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Virginia considers assault weapons ban, $15 wage and paid leave

Here's a quick guide to the major bills still moving through the legislature, beyond weed and data centers.

News

It&#x27;s time for a lightning round on the other headline-grabbing bills still alive this General Assembly session, beyond <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="constitutional amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/14/virginia-2026-abortion-redistricting-democrats" data-vars-content-id="5bd367b9-fa6e-49c7-8712-699c1aee701e" data-vars-headline="Virginia considers assault weapons ban, $15 wage and paid leave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/14/virginia-2026-abortion-redistricting-democrats" target="_self">constitutional amendments</a>, weed and data centers.State of play: With Democrats controlling both chambers and governor&#x27;s office, several have a clear path to becoming law. Here&#x27;s what they&#x27;d do:

Flashback: Richmond's unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns

A look back at RVA's chaotic 2016, from Stoney's win to rooftop bars and creepy clowns.

We hear the kids are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="throwing it back to 2016" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" target="_self">throwing it back to 2016</a> and thought it would be fun to play along.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral trend" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" target="_self">viral trend</a> is reminiscing over everything that happened a decade ago, which happened to be a big year for Richmond.

The Richmond spots Virginia lawmakers eat at during session

From GWARbar to Rappahannock, legislators share their go-to Richmond spots.

Food and Drink

Richmond Times-Dispatch restaurant critic Justin Lo recently got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the lowdown" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_29a944ae-f37d-11ef-a15f-f7719f390024.html" data-vars-content-id="a652a22d-3155-4778-9b38-a41364bb30fe" data-vars-headline="The Richmond spots Virginia lawmakers eat at during session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_29a944ae-f37d-11ef-a15f-f7719f390024.html" target="_blank">the lowdown</a> on where state lawmakers go to eat when they&#x27;re in town.Why it matters: The 140 members of the General Assembly are temporary Richmonders for 30-to-60 days every winter, and they dine local.

How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill

Lawmakers aren't looking to stop the boom, but they want data centers to pay more.

Virginia isn&#x27;t pausing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" data-vars-content-id="89b2517b-ae50-4ad5-875b-344981a937bb" data-vars-headline="How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" target="_self">data center boom</a>, but lawmakers are trying to keep residents from footing the bill for it.Why it matters: That&#x27;s easier said than done.

Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle

The latest mass shooting revives a long cycle of violence and uneasy recovery in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom.

The early Saturday morning mass shooting in Shockoe Bottom was the latest in a string of violence going back decades in one of Richmond&#x27;s oldest neighborhoods.Why it matters: The Bottom&#x27;s recent history shows that high-profile violence can become a tipping point prompting lasting policy changes.State of play: Shockoe Bottom has a long and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="complicated history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" target="_self">complicated history</a>, but the flood-prone valley as a Richmond nightlife destination didn&#x27;t really begin until the mid-1980s and super-charged in the mid-&#x27;90s, after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Floodwall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" target="_blank">Floodwall</a> was completed.<ul><li>After the Floodwall was done in 1995 and the district was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mostly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">mostly</a> protected from frequent flooding, developers flocked in, converting old warehouses and buildings into apartments and retail, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style Weekly reported." data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style Weekly reported.</a></li><li>New restaurants, clubs and music venues quickly joined existing Shockoe spots, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bird in Hand" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" target="_blank">Bird in Hand</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chetti&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" target="_blank">Chetti&#x27;s</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moondance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" target="_blank">Moondance</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Flood Zone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" target="_blank">the Flood Zone</a>. </li><li>By the early aughts, Shockoe Bottom had arrived. The nightlife destination offered high-end restaurants like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Havana &#x27;59" data-vars-click-url="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" target="_blank">Havana &#x27;59</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julep&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://rva.juleps.net/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rva.juleps.net/" target="_blank">Julep&#x27;s</a>, live music at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alley Katz" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" target="_blank">Alley Katz</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bottom Line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" target="_blank">The Bottom Line</a>, late-night eats at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="River City Diner" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" target="_blank">River City Diner</a> and dancing and debauchery in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiki Bob&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" target="_blank">Tiki Bob&#x27;s</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Have a Nice Day Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" target="_blank">Have a Nice Day Cafe</a>, plus dozens more. </li></ul>Zoom in: Just as the Bottom&#x27;s upswing began, so did the violence. By mid-2004, Richmond Police started ramping up patrols in the neighborhood after nine people were shot, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Style" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" target="_blank">per Style</a>. <ul><li>It wouldn&#x27;t matter. The end of summer brought <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Gaston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">Hurricane Gaston</a>, which left much of the Bottom submerged. It took some businesses <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two years to recover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" target="_blank">two years to recover</a>. Some never did. </li><li>In 2010, the Bottom was back, but not the same. Another spate of violence brought another round of increased police attention — and action by Richmond City Council, which passed an ordinance requiring nightclubs get a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." target="_blank">permit</a> to operate, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style reported</a>.</li></ul>Yes, but: The Bottom was improving. Between 2005 and 2010, Shockoe Bottom was on track to see a 50% decline in major crimes, per Style. <ul><li>But by then, the Bottom had a perception problem, it seemed.</li><li>There were efforts by City Hall to turn things around. Notably, former Mayor Dwight Jones&#x27; failed pitch to put a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="baseball diamond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" target="_blank">baseball diamond</a> in The Bottom, the years-long renovation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" target="_blank">17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market</a> and former Mayor Stoney&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shockoe Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" target="_blank">Shockoe Project</a> plan, which brought new businesses to the district. For a bit. </li></ul>The latest: Guns — the sheer number of them on the streets and in the hands of crowds flocking to Shockoe Bottom on the weekends — are the problem, Richmond Police chief Rick Edwards said in response to the Saturday shooting. <ul><li>RPD Major Crimes is investigating the mass shooting and asking anyone with information, particularly video to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Mayor Danny Avula said Saturday that the city&#x27;s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention is working on a &quot;community ambassadors&quot; program that will focus on the bars and clubs and should launch by summer.

Virginia measles cases double from 2025 as vaccine rates slip

Recent health department data shows two-dose coverage falls below the recommended 95% threshold.

Virginia health officials are reporting a rise in measles cases as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/23/virginia-trump-cdc-vaccine-changes-measles" data-vars-content-id="67f2fc39-1720-4151-947e-1cc3df965472" data-vars-headline="Virginia measles cases double from 2025 as vaccine rates slip" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/23/virginia-trump-cdc-vaccine-changes-measles" target="_self">vaccination</a> rates in most localities fall below the threshold experts say is needed to prevent outbreaks. Why it matters: The state has already reported 10 cases this year, which is double the total recorded in 2025.

VDOT works to fill hundreds of Richmond-area potholes after storm

Nearly 300 pothole complaints hit RVA311 this month, but only 32 are fixed so far.

VDOT, Henrico and Richmond are working on a post -winter storm pothole-filling blitz.Why it matters: Richmond-area streets are riddled with them right now.

Supreme Court ruling puts $2.7B in Virginia tariffs in limbo

Billions paid by Virginia importers could be refundable. But it's unclear who would get the money, or when.

Politics

Virginia importers paid nearly $2.7 billion in tariffs that are now in limbo after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Supreme Court struck down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="cb7466df-0167-4ff6-b09f-bae5796b3d74" data-vars-headline="Supreme Court ruling puts $2.7B in Virginia tariffs in limbo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">Supreme Court struck down</a> a swath of President Trump&#x27;s trade levies on Friday.Why it matters: Roughly $126 billion nationwide could be subject to refunds. But it&#x27;s unclear who would get the money, or when.

Stella's expands viral red velvet latte to 7 stores

After TikTok buzz, Stella's is selling the drink at all seven locations.

Richmond TikTok is losing its mind over a limited-edition red velvet latte at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stella&#x27;s Grocery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/07/13/stellas-grocery-river-road" data-vars-content-id="ef59e528-4c5c-4e67-8fdd-806b3b0041d6" data-vars-headline="Stella&#x27;s expands viral red velvet latte to 7 stores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/07/13/stellas-grocery-river-road" target="_self">Stella&#x27;s Grocery</a>.Why it matters: The gourmet market has extended its run and expanded where you can find it.

Virginia's Pound town won't disappear — for now

The Southwest Virginia town narrowly avoided being placed under county control after a council vote.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pound town" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/05/09/dirty-virginia-town-names-goochland-climax" data-vars-content-id="03b937c1-6bc4-4079-a814-ac1e2bd1a73d" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s Pound town won&#x27;t disappear — for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/05/09/dirty-virginia-town-names-goochland-climax" target="_self">Pound town</a> nearly got de-Pounded this week.Why it matters: A council vote in the Southwest Virginia locality — which has one of the state&#x27;s best town names — could have put Pound on a path to dissolve its charter and cease to exist.

How Virginia's legal weed market could look

Lawmakers passed retail cannabis bills, but key tax and timeline differences remain.

For the third time in three years, the Virginia General Assembly approved legislation to create the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="retail marijuana marketplace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/12/08/virginia-cannabis-retail-plan-2026-legal-weed-sales" data-vars-content-id="45d94e9b-4024-43b8-b256-22714db6cb0b" data-vars-headline="How Virginia&#x27;s legal weed market could look" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/12/08/virginia-cannabis-retail-plan-2026-legal-weed-sales" target="_self">retail marijuana marketplace</a> — just five short years after they legalized possession of it. Why it matters: With a new governor in the executive mansion, Virginians will likely be able to start legally buying recreational weed within a year. Maybe.

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Stella's expands viral red velvet latte to 7 stores