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Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas arrested on federal drug, corruption charges

The indictment alleges Lucas used her political power to profit, but she denies the charges.

News

Federal authorities charged <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/06/fbi-raid-louise-lucas-office-virginia" data-vars-content-id="875b09ed-95c0-401b-9c70-a96e42baa20e" data-vars-headline="Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas arrested on federal drug, corruption charges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/06/fbi-raid-louise-lucas-office-virginia" target="_self">Virginia Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas</a> with corruption Thursday, accusing her of using her political power to profit from an illegal marijuana operation.Why it matters: The indictment, weeks before the midterms, raises questions about whether one of Virginia&#x27;s most powerful Democrats sought to personally gain from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="marijuana industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/21/virginia-marijuana-dispensaries-licenses-delivery-rules" data-vars-content-id="875b09ed-95c0-401b-9c70-a96e42baa20e" data-vars-headline="Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas arrested on federal drug, corruption charges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/21/virginia-marijuana-dispensaries-licenses-delivery-rules" target="_self">marijuana industry</a> she helped shape.

RVA Big Market is leaving Bryan Park for Midtown Green

The farmers market will relocate to Midtown Green in spring 2027, with more room to grow.

Richmond&#x27;s popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RVA Big Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/06/07/virginia-farmers-markets-gold-certified" data-vars-content-id="b512a26d-ae88-406a-8e13-1a49850cf3b8" data-vars-headline="RVA Big Market is leaving Bryan Park for Midtown Green" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/06/07/virginia-farmers-markets-gold-certified" target="_self">RVA Big Market</a> will move from Bryan Park to Midtown Green next spring — a permanent relocation for the farmers market that draws thousands to the Northside park every Saturday.Why it matters: It marks the second major move for the nearly 20-year-old Richmond institution, but organizers say the new location could help the market grow even larger.

Richmond's new Mayo Bridge design revealed after 2 years

After years of debate, the $190M bridge replacement would halve traffic lanes, add bike protection and slow drivers.

Richmonders are getting their clearest look yet at the proposed $190 million replacement for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayo Bridge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/10/09/richmond-mayo-bridge-lane-closure-rush-hour" data-vars-content-id="f3fbbd9f-6053-4a18-b58f-478a4e81043a" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s new Mayo Bridge design revealed after 2 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/10/09/richmond-mayo-bridge-lane-closure-rush-hour" target="_self">Mayo Bridge</a>, with protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks and river overlooks.Why it matters: The latest design reflects years of debate over how to make one of Richmond&#x27;s oldest river crossings safer for pedestrians and cyclists without worsening traffic.

Study: Proposed Richmond tower could generate nearly $1B in activity

The $67 billion Dominion-NextEra merger faces a November hearing as critics question promised perks.

The downtown Richmond <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="office tower" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/15/dominion-nextera-virginia-bill-credits-jobs-benefits" data-vars-content-id="5c8d4526-a712-4f23-b76b-7ff418ffee1e" data-vars-headline="Study: Proposed Richmond tower could generate nearly $1B in activity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/15/dominion-nextera-virginia-bill-credits-jobs-benefits" target="_self">office tower</a> that NextEra says it will build if its merger with Dominion Energy is approved could generate nearly $1 billion in economic activity statewide, according to a new study. Why it matters: The analysis puts a dollar figure on one of the perks the energy giants are touting to win approval for their $67 billion deal.

An adrenaline junkie's guide to fall road trips from Richmond

Your next leaf-peeping trip could involve a suspension bridge, Class IV rapids and a parachute.

Things to Do

<figure><img alt="Jagged gray rocks form a cliff edge with a steel cable railing looping across; a misty blue-gray background obscures distant mountains, creating a precarious overlook." height="448" id="189a3a35-3242-488f-8030-09503f94bd23" src="https://images.axios.com/EuIZhV4YYnEBW2PJjJcOpQflOPE=/2026/10/01/1790875454762.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Wee! Video: Sabrina Moreno/Axios from the top of the West Virginia via ferrata.</figcaption></figure>Forget <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaf-peeping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/10/01/richmond-shenandoah-fall-leaves-october-november" data-vars-content-id="a67d03ae-d067-4fb6-aba9-9258da219eed" data-vars-headline="An adrenaline junkie&#x27;s guide to fall road trips from Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/10/01/richmond-shenandoah-fall-leaves-october-november" target="_self">leaf-peeping</a> from the passenger seat. Richmonders should see the colors while scaling a mountain, barreling through rapids or jumping out of a plane.Why it matters: It&#x27;s all within a three-hour drive from the city — ideal for a fall road trip.

Glen Allen ranks among Virginia's friendliest places

The Henrico suburb ranked No. 14 based on neighbor interactions, support and community tone.

Glen Allen is one of the friendliest places to live in Virginia, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nextdoor" data-vars-click-url="https://nextdoor.com/city/glen-allen--va/" data-vars-content-id="171b0591-7e61-4148-b177-d0ea52cc3b32" data-vars-headline="Glen Allen ranks among Virginia&#x27;s friendliest places" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nextdoor.com/city/glen-allen--va/" target="_blank">Nextdoor</a>.Why it matters: The Henrico County suburb was the only neighborhood in RVA to land on Nextdoor&#x27;s ranking of the 20 friendliest communities in the state.

Richmond's most romantic spots, according to readers

The answers ranged from scenic overlooks to booths tucked away in legendary neighborhood bars.

Richmonders know romance isn&#x27;t just about candles and prix fixe menus, at least if readers&#x27; picks for the city&#x27;s most romantic spots are any indication.Why it matters: Nearly 100 people responded to our poll this past week, and their answers ranged from scenic overlooks to booths tucked away in legendary neighborhood bars.

Struggling to park in Scott's Addition? Try these 5 hacks

Scott's Addition parking is a nightmare, but there are still ways to snag a spot without endless circling.

One of the worst parts about Richmond is trying to park (or drive) in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Scott&#x27;s Addition." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/27/scotts-addition-richmond-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="9c11bad6-ca96-4181-95e9-aa02ab692c20" data-vars-headline="Struggling to park in Scott&#x27;s Addition? Try these 5 hacks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/27/scotts-addition-richmond-redevelopment" target="_self">Scott&#x27;s Addition.</a>Why it matters: We&#x27;re here to give you five tips on how to hack it in one of Richmond&#x27;s busiest (and most crowded) neighborhoods.

How to be a true Richmonder when you've just moved here

You've got to notch certain experiences in this city before even thinking about claiming it, and that takes time.

Culture

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moving here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/05/richmond-population-estimates-growth-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="78a3ec7c-5ddd-4746-abde-cc9776f5ba61" data-vars-headline="How to be a true Richmonder when you&#x27;ve just moved here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/05/richmond-population-estimates-growth-pandemic" target="_self">Moving here</a> is the first step, but it doesn&#x27;t make you a Richmonder just yet.Why it matters: Richmonders like to insist you notch certain experiences in this city before claiming it, and that takes time.

5 ways to fall in love with Richmond again

In Richmond, it can require intention and trying harder than you might somewhere else.

If you ask Elaine Digges, becoming a Richmonder and falling (or staying) in love with this city go hand in hand.Why it matters: Both require intention and trying harder than you might somewhere else, she says.

Pro tips for finding a place to rent in Richmond

Facebook groups will be your best friend.

Finding an apartment to rent in Richmond isn&#x27;t easy.The big picture: Renters make up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make up 57%" data-vars-click-url="https://censusreporter.org/profiles/05000US51760-richmond-city-va/" data-vars-content-id="4832f976-979b-46d9-9fd0-a0d20819f55b" data-vars-headline="Pro tips for finding a place to rent in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://censusreporter.org/profiles/05000US51760-richmond-city-va/" target="_blank">make up 57%</a> of all Richmond households. Rent increases are outpacing income gains, and an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimated 28 new people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/02/20/richmond-growth-statistics-influencer-vegan" data-vars-content-id="4832f976-979b-46d9-9fd0-a0d20819f55b" data-vars-headline="Pro tips for finding a place to rent in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/02/20/richmond-growth-statistics-influencer-vegan" target="_self">estimated 28 new people</a> are moving here every day.

Richmond is going through growing pains

All the uncertainty and fear about where we're headed coalesced in a flash point on social media recently, aimed directly at one LA transplant just trying to live her best content creating, vegan influencing life.

Our city is changing.What&#x27;s happening: We&#x27;ve seen it all around us as we&#x27;ve emerged from our pandemic bunkers and settled into a new normal.

Richmond ranks higher than NoVa in annual city performance study

Richmond barely cracked the top 100, while two North Carolina cities (Raleigh and Charlotte) landed in the top 10.

Richmond is on the rise as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top performing city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/06/best-performing-us-cities-2024-milken" data-vars-content-id="2a35bb7d-e423-41d6-ae92-5daaba67d572" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranks higher than NoVa in annual city performance study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/06/best-performing-us-cities-2024-milken" target="_self">top performing city</a> when stacked against every other major metro in the nation.Driving the news: RVA was one of five large metros that saw a significant gain in its ranking in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Performing Cities" data-vars-click-url="https://milkeninstitute.org/best-performing-cities" data-vars-content-id="2a35bb7d-e423-41d6-ae92-5daaba67d572" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranks higher than NoVa in annual city performance study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://milkeninstitute.org/best-performing-cities" target="_blank">Best Performing Cities</a>, an annual big deal list put out by the Milken Institute and released first to Axios.

We asked our readers to define Richmond in 2 words

Newcomers Guide

Last week we asked you to describe Richmond in two words, building off a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="random tweet we saw" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/inthesamedevice/status/1747062760259678545?s=46" data-vars-content-id="faf8e41a-22df-459b-b35e-a62bf7aa3fdc" data-vars-headline="We asked our readers to define Richmond in 2 words" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/inthesamedevice/status/1747062760259678545?s=46" target="_blank">random tweet we saw</a> and loved.Some answers we got and loved: