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Ukrop's gets a bigger footprint inside Richmond-area Kroger

A renovated Midlothian Kroger will soon feature a dedicated section for Ukrop's favorites.

Business

The Kroger on Midlothian near Winterfield is getting a bigger and bolder section for Ukrop&#x27;s products. Why it matters: It&#x27;s like Ukrop&#x27;s Super Markets never left us.

Inside the Italian market tucked into a Church Hill garage

Giorno Market is bring Euro summer to Richmond with imported Italian goods, peachy umbrellas and no AC.

Things to Do

Sabrina here. The closest thing to an Italian summer in Richmond might be a converted garage in Church Hill.Why it matters: Almost everything at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Giorno Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/giornomarket/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="65986078-f114-408c-bd3d-a97c6e941fea" data-vars-headline="Inside the Italian market tucked into a Church Hill garage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/giornomarket/?hl=en" target="_blank">Giorno Market</a> is imported from Italy, its peachy umbrellas are reminiscent of those on the Amalfi Coast and the lack of AC will make you feel very European in no time.

Richmond restaurant hit with erroneous $60K water bill

Her usual bill is about $1,500, but a meter issue led to a $58,486 charge and a cash crunch.

News

A Richmond restaurant owner says the city mistakenly pulled roughly $60,000 from her bank account this week for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="utility bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/08/richmond-dpu-utility-billing-problems-new-system-payments-account-numbers" data-vars-content-id="1c440395-771c-4e8c-bb8c-1adac040b2f5" data-vars-headline="Richmond restaurant hit with erroneous $60K water bill" 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/richmond-dpu-utility-billing-problems-new-system-payments-account-numbers" target="_self">utility bill</a> that typically would&#x27;ve been around $1,500.Why it matters: The erroneous charge left <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harry&#x27;s at Hofheimer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/10/16/scotts-addition-speakeasy" data-vars-content-id="1c440395-771c-4e8c-bb8c-1adac040b2f5" data-vars-headline="Richmond restaurant hit with erroneous $60K water bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/10/16/scotts-addition-speakeasy" target="_self">Harry&#x27;s at Hofheimer</a> owner Natalie McNamara scrambling to get her money back and raised fresh questions about the city&#x27;s billing system amid ongoing problems.

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.

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.

Richmond ERs see uninsured surge before Medicaid changes hit

Uninsured ER visits have more than doubled since 2022. Now major Medicaid eligibility changes are weeks away.

More Richmond-area patients are showing up at emergency rooms without insurance, and Virginia officials warn the trend may worsen statewide as new federal Medicaid changes roll out this fall. Why it matters: State leaders say the health care system can&#x27;t absorb additional coverage losses, with costs potentially spilling over to insured Virginians.<ul><li>&quot;When Virginians lose their health coverage, premiums will go up for everyone else,&quot; Gov. Abigail Spanberger warned Tuesday.</li></ul>

Richmond is the 20th-fittest city in America, new ranking says

The city jumped 20 spots this year, beating New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

Culture

Richmond is getting ripped.The big picture: We’re the 20th-fittest city in America, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 American Fitness Index" data-vars-click-url="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-AFI-report_final.pdf" data-vars-content-id="a662ba91-e449-4fe4-af22-21580c4765f9" data-vars-headline="Richmond is the 20th-fittest city in America, new ranking says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-AFI-report_final.pdf" target="_blank">2026 American Fitness Index</a> — up 20 spots from last year.

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>.

Virginia among states leading U.S. measles cases surge

Nearly all cases are among unvaccinated people.

Virginia is one of the seven states accounting for the majority of U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46765719.38837/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDcvMjIvbWVhc2xlcy1jYXNlcy1zdXJnZS1wYXN0LWxhc3QteWVhcj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2RjJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/6320e55d7d3a2e7b1100e335Bb1217d87" data-vars-content-id="6cbc3809-69d8-4caf-ab37-862a89add0d5" data-vars-headline="Virginia among states leading U.S. measles cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46765719.38837/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDcvMjIvbWVhc2xlcy1jYXNlcy1zdXJnZS1wYXN0LWxhc3QteWVhcj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2RjJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/6320e55d7d3a2e7b1100e335Bb1217d87" target="_self">measles</a> cases as kids prepare to head back to school.Why it matters: The nationwide measles case count has officially shattered last year&#x27;s record, hitting levels unseen in more than three decades, according to CDC <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46765719.38837/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2RjLmdvdi9tZWFzbGVzL2RhdGEtcmVzZWFyY2gvaW5kZXguaHRtbD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2RjJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/6320e55d7d3a2e7b1100e335C789e74a7" data-vars-content-id="6cbc3809-69d8-4caf-ab37-862a89add0d5" data-vars-headline="Virginia among states leading U.S. measles cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46765719.38837/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2RjLmdvdi9tZWFzbGVzL2RhdGEtcmVzZWFyY2gvaW5kZXguaHRtbD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2RjJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/6320e55d7d3a2e7b1100e335C789e74a7" target="_self">data</a> released Friday.

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.

Virginia sees rise in parasite illness causing "explosive" diarrhea

Virginia officials say there isn't an outbreak yet. Meanwhile, fresh produce is under scrutiny nationwide.

Virginia isn&#x27;t seeing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/11/explosive-diarrhea-parasite-cyclospora-sick-outbreak" data-vars-content-id="666245c4-bcf3-4b53-a6c7-a17cb6207317" data-vars-headline="Virginia sees rise in parasite illness causing &quot;explosive&quot; diarrhea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/11/explosive-diarrhea-parasite-cyclospora-sick-outbreak" target="_self">cyclosporiasis outbreak</a> yet, but the state is seeing more cases of the gut-wrecking illness than usual.Why it matters: Investigators nationwide have yet to find the source behind the contamination that&#x27;s affected <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 7,000 Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html" data-vars-content-id="666245c4-bcf3-4b53-a6c7-a17cb6207317" data-vars-headline="Virginia sees rise in parasite illness causing &quot;explosive&quot; diarrhea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html" target="_blank">nearly 7,000 Americans</a>, leaving people confused and with few answers about how to avoid the parasite.

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.

More than 4,000 Richmond-area households lack AC

And temperatures are hitting 95 degrees this weekend.

Health

Roughly 4,100 households in the Richmond region lacked air conditioning in 2023, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" data-vars-content-id="28ac5c44-9c32-4bd2-bf54-0a1dd09ec2aa" data-vars-headline="More than 4,000 Richmond-area households lack AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" target="_blank">new census data</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s about to be 95 degrees <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this weekend." data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.55305&amp;lon=-77.459003" data-vars-content-id="28ac5c44-9c32-4bd2-bf54-0a1dd09ec2aa" data-vars-headline="More than 4,000 Richmond-area households lack AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.55305&amp;lon=-77.459003" target="_blank">this weekend.</a>

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.

A map shows reported measles cases by state, as of July 26, 2026. South Carolina and Utah report the most, with 670 and 522 cases respectively. Five other states report more than 100 cases, seven states report none. All other states and Washington, D.C. reported less than 20 cases.

Health 🩺

Richmond ERs see uninsured surge before Medicaid changes hit

Richmond is the 20th-fittest city in America, new ranking says

Virginia sets clearer triggers for nursing home sanctions

Virginia among states leading U.S. measles cases surge

Virginia moves to rewrite landfill rules after Shoosmith