Richmond

Richmond Alerts

Alert

blue

Axios Richmond Partners

Axios Richmond

Standard

A picture of the Richmond skyline with the letters RIC

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Richmond.

Axios Richmond Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Richmond Members

Membership

AI local news network shuts down after plagiarism found

Nota shut down its 11 sites after questions from Axios Richmond and Poynter about copied content.

News

An <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI-powered local news network" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/30/ai-local-news-henrico-chesterfield" data-vars-content-id="9fbb64d9-e5ce-4c2f-8219-ce6632013d09" data-vars-headline="AI local news network shuts down after plagiarism found" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/30/ai-local-news-henrico-chesterfield" target="_self">AI-powered local news network</a> shut down after Axios Richmond&#x27;s questions about copied content on its Henrico site grew into a broader plagiarism scandal.Why it matters: The collapse of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nota" data-vars-click-url="https://www.heynota.com/" data-vars-content-id="9fbb64d9-e5ce-4c2f-8219-ce6632013d09" data-vars-headline="AI local news network shuts down after plagiarism found" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.heynota.com/" target="_blank">Nota</a> News shows the growing risks of using AI to scale local journalism without clear editorial standards and oversight.

Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues

The former headquarters will be demolished for a new arena project, but its famed limestone eagle statues will stay..

Business

The former Best Products headquarters in Henrico will soon be demolished for the county&#x27;s planned arena-anchored development, dubbed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Products Reimagined" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/05/henricos-23-billion-greencity-development-and-arena-project-could-be-in-jeopardy" data-vars-content-id="a775ffd1-9445-4008-92c3-654b98ee02eb" data-vars-headline="Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/05/henricos-23-billion-greencity-development-and-arena-project-could-be-in-jeopardy" target="_self">Best Products Reimagined</a>. Why it matters: The iconic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Art Deco eagle statues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWGsuM5Gk4S/" data-vars-content-id="a775ffd1-9445-4008-92c3-654b98ee02eb" data-vars-headline="Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWGsuM5Gk4S/" target="_blank">Art Deco eagle statues</a> that once flanked the building off I-95 and East Parham Road will be preserved.

Bettors grow more confident Virginia redistricting vote will pass

That optimism runs counter to the growing anxiety among Democrats.

People are betting that Virginia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redistricting referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/06/virginia-redistricting-map-richmond-nova-midterms" data-vars-content-id="5a67a115-3355-437a-b350-5f8e905b73b6" data-vars-headline="Bettors grow more confident Virginia redistricting vote will pass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/06/virginia-redistricting-map-richmond-nova-midterms" target="_self">redistricting referendum</a> will pass, and the odds have only grown more confident in recent days.Why it matters: That optimism runs counter to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing anxiety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/26/abigail-spanberger-virginia-redistricting-election-00845675" data-vars-content-id="5a67a115-3355-437a-b350-5f8e905b73b6" data-vars-headline="Bettors grow more confident Virginia redistricting vote will pass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/26/abigail-spanberger-virginia-redistricting-election-00845675" target="_blank">growing anxiety</a> among Democrats due to strong early voting turnout in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Republican-leaning districts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/23/virginia-redistricting-referendum-early-voting-turnout-gop-vs-dem-richmond-vpap" data-vars-content-id="5a67a115-3355-437a-b350-5f8e905b73b6" data-vars-headline="Bettors grow more confident Virginia redistricting vote will pass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/23/virginia-redistricting-referendum-early-voting-turnout-gop-vs-dem-richmond-vpap" target="_self">Republican-leaning districts</a>.

The 10 best rooftop bars in Richmond

Food and Drink

We&#x27;ve rounded up 10 of Richmond&#x27;s best rooftops, from Carytown and the Fan to downtown and Shockoe.Why it matters: Most of them just reopened, and there&#x27;s nothing that makes life worth living quite like a drink with a view.

Which Richmond-area officials make the most money

Henrico outspent Richmond and Chesterfield on salaries.

Some local government workers make bank. Why it matters: Local taxpayers fund those salaries.

Richmond paid over $550K to dead retirees

One retired city employee received nearly $250,000 in payments years after his death, an audit found.

Richmond has paid over half a million dollars to dead people in the past nine years, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent audit" data-vars-click-url="https://rvagov.prod.acquia-sites.com/sites/default/files/2025-05/OCA%202025-10%20Richmond%20Retirement%20System%201099-R%20Process%205.9.25.pdf" data-vars-content-id="936047e1-e5d3-43c0-864f-484db9896621" data-vars-headline="Richmond paid over $550K to dead retirees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rvagov.prod.acquia-sites.com/sites/default/files/2025-05/OCA%202025-10%20Richmond%20Retirement%20System%201099-R%20Process%205.9.25.pdf" target="_blank">recent audit</a> of the city&#x27;s retirement system.Why it matters: It&#x27;s yet another example of why many Richmonders have lost trust in the city&#x27;s ability to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="properly handle taxpayer dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/30/richmond-credit-card-program-halted-avula" data-vars-content-id="936047e1-e5d3-43c0-864f-484db9896621" data-vars-headline="Richmond paid over $550K to dead retirees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/30/richmond-credit-card-program-halted-avula" target="_self">properly handle taxpayer dollars</a>.

Youngkin cuts $900M in Virginia budget to prep for Trump-era impact

It's the latest way the state is bracing for the fallout of federal cuts, tariffs and workforce shifts.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Youngkin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/25/youngkin-bills-signed-final-legislative-session" data-vars-content-id="474d0156-7279-4aaa-b96f-6cddf2317e6e" data-vars-headline="Youngkin cuts $900M in Virginia budget to prep for Trump-era impact" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/25/youngkin-bills-signed-final-legislative-session" target="_self">Gov. Youngkin</a> is cutting $900 million from the amended two-year state budget to brace for fallout from President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/17/trump-health-funding-cuts-virginia" data-vars-content-id="474d0156-7279-4aaa-b96f-6cddf2317e6e" data-vars-headline="Youngkin cuts $900M in Virginia budget to prep for Trump-era impact" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/17/trump-health-funding-cuts-virginia" target="_self">federal cuts</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="workforce reductions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/24/virginia-jobs-federal-workers-glenn-youngkin-plan" data-vars-content-id="474d0156-7279-4aaa-b96f-6cddf2317e6e" data-vars-headline="Youngkin cuts $900M in Virginia budget to prep for Trump-era impact" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/24/virginia-jobs-federal-workers-glenn-youngkin-plan" target="_self">workforce reductions</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/05/virginia-trump-tariffs-prices-increase" data-vars-content-id="474d0156-7279-4aaa-b96f-6cddf2317e6e" data-vars-headline="Youngkin cuts $900M in Virginia budget to prep for Trump-era impact" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/05/virginia-trump-tariffs-prices-increase" target="_self">tariffs</a>.The big picture: Youngkin still backs the federal policies, and said he thinks they&#x27;ll eventually benefit the state, but he also acknowledged their &quot;short-term risks&quot; to Virginia&#x27;s economy.

Where the most young adults in Virginia live with their parents

Nearly 17% of Richmond adults aged 25-34 were living in a parent's home as of 2023.

Parents joke about not being able to wait until their kids are out of the house, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/04/17/the-shares-of-young-adults-living-with-parents-vary-widely-across-the-us/" data-vars-content-id="17838c1b-aede-4453-839b-bd9286bd71f9" data-vars-headline="Where the most young adults in Virginia live with their parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/04/17/the-shares-of-young-adults-living-with-parents-vary-widely-across-the-us/" target="_blank">data shows</a> nearly 1 in 5 young adults in the Richmond area are staying put.The big picture: The trend surprisingly doesn&#x27;t have to do with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="being unemployed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/18/unemployment-claims-virginia-march-trump-job-cuts" data-vars-content-id="17838c1b-aede-4453-839b-bd9286bd71f9" data-vars-headline="Where the most young adults in Virginia live with their parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/18/unemployment-claims-virginia-march-trump-job-cuts" target="_self">being unemployed</a> or how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expensive rent" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/01/06/landlord-software-rent-prices-realpage" data-vars-content-id="17838c1b-aede-4453-839b-bd9286bd71f9" data-vars-headline="Where the most young adults in Virginia live with their parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/01/06/landlord-software-rent-prices-realpage" target="_self">expensive rent</a> has gotten, according to Pew Research.

Virginians might be getting big tax refunds this year

Tax filing season ends Tuesday. Then tax rebate checks will be on the way by October.

Many Virginia taxpayers are likely getting a fat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal tax refund" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/irs-tax-season-2025-taxes-refund" data-vars-content-id="f4a4af8d-6565-4500-b86b-cc6dd617105a" data-vars-headline="Virginians might be getting big tax refunds this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/irs-tax-season-2025-taxes-refund" target="_self">federal tax refund</a> this year.Why it matters: Tax filing season ends Tuesday, so it&#x27;s something to look forward to.

Virginia women earn nearly $15K less than men

Virginia's gender pay gap grew in 2023, with women earning 78.8% of men's median income — one of the widest disparities in the South.

Virginia has one of the highest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gender pay gaps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/11/gender-wage-gap-rate-earnings" data-vars-content-id="5d4798c3-fbfa-4112-a13b-1dc405e59b26" data-vars-headline="Virginia women earn nearly $15K less than men" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/11/gender-wage-gap-rate-earnings" target="_self">gender pay gaps</a> in the South, according to 2023 census data.Why it matters: Gender pay differences reflect in part &quot;a lack of workplace policies that support family caregiving, which is still most often performed by women,&quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" according to" data-vars-click-url="https://nationalpartnership.org/report/wage-gap/" data-vars-content-id="5d4798c3-fbfa-4112-a13b-1dc405e59b26" data-vars-headline="Virginia women earn nearly $15K less than men" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nationalpartnership.org/report/wage-gap/" target="_blank"> according to</a> the National Partnership for Women and Families.

Richmond's Where Ya Bin Amazon returns re-sale store opens Friday

The store lets shoppers buy stuff other people have returned — for a fraction of the price.

The wait is over for Richmond&#x27;s Amazon returns re-sale store, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Where Ya Bin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/p/Where-Ya-Bin-Richmond-61566551194639/" data-vars-content-id="f9f1188d-64a8-467e-9def-c07514c78ab5" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s Where Ya Bin Amazon returns re-sale store opens Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Where-Ya-Bin-Richmond-61566551194639/" target="_blank">Where Ya Bin</a>.Why it matters: The store lets shoppers buy stuff other people have returned — for a fraction of the price.

Now's your chance to spend the city of Richmond's money

Richmond set aside $3 million in the next fiscal cycle and residents get to decide how it's spent. Seriously.

If you&#x27;ve ever thought you could do a better job at spending taxpayer money than your elected officials, now&#x27;s your chance to prove it.The big picture: Richmond set aside $3 million in the next fiscal cycle for residents to decide how to spend. Seriously.

A bar chart showing the share of those ages 25 to 34 living with their parents, as of 2023. The national average is 17.7%, while in the U.S. average metro area, it's 17.7%. The metro area with the highest share is Vallejo, Calif., at 33.0%, and the metro area with the lowest share is Lincoln, Neb. at 2.9%.

Share of those ages 25 to 34 living with their parents, as of 2023

Data: Pew; Note: "Living with their parents" means residing in a household headed by a parent; Chart: Axios Visuals

Axios What's Next

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the average tax refund by state for tax year 2022 among filers receiving a refund. Florida leads at about $3.9k, while Maine trails at about $2.7k. The U.S. average is about $3.3k.

Money

Which Richmond-area officials make the most money

Richmond paid over $550K to dead retirees

Youngkin cuts $900M in Virginia budget to prep for Trump-era impact

Where the most young adults in Virginia live with their parents

Virginians might be getting big tax refunds this year