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RPS data breach: Former students at risk after dark web leak

The district hasn't disclosed how many people were affected, what was exposed or how far back the compromised records date.

Exterior of a modern dark granite building with a glass canopy, security cameras, and a blue sign reading RPS Richmond Public Schools 301, beside a bed of pink flowers and shrubs.

The sign for Richmond Public Schools outside of City Hall. Photo: Karri Peifer/Axios 

Former Richmond Public Schools students could be caught up in last month&#x27;s cybersecurity attack, after the district confirmed personal information was posted on the dark web.Why it matters: Once exposed, sensitive data can be shared or sold to criminals, putting victims <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at risk of identity theft and fraud" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-to-do-if-information-is-found-on-dark-web/" data-vars-content-id="398859eb-b01b-4230-879b-ed623c18f23c" data-vars-headline="RPS data breach: Former students at risk after dark web leak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-to-do-if-information-is-found-on-dark-web/" target="_blank">at risk of identity theft and fraud</a>.

News

Education

Drivers: Plan ahead. The sold-out Richmond Marathon will bring over 21,000 runners and widespread road closures to the city Saturday, with some restrictions starting Thursday.

Why it matters: This year's new race routes mean changes to which streets close and for how long, according to organizer Sports Backers.

What's changed: All three races have new starting locations along Broad Street, while the finish line moves from to Fifth and Byrd Streets instead of near Tredegar.

The 8K will take a more direct route along Broad while half-marathoners will follow a new stretch of Hermitage and Princeton Roads.

Also new: The full marathon sold out faster than ever, with all 7,200 spots claimed by June, per Sports Backers. 

The closures: Fifth Street between Bragg and Byrd will close Thursday at 6pm while additional stretches close Friday at 10am and noon. All reopen Saturday at 6pm.

Newly listed Saturday closures include Seventh and 10th streets, Brown's Island Way and Princeton Road, with varying hours between 4am and 6pm.

Zoom in: Other affected roads include Broad Street, Monument Avenue, Arthur Ashe, Brook Road and Forest Hill Avenue.

The bottom line: If you're not running or cheering someone on, maybe move your car to avoid getting towed and then sleep in.

Go deeper: See the full road closures list, GRTC detours and spectator party zones

Richmond Marathon brings new routes, street closures 

The finish line is moving, and so are some of the traffic headaches. Here's when affected streets will reopen.

Allianz Richmond Marathon map showing marathon route in magenta with mile markers 1-26, river on the left, parks and roads, plus an orange elevation chart in the top left and logo in the top right.

The marathon route. Screenshot: Courtesy of Sports Backers

Drivers: Plan ahead. The sold-out Richmond Marathon will bring over 21,000 runners and widespread road closures to the city Saturday, with some restrictions starting Thursday.Why it matters: This year&#x27;s new race routes mean changes to which streets close and for how long, according to organizer Sports Backers.

Sports

Virginia faces an estimated $58 million in costs next fiscal year to stabilize Chesterfield's troubled Shoosmith Landfill, as state officials warn funding could run out by June.

Why it matters: The bankrupt landfill has become a costly environmental cleanup challenge, with taxpayers potentially on the hook for decades of expenses and no finalized plan to cover future costs.

Driving the news: A new state report obtained by Axios and sent to lawmakers this week evaluates how much Virginia and Chesterfield should each contribute to the cleanup.

But it stops short of recommending how the two should split the costs, as lawmakers requested.

By the numbers: The report projects $58.2 million in costs for fiscal year 2028, including:

$19.1 million for operations, maintenance and environmental monitoring.

$39.1 million for infrastructure improvements, including a system to treat contaminated landfill liquids called leachate.

The catch: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality expects to exhaust available funding by June after unforeseen expenses exceeded budget estimates.

The landfill's total 30-year costs are projected to be roughly $173 million.

Meanwhile: The state says in the report that Chesterfield hasn't indicated a willingness to directly fund the cleanup, arguing the county views Shoosmith as a regional facility.

Chesterfield told Axios it had just learned of the report and needed to review it before commenting.

State agencies didn't identify any other available funding sources beyond bond money and state appropriations. Neither did the EPA.

Yes, but: The report outlines other possible ways to cover future costs, such as:

Raising Virginia's landfill tipping fee, which is 17 cents per ton. No new rate was proposed.

Redirecting some of the state's $100 million environmental monitoring allocation toward Shoosmith's cleanup and a leachate treatment system.

Between the lines: The report was due Oct. 5, over a month before its submission.

David Bulova, Virginia's secretary of natural and historic resources, suggested to Axios that the criminal investigation into Shoosmith's former owners, which overlapped with the report's deadline, could have contributed to the delay.

Bulova said any upcoming budget actions would be released along with Gov. Spanberger's budget proposal Dec. 17.

What we're watching: Former owners Fred Nichols and Lawrence McGee were indicted Sept. 21 over their operation of Shoosmith and released on bond Oct. 7.

Separately, a bankruptcy trustee is investigating nearly $30 million in alleged transfers from Shoosmith-related companies before bankruptcy, with any recovered money possibly helping fund the cleanup, per WTVR.

The former owners deny allegations of wrongdoing and are due back in court Monday.

Shoosmith's $58M bill looms in 2027 with no funding plan

Lawmakers wanted answers about who should pay for the cleanup. A long-awaited state report leaves that question unresolved.

Aerial view of a hilltop construction site with exposed dirt, heavy equipment, and terraced slopes; green hills surround a winding dirt road and a muddy pond at the base.

Aerial view of Shoosmith Landfill off Iron Bridge Road. Photo: Courtesy of the James River Association

Virginia faces an estimated $58 million in costs next fiscal year to stabilize Chesterfield&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="troubled Shoosmith Landfill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/24/shoosmith-landfill-chesterfield-virginia-changes" data-vars-content-id="54df3e24-961b-407f-bf81-35177e920556" data-vars-headline="Shoosmith&#x27;s $58M bill looms in 2027 with no funding plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/24/shoosmith-landfill-chesterfield-virginia-changes" target="_self">troubled Shoosmith Landfill</a>, as state officials warn funding could run out by June.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bankrupt landfill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/08/chesterfield-shoosmith-landfill-cleanup-whats-next" data-vars-content-id="54df3e24-961b-407f-bf81-35177e920556" data-vars-headline="Shoosmith&#x27;s $58M bill looms in 2027 with no funding plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/08/chesterfield-shoosmith-landfill-cleanup-whats-next" target="_self">bankrupt landfill</a> has become a costly environmental cleanup challenge, with taxpayers potentially on the hook for decades of expenses and no finalized plan to cover future costs.

Environment

Hundreds of Richmonders are signing up to crash people's weddings.

Why it matters: They're willing to pay to do it — and the happy couples actually want them there.

That includes the bride and groom of a Richmond-area Haitian wedding this weekend, where $70 buys dinner, an open bar and dancing to Kompa and reggaeton.

The 30 seats for crashers have already sold out.

The big picture: The unlikely matchmaking is part of a platform called "Not a Wedding Crasher," which launched in March to let strangers pay to party at other people's weddings and has taken off on social media.

San Diego-based Jeff Besen and his wife Karina dreamed up the concept last fall when they realized they wanted to dress up and attend a wedding — but lacked an invitation to one, Besen tells Axios.

Besen says the platform has since spread to roughly 25 to 30 states, with some guests flying across the country to crash weddings.

Sunday's celebration is the sixth in Virginia alone, following weddings in Roanoke, Farmville, Leesburg and Culpeper in just the past few months.

The appeal: Crashers get an unconventional night out and potentially new friends while couples can fill unused seats and recoup some wedding expenses.

"What you usually hear about weddings is that the people that cause drama and stress at a wedding are 'family and friends,'" Besen says, not the paying strangers.

How it works: Couples list empty seats and set a price, typically from $30 to $70, though some have charged up to $200, per Besen. Wedding gifts are optional.

Hopeful crashers create profiles, verify their identities and apply to be considered. Couples get the final say and pocket 80% of each contribution to offset wedding costs.

The platform keeps 20%, plus a separate guest service fee.

The intrigue: These also aren't all traditional weddings. Crashers have been welcomed to Harry Potter, Star Wars and Viking-themed celebrations — and a 4/20-friendly bash in Virginia.

Besen says one guest even talked a couple into letting her fulfill a bucket-list dream of being an adult flower girl.

And locals are getting in on the fun. Richmond resident Ashley Goss and her sister are among the 30 guests "crashing" Sunday's wedding.

The sisters stumbled across it on TikTok while hunting for their next "side mission" beyond the usual dinner plans, Goss tells Axios.

So she pitched herself to the couple as eager to celebrate their love and meet new people. They applied that night and were approved the next day.

"Quite literally, I'm a stranger to these people, so I'm not sure what to expect," she says, laughing. "But nonetheless, I will be there."

Richmonders are paying to crash strangers' weddings

A $70 ticket could get you Haitian food, an open bar and a dance floor. The catch: You don't know the newlyweds.

Triptych of a man and woman promoting Virginia weddings across three panels: Leesburg (Oct 10) left, Roanoke (Oct 24) middle, Richmond Haitian Wedding (Nov 15) right; bright yellow speech bubbles.

Examples of what the callouts look like on Instagram for some recent Virginia weddings. Screenshots: Courtesy of "Not a Wedding Crasher"

Hundreds of Richmonders are signing up to crash people&#x27;s weddings.Why it matters: They&#x27;re willing to pay to do it — and the happy couples actually want them there.<ul><li>That includes the bride and groom of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond-area Haitian wedding" data-vars-click-url="https://notaweddingcrasher.com/weddings/146" data-vars-content-id="af57cdbb-54e1-4319-8928-9751cef954ed" data-vars-headline="Richmonders are paying to crash strangers&#x27; weddings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://notaweddingcrasher.com/weddings/146" target="_blank">Richmond-area Haitian wedding</a> this weekend, where $70 buys dinner, an open bar and dancing to Kompa and reggaeton.</li><li>The 30 seats for crashers have already sold out.</li></ul>

Weddings

Culture

Henrico is drawing clearer lines around ICE's access to students — nearly two years after the Trump administration opened schools to immigration enforcement.

Why it matters: The school board is formalizing how employees should handle immigration agents and protect immigrant students' rights, as required by a new Virginia law that gives school districts until Dec. 31 to adopt safeguards.

It also will allow families to sue school districts over certain violations.

Driving the news: The proposed policy, unveiled Thursday, would require employees to do the following if agents show up:

Request ID and copies of warrants, then refer them to district officials and legal counsel before granting access to restricted areas, students or their information, subject to legal exceptions.

Document encounters and notify the school safety director as soon as possible.

Zoom in: It would also put existing protections in writing that:

Bar schools from denying enrollment or participation in activities based on a student's or parent's immigration status.

Prohibit employees from collecting or disclosing immigration information except as permitted or required by law.

Between the lines: Richmond was the first locality in the region in February 2025 to formally adopt an ICE response policy, which looks similar to the policies Henrico is outlining.

What's next: The school board is expected to vote Dec. 10, with staff training planned before winter break starts Dec. 21.

What we're watching: School board member Alicia Atkins questioned whether immigration enforcement fears have affected student attendance, but district officials didn't provide figures or say whether they're tracking the issue.

opened schools to immigration enforcement

Henrico schools outline new rules for ICE agents

A new law requires schools to safeguard students' rights and allows families to sue over certain violations.

Photo illustration of masked ICE and federal agents in Chicago with colorful overlays and boxes of color.

Photo illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios. Photos: Scott Olson, Chicago Tribune via Getty Images

Henrico is drawing clearer lines around ICE&#x27;s access to students — nearly two years after the Trump administration <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opened schools to immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/05/ice-immigration-teachers-crackdown" data-vars-content-id="b7156fc4-7e8d-4662-9af7-add3d01a1668" data-vars-headline="Henrico schools outline new rules for ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/05/ice-immigration-teachers-crackdown" target="_self">opened schools to immigration enforcement</a>.Why it matters: The school board is formalizing how employees should handle immigration agents and protect immigrant students&#x27; rights, as required by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Virginia law" data-vars-click-url="https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB491" data-vars-content-id="b7156fc4-7e8d-4662-9af7-add3d01a1668" data-vars-headline="Henrico schools outline new rules for ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB491" target="_blank">new Virginia law</a> that gives school districts until Dec. 31 to adopt safeguards.<ul><li>It also will allow families to sue school districts over certain violations.</li></ul>

Sabrina Moreno

Featured stories

Henrico schools outline new rules for ICE agents

Shoosmith's $58M bill looms in 2027 with no funding plan

Richmonders are paying to crash strangers' weddings

RPS data breach: Former students at risk after dark web leak

Richmond Marathon brings new routes, street closures