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Virginia may unwind decades-old liquor sales mandate

Lawmakers approved a tiered system to replace a food sales mandate dating back to 1968.

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Legislation that would lower the Virginia restaurants&#x27; food-to-<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="liquor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/06/03/virginia-distilleries-generate-1-billion-a-year-for-the-states-economy" data-vars-content-id="71ad8b7c-f8b1-47e5-a9d8-d435474c04f6" data-vars-headline="Virginia may unwind decades-old liquor sales mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/06/03/virginia-distilleries-generate-1-billion-a-year-for-the-states-economy" target="_self">liquor</a> sales ratio is headed to Gov. Abigail Spanberger&#x27;s desk. Why it matters: Many in the restaurant industry have been pushing for a ratio change for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than a decade" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondbizsense.com/2016/01/21/bar-owners-take-shot-at-changing-45-percent-rule/" data-vars-content-id="71ad8b7c-f8b1-47e5-a9d8-d435474c04f6" data-vars-headline="Virginia may unwind decades-old liquor sales mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondbizsense.com/2016/01/21/bar-owners-take-shot-at-changing-45-percent-rule/" target="_blank">more than a decade</a>.

Virginia redistricting vote to start Friday as planned

Multiple lawsuits have tried to block the election. Local election officials say it's still happening.

Early voting on 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="eeb9798b-2a18-414e-96ea-f89292155c8f" data-vars-headline="Virginia redistricting vote to start Friday as planned" 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 still on track to begin Friday, local election officials tell Axios.Why it matters: There have been so many lawsuits trying to stop it that voters have been left wondering whether the election is really happening.

Waymo could expand to Virginia under new driverless car bill

The robotaxi is rapidly expanding across multiple states. Lawmakers are deciding whether Virginia could be next.

As Waymo races to expand its rollout of robotaxis nationwide, Virginia lawmakers are deciding whether to make the state legally ready for fully driverless cars.Why it matters: Robotaxis aren&#x27;t sci-fi anymore, and their vote could influence whether one will soon share the road with you.

Driving in Richmond gets more expensive this weekend

All-electronic tolling begins Saturday and red light cameras start issuing $50 tickets March 1.

Driving around Richmond will get more expensive starting this weekend. Why it matters: If you&#x27;re a red light-runner or non-E-ZPass toll road user, your grace periods are up.

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.

Richmonders beg 311 to fix unplowed, icy neighborhood roads

Scores of 311 requests show rising frustration as icy roads linger days after last week's storm.

Richmonders have logged scores of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="311 requests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/07/richmond-social-services-dominate-311-requests" data-vars-content-id="d4e81014-a4b1-426d-b0fc-b69df808d158" data-vars-headline="Richmonders beg 311 to fix unplowed, icy neighborhood roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/07/richmond-social-services-dominate-311-requests" target="_self">311 requests</a> for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ice and snow removal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/27/richmond-snow-ice-black-ice-street-conditions-vdot-henrico" data-vars-content-id="d4e81014-a4b1-426d-b0fc-b69df808d158" data-vars-headline="Richmonders beg 311 to fix unplowed, icy neighborhood roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/27/richmond-snow-ice-black-ice-street-conditions-vdot-henrico" target="_self">ice and snow removal</a> on city streets and sidewalks in the last week. Why it matters: The volume of requests underscores locals&#x27; mounting frustration over impassable, ice-covered streets, days after the storm has passed.

Why many Richmond roads are still icy

Crews are working around the clock, but freezing temps are slowing the storm cleanup.

Transportation officials are asking Richmonders for their patience as they continue clearing streets after the weekend&#x27;s winter storm. Why it matters: Everyone&#x27;s a little stir crazy, but many neighborhood roads are still in bad shape, and black ice remains a concern.

Chesterfield residents want better ways to get around

Survey shows more residents want to walk or bike — but say it's tough to do so.

Chesterfield residents generally like living in the county, but they have issues with how easily they can get around, especially when walking or biking.<ul><li>That&#x27;s according to the results of the county&#x27;s latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Citizen Satisfaction Survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chesterfield.gov/DocumentCenter/View/46121/2025-Citizen-Satisfaction-Survey-PDF" data-vars-content-id="37d7c9aa-5478-433b-9c64-bc84147b6068" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield residents want better ways to get around" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chesterfield.gov/DocumentCenter/View/46121/2025-Citizen-Satisfaction-Survey-PDF" target="_blank">Citizen Satisfaction Survey</a>, which it does every few years. </li></ul>Why it matters: Chesterfield is the region&#x27;s largest and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing county" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/01/15/virginia-population-fastest-growing-counties-map" data-vars-content-id="37d7c9aa-5478-433b-9c64-bc84147b6068" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield residents want better ways to get around" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/01/15/virginia-population-fastest-growing-counties-map" target="_self">fastest-growing county</a> and, per its survey results, its residents are increasingly opting to bike or walk instead of drive.

Richmond launches new street safety office after 6 pedestrian deaths

The new Department of Transportation's main goal: Redesign streets to make them less deadly.

Richmond is launching a Department of Transportation to centralize ownership of street safety as officials confront growing resident frustration over back-to-back <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pedestrian deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/07/richmond-pedestrian-safety-plan-hit-and-run-vision-zero" data-vars-content-id="5ea009de-1b60-4e87-afca-df26a292ca85" data-vars-headline="Richmond launches new street safety office after 6 pedestrian deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/07/richmond-pedestrian-safety-plan-hit-and-run-vision-zero" target="_self">pedestrian deaths</a>.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;We cannot treat traffic deaths as normal,&quot; Mayor Avula said when announcing the initiative on Thursday, noting that thousands of VCU students return Monday for spring semester.<ul><li>&quot;And we cannot accept that losing your life while walking, crossing the street or heading to a bus stop is just part of living in a city.&quot;</li></ul>

Why no one has been charged after six pedestrian deaths in Richmond

The investigations into all six recent pedestrian deaths are ongoing, Police Chief Rick Edwards said Thursday.

The investigations into all six recent pedestrian deaths are ongoing, Police Chief Rick Edwards said Thursday.Why it matters: As the city emphasizes prevention, public frustration is mounting over the lack of charges.

Richmond speeds up street safety plan after pedestrian deaths

Mayor Avula ordered immediate changes to dangerous intersections after multiple recent pedestrian fatalities.

City Hall plans to work quickly to make city streets safer following two pedestrian fatalities in just over a week, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Avula announced Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://rva.gov/press-releases-and-announcements-mayors-office/news/mayor-danny-avula-statement-semmes-avenue-fatal" data-vars-content-id="d3e697a0-2c55-4013-84fd-0b4043f0df4e" data-vars-headline="Richmond speeds up street safety plan after pedestrian deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rva.gov/press-releases-and-announcements-mayors-office/news/mayor-danny-avula-statement-semmes-avenue-fatal" target="_blank">Mayor Avula announced Monday</a>. Why it matters: Within 24 hours of his announcement, a third pedestrian was killed walking in Richmond.

Richmonders can get free or discounted Ubers and Lyfts this month

The goal: keeping drunken drivers off the road this holiday season.

Richmonders can get a free sober ride home this holiday season, thanks to two ride-credit programs aimed at keeping drunken drivers off the road.Why it matters: Drunken driving contributed to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over a third of Virginia&#x27;s traffic deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VA-traffic-crash-2024.pdf" data-vars-content-id="3d787297-5360-4960-87aa-53f0b52d4ad4" data-vars-headline="Richmonders can get free or discounted Ubers and Lyfts this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VA-traffic-crash-2024.pdf" target="_blank">over a third of Virginia&#x27;s traffic deaths</a> last year.

Richmond to resume parking enforcement in Scott's Addition

Parking enforcement in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Scott&#x27;s Addition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/27/scotts-addition-richmond-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="ffe5b1ee-9519-4e5f-a4ee-6ac389f35a90" data-vars-headline="Richmond to resume parking enforcement in Scott&#x27;s Addition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/27/scotts-addition-richmond-redevelopment" target="_self">Scott&#x27;s Addition</a> is back starting Jan. 5.Why it matters: Nothing says &quot;Happy New Year&quot; like a parking ticket.

Transit 🚗

Richmond launches 2-week pothole blitz as 311 reports surge

Richmond DOT chief says zero traffic deaths possible by 2030

Richmonders beg 311 to fix unplowed, icy neighborhood roads

Why many Richmond roads are still icy

Chesterfield residents want better ways to get around