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Wildfire smoke triggers Code Orange alert in Richmond

Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity as smoky air and low visibility linger into Saturday.

News

Smoke from raging Canadian wildfires is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drifting into Central Virginia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/14/wildfire-smoke-boston-yellow-sky-air-quality-massachusetts-canadian-wednesday-forecast" data-vars-content-id="6ba5ce2a-0810-471d-8d8d-e9484affccda" data-vars-headline="Wildfire smoke triggers Code Orange alert in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/07/14/wildfire-smoke-boston-yellow-sky-air-quality-massachusetts-canadian-wednesday-forecast" target="_self">drifting into Central Virginia</a>, putting Richmond under a poor air quality alert, per the National Weather Service. Why it matters: Poor air quality and low visibility from the smoke is expected to linger into Saturday.

Virginia sees rise in parasite illness causing "explosive" diarrhea

Virginia officials say there isn't an outbreak yet. Meanwhile, fresh produce is under scrutiny nationwide.

Virginia isn&#x27;t seeing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/11/explosive-diarrhea-parasite-cyclospora-sick-outbreak" data-vars-content-id="666245c4-bcf3-4b53-a6c7-a17cb6207317" data-vars-headline="Virginia sees rise in parasite illness causing &quot;explosive&quot; diarrhea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/11/explosive-diarrhea-parasite-cyclospora-sick-outbreak" target="_self">cyclosporiasis outbreak</a> yet, but the state is seeing more cases of the gut-wrecking illness than usual.Why it matters: Investigators nationwide have yet to find the source behind the contamination that&#x27;s affected <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 7,000 Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html" data-vars-content-id="666245c4-bcf3-4b53-a6c7-a17cb6207317" data-vars-headline="Virginia sees rise in parasite illness causing &quot;explosive&quot; diarrhea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html" target="_blank">nearly 7,000 Americans</a>, leaving people confused and with few answers about how to avoid the parasite.

WinterWorld wants to be Richmond's Rockefeller Center

The 39-day festival at CarMax Park will bring skating, lights, vendors and live entertainment.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CarMax Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/07/richmond-carmax-park-opening-day-diamond-district-history" data-vars-content-id="049a680c-1280-4803-b2f6-04cc3e9b7df4" data-vars-headline="WinterWorld wants to be Richmond&#x27;s Rockefeller Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/07/richmond-carmax-park-opening-day-diamond-district-history" target="_self">CarMax Park</a> will transform into a winter wonderland this fall, complete with an ice skating rink, ice slide, Ferris wheel and more than a million lights, the Richmond Flying Squirrels announced this week. Why it matters: The $2 million-plus attraction is the team&#x27;s biggest bet yet on turning CarMax Park into a year-round destination.

Richmond restaurants send social media SOS

Getting candid is helping fill tables in the short term, but it's unclear if it can save them from their dining room slump.

Business

Some Richmond restaurant owners are turning to social media to ask locals for support as they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/02/richmond-restaurant-closures-redemption-bbq" data-vars-content-id="695ca5ee-f38e-4be3-829c-be27069a5746" data-vars-headline="Richmond restaurants send social media SOS" 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-restaurant-closures-redemption-bbq" target="_self">struggle</a> with rising costs and sluggish sales.Why it matters: The pleas are helping fill tables in the short term, but the posts suggest local restaurants need a long-term solution.

Virginia councilman goes viral campaigning for more sidewalks

The video has people nationwide saying they now want to move to Danville.

Culture

A Virginia councilman&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral campaign video" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaBiHMTBUMW/" data-vars-content-id="3e34d85d-ab95-41c9-94aa-1193e0e1ab55" data-vars-headline="Virginia councilman goes viral campaigning for more sidewalks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaBiHMTBUMW/" target="_blank">viral campaign video</a> about building more sidewalks has people nationwide saying they want to move to Danville.Why it matters: The internet&#x27;s love for Councilman Gary Miller and his high-waisted pants suggests that there&#x27;s at least one thing Americans can agree on: a good sidewalk.

Major pedestrian safety projects coming to Henrico, Chesterfield

New sidewalks, trails and safer crossings are coming to the car-dependent suburbs.

Henrico and Chesterfield are advancing major pedestrian safety projects this year — and some start construction this summer.Why it matters: It&#x27;s signaling a broader shift toward making two of the Richmond area&#x27;s most car-dependent suburbs safer and easier to navigate on foot.

The hidden VDOT shop in Chesterfield making Virginia's road signs

The 16-person team makes about 100,000 replacement road signs for the state each year.

When a tractor-trailer on Interstate 64 took down <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overhead highway signs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/12/23/virginias-top-viral-moments-2024" data-vars-content-id="c11b1a67-35b5-41af-8959-986e561fbf8f" data-vars-headline="The hidden VDOT shop in Chesterfield making Virginia&#x27;s road signs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/12/23/virginias-top-viral-moments-2024" target="_self">overhead highway signs</a> in Henrico a few years ago, Marshall Martin&#x27;s phone rang almost immediately.<ul><li>&quot;Get ready,&quot; he recalled being told. &quot;Bad accident.&quot;</li><li>Martin already had the replacement signs underway before crews finished clearing the wreckage.</li></ul>Why it matters: Martin manages the Virginia Department of Transportation&#x27;s only sign maintenance shop, where a team of 16 in Chesterfield builds about 100,000 signs each year for the state&#x27;s roads.

Arthur Ashe closures for America's 250th IllumiNATION event

Here's where drivers in one of Richmond's busiest corridors should avoid these next few weeks.

A major stretch of Arthur Ashe Boulevard will temporarily close for several nights this month as the city preps for a large-scale event to celebrate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" data-vars-content-id="d0338c03-f419-459e-b2ea-dff89f073d17" data-vars-headline="Arthur Ashe closures for America&#x27;s 250th IllumiNATION event" 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">America&#x27;s 250th</a>.Why it matters: The closures will affect traffic and parking in one of Richmond&#x27;s most heavily traveled corridors for a test event Tuesday and a four-night festival next week.

Scoop: Some Richmond parking spots too narrow to avoid buffer fines

As ticketing resumes, some parking lanes measure below the city's preferred standards.

Richmond will resume ticketing drivers Monday for parking fully or partially in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bike-lane buffer zones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/18/richmond-bike-lane-buffer-tickets-paused" data-vars-content-id="209ce97f-fa45-469c-8ab1-9f1f28599845" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Some Richmond parking spots too narrow to avoid buffer fines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/18/richmond-bike-lane-buffer-tickets-paused" target="_self">bike-lane buffer zones</a>.Why it matters: Some of the city&#x27;s parking lanes are too narrow for many popular car models to fit without encroaching on the buffer, per an Axios review of these lanes.

Richmond drivers squeezed by rising car ownership costs

Monthly payments, insurance and repairs are all climbing faster than wages in Virginia.

Even if you put aside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/06/virginia-gas-tax-holiday-richmond-pump-prices-aaa" data-vars-content-id="5a64973c-8d76-4fdc-9acd-73a671aac31c" data-vars-headline="Richmond drivers squeezed by rising car ownership costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/06/virginia-gas-tax-holiday-richmond-pump-prices-aaa" target="_self">gas prices</a> for the moment, car ownership has gotten a lot more expensive in recent years.Why it matters: Despite Richmond&#x27;s free bus service, ample bike lanes and ever-improving pedestrian infrastructure, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most locals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/31/richmond-biking-walking-transportation-stats" data-vars-content-id="5a64973c-8d76-4fdc-9acd-73a671aac31c" data-vars-headline="Richmond drivers squeezed by rising car ownership costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/31/richmond-biking-walking-transportation-stats" target="_self">most locals</a> still rely on cars, making rising ownership costs hard to avoid.

GRTC reveals redevelopment vision for future Pulse line

The concepts could see Chamberlayne, Hull Street and Midlothian Turnpike transformed over the next few decades.

New apartments, redesigned shopping centers and more walkable streets could transform parts of Richmond under plans tied to the proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North-South Pulse bus line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ridegrtc.com/community/projects/brt-expansion/" data-vars-content-id="42562e7f-29ba-4f8a-a0e3-bcb6f2c85142" data-vars-headline="GRTC reveals redevelopment vision for future Pulse line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ridegrtc.com/community/projects/brt-expansion/" target="_blank">North-South Pulse bus line</a>.Why it matters: The newly unveiled concepts show how the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="years-in-the-making" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/10/16/grtc-north-south-rapid-transit-route" data-vars-content-id="42562e7f-29ba-4f8a-a0e3-bcb6f2c85142" data-vars-headline="GRTC reveals redevelopment vision for future Pulse line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/10/16/grtc-north-south-rapid-transit-route" target="_self">years-in-the-making</a> transit line could drive redevelopment across the city.

Richmond pauses bike-lane buffer tickets after backlash

Enforcement resumes June 1, despite complaints that some parking spaces are too narrow for cars to fit legally.

Richmond is backing off its bike-lane buffer ticketing until June 1 after residents complained they were blindsided by the policy change.<ul><li>But officials aren&#x27;t yet addressing another issue: Some parking spaces are so narrow that cars spill into the buffer zone even when parked correctly.</li></ul>Why it matters: When enforcement starts back up, the city&#x27;s message is essentially that if your car doesn&#x27;t fit, park somewhere else — or risk a citation.

70 mph in school zones: Richmond's worst speeding spots

Drivers going this fast are uncommon, but it's among the most dangerous driving behavior.

Richmond&#x27;s fastest school zone drivers reached at least 70 mph on some of the city&#x27;s busiest roads, per police data obtained by Axios.Why it matters: These rare cases of extreme speeding highlight a persistent challenge: curbing the small share of drivers responsible for the most dangerous behavior, Richmond transportation director Andy Boenau tells Axios.

Richmond debuts new "Baby Broom" bike lane sweeper

Cyclists welcome more cleaning help, though debris buildup in fall and winter remains a concern.

There&#x27;s a new city-owned bike lane sweeper on Richmond roads.Why it matters: Its name is &quot;Baby Broom&quot; — for now.

Transit 🚗

Virginia councilman goes viral campaigning for more sidewalks

Major pedestrian safety projects coming to Henrico, Chesterfield

The hidden VDOT shop in Chesterfield making Virginia's road signs

Local artist turns Richmond bus into moving mural

Arthur Ashe closures for America's 250th IllumiNATION event