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

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Virginia sightings detailed in UFO hearings

The pilots reported the sighting but said there was no further investigation by the military.

News

Hot new restaurant openings in Richmond

Treat yourself to something new and freshen up your Insta feed.

Food and Drink

Year-round school experiment kicks off in Richmond

Students at Fairfield and Cardinal elementary schools returned to class Monday, 20 instructional days before their peers.

Education

The Valentine museum is hiring a city historian

It's the first official historian job for the Richmond history museum in its 125 years.

Virginia's EV driving use by county

Goochland County is the surprise No. 1 EV driving county in the Richmond region.

Richmond EV drivers log some of the lowest electric vehicle miles driven in the Richmond region — and all of Central Virginia.What&#x27;s happening: Richmond saw an estimated 87 electric vehicle miles driven per 1,000 residents on a typical weekday in the second quarter of 2023, according to data shared with Axios.

Richmond's new 686 area code could start in February

If you're planning on gifting someone a new phone for Christmas, you should register it and lock down that new number ASAP to secure an 804 code.

It&#x27;s happening. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond&#x27;s new 686 area code" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/11/23/richmond-new-area-code-686" data-vars-content-id="a1e934e1-493e-48ac-9589-fd6815e8eeca" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s new 686 area code could start in February" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/11/23/richmond-new-area-code-686" target="_self">Richmond&#x27;s new 686 area code</a> could start being assigned early next year — possibly as soon as Feb. 1, a spokesperson for the State Corporation Commission tells Axios.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re planning on gifting someone a new phone for Christmas, you should register it and lock down that new number ASAP to secure an 804 code.

Illustration of an old phone with a clock face on the ear piece

Richmond to Charlottesville passenger line a step closer to reality

Virginia is a step closer to landing the east-west passenger rail line of its dreams.What&#x27;s happening: The project, which would open service between Richmond and Charlottesville, won a $500,000 planning grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation last week.

Illustration of a train with cash flying out of it.

Richmond seeks to tweak city charter

The council is only asking the General Assembly to approve two significant changes.

The city is pushing ahead with revisions to the city charter, but none of the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" sweeping reforms proposed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/08/08/richmond-government-charter-recomendations-review" data-vars-content-id="2e635dc2-ca91-4797-ad87-830555edf6c0" data-vars-headline="Richmond seeks to tweak city charter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/08/08/richmond-government-charter-recomendations-review" target="_self"> sweeping reforms proposed</a> earlier this summer.What&#x27;s happening: The City Council is only asking the General Assembly to approve <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two significant changes" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6417258&amp;GUID=9150A145-F277-4AAD-8BD3-0D5F4D659A2A&amp;Options=&amp;Search=" data-vars-content-id="2e635dc2-ca91-4797-ad87-830555edf6c0" data-vars-headline="Richmond seeks to tweak city charter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6417258&amp;GUID=9150A145-F277-4AAD-8BD3-0D5F4D659A2A&amp;Options=&amp;Search=" target="_blank">two significant changes</a>.

Illustration of Richmond City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Richmond airport trying to catch loose chickens

"It's ruffled a few feathers as it's not a common sight at RIC."

A pair of live chickens seen roaming RIC&#x27;s parking garages left airport officials puzzled on Thursday.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;We&#x27;re not sure how they got here, but the leading theory is that someone dropped them off,&quot; airport spokesman Troy Bell said.

Richmonders are going for fewer walks

The number of average daily walking trips per 1,000 people in the Richmond-metro area dropped 40% between 2019 and 2022.

There&#x27;s been a staggering decline in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="number of trips Americans take by foot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/walking-americans-declines-map" data-vars-content-id="a683f028-b3a4-4d41-a5a4-6b4440616349" data-vars-headline="Richmonders are going for fewer walks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/walking-americans-declines-map" target="_self">number of trips Americans take by foot</a>.Zoom in: The number of average daily walking trips per 1,000 people in the Richmond-metro area dropped 40% between 2019 and 2022, per a new report by StreetLight Data.

Williamsburg festival faces backlash after menorah lighting denial

It's the latest local example of how the Israel-Hamas war — an international conflict thousands of miles away — has become a hot-button issue in everyday American life.

A monthly street fair in Williamsburg is making headlines and drawing bipartisan criticism from state politicians over its organizers&#x27; refusal to allow a menorah lighting to take place at the event.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest local example of how the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Israel-Hamas war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/world/israel" data-vars-content-id="2b65b65b-49f4-412a-82ef-feb48345f2d2" data-vars-headline="Williamsburg festival faces backlash after menorah lighting denial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/world/israel" target="_self">Israel-Hamas war</a> — an international conflict thousands of miles away — has become a hot-button issue in everyday American life.

Illustration of the candles on a menorah blown out.

Virginia's newspaper decline

Seven of the state's 133 cities and counties — Buckingham, Caroline, Franklin, King & Queen, King Geroge, Northampton and York  — have no local newspaper, while 93 others have just one.

Virginia&#x27;s local newspapers are declining more rapidly than predicted, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new study finds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/newspapers-decline-hedge-funds-research" data-vars-content-id="f6387d4c-7875-4ee9-bbe3-464258267eed" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s newspaper decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/newspapers-decline-hedge-funds-research" target="_self">a new study finds</a>, creating deserts void of trustworthy and nonpartisan news.Why it matters: News outlets play a crucial role in keeping communities informed and connected. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Studies have shown" data-vars-click-url="https://journalistsresource.org/politics-and-government/local-newspapers-civic-engagement/" data-vars-content-id="f6387d4c-7875-4ee9-bbe3-464258267eed" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s newspaper decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journalistsresource.org/politics-and-government/local-newspapers-civic-engagement/" target="_blank">Studies have shown</a> that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="civic engagement declines" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/33527852.52/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvbW9ua2V5LWNhZ2Uvd3AvMjAxNS8wMS8yMy90aGUtZGVjbGluZS1vZi1sb2NhbC1uZXdzLWlzLXRocmVhdGVuaW5nLWNpdGl6ZW4tZW5nYWdlbWVudC8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bfb325de2" data-vars-content-id="f6387d4c-7875-4ee9-bbe3-464258267eed" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s newspaper decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/33527852.52/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvbW9ua2V5LWNhZ2Uvd3AvMjAxNS8wMS8yMy90aGUtZGVjbGluZS1vZi1sb2NhbC1uZXdzLWlzLXRocmVhdGVuaW5nLWNpdGl6ZW4tZW5nYWdlbWVudC8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bfb325de2" target="_blank">civic engagement declines</a> when they close.

What Virginia Democrats' proposed abortion rights constitutional amendment would do

Lawmakers next month will consider a constitutional amendment establishing a "fundamental right to reproductive freedom."

Democrats in the General Assembly are poised to take their first step toward enshrining a right to abortion in the state constitution.What&#x27;s happening: When lawmakers convene next month, they&#x27;ll consider <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a constitutional amendment" data-vars-click-url="http://bit.ly/3T6818V" data-vars-content-id="f30051d1-30e0-45b5-b811-0cf43498d383" data-vars-headline="What Virginia Democrats&#x27; proposed abortion rights constitutional amendment would do" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://bit.ly/3T6818V" target="_blank">a constitutional amendment</a> establishing a &quot;fundamental right to reproductive freedom.&quot;

Illustration of a red caduceus crossed with a blue caduceus.

Richmond's top prosecutor: USPS collection boxes "not safe"

Residents in north Richmond and parts of Henrico said they had gone months without receiving mail.

Richmond&#x27;s top prosecutor is warning city residents not to drop their mail in USPS&#x27; big, blue outdoor collection boxes.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;They are being vandalized and your mail is not safe if you deposit it,&quot; Commonwealth&#x27;s Attorney Colette McEachin said in a press release.

Illustration of a USPS mailbox with scared eyes.

VMFA returns dozens of stolen ancient art

"Stolen or looted art has no place in our galleries or collection."

A 2,500-year-old bronze statuette was stolen from an Italian museum in the 1960s.<ul><li>It turns out it&#x27;s been sitting in Richmond for decades.</li></ul>What&#x27;s happening: The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts announced this week it returned the artifact along with 43 other stolen or looted ancient art objects discovered in its collection.