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Virginia felony voting errors collide with Question 3

Hundreds of registrations were wrongly denied or canceled, and it's unclear whether that impacted voting.

News

Virginians are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deciding whether to overhaul felony voting rights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/21/virginia-early-voting-2026-elections-guide" data-vars-content-id="6a14108b-0934-45c4-9fbb-042894a7a336" data-vars-headline="Virginia felony voting errors collide with Question 3" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/21/virginia-early-voting-2026-elections-guide" target="_self">deciding whether to overhaul felony voting rights</a> as the state cleans up hundreds of voter registrations wrongly denied or canceled over felony records — including dozens in the Richmond area.Why it matters: It&#x27;s still unclear how many eligible voters couldn&#x27;t cast ballots in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia&#x27;s August primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/03/virginia-primary-election-guide-whats-next-voters" data-vars-content-id="6a14108b-0934-45c4-9fbb-042894a7a336" data-vars-headline="Virginia felony voting errors collide with Question 3" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/03/virginia-primary-election-guide-whats-next-voters" target="_self">Virginia&#x27;s August primary</a> because of the errors, or whether any have encountered problems during early voting.

VMFA makes historic restitution of enslaved artist's work

The deal marks the first time VMFA has recognized an enslaved artist's heirs as a work's owners.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia Museum of Fine Arts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/22/vmfa-s-next-chapter" data-vars-content-id="44a0107e-fc76-4478-98f7-cd99c73d6448" data-vars-headline="VMFA makes historic restitution of enslaved artist&#x27;s work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/22/vmfa-s-next-chapter" target="_self">Virginia Museum of Fine Arts</a> restored ownership of a stoneware jug in its collection to the descendants of the enslaved artist who created it nearly 200 years ago, the museum <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vmfa.museum/press/vmfa-restores-ownership-of-work-by-enslaved-artist-david-drake" data-vars-content-id="44a0107e-fc76-4478-98f7-cd99c73d6448" data-vars-headline="VMFA makes historic restitution of enslaved artist&#x27;s work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vmfa.museum/press/vmfa-restores-ownership-of-work-by-enslaved-artist-david-drake" target="_blank">announced</a> this week. Why it matters: David Drake couldn&#x27;t own or profit from the pottery he created while enslaved. Nearly two centuries later, VMFA is recognizing his descendants as the jug&#x27;s rightful owners — and paying them to reacquire it.

Report: Hundreds of homeless Richmond-area students live in hotels

Nearly 1 in 3 local students experiencing homelessness were living in hotels or motels in 2022-23.

Hotels have become an increasingly common last resort for Richmond-area families experiencing homelessness, according to a new report from Henrico-based advocacy group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Housing Families First" data-vars-click-url="https://housingfamiliesfirst.org/" data-vars-content-id="d13f735d-b948-4bab-b7e0-412c64d50dfa" data-vars-headline="Report: Hundreds of homeless Richmond-area students live in hotels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://housingfamiliesfirst.org/" target="_blank">Housing Families First</a>.Why it matters: Hotels are increasingly filling the gap for local families who may be able to afford monthly rent but can&#x27;t overcome the barriers to securing long-term housing.

14 things to do around Richmond this fall-filled weekend

Catch the 2nd Street Festival, DachtoberFest, haunted hayrides, live music and plenty more.

Things to Do

Don&#x27;t let the temperatures this late week fool you, Richmond is in full fall mode this weekend with street festivals, pumpkin patches, haunted attractions and an entire celebration of wiener dogs (again!).

Hanover's first farm tour stars Highland cows and alpacas

It's a rare chance to meet the animals, farmers and local growers behind the county's agricultural scene.

Culture

Hanover County is throwing its first-ever farm-hopping party on Saturday, with Highland cows, alpacas and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="11 farms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hanoverfarmtour.com/meet-the-farms" data-vars-content-id="b5d76c27-e104-4cae-af57-3e4fe371ed6e" data-vars-headline="Hanover&#x27;s first farm tour stars Highland cows and alpacas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hanoverfarmtour.com/meet-the-farms" target="_blank">11 farms</a> opening their gates to visitors.Why it matters: Some have never opened to the public, making this a rare chance to meet the animals, farmers and local growers behind the county&#x27;s agricultural scene.

RVA Street Art Festival is headed to the Valentine

The museum's upcoming show will trace how the festival helped shape Richmond's visual identity.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RVA Street Art Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/08/07/rva-street-art-festival-murals" data-vars-content-id="2284154c-83f0-4221-a8dc-a50a2eb1dbf8" data-vars-headline="RVA Street Art Festival is headed to the Valentine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/08/07/rva-street-art-festival-murals" target="_self">RVA Street Art Festival</a> is going to be the subject of an upcoming exhibition at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Valentine museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/16/richmond-gun-hole-valentine-museum-artifact" data-vars-content-id="2284154c-83f0-4221-a8dc-a50a2eb1dbf8" data-vars-headline="RVA Street Art Festival is headed to the Valentine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/16/richmond-gun-hole-valentine-museum-artifact" target="_self">Valentine museum</a>. Why it matters: True to the festival&#x27;s mission, organizers want Richmonders to be a part of it.

How $17 Richmond concert tickets can end up costing $140

Local venues say resale sites can leave fans paying huge markups for tickets still on sale.

Professional ticket resellers add an estimated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$4.5 billion a year in unnecessary costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/second-hand-ticket-fees-cost-billion" data-vars-content-id="84ed38c6-0fe0-47cd-81b3-d0b6b5b1acb0" data-vars-headline="How $17 Richmond concert tickets can end up costing $140" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/second-hand-ticket-fees-cost-billion" target="_self">$4.5 billion a year in unnecessary costs</a> for fans going to live events, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator report" data-vars-click-url="https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/vu-URL/wp-content/uploads/sites/412/2026/08/03190151/How-to-Save-Audiences-11-Billion-on-Live-Events.pdf" data-vars-content-id="84ed38c6-0fe0-47cd-81b3-d0b6b5b1acb0" data-vars-headline="How $17 Richmond concert tickets can end up costing $140" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/vu-URL/wp-content/uploads/sites/412/2026/08/03190151/How-to-Save-Audiences-11-Billion-on-Live-Events.pdf" target="_blank">new Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator report</a>. Why it matters: Concertgoers pay steep markups on top of the original ticket price, while local venues are often left dealing with angry fans over sales they never made.

Virginia's fall foliage show is just weeks away

Colors should begin popping in western Virginia in October before reaching Richmond in November.

Leaf-peepers, mark your calendars: Virginia&#x27;s fall color show should get underway in earnest by mid-October, according to a map on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Explore Fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" data-vars-content-id="84bf422c-a2ae-4804-8c85-ca77201b8517" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s fall foliage show is just weeks away" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" target="_blank">Explore Fall</a>.Why it matters: We&#x27;re just a few weeks away from gorgeous fall colors, or as we call it, Richmond at her prettiest.

Polyamorous Dracula? Richmond has a book club for that

From smutty theatrical readings to audiobook walks, RVA's book scene has a group for just about everyone.

Richmond has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="polyamory book club" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vap-october-book-club-it-came-from-the-closet-literary-collection-tickets-1998454816152?aff=erelpanelorg" data-vars-content-id="f86f1ea6-f052-4e6c-93f8-92b93244db20" data-vars-headline="Polyamorous Dracula? Richmond has a book club for that" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vap-october-book-club-it-came-from-the-closet-literary-collection-tickets-1998454816152?aff=erelpanelorg" target="_blank">polyamory book club</a>, another for feminist horror fans and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several" data-vars-click-url="https://www.intermissionbeer.com/event/sbc-ibc-silent-book-club-richmond-chapter-7/" data-vars-content-id="f86f1ea6-f052-4e6c-93f8-92b93244db20" data-vars-headline="Polyamorous Dracula? Richmond has a book club for that" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.intermissionbeer.com/event/sbc-ibc-silent-book-club-richmond-chapter-7/" target="_blank">several</a> where you can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="read in silence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/silentreadingpartyrva/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="f86f1ea6-f052-4e6c-93f8-92b93244db20" data-vars-headline="Polyamorous Dracula? Richmond has a book club for that" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/silentreadingpartyrva/?hl=en" target="_blank">read in silence</a> alongside other people.Why it matters: The traditional book club is getting a Richmond makeover as readers turn increasingly niche interests into opportunities to find <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="community" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/05/americans-socializing-decline" data-vars-content-id="f86f1ea6-f052-4e6c-93f8-92b93244db20" data-vars-headline="Polyamorous Dracula? Richmond has a book club for that" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/05/americans-socializing-decline" target="_self">community</a>.

VCU launches digital archive of Latino Virginia stories

It's a public record of how immigrant and U.S.-born Latinos built their lives here, told in their own words.

The stories of 156 Latino Virginians are being preserved through a VCU oral history project — and dozens are now available online.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new bilingual digital archive" data-vars-click-url="https://latinovirginia.vcu.edu/interviews/" data-vars-content-id="5958e703-2664-4706-b6f2-f2a26937d518" data-vars-headline="VCU launches digital archive of Latino Virginia stories" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://latinovirginia.vcu.edu/interviews/" target="_blank">new bilingual digital archive</a> creates a public record of how immigrant and U.S.-born Latinos have built lives across the state, all told in their own words.

What Richmond loved — and didn't — about CarMax Park

Most readers liked the Squirrels' new home, while better food, parking and shade topped their wish list.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CarMax Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/07/richmond-carmax-park-opening-day-diamond-district-history" data-vars-content-id="9e618d75-4802-41e8-9e91-11bb90cdff96" data-vars-headline="What Richmond loved — and didn&#x27;t — about CarMax Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/07/richmond-carmax-park-opening-day-diamond-district-history" target="_self">CarMax Park</a> won over most Richmonders in its rookie season. But please, for the love of Nutzy, Axios readers say: Fix the food.Why it matters: After decades of waiting, Richmond finally got its shiny new ballpark this year — and our readers had thoughts about what worked, what didn&#x27;t and what they want changed.

This year's Richmond Folk Festival poster is a love letter to the city

Christian Taylor's whimsical design hides Richmond landmarks, dogs in a boat and Francine on a cloud.

The 2026 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond Folk Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/16/browns-island-renovation-bathrooms-trees-ada-access-richmond-2026" data-vars-content-id="4dde1b21-a5a4-4788-8b8e-1f0ff34be773" data-vars-headline="This year&#x27;s Richmond Folk Festival poster is a love letter to the city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/16/browns-island-renovation-bathrooms-trees-ada-access-richmond-2026" target="_self">Richmond Folk Festival</a> poster is out and this year&#x27;s is a love letter to Richmond. Why it matters: The annual Folk Festival poster has become almost as much a tradition as the festival itself.