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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.

News

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>.

Richmond police defend Flock cameras as backlash grows

Local activists want the city to end its contract with Flock Safety. Police say the cameras help solve crimes.

Richmond has become the latest flashpoint in the nationwide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="backlash against surveillance technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/doorbell-cams-and-surveillance-tech-face-growing-public-backlash" data-vars-content-id="211a392c-1785-43dd-8761-18efe534f754" data-vars-headline="Richmond police defend Flock cameras as backlash grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/doorbell-cams-and-surveillance-tech-face-growing-public-backlash" target="_self">backlash against surveillance technology</a> as local activists urge the city to end its contract with Flock Safety.Why it matters: That doesn&#x27;t seem likely.

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.

Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle

The latest mass shooting revives a long cycle of violence and uneasy recovery in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom.

The early Saturday morning mass shooting in Shockoe Bottom was the latest in a string of violence going back decades in one of Richmond&#x27;s oldest neighborhoods.Why it matters: The Bottom&#x27;s recent history shows that high-profile violence can become a tipping point prompting lasting policy changes.State of play: Shockoe Bottom has a long and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="complicated history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" target="_self">complicated history</a>, but the flood-prone valley as a Richmond nightlife destination didn&#x27;t really begin until the mid-1980s and super-charged in the mid-&#x27;90s, after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Floodwall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" target="_blank">Floodwall</a> was completed.<ul><li>After the Floodwall was done in 1995 and the district was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mostly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">mostly</a> protected from frequent flooding, developers flocked in, converting old warehouses and buildings into apartments and retail, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style Weekly reported." data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style Weekly reported.</a></li><li>New restaurants, clubs and music venues quickly joined existing Shockoe spots, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bird in Hand" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" target="_blank">Bird in Hand</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chetti&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" target="_blank">Chetti&#x27;s</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moondance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" target="_blank">Moondance</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Flood Zone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" target="_blank">the Flood Zone</a>. </li><li>By the early aughts, Shockoe Bottom had arrived. The nightlife destination offered high-end restaurants like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Havana &#x27;59" data-vars-click-url="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" target="_blank">Havana &#x27;59</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julep&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://rva.juleps.net/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rva.juleps.net/" target="_blank">Julep&#x27;s</a>, live music at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alley Katz" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" target="_blank">Alley Katz</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bottom Line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" target="_blank">The Bottom Line</a>, late-night eats at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="River City Diner" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" target="_blank">River City Diner</a> and dancing and debauchery in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiki Bob&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" target="_blank">Tiki Bob&#x27;s</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Have a Nice Day Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" target="_blank">Have a Nice Day Cafe</a>, plus dozens more. </li></ul>Zoom in: Just as the Bottom&#x27;s upswing began, so did the violence. By mid-2004, Richmond Police started ramping up patrols in the neighborhood after nine people were shot, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Style" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" target="_blank">per Style</a>. <ul><li>It wouldn&#x27;t matter. The end of summer brought <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Gaston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">Hurricane Gaston</a>, which left much of the Bottom submerged. It took some businesses <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two years to recover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" target="_blank">two years to recover</a>. Some never did. </li><li>In 2010, the Bottom was back, but not the same. Another spate of violence brought another round of increased police attention — and action by Richmond City Council, which passed an ordinance requiring nightclubs get a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." target="_blank">permit</a> to operate, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style reported</a>.</li></ul>Yes, but: The Bottom was improving. Between 2005 and 2010, Shockoe Bottom was on track to see a 50% decline in major crimes, per Style. <ul><li>But by then, the Bottom had a perception problem, it seemed.</li><li>There were efforts by City Hall to turn things around. Notably, former Mayor Dwight Jones&#x27; failed pitch to put a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="baseball diamond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" target="_blank">baseball diamond</a> in The Bottom, the years-long renovation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" target="_blank">17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market</a> and former Mayor Stoney&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shockoe Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" target="_blank">Shockoe Project</a> plan, which brought new businesses to the district. For a bit. </li></ul>The latest: Guns — the sheer number of them on the streets and in the hands of crowds flocking to Shockoe Bottom on the weekends — are the problem, Richmond Police chief Rick Edwards said in response to the Saturday shooting. <ul><li>RPD Major Crimes is investigating the mass shooting and asking anyone with information, particularly video to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Mayor Danny Avula said Saturday that the city&#x27;s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention is working on a &quot;community ambassadors&quot; program that will focus on the bars and clubs and should launch by summer.

6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now

And they're available for a sunny weekend trip this month.

Travel

When the local airport recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="asked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CNBaFhRQS/" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CNBaFhRQS/" target="_blank">asked</a> Richmonders which nonstop routes they want added, many of the over 1,400 comments mentioned flights that already exist.Why it matters: We have a feeling people might need a refresher, especially for those wanting to escape the freezing cold.Catch up quick: Richmond International Airport&#x27;s nonstop Bermuda flight paused this month after launching in June, spokesperson Troy Bell tells Axios.<ul><li>But RIC offers more than a dozen other direct flights that&#x27;ll drop you straight into warm weather. </li><li>Come <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="March" data-vars-click-url="https://flyrichmond.com/jetblue-announces-nonstop-route-to-san-juan-from-ric/" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://flyrichmond.com/jetblue-announces-nonstop-route-to-san-juan-from-ric/" target="_blank">March</a>, that&#x27;ll include year-round flights to Puerto Rico.</li><li>And its nonstop flights to Los Angeles will resume in May, Bell says.</li></ul>Zoom in: In the meantime, here are nonstop flights you can take from Richmond to a sunny destination in the next month.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">👙 Miami and Fort Lauderdale</h2>Weather this weekend: Around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high 60s" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=25.7751&amp;lon=-80.1947" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=25.7751&amp;lon=-80.1947" target="_blank">high 60s</a> until Sunday.Days it runs: Almost every day on Spirit, Jet Blue and American Airlines.Round trip prices: Ranges from around $200 to FLL to under $400 to Miami (if you play it right).Flight duration: 2.5 hours.Plus: Key West is only about a three-hour road trip away.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🏝️ West Palm Beach (just launched in September)</h2>Weather this weekend: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mid-to-high 60s. " data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=26.7144&amp;lon=-80.0549" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=26.7144&amp;lon=-80.0549" target="_blank">Mid-to-high 60s. </a>Days it runs: Friday and Monday on Breeze Airways.Round trip prices: Ranges from $248 to $538 depending on the weekend.Flight duration: Roughly 2.5 hours.Pro tip: The Palm Beach Post put together a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bucket list guide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/entertainment/2025/12/01/west-palm-beach-things-to-do-bucket-list-restaurants-events/87463969007/" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/entertainment/2025/12/01/west-palm-beach-things-to-do-bucket-list-restaurants-events/87463969007/" target="_blank">bucket list guide</a> for the best things to do there.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🩴 St. Pete, Florida</h2>Weather this weekend: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Not so great" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=27.7709&amp;lon=-82.6793" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=27.7709&amp;lon=-82.6793" target="_blank">Not so great</a> but it&#x27;ll be back to being in the 60s after a brief bout of cold.Days it runs: Essentially every day on Breeze Airways or Allegiant.Round trip prices: As low as $100.Flight duration: About two hours.Fun fact: It was named the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="next great food city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/28/st-petersburg-michelin-james-beard-food-scene" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/28/st-petersburg-michelin-james-beard-food-scene" target="_self">next great food city</a> by Food &amp; Wine last year.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🌵 Phoenix, Arizona</h2>Weather this weekend: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="High 70s. " data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.448204&amp;lon=-112.0725848" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.448204&amp;lon=-112.0725848" target="_blank">High 70s. </a>Days it runs: Friday and Monday on Breeze Airways.Round trip prices: Ranges from $358 to $618 depending on the weekend.Flight duration: 5.5 hours.Pro tip: Read our Axios Phoenix colleagues&#x27;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" local guide to 36 hours in Phoenix." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/02/27/local-travel-guide" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/02/27/local-travel-guide" target="_self"> local guide to 36 hours in Phoenix.</a><h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🎰 Las Vegas, Nevada</h2>Weather this weekend: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Low 70s. " data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.1691&amp;lon=-115.1406" data-vars-content-id="6793590e-ca02-4790-b819-196af5c3000b" data-vars-headline="6 warm destinations you can fly to nonstop from Richmond right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.1691&amp;lon=-115.1406" target="_blank">Low 70s. </a>Days it runs: Thursday, Sunday and Tuesday on Breeze Airways.Round trip prices: As low as $338 for a Thursday-Tuesday flight and as low as $498 for a Thursday-Sunday route.Flight duration: 5.5 hours.Pro tip for the hikers: Vegas is also close to Red Rock Canyon and about 2.5 hours from Zion National Park.What we&#x27;re watching: If RIC adds any of the international destinations people asked for in response to its post. <ul><li>Multiple commenters mentioned adding Europe flights (like London, Dublin, Lisbon or Paris) for better access to inexpensive connections throughout the continent.</li><li>Some pushed for beach destinations in Latin America, like: Dominican Republic, Cancún and El Salvador.</li></ul>

Winter storm turns D.C.-to-Richmond flight into a 40-hour detour

And this time, Sen. Tim Kaine wasn't at the mercy of it.

Sabrina here, back from being subjected to life in Northern Virginia for two days due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the snow." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/26/richmond-freezing-rain-forecast-fizzles-danger-lingers" data-vars-content-id="ff527972-774c-4b0a-8b58-0c75846d4235" data-vars-headline="Winter storm turns D.C.-to-Richmond flight into a 40-hour detour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/26/richmond-freezing-rain-forecast-fizzles-danger-lingers" target="_self">the snow.</a> Why it matters: It might be the longest a Richmonder has been stranded on a D.C. winter storm commute since Sen. Tim Kaine&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="27-hour ordeal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/01/04/snow-dc-virginia-standstill-interstate-95" data-vars-content-id="ff527972-774c-4b0a-8b58-0c75846d4235" data-vars-headline="Winter storm turns D.C.-to-Richmond flight into a 40-hour detour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/01/04/snow-dc-virginia-standstill-interstate-95" target="_self">27-hour ordeal</a> in 2022.

The cities Richmonders want to travel to in 2026

Pitbull, aka Mr. 305, famously lives in one of them.

The flights Richmonders are most searching for this year are headed to the Sunshine State, per Kayak data shared with Axios.Why it matters: They&#x27;re also among the only nonstop flights from Richmond to a toasty destination.

Richmond airport set for major TSA checkpoint overhaul

RIC's new security design will double capacity and open the door to international flights.

The Capital Region Airport Commission recently shared renderings of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consolidated checkpoint" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/07/tsa-checkpoint-ric-airport" data-vars-content-id="93b50160-951a-4dc4-b7f9-bb7b25a1d6fb" data-vars-headline="Richmond airport set for major TSA checkpoint overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/07/tsa-checkpoint-ric-airport" target="_self">consolidated checkpoint</a> in the works at the Richmond airport. Why it matters: The new screening area will transform RIC and somehow make its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already speedy TSA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/12/02/richmond-airport-tsa-wait-tiktok-timing" data-vars-content-id="93b50160-951a-4dc4-b7f9-bb7b25a1d6fb" data-vars-headline="Richmond airport set for major TSA checkpoint overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/12/02/richmond-airport-tsa-wait-tiktok-timing" target="_self">already speedy TSA</a> process even faster.

Richmond Airport delays grow as FAA cuts flights nationwide

The FAA is cutting 10% of flights across the U.S., and it's already impacting Richmond travelers.

Richmond International Airport officials say they haven&#x27;t been directly impacted by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FAA&#x27;s planned 10% reduction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/05/flights-delays-airports-cancellations-faa" data-vars-content-id="4cfa4a0b-14c1-4140-868e-e1e9967399f0" data-vars-headline="Richmond Airport delays grow as FAA cuts flights nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/05/flights-delays-airports-cancellations-faa" target="_self">FAA&#x27;s planned 10% reduction</a> in flights across major U.S. markets.Why it matters: Ripple effects are still reaching Central Virginia travelers, and could strand Richmond&#x27;s air travelers across the country.

Richmond airport faces delays as shutdown hits U.S. flights

It's largely due to delays at other airports, prompted by weather and air traffic controllers losing pay.

Air traffic controllers at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/20/is-flying-safe-richmond-airport-staffing" data-vars-content-id="bc83a0a1-83e1-49bb-890d-3722bef32cdd" data-vars-headline="Richmond airport faces delays as shutdown hits U.S. flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/20/is-flying-safe-richmond-airport-staffing" target="_self">Richmond International Airport</a> are set to miss their first paychecks Tuesday as the nearly month-long <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/trump-government-shutdown-days-record" data-vars-content-id="bc83a0a1-83e1-49bb-890d-3722bef32cdd" data-vars-headline="Richmond airport faces delays as shutdown hits U.S. flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/trump-government-shutdown-days-record" target="_self">government shutdown</a> drags on.Why it matters: A combination of weather-related issues and staffing shortages at other airports has already created a domino effect that&#x27;s led to delays at RIC.

Why Richmond airport parking is so tricky right now

Up to 1,000 garage spaces can be closed on peak days during the lighting project.

The Richmond airport&#x27;s parking garages have been forced to temporarily close at least once a week since mid-September because they keep filling up.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re planning to travel, you may want to start pestering friends for an airport ride.

Richmond airport grounds Kristi Noem's government shutdown video

The Trump administration released the video for airing at TSA checkpoints, but some authorities have shelved the message.

Airports across the country — including Richmond&#x27;s — are refusing to show a video of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/trump-immigration-homeland-security-noem-cities" data-vars-content-id="d25bb0bb-a699-4113-b03b-e77c34669033" data-vars-headline="Richmond airport grounds Kristi Noem&#x27;s government shutdown video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/trump-immigration-homeland-security-noem-cities" target="_self">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem</a> blaming the ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/30/trump-housing-department-shutdown-alert" data-vars-content-id="d25bb0bb-a699-4113-b03b-e77c34669033" data-vars-headline="Richmond airport grounds Kristi Noem&#x27;s government shutdown video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/30/trump-housing-department-shutdown-alert" target="_self">government shutdown</a> on congressional Democrats. Why it matters: The Trump administration released the video for airing at TSA checkpoints earlier this month, but some transportation authorities have shelved the message out of concern it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violates the Hatch Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-republicans-trump-administration-hud" data-vars-content-id="d25bb0bb-a699-4113-b03b-e77c34669033" data-vars-headline="Richmond airport grounds Kristi Noem&#x27;s government shutdown video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-republicans-trump-administration-hud" target="_self">violates the Hatch Act</a>.

Beach traffic faces speed traps on I-64 in New Kent

New Kent clocked thousands of speeders as tourists head to beaches, Busch Gardens and more.

Speeding through New Kent County&#x27;s roughly 10-mile stretch of I-64 could now put you on the hook for an automatic $100 ticket, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Daily Press reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dailypress.com/2025/08/19/i-64-new-kent-speeding/" data-vars-content-id="b91706fb-7774-4809-a15b-26c010cedf80" data-vars-headline="Beach traffic faces speed traps on I-64 in New Kent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dailypress.com/2025/08/19/i-64-new-kent-speeding/" target="_blank">the Daily Press reports</a>. Why it matters: A trip to the beach, Busch Gardens or this weekend&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wiener Dog Races" data-vars-click-url="https://rosiesgaming.com/events/wiener-dog-racing/" data-vars-content-id="b91706fb-7774-4809-a15b-26c010cedf80" data-vars-headline="Beach traffic faces speed traps on I-64 in New Kent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rosiesgaming.com/events/wiener-dog-racing/" target="_blank">Wiener Dog Races</a> at Colonial Downs will take you right through that strip.

Richmond toll roads are going cashless

Cash won't be accepted on Powhite, Downtown Expressway or Nickel Bridge under a new tolling plan.

The Richmond metro&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three major toll roads" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/05/03/richmond-toll-road-hike-prices" data-vars-content-id="b81a39bb-6803-41b2-9834-29a06cb525fe" data-vars-headline="Richmond toll roads are going cashless" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/05/03/richmond-toll-road-hike-prices" target="_self">three major toll roads</a> are going cashless, starting with Powhite Parkway later this year.Why it matters: Once the switch to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="All-Electronic Tolling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rmtaonline.org/all-electronic-tolling/" data-vars-content-id="b81a39bb-6803-41b2-9834-29a06cb525fe" data-vars-headline="Richmond toll roads are going cashless" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rmtaonline.org/all-electronic-tolling/" target="_blank">All-Electronic Tolling</a> is complete, drivers who don&#x27;t have an E-ZPass will have to pay more to use Powhite, the Boulevard Bridge and the Downtown Expressway.