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NASA crew honors astronaut's late wife with Carroll moon crater

Carroll was a VCU and JMU grad born in Virginia Beach. She died in 2020 from cancer.

News

This week, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis II" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-distance-record-apollo-13" data-vars-content-id="e88fc89f-c24e-4dff-92a4-3cc7c9c1cc4b" data-vars-headline="NASA crew honors astronaut&#x27;s late wife with Carroll moon crater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-distance-record-apollo-13" target="_self">Artemis II</a> crew called down to mission control in Houston and asked to dedicate a moon crater to their commander&#x27;s late wife, Carroll Wiseman, who died from cancer in 2020.The big picture: The tribute carries her legacy into space, but Wiseman&#x27;s story started much closer to home.

Virginia medical weed prices rank among highest in U.S.

Patients pay about $10 a gram in Virginia, far above prices in states like Colorado.

Virginians are paying some of the highest weed prices in the nation through the state&#x27;s medical marijuana dispensaries. Why it matters: High prices have been cited as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pain point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/21/virginia-medical-weed-patients-high-prices-survey" data-vars-content-id="3647cb31-7c41-47ae-a1b9-781f6fbac46e" data-vars-headline="Virginia medical weed prices rank among highest in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/21/virginia-medical-weed-patients-high-prices-survey" target="_self">pain point</a> for Virginia medicinal weed patients, one that can push them out of state or to the black market.

What to know before going to CarMax Park

From parking and clear bag policies to food prices and fireworks nights, here's your full game-day guide.

Things to Do

Here&#x27;s everything to know if you&#x27;re planning to hit up a game for CarMax Park&#x27;s inaugural season.

CarMax Park suites, perks in Richmond range from $25 to $6,000

Fans can pay for everything from first pitches to party decks, with some luxury spaces sold out.

Sports

With CarMax Park, the Richmond Flying Squirrels are going all-in on game-day extras for 2026.Why it matters: If you want to book one of the premium, private suites, it might cost you anywhere from $800 to $6,000, according to figures shared with Axios.

VCU Health said it'd stop suing patients in 2019. Did it?

A new report says they didn't. VCU is disputing those findings.

VCU Health was one of the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most aggressive hospital debt collectors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/hospital-billing" data-vars-content-id="084a6807-3a49-4bff-80e2-3499b398dd1b" data-vars-headline="VCU Health said it&#x27;d stop suing patients in 2019. Did it?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/hospital-billing" target="_self">most aggressive hospital debt collectors</a> until late 2019, when the Richmond-based hospital system <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pledged" data-vars-click-url="https://virginiamercury.com/2019/10/10/vcu-will-halt-lawsuits-against-patients-for-unpaid-bills/" data-vars-content-id="084a6807-3a49-4bff-80e2-3499b398dd1b" data-vars-headline="VCU Health said it&#x27;d stop suing patients in 2019. Did it?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://virginiamercury.com/2019/10/10/vcu-will-halt-lawsuits-against-patients-for-unpaid-bills/" target="_blank">pledged</a> to stop suing patients over unpaid bills.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://med.stanford.edu/content/dam/sm/cerc/documents/publications/research-data/Medical%20Debt%20Ecosystem-The%20Mechanized%20Wealth%20Extraction%20from%20Americas%20Patients.pdf" data-vars-content-id="084a6807-3a49-4bff-80e2-3499b398dd1b" data-vars-headline="VCU Health said it&#x27;d stop suing patients in 2019. Did it?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://med.stanford.edu/content/dam/sm/cerc/documents/publications/research-data/Medical%20Debt%20Ecosystem-The%20Mechanized%20Wealth%20Extraction%20from%20Americas%20Patients.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a> from Stanford and George Washington universities says it didn&#x27;t fully follow through — a finding VCU disputes.

Virginia measles cases double from 2025 as vaccine rates slip

Recent health department data shows two-dose coverage falls below the recommended 95% threshold.

Virginia health officials are reporting a rise in measles cases as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/23/virginia-trump-cdc-vaccine-changes-measles" data-vars-content-id="67f2fc39-1720-4151-947e-1cc3df965472" data-vars-headline="Virginia measles cases double from 2025 as vaccine rates slip" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/23/virginia-trump-cdc-vaccine-changes-measles" target="_self">vaccination</a> rates in most localities fall below the threshold experts say is needed to prevent outbreaks. Why it matters: The state has already reported 10 cases this year, which is double the total recorded in 2025.

Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes

State officials say the federal shift on childhood vaccines wasn't backed by evidence.

Health

The Virginia Department of Health is breaking with the Trump administration&#x27;s latest vaccine guidance, which narrows the list of universally recommended shots for kids.Why it matters: It&#x27;s at least <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the second time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/24/virginia-cdc-mmrv-vaccine-rules" data-vars-content-id="76cff643-c268-4cbd-a989-8d55c8523cdf" data-vars-headline="Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/24/virginia-cdc-mmrv-vaccine-rules" target="_self">the second time</a> in the past six months that VDH has moved away from controversial federal changes.

Virginia Dems revive paid sick leave push they once stalled

Last time Democrats had a trifecta, universal paid sick leave bills struggled. Will this time be different?

Virginia Democrats are once again eyeing paid sick leave as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top priority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/virginia-democrats-2026-bills-birth-control-sick-leave" data-vars-content-id="b9c6969c-aa46-488c-a2bc-d0e1ecd166f2" data-vars-headline="Virginia Dems revive paid sick leave push they once stalled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/virginia-democrats-2026-bills-birth-control-sick-leave" target="_self">top priority</a> after reclaiming full control of state government in November.Why it matters: Similar policies stalled the last time the party held a trifecta — mostly because of Democrats themselves.

Where Virginia ranks among America's healthiest states

Plus: Where Virginia leads — and where it lags — in the region.

Virginia is among the healthiest states in the country, ranking 14th in a new state-by-state report card from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="United Health Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/states/VA" data-vars-content-id="c4c3da94-ea65-42e4-8e8f-d999f27b9c14" data-vars-headline="Where Virginia ranks among America&#x27;s healthiest states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/states/VA" target="_blank">United Health Foundation</a>.

Massaging robots arrive in Richmond

You'll get to listen to Cardi B in a wetsuit while a robot kneads your back with its heated hooves.

It&#x27;s not every day you get to don a wetsuit and listen to Cardi B while a robot removes the knots in your back with its heated hooves. Why it matters: If the machines are taking over, they might as well massage us.

Virginia braces for tougher flu season

A new flu strain is spreading fast — but most Virginians haven't gotten vaccinated yet.

It could be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rough flu season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" data-vars-content-id="4b80d198-f972-49b0-b18d-361b7462222b" data-vars-headline="Virginia braces for tougher flu season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" target="_self">rough flu season</a> in Virginia due to a new strain of the virus. Why it matters: Experts are worried that it doesn&#x27;t match the strain used to create this year&#x27;s flu vaccine.

Report: Richmond area lost over $1B to Virginia's opioid crisis

The epidemic is draining Virginia's economy even as overdose deaths fall statewide.

The Richmond area lost more than $1 billion to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opioid epidemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/13/vcu-virginia-naloxone-bike-overdose-prevention" data-vars-content-id="0bdbc5f5-3291-4613-88c1-2e088a640ff0" data-vars-headline="Report: Richmond area lost over $1B to Virginia&#x27;s opioid crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/13/vcu-virginia-naloxone-bike-overdose-prevention" target="_self">opioid epidemic</a> in 2023, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.virginiaopioidcostdata.org/" data-vars-content-id="0bdbc5f5-3291-4613-88c1-2e088a640ff0" data-vars-headline="Report: Richmond area lost over $1B to Virginia&#x27;s opioid crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.virginiaopioidcostdata.org/" target="_blank">new report</a> from VCU and the Virginia Department of Health.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a major chunk of the state&#x27;s total opioid-related costs, showing how concentrated the crisis&#x27; toll has been in the region — even as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatal overdoses continue to fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/05/19/virginia-drug-overdose-deaths-drop-2024" data-vars-content-id="0bdbc5f5-3291-4613-88c1-2e088a640ff0" data-vars-headline="Report: Richmond area lost over $1B to Virginia&#x27;s opioid crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/05/19/virginia-drug-overdose-deaths-drop-2024" target="_self">fatal overdoses continue to fall</a>.

Youngkin revives Presidential Fitness Test in Virginia schools

His Election Day move aligns with President Trump's push to bring back the timed 1-mile runs and pull-ups.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is bringing back the Presidential Fitness Test to Virginia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public schools." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/27/best-high-schools-virginia-richmond-graduation-rates-college-readiness-rps" data-vars-content-id="c62a508c-48f4-4e40-bcb0-9015faa1bcc8" data-vars-headline="Youngkin revives Presidential Fitness Test in Virginia schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/27/best-high-schools-virginia-richmond-graduation-rates-college-readiness-rps" target="_self">public schools.</a>Why it matters: The benchmark was a rite of passage for generations of middle and high schoolers with its timed 1-mile run, pull-ups and sit-and-reach challenges. For some, passing it was a badge of honor. For others — trauma.

Why Virginia can't stop changing the clocks twice a year

Daylight saving time isn't going anywhere, despite repeated attempts from lawmakers to change it.

Virginia lawmakers have repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, tried to end daylight saving time.Why it matters: We&#x27;re set to suffer when the clocks turn back an hour on Sunday.

A map showing the MMR or overall vaccination rates for U.S. kindergarteners by county from either 2023 or 2024. Only 815 counties have reached the herd immunity threshold of at least 95% of their students vaccinated. Vaccination rates were most consistently high in New England states, Arkansas, California and Texas. 

Measles vaccination rates for kindergarteners, by county

Data: The Washington Post; Note: Rate reflects two doses of the vaccine. Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios

A cartogram displaying the 2025 America's Health Rankings. New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont rank highest. Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas rank lowest in health.

Health 🩺

VCU Health said it'd stop suing patients in 2019. Did it?

Virginia measles cases double from 2025 as vaccine rates slip

Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes

Virginia Dems revive paid sick leave push they once stalled

Where Virginia ranks among America's healthiest states