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Perseid meteor shower peaks this week: How to watch in Richmond

Up to 50 meteors an hour could streak across the sky if the clouds cooperate.

Things to Do

One the biggest stargazing weeks of the year is here.Why it matters: Rain might be in the Richmond forecast, but we&#x27;re holding out hope for a few hours of clear skies.

Virginia hemp businesses brace for stricter THC limits

Retailers say the new cap will make much of their inventory illegal and could force some to close.

News

When Virginia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new restrictions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/29/virginia-recreational-marijuana-sales-july-2027-tax" data-vars-content-id="096ded0f-10b9-404c-94a3-deb93cdbddd1" data-vars-headline="Virginia hemp businesses brace for stricter THC limits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/29/virginia-recreational-marijuana-sales-july-2027-tax" target="_self">new restrictions</a> on THC in hemp products take effect this week, products that retailers have spent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/06/30/virginia-new-hemp-rules" data-vars-content-id="096ded0f-10b9-404c-94a3-deb93cdbddd1" data-vars-headline="Virginia hemp businesses brace for stricter THC limits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/06/30/virginia-new-hemp-rules" target="_self">three years</a> legally selling under state rules will become illegal overnight.Why it matters: Virginia says it&#x27;s closing a loophole that allowed highly intoxicating THC products to proliferate. Retailers say the crackdown could put many of them out of business — and some are asking a court to intervene.

Virginia sets clearer triggers for nursing home sanctions

The state Department of Health says it leaned too heavily on federal enforcement. Now the state plans to use more of its own authority.

The Virginia Department of Health is setting clearer guidelines for when serious or repeated problems at nursing homes should prompt state sanctions.Why it matters: Multiple Richmond-area nursing homes have faced serious — and at times, deadly — deficiencies involving staffing, neglect and resident safety, as families and advocates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urge the state to do more" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/virginia-rank-nursing-home-staffing-aug-4-2026" data-vars-content-id="73106a11-9c87-44d7-945c-b8b2c9f06087" data-vars-headline="Virginia sets clearer triggers for nursing home sanctions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/virginia-rank-nursing-home-staffing-aug-4-2026" target="_blank">urge the state to do more</a>.

Solo dining is surging in Virginia. Here's where to go in Richmond

Reservations for one are up 13% statewide, per OpenTable, and Richmonders are embracing the trend, too.

Food and Drink

Solo dining is having a moment in Virginia, with reservations for one up 13% year over year, per OpenTable data shared with Axios.Why it matters: That growth might look like another sign of America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loneliness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/30/americans-eating-along-happiness-report" data-vars-content-id="322014c9-ca61-4caa-968a-85f8eb33e6b1" data-vars-headline="Solo dining is surging in Virginia. Here&#x27;s where to go in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/30/americans-eating-along-happiness-report" target="_self">loneliness</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="epidemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/03/surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-fights-loneliness" data-vars-content-id="322014c9-ca61-4caa-968a-85f8eb33e6b1" data-vars-headline="Solo dining is surging in Virginia. Here&#x27;s where to go in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/03/surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-fights-loneliness" target="_self">epidemic</a>. But many solo diners say eating alone offers a rare chance to slow down, reflect and savor the small stuff, reports <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Washington Post." data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2026/07/16/want-truly-appreciate-dining-out-eat-alone/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzg0MjYwODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzg1NjQzMTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3ODQyNjA4MDAsImp0aSI6IjY3NmQ2ZDQ5LWY2MzEtNGFiNy05Mjg0LTE0NmY5MGMxMDhhZSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9mb29kLzIwMjYvMDcvMTYvd2FudC10cnVseS1hcHByZWNpYXRlLWRpbmluZy1vdXQtZWF0LWFsb25lLyJ9.Uiytd5gDDZOXZlEPzwCS_cs471ZgpDX1UunlBO27VyE" data-vars-content-id="322014c9-ca61-4caa-968a-85f8eb33e6b1" data-vars-headline="Solo dining is surging in Virginia. Here&#x27;s where to go in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2026/07/16/want-truly-appreciate-dining-out-eat-alone/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzg0MjYwODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzg1NjQzMTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3ODQyNjA4MDAsImp0aSI6IjY3NmQ2ZDQ5LWY2MzEtNGFiNy05Mjg0LTE0NmY5MGMxMDhhZSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9mb29kLzIwMjYvMDcvMTYvd2FudC10cnVseS1hcHByZWNpYXRlLWRpbmluZy1vdXQtZWF0LWFsb25lLyJ9.Uiytd5gDDZOXZlEPzwCS_cs471ZgpDX1UunlBO27VyE" target="_blank">the Washington Post.</a>

Virginia moves to rewrite landfill rules after Shoosmith

The Chesterfield landfill and its $173 million cleanup costs may change how Virginia regulates landfills.

The crisis at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/08/chesterfield-shoosmith-landfill-cleanup-whats-next" data-vars-content-id="2d2d012b-a7c6-428c-b419-209580161a89" data-vars-headline="Virginia moves to rewrite landfill rules after Shoosmith" 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/chesterfield-shoosmith-landfill-cleanup-whats-next" target="_self">bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill</a> in Chesterfield is directly triggering a statewide rewrite of Virginia&#x27;s landfill rules.Why it matters: New regulatory filings are the clearest acknowledgment yet from state regulators that gaps in Virginia&#x27;s rules left them unprepared for a cleanup as expensive as Shoosmith&#x27;s.

Wildfire smoke triggers Code Orange alert in Richmond

Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity as smoky air and low visibility linger into Saturday.

Smoke from raging Canadian wildfires is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drifting into Central Virginia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/14/wildfire-smoke-boston-yellow-sky-air-quality-massachusetts-canadian-wednesday-forecast" data-vars-content-id="6ba5ce2a-0810-471d-8d8d-e9484affccda" data-vars-headline="Wildfire smoke triggers Code Orange alert in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/14/wildfire-smoke-boston-yellow-sky-air-quality-massachusetts-canadian-wednesday-forecast" target="_self">drifting into Central Virginia</a>, putting Richmond under a poor air quality alert, per the National Weather Service. Why it matters: Poor air quality and low visibility from the smoke is expected to linger into Saturday.

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

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

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 worst heat wave in years is on the way

Triple-digit heat and heat indexes near 110 could make this Richmond's worst hot spell in years.

A &quot;heat dome&quot; is forecasted to bring dangerously high temperatures to Richmond and much of the eastern half of the U.S. this week. Why it matters: The &quot;prolonged and widespread heat wave&quot; has the potential to be the region&#x27;s worst in several years, according to the National Weather Service.

Richmond has taxed 2.8 million plastic bags — but who's paying?

The city has collected nearly $115,000 in revenue, but the state hasn't given them retailer-level data yet.

Richmond&#x27;s 5-cent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plastic bag tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/03/richmond-plastic-bag-tax-2026" data-vars-content-id="3e130dbf-2abf-4d68-bec7-55fa9679b208" data-vars-headline="Richmond has taxed 2.8 million plastic bags — but who&#x27;s paying?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/03/richmond-plastic-bag-tax-2026" target="_self">plastic bag tax</a> has generated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly $115,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rvagreen2050.com/bag-tax#revenue" data-vars-content-id="3e130dbf-2abf-4d68-bec7-55fa9679b208" data-vars-headline="Richmond has taxed 2.8 million plastic bags — but who&#x27;s paying?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rvagreen2050.com/bag-tax#revenue" target="_blank">nearly $115,000</a> in revenue and taxed 2.8 million bags since launching in January, but the city doesn&#x27;t know how many retailers are paying it — or which ones.Why it matters: That&#x27;s because enforcement falls to Virginia Tax, and a city official tells Axios that Richmond still hasn&#x27;t received a response from the state about how many businesses are participating.

Endangered mussels return to Richmond-area waters

Hundreds of alewife floaters were planted in Hanover as part of efforts to improve Bay waterways.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="freshwater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/02/virginia-maryland-chesapeake-bay-blue-crab" data-vars-content-id="5a389b8b-09c6-4333-8890-edbcf2d27610" data-vars-headline="Endangered mussels return to Richmond-area waters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/02/virginia-maryland-chesapeake-bay-blue-crab" target="_self">freshwater</a> mussel long extinct from some of the waters around Richmond is making a comeback: the alewife floater.Why it matters: Their return will help the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay and all its tributaries, including the James.

Report: Some Richmond 311 flood complaints take years to close

A new analysis found some South Richmond residents wait up to three years. Here's what the city says about it.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.southsidereleaf.org/blog/311-flooding-data" data-vars-content-id="e944a159-dfac-4782-94b1-7f88f598ef26" data-vars-headline="Report: Some Richmond 311 flood complaints take years to close" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.southsidereleaf.org/blog/311-flooding-data" target="_blank">new analysis</a> of nearly a decade of Richmond 311 requests found that some neighborhoods with chronic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flooding issues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/24/richmond-flood-zones-fema-update-2025" data-vars-content-id="e944a159-dfac-4782-94b1-7f88f598ef26" data-vars-headline="Report: Some Richmond 311 flood complaints take years to close" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/24/richmond-flood-zones-fema-update-2025" target="_self">flooding issues</a> report flooding the least.<ul><li>And when they do, they face the longest response times.</li></ul>Why it matters: Researchers and city officials both agree that 311 complaints don&#x27;t tell the whole story. But they&#x27;re one of the few public tools available for tracking a problem that disrupts commutes, blocks sidewalks and poses safety risks.

New reports raise pollution questions about Virginia data centers

The debate is moving beyond noisy eyesores to questions about air quality, water systems and public health.

Virginia has spent years building the infrastructure powering AI, but researchers and residents are still trying to answer questions about what <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" data-vars-content-id="f34949a3-7096-4982-9d22-77db5bfb744b" data-vars-headline="New reports raise pollution questions about Virginia data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" target="_self">data centers</a> mean for air quality, water systems and public health.Why it matters: These facilities are coming to more parts of the Richmond area as the Northern Virginia industry <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faces constraints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/20/richmond-data-center-market-fastest-growing" data-vars-content-id="f34949a3-7096-4982-9d22-77db5bfb744b" data-vars-headline="New reports raise pollution questions about Virginia data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/20/richmond-data-center-market-fastest-growing" target="_self">faces constraints</a>.

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.

Bear in Richmond's Oregon Hill has been captured

It's the city's first bear sighting of the season — and he's very, very cute.

A black bear spent Thursday morning roaming the streets and backyards of Oregon Hill before being tranquilized and put in a truck by lunchtime.Why it matters: Few things unite Richmonders like tracking an animal on the loose.

A column chart that shows Richmond plastic bag tax revenue by month from January to April 2026. Revenue was $185 in January, then rose to $39,853 in February, dipped to $35,660 in March and edged up to $39,222 in April. The range runs from $185 to $39,853.

Richmond plastic bag tax revenue by month

Data: City of Richmond's analysis of Virginia Tax data; Note: January was lower due to reporting lags and slower uptake. May numbers are expected after June 26; Chart: Sabrina Moreno/Axios

Environment

Virginia moves to rewrite landfill rules after Shoosmith

Wildfire smoke triggers Code Orange alert in Richmond

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

Richmond's worst heat wave in years is on the way

Richmond has taxed 2.8 million plastic bags — but who's paying?