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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.

Virginia primary results: Who won Tuesday's key races

Here's who won the Richmond-area races, how many people voted and what comes next before Sept. 18 early voting.

Election

Virginia&#x27;s November election is taking shape after voters settled the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest primary contests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/03/virginia-primary-election-guide-whats-next-voters" data-vars-content-id="399051c4-45ee-4fd5-9388-f369c0d01619" data-vars-headline="Virginia primary results: Who won Tuesday&#x27;s key races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/03/virginia-primary-election-guide-whats-next-voters" target="_self">biggest primary contests</a>, which include two in the Richmond region.Why it matters: The nominees emerging from Tuesday&#x27;s races will compete in congressional districts that national parties are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pouring money" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/newsom-fundraising-democrats-2028" data-vars-content-id="399051c4-45ee-4fd5-9388-f369c0d01619" data-vars-headline="Virginia primary results: Who won Tuesday&#x27;s key races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/newsom-fundraising-democrats-2028" target="_self">pouring money</a> into as Democrats try to flip seats and Republicans fight to keep the House majority.

Virginia's delayed primary sets up high-stakes November election

After Tuesday's primaries, Virginians will weigh everything from abortion to marriage equality.

Richmond-area voters are back at the polls Tuesday for the third statewide election in nine months — and the biggest ballot is still ahead.Why it matters: We&#x27;re in the middle of one of the busiest voting stretches the state has seen in years.

How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia's electric bills

Lowering energy costs was one of Democrats' winning messages. Now they have to deliver on it.

With Democrats soon to control the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="governor&#x27;s mansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" data-vars-content-id="b65fcd86-5349-43ef-82f2-a170e815300c" data-vars-headline="How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia&#x27;s electric bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" target="_self">governor&#x27;s mansion</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="both chambers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-democrats-win-historic-election" data-vars-content-id="b65fcd86-5349-43ef-82f2-a170e815300c" data-vars-headline="How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia&#x27;s electric bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-democrats-win-historic-election" target="_self">both chambers</a> of the General Assembly, Virginia&#x27;s energy policy is set to veer from Gov. Youngkin&#x27;s approach these past four years.Why it matters: Lowering energy costs was one of Democrats&#x27; winning messages. Now they have to deliver on it.

Mapped: Where women rule (now including Virginia)

With her daughters beside her, Virginia's new governor-elect made history.

Virginia became the 33rd state in the nation <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" data-vars-content-id="e2eb9484-53ff-4b07-9638-ab8250cc166a" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Where women rule (now including Virginia)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" target="_self">this week</a> to elect a woman governor.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s glass ceiling is officially shattered.

Democrats sweep Virginia elections in historic win despite scandal

The party won with one of the most diverse tickets in state history.

Democrats have swept <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia&#x27;s statewide elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/09/virginia-election-2025-how-to-vote-key-dates" data-vars-content-id="65d8d722-3e01-46b5-a49d-0ea6b5b29222" data-vars-headline="Democrats sweep Virginia elections in historic win despite scandal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/09/virginia-election-2025-how-to-vote-key-dates" target="_self">Virginia&#x27;s statewide elections</a>, winning with one of the most diverse tickets in state history.Why it matters: A scandal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="just a month before Election Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/07/jay-jones-text-scandal-virginia-democrats" data-vars-content-id="65d8d722-3e01-46b5-a49d-0ea6b5b29222" data-vars-headline="Democrats sweep Virginia elections in historic win despite scandal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/07/jay-jones-text-scandal-virginia-democrats" target="_self">just a month before Election Day</a> cast doubt on whether it&#x27;d really happen — or if Virginians would choose to split their ticket for the first time in 20 years instead.

Jay Jones wins Virginia attorney general despite scandal

Despite a last‑minute text‑message scandal, Jones will be the state's first Black attorney general.

Politics

Jay Jones has won Virginia&#x27;s attorney general race, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/" data-vars-content-id="efc31b9e-f68f-49d5-bcc4-97fe2d8e9d25" data-vars-headline="Jay Jones wins Virginia attorney general despite scandal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/" target="_blank">AP reports</a>. Why it matters: Jones will become the state&#x27;s first Black AG.

Ghazala Hashmi makes history as Virginia's next lieutenant governor

Hashmi is the first Muslim American woman in the U.S. to be voted into statewide office.

Politics & Policy

State Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ghazala Hashmi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/22/virginia-ai-debate-john-reid-ghazala-hashmi" data-vars-content-id="e51840cb-1878-4eb3-beb0-0ca5c954f3c3" data-vars-headline="Ghazala Hashmi makes history as Virginia&#x27;s next lieutenant governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/22/virginia-ai-debate-john-reid-ghazala-hashmi" target="_self">Ghazala Hashmi</a> has won the Virginia lieutenant governor&#x27;s race, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/?r=47635" data-vars-content-id="e51840cb-1878-4eb3-beb0-0ca5c954f3c3" data-vars-headline="Ghazala Hashmi makes history as Virginia&#x27;s next lieutenant governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/?r=47635" target="_blank">AP reports</a>.Why it matters: Hashmi will be the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first Muslim woman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/10/31/ghazala-hashmi-muslim-indian-virginia-lieutenant-governor/" data-vars-content-id="e51840cb-1878-4eb3-beb0-0ca5c954f3c3" data-vars-headline="Ghazala Hashmi makes history as Virginia&#x27;s next lieutenant governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/10/31/ghazala-hashmi-muslim-indian-virginia-lieutenant-governor/" target="_blank">first Muslim woman</a> in the U.S. to be voted into statewide office.

Abigail Spanberger will be Virginia's next governor

The Henrico native will be the first governor from the Richmond area in over a decade.

Abigail Spanberger has won the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="race for Virginia governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/18/virginia-election-poll-democracy-fears-governor" data-vars-content-id="67d43a31-6b04-4ee8-815d-d1eab9ce3cf6" data-vars-headline="Abigail Spanberger will be Virginia&#x27;s next governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/18/virginia-election-poll-democracy-fears-governor" target="_self">race for Virginia governor</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the AP reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/" data-vars-content-id="67d43a31-6b04-4ee8-815d-d1eab9ce3cf6" data-vars-headline="Abigail Spanberger will be Virginia&#x27;s next governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/" target="_blank">the AP reports</a>.Why it matters: The Henrico native will be the first woman to hold the state&#x27;s top office — and the first from the Richmond area in over a decade.

Virginia judge lets Democrats' redistricting plan move forward

From online trolling to lawsuits, the redistricting fight is getting messy.

The fight over who gets to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="draw Virginia&#x27;s political lines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/23/virginia-redistricting-democrats-congressional-maps-midterms" data-vars-content-id="271e07b4-602e-4aa4-9ac3-03138ac63035" data-vars-headline="Virginia judge lets Democrats&#x27; redistricting plan move forward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/23/virginia-redistricting-democrats-congressional-maps-midterms" target="_self">draw Virginia&#x27;s political lines</a> spilled from the state Capitol into the courtroom this week, and Democrats just claimed the first win.Why it matters: The redistricting fight could determine which party has an advantage in future elections — and potentially reshape representation in and around Richmond.

Virginia GOP candidate debates AI version of his opponent

The move from John Reid, who's running for lieutenant governor, is the latest in a weird election year.

The latest debate in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/09/virginia-election-2025-how-to-vote-key-dates" data-vars-content-id="65e883d1-52c1-4324-a7d7-6f925b60e4be" data-vars-headline="Virginia GOP candidate debates AI version of his opponent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/09/virginia-election-2025-how-to-vote-key-dates" target="_self">Virginia politics</a> had Republican lieutenant governor candidate John Reid sparring with an AI-generated version of his opponent, Ghazala Hashmi.Why it matters: This election year just keeps getting weirder.

A cartogram of the U.S. showing the number of women governors by state from 1925 to November 4, 2025 - including the results of the 2025 general elections. 17 states have never had a woman governor. Arizona has had 5 and New Hampshire has had 4. 13 states will have women serve as governor in 2026 after Virginia's 2025 election.

Election 🗳️

Virginia primary results: Who won Tuesday's key races

Virginia's delayed primary sets up high-stakes November election

How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia's electric bills

Mapped: Where women rule (now including Virginia)

Democrats sweep Virginia elections in historic win despite scandal