the county's longstanding no swimming policy, officials announced Tuesday. Why it matters: It's hot AF, and Chesterfield is the only locality in metro Richmond that doesn't offer residents a public pool or splash pad. State of play: The county posted a no swimming reminder and announced the patrols on its Facebook page this week in response to a sharp increase in folks swimming off the floating dock at Robious Landing, Chesterfield parks director Neil Luther tells Axios."We've got folks using it like a beach, and that's not safe," he...
Virginia’s top Democrats rally behind Biden despite national post-debate skepticism
Some of Virginia's most influential Democrats publicly announced their support for President Biden this week.Why it matters: It bucks the dominating post-debate headlines of Democrats either staying silent about where they stand or questioning Biden's fitness for office and whether he can win against former President Trump.Driving the news: The wave of solidarity largely began Monday with the 32-person Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, which includes House Speaker Don Scott and Sen. Louise Lucas, one of the most senior legislators in the General Assembly.In a letter from caucus chair Sen. Lamont Bagby, who represents Richmond, Bagby wrote, "The only candidate I...
Share your plan for Henrico's future
Henrico County is finalizing its plan for the next 20 years and wants residents to weigh in. Why it matters: Responses will help shape Henrico's future parks, recreational amenities, transportation, development strategies and more. State of play: Dubbed HenricoNext, the new plan is the county's first update to its long-term Comprehensive Plan since 2009.Like the last one, HenricoNext will define where the county is today and sketch plans for boring, but necessary future infrastructure, like sewer pumps and cell towers, plus future fun stuff, like parks and splash pads.The new plan, though, will add a focus on future pedestrian and...
Chesterfield County is looking for a mascot
Chesterfield is searching for a mascot to represent it at local events as part of the county's ongoing 275th anniversary celebrations. Why it matters: Wednesday, July 10 is the last day to vote among the four finalists: a chipmunk, bear, raccoon or Labrador retriever.The big picture: County employees submitted ideas for the mascot in May to celebrate the Chesterfield's May 25 charter anniversary, per the county. The four animals were narrowed down from all the submissions, as was a mining theme, meant to pay homage to the county's coal mining history. Chesterfield was the first place in the nation where coal was commercially mined — at Mid-Lothian Mines.The mascot will be called "Cole," of course. Now it's up to locals to vote on which creature best represents the county. From there, Chesterfield will commission a local artist to create the final image. Karri's thought bubble: I grew up in Chesterfield, and other than the Lab laying at my feet, I've never once seen the other animals IRL in the county. Someone should've suggested a canary. But if pressed, I'll vote trash panda — I mean, raccoon.
Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" makes Billboard Chart history
Virginia singer Shaboozey has snagged the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts for "A Bar Song (Tipsy)."Why it matters: He's the first Black male artist, and the second-ever Black artist, to top both charts.The first was Beyoncé with "Texas Hold 'Em," which is featured on "Cowboy Carter" — an album Shaboozey makes not one, but two appearances in.And fun fact: When the Fairfax native knocked Beyoncé off the No. 1 spot of Billboard's Hot Country chart this year, it was the first time in history two Black artists held that title back to back.The big picture: "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," played nearly half a billion times on Spotify since its April release, is Shaboozey's first No. 1 hit.It's also the first single in history to be in the top 10 on country, pop, adult pop and rhythmic charts, per USA Today.What they're saying: "WE DID IT YALL. WE NO. 1. I LOVE Y'ALL," he wrote on X on Monday. "HAPPY A BAR SONG DAY. TAKE A DOUBLE SHOT OF WHISKEY 4 ME!"
Hanover could become first Richmond-area district to ban cellphones in schools
Hanover County School Board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on its proposed new cell phone policy, which would prohibit all students from using their phones during school hours, including between classes and at lunch.Why it matters: If it passes, Hanover will be the first in metro Richmond to enact a district-wide cell phone ban for students.The big picture: Cities, states and school districts across the nation are passing sweeping bans on cellphones in schools to get kids to pay attention during class and socialize with their peers IRL.These policies have ramped nationwide in the last year as experts and educators...
A Virginia university wants to use bees to find dead bodies
George Mason University wants to use bees to find dead bodies. Seriously.Why it matters: If successful, it could be a gamechanger in murder investigations.The big picture: The New York Times is the latest to report on GMU's plan to help solve crime with honey bees, which has been in the works since at least early 2021.Forensics researchers are able to do this through what's called a "body farm" in Manassas, which recreates an outdoor crime scene with human remains.It's the only one on the East Coast so far, per the NYT, and work involving actual bodies (donated for science) began...
Viral TikToks say Virginia looks like the European countryside
Rural Virginia looks like the European countryside.That's according to a recently viral TikTok that says, "Seeing everyone post about how foreign countrysides look just like rural Virginia has cured my traveling FOMO [fear of missing out]."Another in June said, "guys the South of France looks a lot like Northern Virginia."Why it matters: People are agreeing in the comments, and we may or may not be on their side. The Appalachians and the Scottish Highlands were once the same mountain range, after all.Our favorite comments:"My mom used to play Celtic music and we'd drive down backroads pretending to be in Ireland.""The Netherlands look like Goochland with different infrastructure.""I live in Ireland now & lowkey a lot of it looks like Virginia lol.""My first time in Scotland and Ireland, the landscape made me think of my home in Southwest Virginia."Yes, but: Some called Virginia the knockoff version of the Pacific Northwest as an insult. We're ignoring them.What's next: Save some money and go for a long drive through Virginia.
Why Virginia drivers are facing higher gas prices
Virginia drivers might notice they're paying more at the pump this summer.The big picture: Last week, the state's motor fuels tax rate increased from 29.8 cents per gallon to 30.8.The one-cent jump technically isn't much, but 30.8 cents per gallon is nearly double the tax of 16.2 cents per gallon Virginians were paying in 2019 on regular gas.Virginia's sales tax rate for gas also went up from 8.7 cents to 9, per the Department of Motor Vehicles.That brings the total state taxes paid while filling up your tank to 39.8 cents per gallon.Between the lines: For a car with a...
Richmond's weather forecast is usually correct 4 days out
Richmonders should consider themselves lucky when it comes to the accuracy of our weather forecast: They tend to be correct four days in advance. That's according to a Washington Post analysis of government weather data, shared publicly for the first time. Why it matters: Studies show accurate weather forecasts can save lives, especially during extreme heat.The big picture: The Washington Post got its hands on a year's worth of forecasts and forecast errors from the The National Weather Service spanning April 2023 through March 2024, the Post reports.It crunched the data to see how often the forecast was correct within...
What to do in Richmond this weekend after the Fourth of July
Welcome to your Richmond weekend guide, post-Fourth of July.FridayThe Goochland Drive-In is playing "Despicable Me 4" on the main screen and "A Quiet Place Day One" on the other. $25 per car. Doors open at 6:15.Saturday"Bridgerton" fans: There's a Bridgerton Tea Affair at the Queen's Library Tea Room where you can eat and drink while uncovering "The Bridgerton Manor Mystery." 3-5pm. $65."Finding Nemo" and "The Princess Diaries" are playing at the Byrd Theatre at 10am and 7pm, respectively. $5 each.Chandler, a Richmond-based artist whose song went viral on TikTok recently, is playing at Richmond Music Hall. 7pm. $10.ABAC is back at Pizza & Beer of Richmond in the Fan for a midday summer party. 3pm. $10.Sunday"Music at Maymont" has American jam band Leftover Salmon and bluegrass band Railroad Earth. 6pm. $35.Dogwood Dell is hosting the 14th Gospel Music Fest. 5pm. Free.Tour Jackson Ward's murals with The Valentine starting at 325 N. Second St. 10-11:30am. $20.
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 jeopardizes the entire bay blue crab population and could threaten the bay's ecosystem.The big picture: The Chesapeake Bay blue crab population is down. The year-over-year change...
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...
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