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What's next for Chesterfield's $173M Shoosmith Landfill cleanup

The bigger fights over test results, long-term funding and accountability are just beginning.

News

Virginia lawmakers are demanding the release of environmental test results at the bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill as work to stabilize the site moves forward, saying they want proof that it poses no public health risks.Why it matters: The Chesterfield landfill has become one of Virginia&#x27;s biggest environmental cleanup challenges, with an estimated $173 million cleanup cost that may ultimately fall to taxpayers.

Richmond's potato building gets the love it deserves

An architecture-loving creator spotlighted the quirky Markel Building and its baked potato inspiration.

Real Estate

Richmond&#x27;s baked potato-inspired office building is finally getting the love it deserves, thanks to a roving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="architecture-loving content creator." data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DadrEcutX2I/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="feefba92-8865-4318-bfe4-37b437f379b2" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s potato building gets the love it deserves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DadrEcutX2I/?hl=en" target="_blank">architecture-loving content creator.</a> Why it matters: Once maligned as one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;10 ugliest buildings in the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-markel-building-richmond-virginia" data-vars-content-id="feefba92-8865-4318-bfe4-37b437f379b2" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s potato building gets the love it deserves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-markel-building-richmond-virginia" target="_blank">&quot;10 ugliest buildings in the world</a>,&quot; The Markel Building is a local treasure and now at least one influencer seems to agree.

A make-your-own ramen bar in Short Pump has 100+ flavors

The Ramyum Zip has floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with over 100 different ramen flavors.

Food and Drink

There&#x27;s a newish make-your-own ramen bar in Short Pump.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ramyun Zip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/theramyunzip.richmond/" data-vars-content-id="73fbfe21-5cf8-4571-a1cb-0b608029bd52" data-vars-headline="A make-your-own ramen bar in Short Pump has 100+ flavors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/theramyunzip.richmond/" target="_blank">Ramyun Zip</a> has floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with over 100 different ramen flavors.

Virginia's best-paying jobs are most exposed to AI, report says

Virginia ranks fifth for workplace AI adoption, putting many white-collar jobs at greater risk of change.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/02/richmond-ai-job-impact-young-workers-entry-level-hiring-decline-virginia" data-vars-content-id="b85c5a9e-11c9-4835-8490-fecd80d34dd9" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s best-paying jobs are most exposed to AI, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/02/richmond-ai-job-impact-young-workers-entry-level-hiring-decline-virginia" target="_self">AI</a> is rapidly reshaping Virginia workplaces and it&#x27;s doing so faster than previous technology shifts, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://virginiaworks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AI-Implications-Report-June-2026-FINAL-LOCKED.pdf" data-vars-content-id="b85c5a9e-11c9-4835-8490-fecd80d34dd9" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s best-paying jobs are most exposed to AI, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://virginiaworks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AI-Implications-Report-June-2026-FINAL-LOCKED.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> from the state&#x27;s workforce development agency. Why it matters: Virginia&#x27;s high-paying, higher education-backed jobs are the ones most vulnerable to AI-driven disruptions.

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.

Education

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;

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;

A bar chart that ranks Richmond Public Schools by applications per open seat for 2026-27. Linwood Holton leads at 50 applications per seat, followed by William Fox at 16.8 and Albert Hill at 12.1. John Marshall is lowest at 1.1. Elementary schools draw the strongest competition overall.

Education 📚

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

Richmond's school lottery is getting more competitive

Richmond's most competitive public schools, ranked

Virginia colleges race to build AI-ready campuses

What Richmond readers wish they knew before college