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Kings Dominion avoids Six Flags coaster shutdowns

Two of the Virginia park's coasters share a manufacturer with the Georgia ride involved in the fatal incident.

News

None of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kings Dominion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/05/16/kings-dominion-the-grizzly" data-vars-content-id="fb6b519b-49e4-410a-9ac0-b4ef61b77a8f" data-vars-headline="Kings Dominion avoids Six Flags coaster shutdowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/05/16/kings-dominion-the-grizzly" target="_self">Kings Dominion</a> roller coasters were among the nine rides Six Flags temporarily closed this week after a man died at its Georgia park.Why it matters: Two coasters at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Six Flags-owned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/08/six-flags-merger-kings-dominion" data-vars-content-id="fb6b519b-49e4-410a-9ac0-b4ef61b77a8f" data-vars-headline="Kings Dominion avoids Six Flags coaster shutdowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/08/six-flags-merger-kings-dominion" target="_self">Six Flags-owned</a>, Richmond-area theme park were built by the same manufacturer as the Georgia ride, though neither is the same type.

Chesapeake Bay earns historic C+, but Richmond still has a problem

The James River earned a C+, but worsening water clarity and declining Lower James scores are raising alarms.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chesapeake Bay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/09/24/trump-chesapeake-bay-order-dc-potomac" data-vars-content-id="4c9c068e-ab22-4721-83ff-246724e8d4c3" data-vars-headline="Chesapeake Bay earns historic C+, but Richmond still has a problem" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/09/24/trump-chesapeake-bay-order-dc-potomac" target="_self">Chesapeake Bay</a> just earned its best report card in 40 years: a respectable — if not quite honor roll-worthy — C+.Why it matters: It&#x27;s encouraging progress for America&#x27;s largest estuary — a playground for boaters, a livelihood for watermen and a critical habitat for wildlife — after decades of efforts to clean up pollution and restore the Bay.

Things to do in Richmond this weekend: Garden Glow, Oktoberfest

Plus: Ghost stories, emo anthems and a General Tso's pizza collab.

Things to Do

Richmond is definitely getting into the Halloween spirit this weekend.

Richmond's October heat fuels a regional power emergency

A federal emergency order is keeping extra power options available, but outages aren't expected.

Richmond is sweltering through near-record October heat, just as the federal government has issued an emergency order to help keep the Mid-Atlantic&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="power grid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/22/axios-house-power-boom-puts-new-pressure-on-us-grid" data-vars-content-id="e357b8d2-f8b1-4500-93df-a4b1c927154f" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s October heat fuels a regional power emergency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/22/axios-house-power-boom-puts-new-pressure-on-us-grid" target="_self">power grid</a> running.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.energy.gov/documents/doe-order-no-202-26-50" data-vars-content-id="e357b8d2-f8b1-4500-93df-a4b1c927154f" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s October heat fuels a regional power emergency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.energy.gov/documents/doe-order-no-202-26-50" target="_blank">The order</a> is designed to prevent blackouts amid unusually high electricity demand — but that doesn&#x27;t mean your lights are about to go out.

More stink bugs are invading Virginia homes this fall

The state's drought might explain why. But whatever you do, don't squish them.

Stink bugs are descending on Virginia.Why it matters: The invasive, famously smelly houseguests are popping up more than usual this fall, Virginia Tech entomologist Tom Kuhar tells Axios.<ul><li>And they&#x27;re currently crawling into attics, siding and sheds in search of a place to hibernate for the winter.</li></ul>

Richmond solar deal collapses as new investigation opens

Council didn't have the votes to bring it back. Then another problem emerged.

Mayor Avula formally pulled the plug on Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="embattled solar deal " data-vars-click-url="https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-solar-energy-proposal-fails-to-pass-as-council-meeting-turns-chaotic/" data-vars-content-id="518d7c6a-4707-403a-a81d-5dff24236372" data-vars-headline="Richmond solar deal collapses as new investigation opens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-solar-energy-proposal-fails-to-pass-as-council-meeting-turns-chaotic/" target="_blank">embattled solar deal </a>Friday night after learning of a potential relationship inside a city department that he said could jeopardize the legitimacy of the project.Why it matters: The revelation came after a last-ditch effort to revive part of the 25-year deal had already failed. Now the scrutiny is only growing, with a new City Hall review on top of the inspector general&#x27;s probe.

Virginia's data center backlash spills into midterms — and 2027

From Richmond to the U.S. Senate race, data centers are becoming an election issue.

Virginia&#x27;s growing data center skepticism is spilling onto the campaign trail, pushing candidates in both parties to address an industry the state spent years courting.Why it matters: Concerns over electric bills, development and taxpayer subsidies are cutting across traditional partisan lines, even among Richmond-area lawmakers who aren&#x27;t up for election until next year.

Virginia's apple-picking season takes a hit after spring freeze

Some popular orchards are canceling picking dates — while others escaped the worst.

Apple-picking season is here, but one of fall&#x27;s favorite pastimes could be shorter or sparser at some Virginia orchards after a devastating spring freeze.Why it matters: State officials estimate spring freezes have caused tens of millions of dollars in crop losses in Virginia, including near-total apple losses in some parts.

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.

Environment

More stink bugs are invading Virginia homes this fall

Richmond solar deal collapses as new investigation opens

Virginia's data center backlash spills into midterms — and 2027

Virginia's apple-picking season takes a hit after spring freeze

Virginia moves to rewrite landfill rules after Shoosmith