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What's next for Chesterfield's $173M Shoosmith Landfill cleanup

The bigger fights over test results, long-term funding and accountability are just beginning.

News

Virginia lawmakers are demanding the release of environmental test results at the bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill as work to stabilize the site moves forward, saying they want proof that it poses no public health risks.Why it matters: The Chesterfield landfill has become one of Virginia&#x27;s biggest environmental cleanup challenges, with an estimated $173 million cleanup cost that may ultimately fall to taxpayers.

Richmond's potato building gets the love it deserves

An architecture-loving creator spotlighted the quirky Markel Building and its baked potato inspiration.

Real Estate

Richmond&#x27;s baked potato-inspired office building is finally getting the love it deserves, thanks to a roving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="architecture-loving content creator." data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DadrEcutX2I/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="feefba92-8865-4318-bfe4-37b437f379b2" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s potato building gets the love it deserves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DadrEcutX2I/?hl=en" target="_blank">architecture-loving content creator.</a> Why it matters: Once maligned as one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;10 ugliest buildings in the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-markel-building-richmond-virginia" data-vars-content-id="feefba92-8865-4318-bfe4-37b437f379b2" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s potato building gets the love it deserves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-markel-building-richmond-virginia" target="_blank">&quot;10 ugliest buildings in the world</a>,&quot; The Markel Building is a local treasure and now at least one influencer seems to agree.

A make-your-own ramen bar in Short Pump has 100+ flavors

The Ramyum Zip has floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with over 100 different ramen flavors.

Food and Drink

There&#x27;s a newish make-your-own ramen bar in Short Pump.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ramyun Zip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/theramyunzip.richmond/" data-vars-content-id="73fbfe21-5cf8-4571-a1cb-0b608029bd52" data-vars-headline="A make-your-own ramen bar in Short Pump has 100+ flavors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/theramyunzip.richmond/" target="_blank">Ramyun Zip</a> has floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with over 100 different ramen flavors.

Virginia's best-paying jobs are most exposed to AI, report says

Virginia ranks fifth for workplace AI adoption, putting many white-collar jobs at greater risk of change.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/02/richmond-ai-job-impact-young-workers-entry-level-hiring-decline-virginia" data-vars-content-id="b85c5a9e-11c9-4835-8490-fecd80d34dd9" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s best-paying jobs are most exposed to AI, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/02/richmond-ai-job-impact-young-workers-entry-level-hiring-decline-virginia" target="_self">AI</a> is rapidly reshaping Virginia workplaces and it&#x27;s doing so faster than previous technology shifts, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://virginiaworks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AI-Implications-Report-June-2026-FINAL-LOCKED.pdf" data-vars-content-id="b85c5a9e-11c9-4835-8490-fecd80d34dd9" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s best-paying jobs are most exposed to AI, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://virginiaworks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AI-Implications-Report-June-2026-FINAL-LOCKED.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> from the state&#x27;s workforce development agency. Why it matters: Virginia&#x27;s high-paying, higher education-backed jobs are the ones most vulnerable to AI-driven disruptions.

Richmond weekend events: Hanover tomatoes and The Strokes

Plus: Patio parties, salsa dancing on a rooftop, and a "Cocktails & Kittens" fundraiser.

Things to Do

The weather this weekend won&#x27;t have us feeling like we&#x27;re in the bowels of hell, so let&#x27;s spend it outside, yeah?

Scott's Addition gets a new EDM venue at Pandora Café

The Venezuelan spot has transformed its back room into a dance floor built by local volunteers.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A Venezuelan cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/13/richmond-coffee-rave-scotts-addition-pandora-cafe" data-vars-content-id="8db7c29d-1680-48bf-9774-c640324a8389" data-vars-headline="Scott&#x27;s Addition gets a new EDM venue at Pandora Café" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/13/richmond-coffee-rave-scotts-addition-pandora-cafe" target="_self">A Venezuelan cafe</a> in Scott&#x27;s Addition is Richmond&#x27;s newest electronic dance music venue.Why it matters: After hosting coffee raves in the front for months, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pandora Café" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/pandoracaferva/" data-vars-content-id="8db7c29d-1680-48bf-9774-c640324a8389" data-vars-headline="Scott&#x27;s Addition gets a new EDM venue at Pandora Café" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/pandoracaferva/" target="_blank">Pandora Café</a> has converted its backroom into a clubbier nighttime spot called &quot;Pandora House Music.&quot;

Venezuela earthquake relief: How Richmonders can still help

Richmonde's overwhelming support filled local collection sites. Now the focus is on getting the aid to Venezuela.

Richmonders have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="donated so much" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/29/richmond-venezuela-earthquake-relief?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="88698f36-8d68-4052-8b0f-9ac9b571f3dc" data-vars-headline="Venezuela earthquake relief: How Richmonders can still help" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/29/richmond-venezuela-earthquake-relief?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_self">donated so much</a> to the Venezuelan earthquake relief effort that local collection centers have paused physical donations, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ven Conmigo" data-vars-click-url="https://venconmigo.org/" data-vars-content-id="88698f36-8d68-4052-8b0f-9ac9b571f3dc" data-vars-headline="Venezuela earthquake relief: How Richmonders can still help" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://venconmigo.org/" target="_blank">Ven Conmigo</a> organizers tell Axios.Why it matters: Running out of space is a good problem to have, nonprofit leader Eduvigis Rincón says.<ul><li>Now the focus shifts to sorting, shipping and raising money for immediate needs.</li></ul>

America's 250 state fair is getting roasted. How Virginia compares

Critics panned the event overall, but Virginia's display landed somewhere in the middle of the pack.

If you&#x27;re heading to D.C. for America&#x27;s 250th birthday, you can probably plan on skipping the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great American State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" data-vars-content-id="fdbd0842-3043-4f42-aa84-e5820373c2a3" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s 250 state fair is getting roasted. How Virginia compares" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" target="_self">Great American State Fair</a>.Why it matters: The fair is getting some decidedly poor reviews, as is Virginia&#x27;s booth.

Updated: Richmond's guide to celebrating America's 250th

From fireworks to Patrick Henry and parades, here's where to celebrate the Fourth across Richmond.

Culture

America&#x27;s big <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th birthday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" data-vars-content-id="3afc24ee-6726-401e-b851-5e9ca617afab" data-vars-headline="Updated: Richmond&#x27;s guide to celebrating America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" target="_self">250th birthday</a> is finally here.Why it matters: If there was ever a Fourth of July in your lifetime worth celebrating, it&#x27;s this one.

Where to cool off around Richmond this holiday week

Find water parks, pools, splash pads, ice rinks and river floats to stay cool this week.

If you&#x27;re looking for ways to stay cool during this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brutally hot week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/29/richmond-worst-heat-wave-years-extreme-heat-risk " data-vars-content-id="5cffb352-43bc-4da4-8e8e-b4502415c987" data-vars-headline="Where to cool off around Richmond this holiday week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/29/richmond-worst-heat-wave-years-extreme-heat-risk " target="_self">brutally hot week</a>, we&#x27;ve got you covered. Zoom in: Here are six ways you can beat the heat and have fun.

East Coast-exclusive alebrijes arrive at Lewis Ginter

The sculptures blend Mexican folk art traditions with nature through a limited-run garden exhibition.

An exhibition of colorful and larger-than-life creature sculptures is at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden through September. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first time the works have been available to view anywhere on the East Coast, per the garden.

15 things to do in Richmond this weekend

Latin house nights, a multicultural festival, corgi races and vintage shopping. What else could you need?

If you&#x27;re in the mood for Latin house music, vintage shopping or corgi races, then it&#x27;s a great weekend to be in Richmond.

Richmond's massive four-night America 250 festival starts Thursday

Here's what to expect from the block party taking over the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and Arthur Ashe.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="IllumiNATION" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/15/arthur-ashe-boulevard-road-closures-june-richmond" data-vars-content-id="97f44d30-376c-4c20-93a4-4872defb8f09" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s massive four-night America 250 festival starts Thursday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/15/arthur-ashe-boulevard-road-closures-june-richmond" target="_self">IllumiNATION</a>, the free four-night block party celebrating America&#x27;s birthday, has arrived, shutting down a major stretch of Arthur Ashe.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The New York Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/travel/usa-250th-anniversary-summer-vacation.html" data-vars-content-id="97f44d30-376c-4c20-93a4-4872defb8f09" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s massive four-night America 250 festival starts Thursday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/travel/usa-250th-anniversary-summer-vacation.html" target="_blank">The New York Times</a> put Richmond at the top of its list of places to visit for America&#x27;s 250th anniversary specifically because of this event.

Richmond parks are getting permanent Pride-themed picnic tables

The city is adding them this week to parks in Church Hill, South Richmond and more.

Five Pride flag-themed picnic tables are permanently going up across Richmond parks this week.Why it matters: Virginia Pride director James Millner tells Axios it &quot;aligns with what the city is doing to be more representative of the LGBTQ community and its public spaces.&quot;

Things to Do 🗓

Richmond weekend events: Hanover tomatoes and The Strokes

Scott's Addition gets a new EDM venue at Pandora Café

Venezuela earthquake relief: How Richmonders can still help

America's 250 state fair is getting roasted. How Virginia compares

Updated: Richmond's guide to celebrating America's 250th