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Vote for Richmond's best pizza

Nearly 500 readers weighed in. Now 16 Richmond pizza spots are battling for the crown.

Food and Drink

Here it is: Our first-ever pizza bracket. Why it matters: We&#x27;re launching this week-long endeavor in celebration of back-to-school — and to give parents an excuse to order out at least once this week.

Chesterfield swears in first Black and openly gay administrator

Kevin Catlin is taking over the county that's seen explosive growth, demographic changes and political shifts.

News

Chesterfield swore in its first Black and openly gay county administrator on Monday, while his husband held the family Bible in one hand and their 21-day-old daughter in the other.Why it matters: Kevin Catlin&#x27;s appointment comes after a decade in which Chesterfield emerged as one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia&#x27;s fastest-growing counties" data-vars-click-url="https://chesterfieldfits.com/sites-data/population-demographics/" data-vars-content-id="dc1ca61e-acad-44f2-bbc1-491f06fc8786" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield swears in first Black and openly gay administrator" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chesterfieldfits.com/sites-data/population-demographics/" target="_blank">Virginia&#x27;s fastest-growing counties</a>, grew more racially diverse and shifted left at the ballot box.

Dolly Parton's surprising Richmond connections

From staying at the Jefferson Hotel to performing in Henrico, the country music legend left a local legacy.

Dolly Parton and Richmond go back nearly 50 years.The big picture: The country music legend, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died Tuesday at age 80" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="5ad364eb-a027-46db-8c23-18626106d70e" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s surprising Richmond connections" 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/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" target="_self">died Tuesday at age 80</a>, left her mark on Virginia through decades of performances and a literacy program that puts free books into the hands of over 9,000 local kids <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="each month." data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dce0gvEAO4J/" data-vars-content-id="5ad364eb-a027-46db-8c23-18626106d70e" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s surprising Richmond connections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dce0gvEAO4J/" target="_blank">each month.</a>

Amazon gears up for drone delivery in Richmond area

The Prime Air service could deliver eligible orders to Richmond-area customers in under an hour.

Business

Amazon is revving up to bring drone delivery to the Richmond area. Why it matters: The service — already available in 10 U.S. cities — promises to get some orders to customers in as little as 30 minutes.

Trump-era politics reshape dating in Richmond

One woman asked if her Republican match attended Jan. 6. Another promising date ended over a Tesla.

Dating

Donald Trump changed the Richmond dating game.Why it matters: Political compatibility has become a bigger dating dealbreaker in the Trump era, local matchmakers tell Axios.

The telltale signs you're on Richmond Hinge

They include: Fish pics, Helen's bathroom selfies and some mention of being polyamorous.

Culture

Every city&#x27;s dating scene has its cliches, so we asked locals which ones keeping popping up here — aka, the telltale signs that you&#x27;re on Richmond Hinge.What they told us:

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.

Richmond somehow ranked one of the best U.S. cities for singles

It definitely is if your goal is to stay that way.

Richmond was just named one of the best places in the U.S. to be single.Why it matters: It definitely is if your goal is to stay that way.

Richmond singles ditch apps for speed dating and beer pong

They're also pitching their friends to crowds and playing musical chairs.

Richmonders are ditching the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dating apps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/12/dating-app-crisis-bumble-tinder-hinge" data-vars-content-id="6a45e218-05c8-4311-bc9a-523d8ec98e89" data-vars-headline="Richmond singles ditch apps for speed dating and beer pong" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/12/dating-app-crisis-bumble-tinder-hinge" target="_self">dating apps</a> for speed rounds, beer pong and PowerPoint slides.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swiping fatigue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/08/love-dating-gen-z-tinder-hinge-events" data-vars-content-id="6a45e218-05c8-4311-bc9a-523d8ec98e89" data-vars-headline="Richmond singles ditch apps for speed dating and beer pong" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/08/love-dating-gen-z-tinder-hinge-events" target="_self">Swiping fatigue</a> is fueling a wave of in-person matchmaking events across the city that&#x27;s turning &quot;finding the one&quot; into often sold-out game nights, organizers tell Axios.

Exclusive: 18% of single Virginians have taken on AI lovers

Match data shows a major shift in how people are seeking connection in the digital age.

Nearly 1 in 4 single Virginians have used AI as a romantic partner, according to Match data exclusively shared with Axios.Why it matters: It marks a major shift in how people are seeking connection — and even intimacy — in the digital age.

We asked ChatGPT how to dump someone in Richmond

If the idea of starting the summer wifed up is giving you heartburn, you&#x27;re in luck: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/09/03/richmond-roasted-chatgpt" data-vars-content-id="d4820ade-10d8-43e5-9f1f-ed5e5c8a7b0c" data-vars-headline="We asked ChatGPT how to dump someone 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/2024/09/03/richmond-roasted-chatgpt" target="_self">ChatGPT</a> told us the best places to break up with someone in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/05/22/richmond-gun-hole-removed" data-vars-content-id="d4820ade-10d8-43e5-9f1f-ed5e5c8a7b0c" data-vars-headline="We asked ChatGPT how to dump someone 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/2025/05/22/richmond-gun-hole-removed" target="_self">Richmond</a>.Why it matters: You can just blame it on AI if it goes badly.

Mapped: Where Richmond's singles live

Richmond MSA's single rate translates into over half a million RVA singles who are (possibly) looking to mingle.

If you&#x27;re looking for love in RVA, you&#x27;re in luck — just over half (51.6%) of Richmond area residents 20 and older are single, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the latest census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/14/single-people-us-areas-map" data-vars-content-id="fcecbe64-30ff-4cf0-b61c-b73ae6d80987" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Where Richmond&#x27;s singles live" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/14/single-people-us-areas-map" target="_self">per the latest census data</a>.<ul><li>That&#x27;s higher than the national and state average of around 49%. </li></ul>Why it matters: The Richmond area&#x27;s single rate translates into over half a million people (possibly) looking to mingle.

Richmond run clubs could be the new alternative to dating apps

As running dominates other sports across fitness trackers nationwide, single people are joining running clubs to find dates.

Goodbye, dating apps. Hello, Richmond run clubs.The big picture: As running dominates other sports across fitness trackers nationwide, single people are joining running clubs <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to find dates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/style/running-clubs-dating.html?partner=slack&amp;smid=sl-share" data-vars-content-id="c18d00b2-ee2b-4b7e-ad5b-86ed6f20487b" data-vars-headline="Richmond run clubs could be the new alternative to dating apps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/style/running-clubs-dating.html?partner=slack&amp;smid=sl-share" target="_blank">to find dates</a>.

Tell us your Richmond love stories

If you met and fell in love in this city, we want to hear about it

If there&#x27;s one thing about me, it&#x27;s that I love a good love story.Why it matters: With Valentine&#x27;s Day about a week away, it&#x27;s the perfect time to tell me your stories about meeting and falling in love in Richmond, whether or not it lasted — but especially if it did.