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Hanover animal shelter takes on data center developer

The shelter says nearby data center construction is frightening rescue dogs. Another project could bring more noise.

News

Hanover&#x27;s latest development fight has an unlikely opponent: a shelter full of rescue dogs.Why it matters: The Humane Society says construction of a neighboring data center is already frightening its animals. Now <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="it fears" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0fSW1kXUMEiW2VrUcJLQ5akTfEHgHAaCP56hJTPDHHVQ5UdfDjBCxymT5dfcWWmDpl&amp;id=100044439789262" data-vars-content-id="1aaa39cb-84c3-46ac-af78-68c2ee867444" data-vars-headline="Hanover animal shelter takes on data center developer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0fSW1kXUMEiW2VrUcJLQ5akTfEHgHAaCP56hJTPDHHVQ5UdfDjBCxymT5dfcWWmDpl&amp;id=100044439789262" target="_blank">it fears</a> two proposed warehouses could bring even more noise and truck traffic to its doorstep.

Hardywood buys Starr Hill in major Virginia beer deal

Hardywood's Starr Hill acquisition gives the combined company nine taprooms across Virginia.

Richmond&#x27;s own <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hardywood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/29/hardywood-low-cal-beer-james-river-richmond" data-vars-content-id="261ed640-e9ae-4b95-af9d-edbb50a3e8ef" data-vars-headline="Hardywood buys Starr Hill in major Virginia beer deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/29/hardywood-low-cal-beer-james-river-richmond" target="_self">Hardywood</a> Park Craft Brewery just acquired Starr Hill, bringing Virginia&#x27;s two largest craft brewers under one company.Why it matters: Hardywood is becoming an even bigger force in Virginia&#x27;s craft beer industry, just months after it took over some production for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Legend Brewing Co" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/25/richmond-breweries-legend-hardywood-partnership" data-vars-content-id="261ed640-e9ae-4b95-af9d-edbb50a3e8ef" data-vars-headline="Hardywood buys Starr Hill in major Virginia beer deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/25/richmond-breweries-legend-hardywood-partnership" target="_self">Legend Brewing Co</a>.

Hanover's first farm tour stars Highland cows and alpacas

It's a rare chance to meet the animals, farmers and local growers behind the county's agricultural scene.

Culture

Hanover County is throwing its first-ever farm-hopping party on Saturday, with Highland cows, alpacas and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="11 farms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hanoverfarmtour.com/meet-the-farms" data-vars-content-id="b5d76c27-e104-4cae-af57-3e4fe371ed6e" data-vars-headline="Hanover&#x27;s first farm tour stars Highland cows and alpacas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hanoverfarmtour.com/meet-the-farms" target="_blank">11 farms</a> opening their gates to visitors.Why it matters: Some have never opened to the public, making this a rare chance to meet the animals, farmers and local growers behind the county&#x27;s agricultural scene.

Report: Hundreds of homeless Richmond-area students live in hotels

Nearly 1 in 3 local students experiencing homelessness were living in hotels or motels in 2022-23.

Hotels have become an increasingly common last resort for Richmond-area families experiencing homelessness, according to a new report from Henrico-based advocacy group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Housing Families First" data-vars-click-url="https://housingfamiliesfirst.org/" data-vars-content-id="d13f735d-b948-4bab-b7e0-412c64d50dfa" data-vars-headline="Report: Hundreds of homeless Richmond-area students live in hotels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://housingfamiliesfirst.org/" target="_blank">Housing Families First</a>.Why it matters: Hotels are increasingly filling the gap for local families who may be able to afford monthly rent but can&#x27;t overcome the barriers to securing long-term housing.

Virginia prepares for potential FDA approval of psilocybin

A new state law has already created a path for the treatment — and Richmond is on one company's expansion map.

FDA-approved psilocybin — the psychedelic compound in so-called &quot;magic mushrooms&quot; — could be on the horizon, and some Virginia providers are already gearing up to deliver it if approved.Why it matters: Virginia has laid the groundwork for the treatment to become available if it wins federal approval, and a company preparing for a potential rollout tells Axios that Richmond is in its expansion plans.

Virginia nursing home families say tougher sanctions aren't enough

Regulators proposed a tougher approach. The response from families and health care workers: More is needed.

Families are urging Virginia regulators to do more to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crack down on nursing homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/12/virginia-nursing-home-oversight-vdh-whats-going-on" data-vars-content-id="ff073bfe-1b0f-4aa3-8aea-efc77619b715" data-vars-headline="Virginia nursing home families say tougher sanctions aren&#x27;t enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/12/virginia-nursing-home-oversight-vdh-whats-going-on" target="_self">crack down on nursing homes</a>, describing understaffing, neglect and unsafe conditions they say have persisted despite complaints and inspections.Why it matters: The state is finalizing new guidelines for when serious or repeated nursing home violations should lead to sanctions.

How Richmond became a hub for complex medical care

The most complicated medical cases can require more than standard care, from specialized clinical teams to research-informed treatment options.

Health

<div data-sponsor-disclosure="&quot;{&quot;logoUrl&quot;:&quot;https://images.axios.com/LFwy68Byrdsl_0wBvbyJx6FtAms=/2026/08/25/1787680939520.png&quot;,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;A message from: VCU Health&quot;}&quot;"></div><div style="display:none"></div>The most complicated medical cases can require more than standard care, from specialized clinical teams to research-informed treatment options.The landscape: As care becomes more specialized, patients with serious or unusual conditions increasingly rely on medical centers that concentrate those resources close to home.

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.

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.

Health 🩺

Virginia prepares for potential FDA approval of psilocybin

Virginia nursing home families say tougher sanctions aren't enough

How Richmond became a hub for complex medical care

Richmond ERs see uninsured surge before Medicaid changes hit

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