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Richmond is fighting over rainbow cookies

Spoiler: The biggest skeptics aren't transplants.

Culture

The results are in on the great <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rainbow cookie debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/19/richmond-rainbow-cookie-debate-poll" data-vars-content-id="3c70dee4-f109-4424-a565-ecb94ee16888" data-vars-headline="Richmond is fighting over rainbow cookies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/19/richmond-rainbow-cookie-debate-poll" target="_self">rainbow cookie debate</a> of 2026, and it turns out the biggest skeptics aren&#x27;t transplants — they&#x27;re Richmonders who grew up here.Why it matters: Over 900 Axios Richmond reader responses show the split among longtime locals comes down to one thing: whether they experienced Ukrop&#x27;s as a kid.

Spanberger vetoes Virginia marijuana bill, delaying sales again

The governor said Virginia's cannabis marketplace lacked enough enforcement and oversight.

News

Gov. Spanberger on Tuesday vetoed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" data-vars-content-id="05e84a56-06fb-4ccf-8029-ced4b93477c9" data-vars-headline="Spanberger vetoes Virginia marijuana bill, delaying sales again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" target="_self">legislation</a> that would&#x27;ve launched legal retail marijuana sales in Virginia. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the third time in three years the Virginia governor vetoed this legislation — but the first time with a Democrat in the executive mansion, and while the party held a trifecta in state government.

Google's second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands

The proposed campus could disturb streams and possible unmarked graves.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Google" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/17/google-chesterfield-county-virginia-data-center-plans" data-vars-content-id="34211d05-f6b3-44ef-87e9-8cf15d75d039" data-vars-headline="Google&#x27;s second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/17/google-chesterfield-county-virginia-data-center-plans" target="_self">Google</a>&#x27;s proposed western Chesterfield data center campus could disturb wetlands, streams and possible unmarked graves, according to newly released <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal permit filings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/4484789/nao-2026-00182-vmrc-project-loch-chesterfield-county-virginia-wauford-prm-site/" data-vars-content-id="34211d05-f6b3-44ef-87e9-8cf15d75d039" data-vars-headline="Google&#x27;s second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/4484789/nao-2026-00182-vmrc-project-loch-chesterfield-county-virginia-wauford-prm-site/" target="_blank">federal permit filings</a>. Why it matters: The documents offer one of the clearest looks yet at &quot;Project Loch,&quot; which is part of Google&#x27;s broader $9 billion expansion in Virginia.

17 things to do in Richmond this Memorial Day weekend

Events include a bike ride with the mayor, an Indian food festival and Sting performing at Allianz.

Things to Do

We&#x27;ve made it to Memorial Day weekend! Here&#x27;s what to do if you&#x27;re still in town.

Supreme Court kills Virginia redistricting push

The Supreme Court denied a bid from Virginia Democrats to revive a voter-approved redistricting plan.

Politics & Policy

The Supreme Court denied an emergency effort from Virginia Democrats to revive their chances of redrawing the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="congressional maps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/08/virginia-supreme-court-redistricting-vote-decision" data-vars-content-id="5facb66a-d5c0-4f9e-8d53-6b789d3177b7" data-vars-headline="Supreme Court kills Virginia redistricting push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/08/virginia-supreme-court-redistricting-vote-decision" target="_self">congressional maps</a> before the November midterms.Why it matters: Virginia&#x27;s redistricting push is officially dead.

Richmond passed a historic $1.1B budget. Here's who won and lost

The new budget delivered city employee raises and affordable housing money, but also higher utility bills.

Richmond leaders took a victory lap Tuesday morning after City Council unanimously passed the city&#x27;s $1.1 billion budget, hailing what they described as an unusually collaborative process.Why it matters: City Hall might be more unified, but Monday night&#x27;s public hearing showed residents remain divided over the plan — from rising utility bills and school funding to surveillance tech that&#x27;s now the subject of a billboard protest.

Virginia Dems discussed court overhaul after redistricting ruling

Ideas included lowering the retirement age for Virginia judges, but one state party leader says it's not happening.

Democrats spent the weekend scrambling after the Virginia Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struck down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/08/virginia-supreme-court-redistricting-vote-decision" data-vars-content-id="c000fcca-a9f4-4fb1-ac22-af02fba68440" data-vars-headline="Virginia Dems discussed court overhaul after redistricting ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/08/virginia-supreme-court-redistricting-vote-decision" target="_self">struck down</a> the voter-approved redistricting plan, killing a congressional map that could have favored Democrats in 10 of the state&#x27;s 11 districts.Why it matters: State Democrats responded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25A1240/408563/20260511151941216_25A%20Application%20for%20Stay.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c000fcca-a9f4-4fb1-ac22-af02fba68440" data-vars-headline="Virginia Dems discussed court overhaul after redistricting ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25A1240/408563/20260511151941216_25A%20Application%20for%20Stay.pdf" target="_blank">Monday</a> with an emergency request to the U.S. Supreme Court to pause the ruling, while some in the national party floated more aggressive options — including forcing the entire Virginia high court into retirement.

Virginia Supreme Court throws out redistricting referendum results

The ruling upends one of the most closely watched redistricting fights in the country.

The Virginia Supreme Court overturned the results of the state&#x27;s redistricting referendum, which voters narrowly approved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/22/virginia-redistricting-vote-passes-house-control" data-vars-content-id="94df0b91-746e-4e28-a61e-86b4f5b3118d" data-vars-headline="Virginia Supreme Court throws out redistricting referendum results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/22/virginia-redistricting-vote-passes-house-control" target="_self">last month</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The 4-3 ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opnscvwp/1260127.pdf" data-vars-content-id="94df0b91-746e-4e28-a61e-86b4f5b3118d" data-vars-headline="Virginia Supreme Court throws out redistricting referendum results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opnscvwp/1260127.pdf" target="_blank">The 4-3 ruling</a> upends one of the most closely watched redistricting fights in the country.<ul><li>It follows months of legal challenges over whether the referendum was unconstitutional.</li></ul>

FBI raids Virginia Senate Leader Louise Lucas' office

The raid thrusts one of Virginia's most powerful Democrats into the center of a federal investigation.

The FBI searched the Portsmouth office of Virginia Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas on Wednesday.Why it matters: The raid puts one of the state&#x27;s most powerful lawmakers — who emerged nationally as a Democratic power broker during Virginia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redistricting fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/22/virginia-redistricting-vote-passes-house-control" data-vars-content-id="d194c120-b6ec-4fe6-b3bb-fd4ee91f56b7" data-vars-headline="FBI raids Virginia Senate Leader Louise Lucas&#x27; office" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/22/virginia-redistricting-vote-passes-house-control" target="_self">redistricting fight</a> — at the center of a federal investigation.

Richmond region split more on redistricting than governor's race

Some precincts that voted for Gov. Abigail Spanberger rejected redistricting — even in Richmond.

Across the Richmond region, more voting precincts were divided on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redistricting measure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/22/virginia-redistricting-vote-passes-house-control" data-vars-content-id="06038b78-872e-41be-ad33-b790f3b34560" data-vars-headline="Richmond region split more on redistricting than governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/22/virginia-redistricting-vote-passes-house-control" target="_self">redistricting measure</a> than on last year&#x27;s governor&#x27;s race.Why it matters: Some of the same precincts split on redistricting are also being split in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new congressional map" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/06/virginia-redistricting-map-richmond-nova-midterms" data-vars-content-id="06038b78-872e-41be-ad33-b790f3b34560" data-vars-headline="Richmond region split more on redistricting than governor&#x27;s race" 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">new congressional map</a>.

Virginia voters approve effort to redraw congressional map

Virginia Democrats' redistricting passes in vote that could shift Congress

The move positions Virginia as a key battleground in a national redistricting fight that could help determine control of the U.S. House.

Virginia voters approved a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redistricting measure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/21/virginia-redistricting-election-voter-confusion" data-vars-content-id="6eb66a27-e640-49ce-9f9e-e70036e7737d" data-vars-headline="Virginia voters approve effort to redraw congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/21/virginia-redistricting-election-voter-confusion" target="_self">redistricting measure</a> Tuesday, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP reports," data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/virginia-special-general-results-question-1/" data-vars-content-id="6eb66a27-e640-49ce-9f9e-e70036e7737d" data-vars-headline="Virginia voters approve effort to redraw congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/virginia-special-general-results-question-1/" target="_blank">AP reports,</a> clearing the way for a new congressional map that could help Democrats flip multiple Republican-held districts.Why it matters: The move positions Virginia as a key battleground in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a national redistricting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/redistricting-illinois-indiana-trump-jeffries" data-vars-content-id="6eb66a27-e640-49ce-9f9e-e70036e7737d" data-vars-headline="Virginia voters approve effort to redraw congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/redistricting-illinois-indiana-trump-jeffries" target="_self">a national redistricting</a> fight that could help determine control of the U.S. House.

Why Virginia's redistricting referendum is confusing some voters

Dark money, dueling ads and celebrity cameos are part of a high-stakes fight that could reshape Virginia.

One of the most unusual elections in recent Virginia politics is almost over.Why it matters: Virginia&#x27;s redistricting fight has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="filled with lawsuits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/13/virginia-supreme-court-redistricting-referendum" data-vars-content-id="8fa03a18-4965-4b15-97f2-9cf629647a60" data-vars-headline="Why Virginia&#x27;s redistricting referendum is confusing some voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/13/virginia-supreme-court-redistricting-referendum" target="_self">filled with lawsuits</a>, conflicting messaging, celebrity cameos, dark money and Democrats announcing campaigns for districts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="that don&#x27;t exist yet." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/11/virginia-redistricting-house-seats-2026" data-vars-content-id="8fa03a18-4965-4b15-97f2-9cf629647a60" data-vars-headline="Why Virginia&#x27;s redistricting referendum is confusing some voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/11/virginia-redistricting-house-seats-2026" target="_self">that don&#x27;t exist yet.</a>

Virginia redistricting vote sets spending record

More than $83M has been pouring into Virginia's redistricting fight, ousting Richmond casino from the top spot.

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="669f4e22-7057-4d8f-aff8-87a06d85748a" data-vars-headline="Virginia redistricting vote sets spending record" 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> is the most expensive ballot measure in state history, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Virginia Public Access Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vpap.org/visuals/visual/the-most-expensive-referenda/" data-vars-content-id="669f4e22-7057-4d8f-aff8-87a06d85748a" data-vars-headline="Virginia redistricting vote sets spending record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vpap.org/visuals/visual/the-most-expensive-referenda/" target="_blank">the Virginia Public Access Project</a>. Why it matters: The money pumped into the redistricting campaigns ousted Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2023 casino referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/08/election-results-casino-urban-one-churchill-downs" data-vars-content-id="669f4e22-7057-4d8f-aff8-87a06d85748a" data-vars-headline="Virginia redistricting vote sets spending record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/08/election-results-casino-urban-one-churchill-downs" target="_self">2023 casino referendum</a> from the top spot.

Politics 🇺🇸

Spanberger vetoes Virginia marijuana bill, delaying sales again

Supreme Court kills Virginia redistricting push

Richmond passed a historic $1.1B budget. Here's who won and lost

Virginia Dems discussed court overhaul after redistricting ruling

Virginia Supreme Court throws out redistricting referendum results