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Ukrop's gets a bigger footprint inside Richmond-area Kroger

A renovated Midlothian Kroger will soon feature a dedicated section for Ukrop's favorites.

Business

The Kroger on Midlothian near Winterfield is getting a bigger and bolder section for Ukrop&#x27;s products. Why it matters: It&#x27;s like Ukrop&#x27;s Super Markets never left us.

Inside the Italian market tucked into a Church Hill garage

Giorno Market is bring Euro summer to Richmond with imported Italian goods, peachy umbrellas and no AC.

Things to Do

Sabrina here. The closest thing to an Italian summer in Richmond might be a converted garage in Church Hill.Why it matters: Almost everything at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Giorno Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/giornomarket/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="65986078-f114-408c-bd3d-a97c6e941fea" data-vars-headline="Inside the Italian market tucked into a Church Hill garage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/giornomarket/?hl=en" target="_blank">Giorno Market</a> is imported from Italy, its peachy umbrellas are reminiscent of those on the Amalfi Coast and the lack of AC will make you feel very European in no time.

Richmond restaurant hit with erroneous $60K water bill

Her usual bill is about $1,500, but a meter issue led to a $58,486 charge and a cash crunch.

News

A Richmond restaurant owner says the city mistakenly pulled roughly $60,000 from her bank account this week for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="utility bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/08/richmond-dpu-utility-billing-problems-new-system-payments-account-numbers" data-vars-content-id="1c440395-771c-4e8c-bb8c-1adac040b2f5" data-vars-headline="Richmond restaurant hit with erroneous $60K water bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/08/richmond-dpu-utility-billing-problems-new-system-payments-account-numbers" target="_self">utility bill</a> that typically would&#x27;ve been around $1,500.Why it matters: The erroneous charge left <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harry&#x27;s at Hofheimer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/10/16/scotts-addition-speakeasy" data-vars-content-id="1c440395-771c-4e8c-bb8c-1adac040b2f5" data-vars-headline="Richmond restaurant hit with erroneous $60K water bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/10/16/scotts-addition-speakeasy" target="_self">Harry&#x27;s at Hofheimer</a> owner Natalie McNamara scrambling to get her money back and raised fresh questions about the city&#x27;s billing system amid ongoing problems.

Chesterfield bucks Richmond-area trend with lower-density plan

Its draft plan would cut residential density 9.6% as neighboring localities embrace denser growth.

Chesterfield expects to add more than 100,000 residents by 2050. But its proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-term plan" data-vars-click-url="https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/chesterfieldcounty-va-planmod/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-683" data-vars-content-id="ea6c7aba-aa20-4a0d-870b-0b7b2e055277" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield bucks Richmond-area trend with lower-density plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/chesterfieldcounty-va-planmod/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-683" target="_blank">long-term plan</a> calls for less residential density countywide, not more. Why it matters: Chesterfield&#x27;s approach to growth stands out in the region. <ul><li>While <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/17/richmond-zoning-code-draft-three-duplexes-housing-corridors" data-vars-content-id="ea6c7aba-aa20-4a0d-870b-0b7b2e055277" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield bucks Richmond-area trend with lower-density plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/17/richmond-zoning-code-draft-three-duplexes-housing-corridors" target="_self">Richmond</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Henrico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/06/lakeside-garden-district-mixed-use-development-traffic" data-vars-content-id="ea6c7aba-aa20-4a0d-870b-0b7b2e055277" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield bucks Richmond-area trend with lower-density plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/06/lakeside-garden-district-mixed-use-development-traffic" target="_self">Henrico</a> have explored adding more housing in neighborhoods and commercial corridors, Chesterfield is moving in the other direction.</li></ul>

Parents question VSU security after 5 people shot on campus

Families want answers about who can access VSU's campus and what changes are coming to prevent future shootings.

Parents and students are pressing Virginia State University for tighter security after five people were shot on campus early Saturday, just before the first day of classes.Why it matters: It was unclear whether VSU is planning any changes.

Richmond and Chesterfield tie tax cuts to new sales tax vote

If approved by voters in November, the tax would fund school construction.

Richmond looks likely to join Chesterfield in asking voters this November to approve a new 1% sales tax for school construction.Why it matters: If the referendum passes, Mayor Avula said he&#x27;ll seek cuts to the city&#x27;s meals and real estate taxes to offset the increase.

Virginia explores 3-year bachelor's degrees

The 90-credit programs could lower tuition and move graduates into the workforce sooner.

Virginia <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="higher education" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/29/what-to-know-before-starting-college-richmond" data-vars-content-id="dbbca08e-b37c-49ae-94ca-356fb6ccc6a5" data-vars-headline="Virginia explores 3-year bachelor&#x27;s degrees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/29/what-to-know-before-starting-college-richmond" target="_self">higher education</a> leaders are exploring a three-year bachelor&#x27;s degree, joining a growing national push to shorten college.Why it matters: Students could enter the workforce a year sooner while potentially saving thousands in tuition and living expenses.

Avula wants to use all $4.8M for RPS budget gap

But it still leaves a $4-million gap, and state aid is not coming.

Education

The Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority said yes to fast-tracking $4.8 million in hotel and short-term rental tax revenue to Richmond.Why it matters: The money could arrive as early as late July or August, and Mayor Avula wants to use it all to help plug <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond Public Schools&#x27; budget hole" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/09/rps-state-budget-cuts-mayor-avula" data-vars-content-id="4e943294-0b9e-4352-a10b-32f5cb407f38" data-vars-headline="Avula wants to use all $4.8M for RPS budget gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/09/rps-state-budget-cuts-mayor-avula" target="_self">Richmond Public Schools&#x27; budget hole</a>.

RPS puts $8.9M budget crisis in Mayor Avula's hands

The school board is asking for help after an unexpected state funding gap left them weighing steep classroom cuts.

Richmond Public Schools is looking to City Hall for a financial lifeline after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="delayed state budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/23/data-center-tax-compromise-richmond-budget-wins" data-vars-content-id="29f0bf0b-5636-45aa-bee8-df8d9beec651" data-vars-headline="RPS puts $8.9M budget crisis in Mayor Avula&#x27;s hands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/23/data-center-tax-compromise-richmond-budget-wins" target="_self">delayed state budget</a> left the district with an unexpected $8.9 million shortfall. Why it matters: The city&#x27;s next move could determine whether Richmond students see larger class sizes and fewer mental health supports this fall.

Richmond's school lottery is getting more competitive

Richmond Public Schools received nearly 3,450 applications for 766 open seats in the upcoming school year.

Richmond parents are facing longer odds of landing a spot at the district&#x27;s most sought-after schools.Why it matters: Applications for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond Public Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/15/richmond-schools-academic-recovery-report-covid" data-vars-content-id="e6a0ea51-359f-484c-89d9-9a3959cc15dd" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s school lottery is getting more competitive" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/15/richmond-schools-academic-recovery-report-covid" target="_self">Richmond Public Schools</a>&#x27; open-enrollment lottery have surged in recent years, while the number of available seats has hardly changed — making it harder for families to get into their preferred schools.

Richmond's most competitive public schools, ranked

Some schools received more than 200 applications despite having fewer than 20 spots available.

Some Richmond district schools are receiving hundreds of applications for a small share of open seats. Why it matters: Vying for a spot at Richmond&#x27;s most sought-after schools is becoming increasingly competitive.

Virginia colleges race to build AI-ready campuses

Universities are rolling out new majors, tools and classroom policies to better prepare students for an AI-driven workforce.

AI is rapidly reshaping Virginia higher education, with colleges rolling out new majors, tools and classroom policies to better prepare students for an AI-driven workforce.Why it matters: Virginia universities are signaling that AI literacy may soon be essential across every field of study.

What Richmond readers wish they knew before college

Their advice ranged from "bring a Costco-sized stash of toilet paper and allergy meds" to take risks and call your parents.

With local seniors graduating this month, we&#x27;re sharing the advice Axios Richmond asked readers to give students heading to college for the first time.Why it matters: Their answers ranged from &quot;bring a Costco-sized stash of toilet paper and allergy meds&quot; to take risks and call your parents.

Richmond students recovering from pandemic faster than most U.S. school districts

RPS was once cited as a COVID learning-loss cautionary tale. Now researchers call it a "district on the rise."

Richmond Public Schools is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic faster than many districts nationwide, even as overall achievement remains far below pre-pandemic levels, per a new report.Why it matters: RPS was once cited <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationally" data-vars-click-url="https://www.propublica.org/article/pandemic-covid-education-test-scores-schools-students" data-vars-content-id="a53124bb-8704-47cf-be86-9242e37307b1" data-vars-headline="Richmond students recovering from pandemic faster than most U.S. school districts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/pandemic-covid-education-test-scores-schools-students" target="_blank">nationally</a> as an example of a school division struggling to recover from COVID-era learning losses. Now, researchers say it&#x27;s a &quot;district on the rise.&quot;

Education 📚

Parents question VSU security after 5 people shot on campus

Richmond and Chesterfield tie tax cuts to new sales tax vote

Virginia explores 3-year bachelor's degrees

Avula wants to use all $4.8M for RPS budget gap

RPS puts $8.9M budget crisis in Mayor Avula's hands