All Access

Richmond

Richmond Alerts

Alert

blue

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Richmond.

Axios Richmond

Standard

A picture of the Richmond skyline with the letters RIC

Axios Richmond Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Richmond Members

Membership

Virginia sightings detailed in UFO hearings

The pilots reported the sighting but said there was no further investigation by the military.

News

Hot new restaurant openings in Richmond

Treat yourself to something new and freshen up your Insta feed.

Food and Drink

Year-round school experiment kicks off in Richmond

Students at Fairfield and Cardinal elementary schools returned to class Monday, 20 instructional days before their peers.

Education

The Valentine museum is hiring a city historian

It's the first official historian job for the Richmond history museum in its 125 years.

Where Richmond ranks among the most educated cities in the U.S.

43.7% of Richmonders 25 and older have a bachelor's degree.

Newcomers

Richmond is the 35th most educated city in America.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Forbes Advisor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/most-educated-cities/" data-vars-content-id="129a2470-e933-4b15-bee3-48402599cb5f" data-vars-headline="Where Richmond ranks among the most educated cities in the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/most-educated-cities/" target="_blank">Forbes Advisor</a> ranked the nation&#x27;s 100 most educated cities, looking at the percentage of degree holders, high school dropout rate, and gender and racial equity in college grads.

Illustration of a golden apple on a stack of books.

Student loans payments return for over a million Virginians

Borrowers now must factor those payments into their monthly budget.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Student loan payments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/10/student-loan-payments" data-vars-content-id="212111d6-7ac6-4121-aa84-67974b9a577a" data-vars-headline="Student loans payments return for over a million Virginians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/10/student-loan-payments" target="_self">Student loan payments</a> are back for Virginians for the first time since 2020.Driving the news: Federal student loan payments <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="came due again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/18/student-loan-payments-pause-restart-retail-sales-spending" data-vars-content-id="212111d6-7ac6-4121-aa84-67974b9a577a" data-vars-headline="Student loans payments return for over a million Virginians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/18/student-loan-payments-pause-restart-retail-sales-spending" target="_self">came due again</a> this month, affecting about 1.1 million Virginia residents with student debt.

Richmond officials move voter precincts after school mold scare

RPS staff and students are continuing to use the facilities on a permanent basis.

Election

The local electoral board took emergency steps to move two voter precincts out of city school buildings.What&#x27;s happening: The decision follows <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="complaints by teachers and staff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/09/14/richmond-public-schools-mold-classrooms" data-vars-content-id="f2655b7a-af10-4385-8d21-8d17b8ddbde7" data-vars-headline="Richmond officials move voter precincts after school mold scare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/09/14/richmond-public-schools-mold-classrooms" target="_self">complaints by teachers and staff</a> that the facilities in question are infested with mold.

Illustration of a voting booth on a blue background surrounded by safety cones.

VCU says its traffic calming measures are working

The city installed the measures after two students were killed while walking on campus this year.

Drivers are moving slower through VCU&#x27;s downtown campus, according to the university.What&#x27;s happening: Preliminary speed data found <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new speed tables" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/05/10/richmond-traffic-deaths-shawn-soares" data-vars-content-id="c9e5e4bf-68ba-49b0-ad76-f6be0b70b950" data-vars-headline="VCU says its traffic calming measures are working" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/05/10/richmond-traffic-deaths-shawn-soares" target="_self">new speed tables</a> cut vehicle speeds by an average of 50%, per a statement.

Illustration of a walking signal pushing the "do not walk" hand out of frame.

Virginia’s serial book banner

Jennifer Peterson has challenged the presence of 73 books in Spotsylvania school libraries.

A Spotsylvania woman who says she grew up hating books has dedicated her life to getting titles with sexually-explicit content removed from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school libraries." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/01/17/a-book-purge-surge" data-vars-content-id="6ba18f63-fcfd-43b6-9fd4-c69af0ded108" data-vars-headline="Virginia’s serial book banner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/01/17/a-book-purge-surge" target="_self">school libraries.</a>Why it matters: Jennifer Petersen is one of 11 adults nationwide who are collectively responsible for 60% of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="book challenges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/23/book-bans-attempts-record-2022-library-association" data-vars-content-id="6ba18f63-fcfd-43b6-9fd4-c69af0ded108" data-vars-headline="Virginia’s serial book banner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/23/book-bans-attempts-record-2022-library-association" target="_self">book challenges</a> filed during the 2021-2022 school year, per an analysis by the Washington Post.

Richmond area high schools tighten security at football games

Officials cited "an increase in fights and disruptions by fans."

Fights and threats are prompting new security rules at some Richmond area high school football games.What&#x27;s happening: Two Henrico County schools, Hermitage and Highland Springs, are now requiring all those under 18 to attend with an adult.

Illustration of a football field under a glass dome.

Richmond-area teacher shortages have slightly improved

But the districts are still collectively in need of hundreds of teachers.

All school districts in metro Richmond are headed back to class this week, and while teacher shortages persist, schools are in better staffing shape than they were this time last year.Why it matters: Last year was considered one the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worst years on record for teacher shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/08/11/richmond-teacher-shortage-henrico" data-vars-content-id="c71eca8f-3a6b-41f0-b5b7-4c8d98c1ca78" data-vars-headline="Richmond-area teacher shortages have slightly improved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/08/11/richmond-teacher-shortage-henrico" target="_self">worst years on record for teacher shortages</a> across the country, and there&#x27;s some indication that the situation has improved. Slightly.

Illustration of a handwriting alphabet above the chalkboard spells out "Hiring."

Owning a home costs a third of an experienced Richmond teacher's salary

Many teachers can't afford to live where they work, which can have repercussions for the quality of students' education.

In an effort to combat a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chronic teacher shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32414522.111/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjEvMTEvMTUvdGVhY2hlci1sYWJvci1zaG9ydGFnZS1vdXRsYXN0LXBhbmRlbWljP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892B1dd26b13" data-vars-content-id="1e480f3b-c21f-4aa5-bec2-7d97ea03c38b" data-vars-headline="Owning a home costs a third of an experienced Richmond teacher&#x27;s salary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32414522.111/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjEvMTEvMTUvdGVhY2hlci1sYWJvci1zaG9ydGFnZS1vdXRsYXN0LXBhbmRlbWljP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892B1dd26b13" target="_blank">chronic teacher shortage</a>, a handful of school districts across the country are focusing on housing, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Emma Hurt reports" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32414522.111/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMDgvMTMvdGVhY2hlci1ob3VzaW5nLWFmZm9yZGFiaWxpdHk_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bf5c00c50" data-vars-content-id="1e480f3b-c21f-4aa5-bec2-7d97ea03c38b" data-vars-headline="Owning a home costs a third of an experienced Richmond teacher&#x27;s salary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32414522.111/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMDgvMTMvdGVhY2hlci1ob3VzaW5nLWFmZm9yZGFiaWxpdHk_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bf5c00c50" target="_blank">Axios&#x27; Emma Hurt reports</a>.<ul><li>Los Gatos, California, built an affordable housing teacher <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="complex" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/03/01/exactly-what-i-needed-los-gatos-teachers-move-into-affordable-units/" data-vars-content-id="1e480f3b-c21f-4aa5-bec2-7d97ea03c38b" data-vars-headline="Owning a home costs a third of an experienced Richmond teacher&#x27;s salary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/03/01/exactly-what-i-needed-los-gatos-teachers-move-into-affordable-units/" target="_blank">complex</a> in partnership with a nonprofit earlier this year.</li><li>Austin Independent School District is looking for development partners to build and manage two teacher housing complexes on unused district land within the year.</li></ul>

Charted: Richmond's college freshmen

But overall enrollment has been dropping since 2018.

VCU&#x27;s new freshman class moves in this weekend.What&#x27;s happening: To mark the occasion, here&#x27;s a look at how the school&#x27;s enrollment has grown compared to its counterparts in Richmond.

Hanover County schools bans 75 more books, including "Wicked" and "The Handmaid's Tale"

A review panel of teachers, principals and librarians ruled the books "meet the School Board's criteria for being sexually explicit," said school district spokesman Chris Whitley.

Hanover County school administrators on Friday instructed teachers and librarians to remove a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="list of 75 books" data-vars-click-url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TokLcgyf1CFUXN52q5CrgDU4K9zPh2V/view?usp=sharing" data-vars-content-id="c33e25b7-3bae-4cf8-ad2f-75c7036d5dda" data-vars-headline="Hanover County schools bans 75 more books, including &quot;Wicked&quot; and &quot;The Handmaid&#x27;s Tale&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TokLcgyf1CFUXN52q5CrgDU4K9zPh2V/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">list of 75 books</a> from shelves, including an array of well-known titles.What&#x27;s happening: &quot;The Handmaid&#x27;s Tale,&quot; &quot;Slaughter House 5,&quot; and &quot;Wicked&quot; (yes, the one about the witch in the &quot;Wizard of Oz&quot;) are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="among the books" data-vars-click-url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TokLcgyf1CFUXN52q5CrgDU4K9zPh2V/view?usp=sharing" data-vars-content-id="c33e25b7-3bae-4cf8-ad2f-75c7036d5dda" data-vars-headline="Hanover County schools bans 75 more books, including &quot;Wicked&quot; and &quot;The Handmaid&#x27;s Tale&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TokLcgyf1CFUXN52q5CrgDU4K9zPh2V/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">among the books</a> the Hanover School Board flagged for removal.What they&#x27;re saying: A review panel of teachers, principals and librarians ruled the books &quot;meet the School Board&#x27;s criteria for being sexually explicit,&quot; said school district spokesman Chris Whitley.

Illustration of a hand reaching for a row of books that are falling like dominoes.

Students at two city elementary schools returned to class this week in Richmond&#x27;s first test of a year-round school schedule.Why it matters: The pilot program is being watched especially closely in the city because of how far Richmond schools fell behind during the pandemic.

Illustration of a backpack surrounded by elements of all four seasons.

Education 📚