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Richmond is fighting over rainbow cookies

Spoiler: The biggest skeptics aren't transplants.

Culture

The results are in on the great <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rainbow cookie debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/19/richmond-rainbow-cookie-debate-poll" data-vars-content-id="3c70dee4-f109-4424-a565-ecb94ee16888" data-vars-headline="Richmond is fighting over rainbow cookies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/19/richmond-rainbow-cookie-debate-poll" target="_self">rainbow cookie debate</a> of 2026, and it turns out the biggest skeptics aren&#x27;t transplants — they&#x27;re Richmonders who grew up here.Why it matters: Over 900 Axios Richmond reader responses show the split among longtime locals comes down to one thing: whether they experienced Ukrop&#x27;s as a kid.

Spanberger vetoes Virginia marijuana bill, delaying sales again

The governor said Virginia's cannabis marketplace lacked enough enforcement and oversight.

News

Gov. Spanberger on Tuesday vetoed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" data-vars-content-id="05e84a56-06fb-4ccf-8029-ced4b93477c9" data-vars-headline="Spanberger vetoes Virginia marijuana bill, delaying sales again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" target="_self">legislation</a> that would&#x27;ve launched legal retail marijuana sales in Virginia. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the third time in three years the Virginia governor vetoed this legislation — but the first time with a Democrat in the executive mansion, and while the party held a trifecta in state government.

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.

17 things to do in Richmond this Memorial Day weekend

Events include a bike ride with the mayor, an Indian food festival and Sting performing at Allianz.

Things to Do

We&#x27;ve made it to Memorial Day weekend! Here&#x27;s what to do if you&#x27;re still in town.

Peak tick season arrives as Virginia illnesses surge

Reports of West Nile virus cases nearly tripled statewide last year.

Virginia is entering peak tick and mosquito season as health officials warn of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sharp rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/VDHgov/posts/tick-bites-and-tickborne-related-illnesses-are-on-the-rise-in-april-we-saw-over-/1270458078599552/" data-vars-content-id="932b510d-93de-4e5a-bd0c-2c972eaf67b6" data-vars-headline="Peak tick season arrives as Virginia illnesses surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/VDHgov/posts/tick-bites-and-tickborne-related-illnesses-are-on-the-rise-in-april-we-saw-over-/1270458078599552/" target="_blank">sharp rise</a> in tick-bite related ER and urgent care visits statewide. Why it matters: Last year, Virginia saw some of its highest numbers of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses in at least half a decade.

Virginia is first in South with paid leave covering domestic violence

Here's how the program, estimated to apply to 3.2 million private-sector workers, will work.

Virginia is the first Southern state to pass a law establishing a statewide paid family and medical leave program, and it goes beyond new parents or serious illness.Why it matters: The law broadens eligibility by allowing paid leave for workers dealing with domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault.

Richmond nonprofit teams up with NASA on organ delivery drones

The idea to deliver human organs by drone aims to cut delays and ease quality concerns.

Richmond-based United Network for Organ Sharing is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teaming up with NASA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/22/nasa-drone-transplant-organ-delivery" data-vars-content-id="cf02f586-cfeb-410d-86e1-36e0663a8245" data-vars-headline="Richmond nonprofit teams up with NASA on organ delivery drones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/22/nasa-drone-transplant-organ-delivery" target="_self">teaming up with NASA</a> on a new kind of mission: delivering human organs by drone.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UNOS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/09/richmond-unos-organ-transplant-network-furloughs-shutdown" data-vars-content-id="cf02f586-cfeb-410d-86e1-36e0663a8245" data-vars-headline="Richmond nonprofit teams up with NASA on organ delivery drones" 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/richmond-unos-organ-transplant-network-furloughs-shutdown" target="_self">UNOS</a>, headquartered in Jackson Ward, oversees the U.S. transplant system and has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faced scrutiny" data-vars-click-url="https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/organ-transplants-donations-waste-waitlist-unos/" data-vars-content-id="cf02f586-cfeb-410d-86e1-36e0663a8245" data-vars-headline="Richmond nonprofit teams up with NASA on organ delivery drones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/organ-transplants-donations-waste-waitlist-unos/" target="_blank">faced scrutiny</a> over lost organs, delays and quality concerns — issues the groups say drones could help reduce.

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.

Axios Vitals

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

Health 🩺

Peak tick season arrives as Virginia illnesses surge

Virginia is first in South with paid leave covering domestic violence

Richmond nonprofit teams up with NASA on organ delivery drones

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

Virginia measles cases double from 2025 as vaccine rates slip