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Virginia considers assault weapons ban, $15 wage and paid leave

Here's a quick guide to the major bills still moving through the legislature, beyond weed and data centers.

News

It&#x27;s time for a lightning round on the other headline-grabbing bills still alive this General Assembly session, beyond <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="constitutional amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/14/virginia-2026-abortion-redistricting-democrats" data-vars-content-id="5bd367b9-fa6e-49c7-8712-699c1aee701e" data-vars-headline="Virginia considers assault weapons ban, $15 wage and paid leave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/14/virginia-2026-abortion-redistricting-democrats" target="_self">constitutional amendments</a>, weed and data centers.State of play: With Democrats controlling both chambers and governor&#x27;s office, several have a clear path to becoming law. Here&#x27;s what they&#x27;d do:

Flashback: Richmond's unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns

A look back at RVA's chaotic 2016, from Stoney's win to rooftop bars and creepy clowns.

We hear the kids are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="throwing it back to 2016" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" target="_self">throwing it back to 2016</a> and thought it would be fun to play along.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral trend" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" target="_self">viral trend</a> is reminiscing over everything that happened a decade ago, which happened to be a big year for Richmond.

The Richmond spots Virginia lawmakers eat at during session

From GWARbar to Rappahannock, legislators share their go-to Richmond spots.

Food and Drink

Richmond Times-Dispatch restaurant critic Justin Lo recently got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the lowdown" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_29a944ae-f37d-11ef-a15f-f7719f390024.html" data-vars-content-id="a652a22d-3155-4778-9b38-a41364bb30fe" data-vars-headline="The Richmond spots Virginia lawmakers eat at during session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_29a944ae-f37d-11ef-a15f-f7719f390024.html" target="_blank">the lowdown</a> on where state lawmakers go to eat when they&#x27;re in town.Why it matters: The 140 members of the General Assembly are temporary Richmonders for 30-to-60 days every winter, and they dine local.

How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill

Lawmakers aren't looking to stop the boom, but they want data centers to pay more.

Virginia isn&#x27;t pausing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" data-vars-content-id="89b2517b-ae50-4ad5-875b-344981a937bb" data-vars-headline="How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" target="_self">data center boom</a>, but lawmakers are trying to keep residents from footing the bill for it.Why it matters: That&#x27;s easier said than done.

Doc explores Richmond's "best football bar": Penny Lane

A new Richmond-made documentary argues Penny Lane helped build one of the country's strongest soccer communities.

Culture

A new documentary puts a spotlight on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Penny Lane Pub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pennylanepub.com/" data-vars-content-id="b65803f3-60f4-400c-be45-c3a1b7a7a1ae" data-vars-headline="Doc explores Richmond&#x27;s &quot;best football bar&quot;: Penny Lane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pennylanepub.com/" target="_blank">Penny Lane Pub</a>, the bar that feels like it was transplanted straight out of England and into downtown Richmond. Why it matters: The 30-minute flick is as much a love letter to Richmond as it is to the Pub.

Richmond's most romantic spots, according to readers

The answers ranged from scenic overlooks to booths tucked away in legendary neighborhood bars.

Things to Do

Richmonders know romance isn&#x27;t just about candles and prix fixe menus, at least if readers&#x27; picks for the city&#x27;s most romantic spots are any indication.Why it matters: Nearly 100 people responded to our poll this past week, and their answers ranged from scenic overlooks to booths tucked away in legendary neighborhood bars.

"Survivor" scavenger hunt draws crowds to Richmond's Byrd Theatre

The Byrd Theatre served as Virginia's location for the nationwide "Survivor 50 Challenge."

The Byrd Theatre was part of the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Survivor 50 Challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/survivor-50-challenge-cbs" data-vars-content-id="2a4ce9f1-8d12-4bdb-800d-9a6f70ddb5eb" data-vars-headline="&quot;Survivor&quot; scavenger hunt draws crowds to Richmond&#x27;s Byrd Theatre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/survivor-50-challenge-cbs" target="_self">Survivor 50 Challenge</a>,&quot; serving as Virginia&#x27;s location in a nationwide scavenger hunt where winners could earn a trip to the show&#x27;s live finale.Why it matters: It prompted hundreds of people to show up to the movie theater on Tuesday.

"Greetings from Richmond" mural to return after vanishing last year

The muralists just need a new wall to paint the postcard-style mural on.

The &quot;Greetings from Richmond, Virginia&quot; mural is making a comeback.Why it matters: It had become a fixture in the city&#x27;s landscape before it was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mysteriously taken down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/06/who-removed-richmond-mural" data-vars-content-id="07516f65-7fc1-42a2-8083-c6e1845aab31" data-vars-headline="&quot;Greetings from Richmond&quot; mural to return after vanishing last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/06/who-removed-richmond-mural" target="_self">mysteriously taken down</a> nearly a year ago.

Where to find Latin music in Richmond after Bad Bunny's show

This is for the Richmonders craving more Bad Bunny and reggaeton after his halftime show.

If Bad Bunny&#x27;s halftime show has you craving more Spanish music, here&#x27;s how to get your fix in Richmond.

New public art lands at former dumping ground in Richmond

A steel cardinal sculpture now anchors South Addison Street, aiming to turn a neglected site into a civic landmark.

Richmond&#x27;s newest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="piece of public art" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/12/09/richmond-fan-cardinal-sculpture-public-art" data-vars-content-id="fcc7c1d8-4062-46f4-ae3b-805ce96ba016" data-vars-headline="New public art lands at former dumping ground 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/2025/12/09/richmond-fan-cardinal-sculpture-public-art" target="_self">piece of public art</a> has been installed and is all set for its public unveiling on Friday.Why it matters: The developers who commissioned it hope the sculpture will turn the former trash-dumping ground into a civic landmark for locals to enjoy.

Parties are going phoneless to bring back the old days

It's an up-and-coming trend tapping into a resistance to always being online, and it's made it to Richmond.

The new way to party is the old way to party: Phoneless.Why it matters: It&#x27;s an up-and-coming trend tapping into a growing, multi-generational resistance to always being online, and Ern Weaver brought it to Richmond.

Baby goat snuggling season is almost here in Virginia

Snuggle sessions at a Charlottesville-area cheese farm book fast every spring — and dates are opening soon.

We&#x27;re roughly a month away from baby goat season in Virginia. Why it matters: This is your first alert to book yourself a goat snuggle session before they all sell out (which they do, every year).

The Bad Bunny songs to know ahead of Super Bowl Sunday

For anyone tuning in to the Puerto Rican artist's history-making halftime show and needs a crash course.

Sports

Ahead of the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Benito Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/02/04/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-latinos" data-vars-content-id="124bfa82-b9a5-470b-946d-5f30f72c53d3" data-vars-headline="The Bad Bunny songs to know ahead of Super Bowl Sunday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/02/04/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-latinos" target="_self">Benito Bowl</a>&quot; on Sunday — more commonly known as the Super Bowl — we&#x27;ve put together a crash course on the Bad Bunny songs to know before his halftime show.Why it matters: The Puerto Rican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reggaetonero" data-vars-click-url="https://www.speakinglatino.com/word/reguetonero/#:~:text=A%20term%20used%20to%20refer,that%20originated%20in%20Puerto%20Rico." data-vars-content-id="124bfa82-b9a5-470b-946d-5f30f72c53d3" data-vars-headline="The Bad Bunny songs to know ahead of Super Bowl Sunday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.speakinglatino.com/word/reguetonero/#:~:text=A%20term%20used%20to%20refer,that%20originated%20in%20Puerto%20Rico." target="_blank">reggaetonero</a>, fresh off an Album of the Year win at the Grammy&#x27;s, has become one of the most famous artists in the world.<ul><li>But it&#x27;s OK if you&#x27;re among those who are just now getting familiar.</li></ul>