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Richmond is fighting over rainbow cookies

Spoiler: The biggest skeptics aren't transplants.

Culture

The results are in on the great <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rainbow cookie debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/19/richmond-rainbow-cookie-debate-poll" data-vars-content-id="3c70dee4-f109-4424-a565-ecb94ee16888" data-vars-headline="Richmond is fighting over rainbow cookies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/19/richmond-rainbow-cookie-debate-poll" target="_self">rainbow cookie debate</a> of 2026, and it turns out the biggest skeptics aren&#x27;t transplants — they&#x27;re Richmonders who grew up here.Why it matters: Over 900 Axios Richmond reader responses show the split among longtime locals comes down to one thing: whether they experienced Ukrop&#x27;s as a kid.

Spanberger vetoes Virginia marijuana bill, delaying sales again

The governor said Virginia's cannabis marketplace lacked enough enforcement and oversight.

News

Gov. Spanberger on Tuesday vetoed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" data-vars-content-id="05e84a56-06fb-4ccf-8029-ced4b93477c9" data-vars-headline="Spanberger vetoes Virginia marijuana bill, delaying sales again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" target="_self">legislation</a> that would&#x27;ve launched legal retail marijuana sales in Virginia. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the third time in three years the Virginia governor vetoed this legislation — but the first time with a Democrat in the executive mansion, and while the party held a trifecta in state government.

Google's second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands

The proposed campus could disturb streams and possible unmarked graves.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Google" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/17/google-chesterfield-county-virginia-data-center-plans" data-vars-content-id="34211d05-f6b3-44ef-87e9-8cf15d75d039" data-vars-headline="Google&#x27;s second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/17/google-chesterfield-county-virginia-data-center-plans" target="_self">Google</a>&#x27;s proposed western Chesterfield data center campus could disturb wetlands, streams and possible unmarked graves, according to newly released <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal permit filings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/4484789/nao-2026-00182-vmrc-project-loch-chesterfield-county-virginia-wauford-prm-site/" data-vars-content-id="34211d05-f6b3-44ef-87e9-8cf15d75d039" data-vars-headline="Google&#x27;s second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/4484789/nao-2026-00182-vmrc-project-loch-chesterfield-county-virginia-wauford-prm-site/" target="_blank">federal permit filings</a>. Why it matters: The documents offer one of the clearest looks yet at &quot;Project Loch,&quot; which is part of Google&#x27;s broader $9 billion expansion in Virginia.

17 things to do in Richmond this Memorial Day weekend

Events include a bike ride with the mayor, an Indian food festival and Sting performing at Allianz.

Things to Do

We&#x27;ve made it to Memorial Day weekend! Here&#x27;s what to do if you&#x27;re still in town.

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;

Henrico poised to scale back homework

The county's proposed policy would reduce homework's role in grades and cap assignment times.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Henrico County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/12/11/henrico-redistricting-vote-smaller-school-boundary-plan" data-vars-content-id="411289f2-2a77-4645-9898-c22a3e6525b3" data-vars-headline="Henrico poised to scale back homework" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/12/11/henrico-redistricting-vote-smaller-school-boundary-plan" target="_self">Henrico County</a> School Board is considering major changes to its homework policy, including capping the amount teachers can assign and reducing the effect it can have on grades. Why it matters: Our former school-age selves are rejoicing.

VCU move-out season brings alley dumping complaints

Neighborhoods near VCU brace for the wave of discarded furniture and curbside clutter ever year.

VCU Police just dropped a new video campaign reminding students not to junk up city alleys and curbs with their unwanted stuff when they move out. Why it matters: It&#x27;s long been a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/1l1z9jg/alley_trash_update/" data-vars-content-id="74c7831d-1303-408f-a2ef-218d55d998e7" data-vars-headline="VCU move-out season brings alley dumping complaints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/1l1z9jg/alley_trash_update/" target="_blank">thing</a>, particularly in the half-dozen or so neighborhoods around campus where many students live.

Richmond's first charter school finally opens full building after 15 years

A long-awaited renovation lets Patrick Henry enroll more students as hundreds remain on its waitlist.

Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts officially opened its third floor last week, giving the city&#x27;s only charter school full use of its building for the first time in its 15-year history. Why it matters: With more space, one of Richmond&#x27;s most in-demand schools can move some students off its waiting list — currently in the hundreds.

VCU faculty push back on tougher tenure review policy

The school says it'll help tenured professors be more productive. Some faculty say it could hurt retention.

VCU wants a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stricter review process" data-vars-click-url="https://vcu.public.doctract.com/doctract/documentportal/08DE90B760CC829F1E1CF788DED94588" data-vars-content-id="54bd70a9-4abf-432e-8045-e9cf176247bd" data-vars-headline="VCU faculty push back on tougher tenure review policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vcu.public.doctract.com/doctract/documentportal/08DE90B760CC829F1E1CF788DED94588" target="_blank">stricter review process</a> for its tenured faculty — and professors are pushing back.Why it matters: The university would be the first in Virginia to adopt the policy, which it says will help ensure tenured professors are being productive and encourage &quot;more impactful research.&quot;

Avula backs possible Richmond vote on 1% sales tax for schools

A stalled state budget could determine whether Richmonders vote to tax themselves to fund school projects.

A provision in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate&#x27;s budget proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/amendment/2026/1/SB30/Introduced/FA/4-14/1s/" data-vars-content-id="806930e4-6eaa-46c4-973c-cdb9b700c545" data-vars-headline="Avula backs possible Richmond vote on 1% sales tax for schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/amendment/2026/1/SB30/Introduced/FA/4-14/1s/" target="_blank">Senate&#x27;s budget proposal</a> would let local voters decide whether to add a 1% sales tax to pay for school construction.Why it matters: If it survives <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stalled budget talks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/18/virginia-budget-fight-data-centers-tax-breaks" data-vars-content-id="806930e4-6eaa-46c4-973c-cdb9b700c545" data-vars-headline="Avula backs possible Richmond vote on 1% sales tax for schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/18/virginia-budget-fight-data-centers-tax-breaks" target="_self">stalled budget talks</a>, Mayor Avula has signaled he&#x27;d back a referendum in Richmond.

"Possible data incident" shuts down Hanover schools' internet

The disruption is severe enough that officials are telling staff to prepare for a week without technology.

Hanover County Public Schools is investigating a &quot;possible data incident&quot; that shut down the district&#x27;s internet service and multiple internal systems.Why it matters: The disruption is severe enough that staff were told Thursday afternoon to stop using HCPS devices and prepare for technology-free instruction for &quot;at least the next week,&quot; according to an email shared with Axios.

RPS budget up for a vote after months of pushback

The Richmond School Board will decide whether to advance a revised plan that depends on more city funding.

The Richmond School Board is set to vote Tuesday night on a budget that was partially rewritten after months of backlash over proposed cuts. Why it matters: The revised plan depends on $21 million in additional city funding — an amount Superintendent Jason Kamras said the city is &quot;extremely unlikely&quot; to provide — and would still mean dozens of employees would lose their jobs.

Anne Holton joins Richmond School Board during budget turmoil

The former Virginia education secretary is heading back to the school system where she was once a student.

The Richmond School Board appointed Anne Holton, Virginia&#x27;s former secretary of education, to fill the vacant 6th District seat this week.Why it matters: She told Axios in an interview that the opportunity feels like a chance &quot;to come full circle&quot; — her father, former Gov. Linwood Holton, helped integrate RPS in the 1970s — and bring back her state-level experience &quot;to a cause I care about desperately.&quot;

Chesterfield promises end to school trailers but skepticism remains

"I'll believe it when I see it," wrote one commenter under the county's announcement on Facebook.

Chesterfield officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/6951?fbclid=IwY2xjawPXOIJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF0dkl3cVJETVVZc1VZRVN3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgYzSwAQ7-otrzDrAScHK1IpILBaABO1fA6L24gvbtpGVwMmojqAi7ZxlZst_aem_TrLk1Ei0yTpEfldWMO-Fuw" data-vars-content-id="941782a5-f084-4308-a13a-eb0a61493591" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield promises end to school trailers but skepticism remains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/6951?fbclid=IwY2xjawPXOIJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF0dkl3cVJETVVZc1VZRVN3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgYzSwAQ7-otrzDrAScHK1IpILBaABO1fA6L24gvbtpGVwMmojqAi7ZxlZst_aem_TrLk1Ei0yTpEfldWMO-Fuw" target="_blank">recently announced</a> that the county is on track to have zero trailers in use as classrooms for the first time in nearly 40 years.Why it matters: Some residents aren&#x27;t convinced.

Education 📚

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

Henrico poised to scale back homework

VCU move-out season brings alley dumping complaints

Richmond's first charter school finally opens full building after 15 years

VCU faculty push back on tougher tenure review policy