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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.

Richmond bucks "accidental landlord" trend amid hot housing market

About 1.5% of listings flipped to rentals, as strong demand keeps metro Richmond's housing market competitive.

Real Estate

Around 1.5% of metro Richmond&#x27;s rental listings on Zillow are from sellers the platform calls &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accidental landlords" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/research/accidental-landlords-36151/" data-vars-content-id="54953c9b-21e9-42eb-b8ba-6df1cd9bedde" data-vars-headline="Richmond bucks &quot;accidental landlord&quot; trend amid hot housing market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/research/accidental-landlords-36151/" target="_blank">accidental landlords</a>.&quot;Why it matters: That&#x27;s one of the lowest shares in the nation of people who pulled their homes off the market and rented them out instead.

Richmond survey shows housing costs are squeezing renters most

A new survey finds unaffordability is pushing many Richmond renters to consider leaving the city.

A new survey from a pro-zoning refresh group found nearly 70% of Richmonders support allowing more housing types in the area, such as duplexes, small apartments and condos.Why it matters: Changing neighborhoods that are currently only single-family homes has become a hot-button issue as the city completes its biggest code rewrite in a generation.

Construction workers lead Richmond homeownership gains

But they're not the ones most likely to own a home.

Skilled trades and construction workers saw the biggest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeownership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/25/richmond-real-estate-2026-homebuyers-inventory-competition-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="86fc5fbb-eab7-4430-b020-085567ecf1bf" data-vars-headline="Construction workers lead Richmond homeownership gains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/25/richmond-real-estate-2026-homebuyers-inventory-competition-mortgage-rates" target="_self">homeownership</a> gains in metro Richmond over the past decade, according to a new analysis shared with Axios.Why it matters: They&#x27;re outpacing teachers, police and health care workers, per the National Association of Realtors&#x27; analysis of census data comparing homeownership rates in 2014 and 2024.

Richmond home sales jump, but buyers face inventory crunch

Even as sales climb, low supply and competition keep Richmond a seller's market this spring.

Richmond is headed into the spring real estate market with renewed sales activity compared to last year, but little relief on supply. Why it matters: Richmond&#x27;s real estate market is something of an outlier compared to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/real-estate/housing-market-predictions/" data-vars-content-id="7aef990f-ce6b-4367-9c58-8997da46ac7f" data-vars-headline="Richmond home sales jump, but buyers face inventory crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/real-estate/housing-market-predictions/" target="_blank">national scene</a>, but there&#x27;s still some bright spots for homebuyers.

Richmond rents climb even as U.S. prices fall

While U.S. rents fall amid a building boom, Richmond prices keep rising as demand outpaces supply.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rents are falling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/rent-prices-metro-map" data-vars-content-id="962446a9-90e2-4b58-84c3-8139e549afc5" data-vars-headline="Richmond rents climb even as U.S. prices fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/rent-prices-metro-map" target="_self">Rents are falling</a> across the county, driven by a building boom that&#x27;s flooded the market with new apartments.Why it matters: Richmond is one of a handful of metros where rent is going up, not down.

Richmond zoning overhaul sparks heated debate

With draft three due this spring, rival groups are rallying Richmonders over housing density.

The fight over how to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best update" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" data-vars-content-id="00e3de1a-b08c-4c4a-8dc3-1877d876fc31" data-vars-headline="Richmond zoning overhaul sparks heated debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" target="_self">best update</a> the city&#x27;s decades-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="zoning code" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/17/richmond-zoning-districts-new-single-family-homes" data-vars-content-id="00e3de1a-b08c-4c4a-8dc3-1877d876fc31" data-vars-headline="Richmond zoning overhaul sparks heated debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/17/richmond-zoning-districts-new-single-family-homes" target="_self">zoning code</a> is heating up as Richmond approaches the two-year mark on the effort.Why it matters: The city hopes to have a final proposal before City Council by summer, but first there&#x27;s at least one more draft to go, possibly more, as debates rage in community meetings and online neighborhood groups.

Report: Richmond now 11th hottest rental market

New RentCafe data shows RVA drawing heavy search interest from Virginia Beach and NYC renters.

Richmond is one of the most in-demand cities in the nation for renters, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report from RentCafe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/cities-to-watch-this-year/" data-vars-content-id="5b17f7ec-8d61-423f-8865-037f1833ce1f" data-vars-headline="Report: Richmond now 11th hottest rental market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/cities-to-watch-this-year/" target="_blank">report from RentCafe</a>.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re planning to look for an apartment sometime soon, expect competition from other locals, and from folks outside of RVA.

A former speakeasy mansion for sale in Church Hill

The 1910-era Bagley Mansion once hid a Prohibition-era speakeasy and now lists for $2.75M.

A Queen Anne mansion that once doubled as a speakeasy is on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="market in Church Hill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3516-E-Broad-St-Richmond-VA-23223/12522854_zpid/" data-vars-content-id="72c3647f-4a55-4deb-a855-1619976863c8" data-vars-headline="A former speakeasy mansion for sale in Church Hill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3516-E-Broad-St-Richmond-VA-23223/12522854_zpid/" target="_blank">market in Church Hill</a>. Why it matters: If you&#x27;ve got $2.75 million to spare, it can be yours.

Richmond sees fewer home value dips

Zillow says Richmond saw smaller home value losses than cities like Austin and Denver.

Nearly a third of homes in metro Richmond lost value last year, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43162039.81/aHR0cHM6Ly96aWxsb3cubWVkaWFyb29tLmNvbS8yMDI1LTExLTE3LTUzLW9mLVUtUy1ob21lcy1sb3N0LXZhbHVlLWluLXRoZS1wYXN0LXllYXIlMkMtdGhlLW1vc3Qtc2luY2UtMjAxMj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892B4a2844d7" data-vars-content-id="bce92a11-795c-4244-a807-585183449978" data-vars-headline="Richmond sees fewer home value dips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43162039.81/aHR0cHM6Ly96aWxsb3cubWVkaWFyb29tLmNvbS8yMDI1LTExLTE3LTUzLW9mLVUtUy1ob21lcy1sb3N0LXZhbHVlLWluLXRoZS1wYXN0LXllYXIlMkMtdGhlLW1vc3Qtc2luY2UtMjAxMj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892B4a2844d7" target="_self">Zillow</a>.

Richmond ranked a top housing market for 2026

Home sales and prices are expected to climb again, keeping RVA hot for another year.

For 2026, Richmonders should expect real estate to bring lower mortgage rates but a still-tough <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" data-vars-content-id="ec05e03d-c07a-4a08-ba00-5f6895ce9871" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranked a top housing market for 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" target="_self">housing market</a>.Why it matters: RVA was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="once again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/01/14/richmond-hottest-real-estate-markets-zillow" data-vars-content-id="ec05e03d-c07a-4a08-ba00-5f6895ce9871" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranked a top housing market for 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/01/14/richmond-hottest-real-estate-markets-zillow" target="_self">once again</a> named one of the hottest housing markets of the year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="by Realtor.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/national-association-of-realtors-unveils-top-10-homebuying-hot-spots-for-2026" data-vars-content-id="ec05e03d-c07a-4a08-ba00-5f6895ce9871" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranked a top housing market for 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/national-association-of-realtors-unveils-top-10-homebuying-hot-spots-for-2026" target="_blank">by Realtor.com</a>.

A symbol map of 54 U.S. metro areas showing estimated change in median rent from February 2025 to February 2026. Rents decreased in 34 metros, mostly in the South, and increased in 20 metros, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest. Virginia Beach increased the most, by 5.3%, and Austin decreased the most, by 5.9%.

Real Estate 🏠

Richmond bucks "accidental landlord" trend amid hot housing market

Richmond survey shows housing costs are squeezing renters most

Construction workers lead Richmond homeownership gains

Richmond home sales jump, but buyers face inventory crunch

Richmond rents climb even as U.S. prices fall