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The city school board is moving forward with a plan to increase diversity in its specialty schools.

What's happening: The board voted 8-1 earlier this week to overhaul the application process to guarantee that at least 50% of available seats go to economically disadvantaged students.

Why it matters: An internal review found large disparities in the demographics of students admitted to sought-after schools.

For instance, of the 205 kids RPS sends to Maggie Walker Governor's School, 78% are white, even though white students make up just 11% of the district's total enrollment.

Details: Under the new rules, three spots will be reserved for the top-scoring applicants at each RPS middle school, per WTVR.

Subsequent spots would go to the highest-scoring economically disadvantaged students until 50% of the seats are filled.

From there, the remaining seats would go to the top-scoring students regardless of school or economic status.

What we're watching: The plan drew strong opposition from parents who send their kids to private school or homeschool, who would compete for a maximum of eight total spots at each school.

One family warned the board ahead of the vote that they would pursue legal action, WTVR reported.

"This will disenfranchise the middle class," attorney Charles Frankenhoff told the school board.

Editor's note: This story was corrected to show that private school and homeschooled students would compete for eight total spots under the new plan, not three. 

Richmond school board adopts new diversity plan for specialty schools

An internal review found large disparities in the demographics of students admitted to sought-after schools.

Illustration of a green apple surrounded by red apples.

The city school board is moving forward with a plan to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increase diversity in its specialty schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/08/09/rps-diversity-problem-governors-schools-maggie-walker" data-vars-content-id="18ebcd5d-eb01-4778-83ee-2e7b58f7b033" data-vars-headline="Richmond school board adopts new diversity plan for specialty schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/08/09/rps-diversity-problem-governors-schools-maggie-walker" target="_self">increase diversity in its specialty schools</a>.What&#x27;s happening: The board voted 8-1 earlier this week to overhaul the application process to guarantee that at least 50% of available seats go to economically disadvantaged students.

News

Data: U.S. Census; Chart: Alice Feng/Axios

The metro area saw a modest 1.8% population bump last year, per the latest U.S. Census estimates.

By the numbers: The region is now home to 1.34 million smiling faces.

Between the lines: Growth in the suburbs drove much of the increase.

New Kent saw the biggest population gain in the state, percentage wise, growing 8% to 24,800 residents.

And Goochland, Louisa and Chesterfield all saw their populations grow about 5%, putting them among the top five fastest growing localities in the state.

Of note: The city proper's population has flatlined since the pandemic after decades of year-over-year growth.

Richmond metro saw a small population bump last year

Growth in the suburbs drove much of the increase.

The metro area saw a modest 1.8% population bump last year, per the latest U.S. Census estimates.By the numbers: The region is now home to 1.34 million smiling faces.

Newcomers

New rules governing short-term rentals in Richmond should make it easier to rein in more than a thousand unlicensed listings, city officials say.

What's happening: A total overhaul of the city's regulations to respond to Airbnb and similar sites.

The changes are intended to limit unlicensed units that have proliferated in residential areas while allowing more listings in commercial districts than ever before.

The latest: City Council unanimously approved the changes on Monday night after months of discussion.

Why it matters: City officials framed the new regulations as a way to keep more housing units on the market for long-term residents.

"We are in a housing crisis," planning director Kevin Vonck said.

Context: Under the city's existing rules, short-term rentals are only allowed in properties that are owner-occupied for more than half the year.

In reality, however, it's been more of a free-for-all, with the city issuing just 63 official short-term-rental permits despite more than 1,000 active listings.

The new rules double down on the owner-occupancy requirement in residential districts.

They also make enforcement easier by putting the onus on would-be operators to prove they actually live in the property using voting or DMV records.

Non-owner-occupied listings would only be allowed in commercially zoned areas, which the city reasons are already open to dense development and  "transient uses," as the planning office puts it.

The rules do set a few guidelines, namely limiting multi-family buildings to a maximum of 10 units and no more than a third of any given building.

What we're watching: Vonck has said a new focus on enforcement will accompany the new rules.

He has committed to hiring two new zoning enforcement officers.

And he said the city's decision earlier this summer to begin taxing Airbnbs like hotels has resulted in a trove of data that makes it easier than ever to identify unlicensed listings.

Of note: At the same meeting, city council members passed an ordinance allowing people to build accessory dwelling units, aka granny flats, on any single-family property in the city.

And if you did build such a structure in your backyard, you would be allowed to rent it out as a short-term rental — even in a residential neighborhood.

Richmond passes new regulations for Airbnb and other short-term rentals

The changes are intended to limit unlicensed units that have proliferated in residential areas.

Illustration of a paintbrush painting over the word "Welcome" on a door mat. 

New rules governing short-term rentals in Richmond should make it easier to rein in more than a thousand unlicensed listings, city officials say.What&#x27;s happening: A total overhaul of the city&#x27;s regulations to respond to Airbnb and similar sites.

Real Estate

What's happening: Every seat in the General Assembly is up for reelection and you can cast your ballot any time through Election Day on Nov. 7.

Why it matters: It's do or die for Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who needs to win a majority in both chambers to have any chance at enacting the conservative reforms he promised voters when he was elected.

Of note: Both the House, controlled by Republicans, and the Senate, held by Democrats, are considered toss-ups.

The big picture: Democrats have cast the race as a referendum on Youngkin's push for a 15-week abortion ban, which has drawn widespread support among GOP candidates.

The other side: Republicans are focusing on inflation and crime.

In ads, they've been emphasizing their support for tax cuts while criticizing Democrats for past criminal justice reforms and opposing stricter penalties for dealing fentanyl.

Between the lines: Both parties are finding reasons to feel optimistic.

Democrats are pointing to their strong performance in special elections around the country so far this year, where the party's candidates have outperformed by an average of 11 points, per an analysis by 538.

Democrats could also benefit from the impact a Republican-led government shutdown would have on the state's huge federal workforce.

Meanwhile, Republicans have been emphasizing President Biden's dismal approval ratings in Virginia, especially compared to Youngkin, whose support has been hovering around 50%.

You can make sure you're registered and request a no-excuse absentee ballot on the Virginia Department of Elections' website.

If you prefer to vote in person, early voting is also underway, though hours and locations vary by locality.

Chesterfield: Cast ballots at the General Registrar's office Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.

Beginning Oct. 23, five satellite offices will open in libraries around the county from 10am to 7pm, Monday through Friday.

And all six early voting locations will be open for two Saturdays before the election (Oct. 28 and Nov. 4).

Hanover: Cast ballots at the General Registrar's office at the county complex.

It's open Monday through Friday, 8:30am-5pm.

And on the two Saturdays before the election, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, from 9am-5pm.

Henrico: The county is operating two early voting centers, one at its Eastern Government Center and one at its Western Government Center, Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm.

Beginning Oct. 23, Varina Library will open as a voting location, operating on the same schedule.

And on the two Saturdays before the election, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, all three locations will be open 9am-5pm.

Richmond: The city is operating three early voting locations, one at the General Registrar's office, one at City Hall and one at Hickory Hill Community Center in Southside.

All three locations are open Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm.

They'll also open the two Saturdays before the election, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, 9am to 5pm.

Of note: The last day to cast an in-person early ballot is Nov. 4.

Election Day precincts open around the state on Nov. 7 and are open 6am-7pm.

In the Richmond area, Democrats and Republicans are targeting three closely contested swing districts in western Henrico.

What's happening: On the Senate side, longtime GOP Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, an OBGYN, is facing a challenge from Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, a history teacher.

The two candidates have raised a collective $3.6 million, making it easily the most expensive race in the area.

In the House, both parties were pouring cash into a Short Pump-anchored race between two first-time candidates — Democrat Susanna Gibson, a nurse practitioner, and Republican David Owen, a general contractor.

The race, which drew in a total $1.5 million in donations to the two candidates as of last month, has taken on national interest after the Washington Post revealed Gibson had performed in online sex videos for tips with her husband.

And a Tuckahoe-anchored contest between incumbent Democrat Rodney Willett, a business consultant, and Republican Riley Shaia, who owns a local fitness studio, is also drawing outsized interest, with $1.2 million in total donations.

There are practically no contested legislative races in Richmond this year.

Yes, but: That gives residents plenty of time to focus on round two of the casino referendum.

Here's a snapshot of the main arguments for and against the new development.

Supporters have pitched the casino as an economic development opportunity for an often overlooked industrial area in South Richmond.

They say it will create 1,300 new jobs which will pay an average salary of $55,000.

They've also emphasized the resort amenities the project will bring to the neighborhood, including an entertainment venue, high-end dining and a new park.

And they project it would bring in as much as $30 million in new local tax revenue to the city, much of which Mayor Levar Stoney has committed to fund child care and pre-K education initiatives.

Opponents deride the project as a get-rich-quick scheme, arguing any short-term benefits will be outweighed by long-term harm to the region.

They warn the casino will extract wealth from the surrounding communities, fuel gambling addiction and exacerbate poverty in the region.

They also generally take exception to the referendum being put on the ballot a second time, arguing it's anti-democratic to allow the project's supporters to keep coming back to voters until they get a yes.

Go deeper: Casino campaign draws record donations

How to vote in Virginia's 2023 elections

Both the House, controlled by Republicans, and the Senate, held by Democrats, are considered toss-ups.

Illustration of a pattern of checkmarks, some blue, some red.

Illustration of a row of voting booths casting long shadows, the side of the booth reads "VOTE" with a checkmark as the V.

Election season is upon us.What&#x27;s happening: Every seat in the General Assembly is up for reelection and you can cast your ballot any time through Election Day on Nov. 7.

Politics

Election

It's not even October yet and pumpkin beer is already selling out.

What's happening: At least three local breweries have pumpkin spice beers out this year, capitalizing on the long-running trend kicked off by Starbucks' lattes.

And customers are apparently drinking it up, because we had to search high and low to nab cans.

The big picture: Our favorite of the bunch was a new offering from Ardent called — and we don't know who thought of this — Pumpkin Beer.

It's an ale with 8.5% ABV and made with nearly 200 pounds of fresh pumpkin, per the brewery. We loved it (yes, there was an official Axios Richmond tasting on Ned's patio) for its crisp effervescence – almost like a cider.

Of note: It was the least sweet and had the least pumpkin spice flavor, which all turned out to be good things, but it was still festive as heck.

Hardywood's Farmhouse Pumpkin (also 8.5% ABV) was thicker, a little sour and heavier on the pumpkin spice mix taste, which the brewery credits to a spice blend from Richmond's own Sauer Brands (formerly the C.F. Sauer Company).

Alewerks' Pumpkin Ale (7.3% ABV) out of Williamsburg is nationally recognized, tastes like it sounds and is easy to find.

It had the biggest pumpkin spice flavor while still being recognizably beer. Ned thinks his dad would like it.

Reality check: At times we found ourselves doubting whether we'd be able to tell the difference between any of these and the Christmas spiced beers that'll be coming out in a few months.

Be smart: We found what might be the last cache of Ardent's Pumpkin Beer at the city Whole Foods in a display by the door.

But all three beers are on tap in their respective tasting rooms.

Three locally brewed pumpkin beers to try this season

Customers are apparently drinking it up, because we had to search high and low to nab cans.

It&#x27;s not even October yet and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pumpkin beer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond" data-vars-content-id="c7c14949-9027-4a47-8fca-e29a31dc7e85" data-vars-headline="Three locally brewed pumpkin beers to try this season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond" target="_self">pumpkin beer</a> is already selling out.What&#x27;s happening: At least three local breweries have pumpkin spice beers out this year, capitalizing on the long-running trend kicked off by Starbucks&#x27; lattes.

Ned Oliver

Featured stories

Richmond passes new regulations for Airbnb and other short-term rentals

How to vote in Virginia's 2023 elections

Three locally brewed pumpkin beers to try this season

Richmond school board adopts new diversity plan for specialty schools

Richmond metro saw a small population bump last year