Richmond

Richmond Alerts

Alert

blue

Axios Richmond Partners

Axios Richmond

Standard

A picture of the Richmond skyline with the letters RIC

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

Axios Richmond Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Richmond Members

Membership

Richmond electric bills up 36% since 2022, new data shows

Average bills hit $178 in Richmond as rising costs and AI demand fuel political tension.

News

Most Richmonders are paying about 36% more for their home electric bills than they were four years ago, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/electric-bills-map" data-vars-content-id="0c1a32c5-841c-43db-bee7-0403f73c6f59" data-vars-headline="Richmond electric bills up 36% since 2022, new data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/electric-bills-map" target="_self">Axios analysis</a> of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" data-vars-content-id="0c1a32c5-841c-43db-bee7-0403f73c6f59" data-vars-headline="Richmond electric bills up 36% since 2022, new data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" target="_blank">data</a> collected and shared by climate newsroom Heatmap News.Why it matters: Tensions over rising energy bills and power-hungry AI data centers are emerging as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="key political issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/data-centers-midterms-state-bans-bills-ai" data-vars-content-id="0c1a32c5-841c-43db-bee7-0403f73c6f59" data-vars-headline="Richmond electric bills up 36% since 2022, new data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/data-centers-midterms-state-bans-bills-ai" target="_self">key political issue</a>, and they should be a potent force in this year&#x27;s midterms.

Spanberger charts moderate course in first Virginia session

Her mix of vetoes, amendments and approvals show where she agrees — and breaks — with her own party.

Facing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tepid popularity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/06/virginia-spanberger-approval-poll-affordability/" data-vars-content-id="6d0fe811-28a9-4db8-b712-a02715ee3ee8" data-vars-headline="Spanberger charts moderate course in first Virginia session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/06/virginia-spanberger-approval-poll-affordability/" target="_blank">tepid popularity</a> and Republican attacks, Gov. Abigail Spanberger is starting to stake out a more centrist path in Virginia.Why it matters: In her first legislative session, Spanberger&#x27;s actions on over 1,000 bills Monday night show she&#x27;s diving into the details — and willing to break with her own party.

Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills

Her amendments reshape major policies, from raising gun age limits to delaying marijuana sales.

Gov. Spanberger proposed changes to more than 100 bills in her first review process, from marijuana sales and paid sick leave to unions and guns.Why it matters: Even with full Democratic control of the statehouse, the moves suggest the former Congresswoman is governing like a legislator. Zoom in: Here are some of Spanberger&#x27;s noteworthy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/april-releases/name-1116400-en.html" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/april-releases/name-1116400-en.html" target="_blank">amendments</a>.GunsThe governor proposed slight changes to a slew of gun legislation, including: <ul><li>A ban on assault weapons bought or sold after July 1, to allow some semi-automatic shotguns used for hunting </li><li>On universal background checks, she added that private sales are included and upped the minimum purchase age for handguns and some semi-automatic firearms from 18 to 21.</li><li>She also added a clause for background checks to resume as soon as state legislators sign off. </li></ul>Cannabis market On the legislation creating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state&#x27;s recreational marijuana marketplace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" 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">state&#x27;s recreational marijuana marketplace</a>, the governor proposed pushing the start of sales from January 1 to July 1, 2027. <ul><li>Plus, she wants to reduce the number of stores allowed in the state, increase the tax rate and allow more people to qualify for &quot;impact licenses,&quot; including veterans and the economically disadvantaged. </li></ul>Marijuana sentence reductions Spanberger proposed a petition process for people previously convicted of marijuana-related offenses. The original bill required an automatic hearing. Paid family leaveThe governor proposed eligibility limits and other restrictions to legislation that would allow Virginia workers up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for themselves or a family member. <ul><li>She wants to narrow the definition of family to mean household and relatives as opposed to a &quot;close association.&quot;</li><li>Changes also require eligible employees to be legally authorized to work in the U.S., and employed for at least 120 days to get job protection. </li></ul>Paid sick leave Proposed changes to the bill that would allow one hour of sick leave to every 30 hours worked include requiring advance notice for foreseeable leave and written or electronic leave requests.Unions Spanberger proposed delaying the start of a collective bargaining resource board by two years. The board is designed to help state and local government employees, plus home health workers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unionize" data-vars-click-url="https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB378" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB378" target="_blank">unionize</a>. ICE enforcementOn legislation limiting where ICE agents can make arrests without a warrant, she proposed stripping the enforcement portion of the bill. <ul><li>And on one barring ICE and other law enforcement from wearing masks, she amended the language to allow individual departments to set their own policies. </li></ul>The intrigue: Some statehouse Democrats pushed back on the governor&#x27;s proposed changes to their legislation.<ul><li>Sen. Lashrecse Aird and Del. Paul Krizek, who sponsored the legislation creating the state&#x27;s retail marijuana market, said in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a joint statement" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/lashrecseaird/status/2044127374468399260/photo/1" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/lashrecseaird/status/2044127374468399260/photo/1" target="_blank">a joint statement</a> that the governor&#x27;s revision will make the legal market harder to access and allow the illicit market to thrive.</li><li>Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed concern" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/salimforva/status/2044061552320409626/photo/1" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/salimforva/status/2044061552320409626/photo/1" target="_blank">expressed concern</a> over changes to his bills attempting to rein in ICE enforcement in the state.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: The General Assembly will consider her amendments when it reconvenes on April 22.

British royals plan Virginia stop for America's 250th

The king and queen plan a Virginia stop for the nation's 250th, with cultural events and visits planned.

The King and Queen of England are coming to Virginia at the end of April to celebrate America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" data-vars-content-id="435b0b36-aace-49e4-a13d-fd07bfbf6467" data-vars-headline="British royals plan Virginia stop for 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 anniversary</a>.Why it matters: That&#x27;s some posh sportsmanship from the royal heads of the country we fought against.

How Richmond's proposed budget targets pedestrian safety

The projects range from quick fixes to new pedestrian bridges.

Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/12/richmond-budget-2027-avula-utility-bills-rps" data-vars-content-id="26d1c830-0ad2-4b73-8129-1d75ad96b337" data-vars-headline="How Richmond&#x27;s proposed budget targets pedestrian safety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/12/richmond-budget-2027-avula-utility-bills-rps" target="_self">proposed budget</a> could reshape how people walk across the city, from replacing a 75-year-old bridge to adding more sidewalks on Hull Street.Why it matters: The spending shows how city leaders, who are facing growing pressure to respond to pedestrian deaths, plan to make streets safer over the next five years.

Virginia seeks public input on future of train travel

A new state survey is looking for feedback on routes, stations and service as rail ridership climbs.

Business

The Virginia agency dedicated to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rail service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/05/richmond-dc-train-delays-long-bridge-project-vre-amtrak-staples-mill-bottleneck" data-vars-content-id="6367ab01-2aae-4a5a-b3f1-7b311a14a0f8" data-vars-headline="Virginia seeks public input on future of train travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/05/richmond-dc-train-delays-long-bridge-project-vre-amtrak-staples-mill-bottleneck" target="_self">rail service</a> and public transportation wants to hear from residents about how they want train travel improved inside — and outside — of the state. Why it matters: If you&#x27;ve got a gripe about train travel, now is the time to share it.

Richmond ranks 21st for road safety, but risks remain

Recent pedestrian deaths in the Richmond area have drawn community concern.

Richmond ranks among the safer U.S. metros for speed-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pedestrian risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/18/richmond-transportation-chief-zero-traffic-deaths" data-vars-content-id="27c81e10-6d9b-4e9f-9450-850e79920da1" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranks 21st for road safety, but risks remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/18/richmond-transportation-chief-zero-traffic-deaths" target="_self">pedestrian risk</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new StreetLight data." data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" data-vars-content-id="27c81e10-6d9b-4e9f-9450-850e79920da1" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranks 21st for road safety, but risks remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" target="_blank">new StreetLight data.</a>Why it matters: That doesn&#x27;t necessarily mean it&#x27;s safe to walk here, per the report. The metric captures only where people actually walk — not where they&#x27;re afraid to.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;There may be places where unsafe conditions dissuade people from traveling via foot, bike, or transit, thus lowering fatality rates but not accurately reflecting safety conditions,&quot; the report states.State of play: This caveat is significant in the Richmond area, where recent pedestrian deaths have drawn sustained community concern and the causes for those fatalities, per police, have not always been speed-related.<ul><li>For example: Police charged the dump truck driver who hit and killed a man crossing West Leigh Street in January with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="failure to stop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/man-charged-64-year-old-dead-dump-truck-crash/" data-vars-content-id="27c81e10-6d9b-4e9f-9450-850e79920da1" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranks 21st for road safety, but risks remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/man-charged-64-year-old-dead-dump-truck-crash/" target="_blank">failure to stop</a> for a pedestrian.</li><li>The driver who hit and killed a woman in a crosswalk on East Cary Street in February was charged with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="felony hit-and-run." data-vars-click-url="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/41-year-old-charged-after-woman-killed-in-hit-and-run-on-richmonds-east-cary-street/" data-vars-content-id="27c81e10-6d9b-4e9f-9450-850e79920da1" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranks 21st for road safety, but risks remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/41-year-old-charged-after-woman-killed-in-hit-and-run-on-richmonds-east-cary-street/" target="_blank">felony hit-and-run.</a></li><li>The principal at Franklin Military Academy is recovering after a driver hit him near Lucille Brown Middle School in South Richmond this month, and police charged the driver with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="failure to yield." data-vars-click-url="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/charges-filed-fma-principal-hit-march-17-2026" data-vars-content-id="27c81e10-6d9b-4e9f-9450-850e79920da1" data-vars-headline="Richmond ranks 21st for road safety, but risks remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/charges-filed-fma-principal-hit-march-17-2026" target="_blank">failure to yield.</a> </li></ul>Meanwhile, Richmond ranks 21st out of 100 U.S. metros for road safety, according to StreetLight&#x27;s U.S. Safe Streets Index.<ul><li>That&#x27;s higher than other Southern cities like Atlanta (77th), Charlotte (69th) and Nashville (90th), but lower than Virginia Beach (19th) and the D.C. and NoVa area (12th).</li></ul>How it works: The index ranked metros based on five factors: how much people drive, how much drivers&#x27; speeds vary on the same roads, how fast traffic moves in pedestrian corridors, truck activity and residential speeding. <ul><li>StreetLight pulled in &quot;billions of data points from connected vehicles, mobile devices, sensors&quot; and more.</li></ul>By the numbers: Richmond came in at 22nd for how drivers&#x27; speeds vary and 23rd for speed-based pedestrian risk, which measures how often people are walking on busy roads where cars travel 30 mph or faster.<ul><li>The region ranks 32nd for residential speeding and 41st for how much people drive.</li><li>Its weak spot: truck activity, where it ranks 60th, likely due to the region&#x27;s position along I-95 — an active freight route.</li></ul>Between the lines: Heavier vehicles, more cars on the road and higher speeds can increase danger for residents who aren&#x27;t driving.The bottom line: The data says metro Richmond is doing relatively well, but what road safety looks and feels like for residents is a much more complicated story.

Gas in Richmond heads for $4 per gallon due to Iran war

It was less than $3 per gallon just a month ago.

Transit

Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/09/richmond-gas-prices-trump-iran-conflict-oil-spike" data-vars-content-id="f464e68b-46db-4497-bf25-5029c76fb269" data-vars-headline="Gas in Richmond heads for $4 per gallon due to Iran war" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/09/richmond-gas-prices-trump-iran-conflict-oil-spike" target="_self">gas prices</a> won&#x27;t stop going up.Why it matters: A gas tank that might have taken about $45 to fill last month might now cost over $60. Pain.

Richmond toll scam texts send people to the courthouse

These scam texts are demanding a next-day court appearance or immediate payment for unpaid tolls.

Locals are being flooded with scam texts exploiting confusion over Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new electronic tolling system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/26/richmond-all-electronic-tolling-powhite-downtown-expressway-red-light-cameras-2026" data-vars-content-id="ac545909-b4ab-4327-a2ab-499c22e10868" data-vars-headline="Richmond toll scam texts send people to the courthouse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/26/richmond-all-electronic-tolling-powhite-downtown-expressway-red-light-cameras-2026" target="_self">new electronic tolling system</a>.Why it matters: The messages caused chaos at the John Marshall Courthouse this week, as people showed up to resolve traffic infractions they never committed.

MF Broom is back on Richmond's streets

Richmond's favorite bike-lane sweeper, named after the late rapper MF Doom, has been MIA for years.

MF Broom, Richmond&#x27;s favorite (and only) city-owned bike-lane sweeper, has returned.Why it matters: The $80,000 machine — which was named in a 2022 citywide vote — has been MIA for much of the past two years.

Richmond police issue 200+ tickets in illegal parking crackdown

And that was just in the Fan and surrounding neighborhoods within a roughly two-month period.

Richmond police issued more than 200 citations in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent enforcement push" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/09/richmond-illegal-parking-enforcement-2026" data-vars-content-id="39808113-2555-411d-867c-8d9b8ac6f2e6" data-vars-headline="Richmond police issue 200+ tickets in illegal parking crackdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/09/richmond-illegal-parking-enforcement-2026" target="_self">recent enforcement push</a> targeting drivers who park too close to intersections and crosswalks, according to RPD data shared with Axios. Why it matters: That was just for people illegally parking in the Fan and surrounding neighborhoods, showing how common the violations are in one of the busiest parts of the city.

Richmond police beg people to stop parking in the crosswalks

Parking too close to intersections can create dangerous blind spots. RPD says it's time for drivers to back up.

Richmond Police say they&#x27;re cracking down on drivers who park too close to intersections and crosswalks after a recent rise in crashes, including fatal ones.Why it matters: One drive around the city shows drivers consistently parking where they shouldn&#x27;t — blocking pedestrian paths and making turns a life-or-death gamble.

Richmond launches 2-week pothole blitz as 311 reports surge

Plus: If you report a pothole, Richmond's top officials just might show up to fix it themselves.

<figure><img alt="A gif showing a man in a bright construction vest filling a pothole with asphalt by raking it over the pothole" height="450" id="c8d15e2d-e075-4ce0-bad4-506274adcae1" src="https://images.axios.com/wK4mjrM6hM3pr52zqdHsv6xWK4M=/2026/03/04/1772651296184.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>CAO Odie Donald II filling his first Richmond pothole. Video: Sabrina Moreno/Axios</figcaption></figure>Richmond just started its two-week <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pothole repair blitz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/23/richmond-winter-storm-potholes-vdot" data-vars-content-id="3c7983c0-951d-41e4-9d0b-f4ce8c96c8e6" data-vars-headline="Richmond launches 2-week pothole blitz as 311 reports surge" 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/richmond-winter-storm-potholes-vdot" target="_self">pothole repair blitz</a>.Why it matters: If you report one to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="311" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva311.com/rvaone#/request/list" data-vars-content-id="3c7983c0-951d-41e4-9d0b-f4ce8c96c8e6" data-vars-headline="Richmond launches 2-week pothole blitz as 311 reports surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva311.com/rvaone#/request/list" target="_blank">311</a>, the city&#x27;s Chief Administrative Officer might just come fill it.

Richmond DOT chief says zero traffic deaths possible by 2030

Here's how he thinks the city can get there.

Andy Boenau&#x27;s tenure as Richmond&#x27;s first-ever transportation director might be judged by a single number: zero.Why it matters: That&#x27;s how many traffic fatalities the city hopes to have by 2030, and he tells Axios the city can get there.

Transit 🚗

How Richmond's proposed budget targets pedestrian safety

Virginia seeks public input on future of train travel

Richmond ranks 21st for road safety, but risks remain

Gas in Richmond heads for $4 per gallon due to Iran war

Richmond toll scam texts send people to the courthouse