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Virginia medical weed prices rank among highest in U.S.

Patients pay about $10 a gram in Virginia, far above prices in states like Colorado.

News

Virginians are paying some of the highest weed prices in the nation through the state&#x27;s medical marijuana dispensaries. Why it matters: High prices have been cited as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pain point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/21/virginia-medical-weed-patients-high-prices-survey" data-vars-content-id="3647cb31-7c41-47ae-a1b9-781f6fbac46e" data-vars-headline="Virginia medical weed prices rank among highest in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/21/virginia-medical-weed-patients-high-prices-survey" target="_self">pain point</a> for Virginia medicinal weed patients, one that can push them out of state or to the black market.

NASA crew honors astronaut's late wife with Carroll moon crater

Carroll was a VCU and JMU grad born in Virginia Beach. She died in 2020 from cancer.

This week, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis II" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-distance-record-apollo-13" data-vars-content-id="e88fc89f-c24e-4dff-92a4-3cc7c9c1cc4b" data-vars-headline="NASA crew honors astronaut&#x27;s late wife with Carroll moon crater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-distance-record-apollo-13" target="_self">Artemis II</a> crew called down to mission control in Houston and asked to dedicate a moon crater to their commander&#x27;s late wife, Carroll Wiseman, who died from cancer in 2020.The big picture: The tribute carries her legacy into space, but Wiseman&#x27;s story started much closer to home.

What to know before going to CarMax Park

From parking and clear bag policies to food prices and fireworks nights, here's your full game-day guide.

Things to Do

Here&#x27;s everything to know if you&#x27;re planning to hit up a game for CarMax Park&#x27;s inaugural season.

CarMax Park suites, perks in Richmond range from $25 to $6,000

Fans can pay for everything from first pitches to party decks, with some luxury spaces sold out.

Sports

With CarMax Park, the Richmond Flying Squirrels are going all-in on game-day extras for 2026.Why it matters: If you want to book one of the premium, private suites, it might cost you anywhere from $800 to $6,000, according to figures shared with Axios.

Redemption BBQ closure reflects Richmond dining strain

The Short Pump restaurant's owner says sales dropped sharply as expenses climbed, mirroring a wider local trend.

Redemption BBQ, named one of the South&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best new barbecue restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/08/23/best-barbecue-richmond-country-redemption" data-vars-content-id="9b571798-f01b-4997-99aa-31896c6ab214" data-vars-headline="Redemption BBQ closure reflects Richmond dining strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/08/23/best-barbecue-richmond-country-redemption" target="_self">best new barbecue restaurants</a>, will serve its last tray of barbecue and pile of minced pork on Saturday after four years in business.Why it matters: The challenges forcing the Short Pump restaurant to close are ones <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independent restaurant owners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/restaurants-menu-prices-james-beard-foundation-report" data-vars-content-id="9b571798-f01b-4997-99aa-31896c6ab214" data-vars-headline="Redemption BBQ closure reflects Richmond dining strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/restaurants-menu-prices-james-beard-foundation-report" target="_self">independent restaurant owners</a> everywhere are grappling with.

AI pressure grows on Richmond's young workforce

Nearly a third of Richmond-area jobs face AI exposure as entry-level roles shrink fast.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the job market in Virginia and is likely to hit entry-level and younger workers particularly hard, a pair of recent reports found.Why it matters: Younger workers and college grads were already facing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grim" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/hiring-rate-jobs-employment-iran" data-vars-content-id="f6967169-d711-4fa6-82c0-543bc51cc9a8" data-vars-headline="AI pressure grows on Richmond&#x27;s young workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/hiring-rate-jobs-employment-iran" target="_self">grim</a> and &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frozen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/25/jobs-market-ai-indeed-retail" data-vars-content-id="f6967169-d711-4fa6-82c0-543bc51cc9a8" data-vars-headline="AI pressure grows on Richmond&#x27;s young workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/25/jobs-market-ai-indeed-retail" target="_self">frozen</a>&quot; job market and AI is likely to make it worse.

Richmond's Belle Isle rolls out dill pickle moonshine

Belle Isle's new dill pickle moonshine is real, locally made and now hitting Virginia ABC shelves.

Food and Drink

Richmond-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Belle Isle Moonshine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/08/23/belle-isles-new-taproom-moonshine" data-vars-content-id="245f1a65-5850-4a8e-800f-3de12480ea2a" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s Belle Isle rolls out dill pickle moonshine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/08/23/belle-isles-new-taproom-moonshine" target="_self">Belle Isle Moonshine</a> just dropped its newest flavor: Dill pickle. Why it matters: The team shared a bottle with Axios to demonstrate that the concoction is not an April Fools&#x27; joke, despite its April 1 release date.

Construction workers lead Richmond homeownership gains

But they're not the ones most likely to own a home.

Skilled trades and construction workers saw the biggest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeownership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/25/richmond-real-estate-2026-homebuyers-inventory-competition-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="86fc5fbb-eab7-4430-b020-085567ecf1bf" data-vars-headline="Construction workers lead Richmond homeownership gains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/25/richmond-real-estate-2026-homebuyers-inventory-competition-mortgage-rates" target="_self">homeownership</a> gains in metro Richmond over the past decade, according to a new analysis shared with Axios.Why it matters: They&#x27;re outpacing teachers, police and health care workers, per the National Association of Realtors&#x27; analysis of census data comparing homeownership rates in 2014 and 2024.

How to get a table at Lafayette Tavern in Richmond

The Giavos family's buzzy Near West End spot is booked solid — here's how to snag a seat.

The most in-demand reservation in town right now is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lafayette Tavern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/16/lafayette-tavern-richmond-opening-retro-modern-restaurant-menu" data-vars-content-id="64d6e8c1-2c94-4390-a0c5-a9ec8edd24f7" data-vars-headline="How to get a table at Lafayette Tavern in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/16/lafayette-tavern-richmond-opening-retro-modern-restaurant-menu" target="_self">Lafayette Tavern</a>, the Giavos family&#x27;s sexy new Near West End restaurant.Why it matters: We went to the source, Constantine Giavos — the creative mind behind the restaurant and creative director of the Giavos family restaurants — to get the skinny on how to score a seat.

Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues

The former headquarters will be demolished for a new arena project, but its famed limestone eagle statues will stay..

Business

The former Best Products headquarters in Henrico will soon be demolished for the county&#x27;s planned arena-anchored development, dubbed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Products Reimagined" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/05/henricos-23-billion-greencity-development-and-arena-project-could-be-in-jeopardy" data-vars-content-id="a775ffd1-9445-4008-92c3-654b98ee02eb" data-vars-headline="Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/05/henricos-23-billion-greencity-development-and-arena-project-could-be-in-jeopardy" target="_self">Best Products Reimagined</a>. Why it matters: The iconic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Art Deco eagle statues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWGsuM5Gk4S/" data-vars-content-id="a775ffd1-9445-4008-92c3-654b98ee02eb" data-vars-headline="Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWGsuM5Gk4S/" target="_blank">Art Deco eagle statues</a> that once flanked the building off I-95 and East Parham Road will be preserved.

Nearby Buc-ee's for Richmond still years away

Traffic concerns delay two planned Buc-ee's, leaving the closest location hours from Richmond.

The Buc-ee&#x27;s travel center the Texas-based gas station chain hopes to build in Stafford could cause &quot;significant&quot; traffic issues that could spill onto I-95, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per a recent VDOT report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fxbgadvance.com/p/vdot-still-has-concerns-and-questions?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=share" data-vars-content-id="5c2a374d-3245-4652-bab9-714a76b744fb" data-vars-headline="Nearby Buc-ee&#x27;s for Richmond still years away" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fxbgadvance.com/p/vdot-still-has-concerns-and-questions?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=share" target="_blank">per a recent VDOT report</a>. Why it matters: It looks like now both Buc-ee&#x27;s Richmonders were supposed to get within easy driving distance will be delayed due to traffic worries.

Virginia bill would overhaul vape shop oversight

The proposal would require permits and routine checks as officials try to close enforcement gaps.

Legislation headed to Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger would give officials more tools to crack down on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vape shops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/08/richmond-vape-shop-raids-armed-robberies" data-vars-content-id="533b0501-4b72-416c-bd45-7ea13e23c95b" data-vars-headline="Virginia bill would overhaul vape shop oversight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/08/richmond-vape-shop-raids-armed-robberies" target="_self">vape shops</a>, the state attorney general said this week.Why it matters: These shops have proliferated across the state, and some are selling illegal vape products, including to children.

Richmond home sales jump, but buyers face inventory crunch

Even as sales climb, low supply and competition keep Richmond a seller's market this spring.

Real Estate

Richmond is headed into the spring real estate market with renewed sales activity compared to last year, but little relief on supply. Why it matters: Richmond&#x27;s real estate market is something of an outlier compared to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/real-estate/housing-market-predictions/" data-vars-content-id="7aef990f-ce6b-4367-9c58-8997da46ac7f" data-vars-headline="Richmond home sales jump, but buyers face inventory crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/real-estate/housing-market-predictions/" target="_blank">national scene</a>, but there&#x27;s still some bright spots for homebuyers.

Virginia seeks public input on future of train travel

A new state survey is looking for feedback on routes, stations and service as rail ridership climbs.

The Virginia agency dedicated to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rail service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/05/richmond-dc-train-delays-long-bridge-project-vre-amtrak-staples-mill-bottleneck" data-vars-content-id="6367ab01-2aae-4a5a-b3f1-7b311a14a0f8" data-vars-headline="Virginia seeks public input on future of train travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/05/richmond-dc-train-delays-long-bridge-project-vre-amtrak-staples-mill-bottleneck" target="_self">rail service</a> and public transportation wants to hear from residents about how they want train travel improved inside — and outside — of the state. Why it matters: If you&#x27;ve got a gripe about train travel, now is the time to share it.

Business 🏦

Redemption BBQ closure reflects Richmond dining strain

AI pressure grows on Richmond's young workforce

Richmond's Belle Isle rolls out dill pickle moonshine

Construction workers lead Richmond homeownership gains

How to get a table at Lafayette Tavern in Richmond