Axios Richmond

April 02, 2025
π« Finally, we've made it to Hump Day.
βοΈ Today's weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
π§ Sounds like: "Soak Up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow.
ποΈ Situational awareness: The General Assembly reconvenes today to take up Gov. Youngkin's budget and bill amendments.
π Happy birthday to our Axios Richmond members Julia Mattingly and Karen Redford!
Today's newsletter is 895 words β a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Richmond rises up
The resistance of 2025 may not be wearing a pink knitted cap β but it's alive in town halls, on the streets, at state capitals and outside of car dealerships across the country and here at home.
Why it matters: What started in Richmond as a one-day demonstration for the nationwide "50 Protests, 50 States, 1 Day" movement has grown into almost weekly rallies drawing hundreds of locals.
State of play: The activity in Richmond kicked off on Feb. 5 with the #50501Movement protest at the State Capitol, which was organized by the volunteer-led Virginia chapter of the group.
- Since then, there's been a Presidents Day protest, a demonstration against federal jobs cuts, two rallies outside of Richmond's Tesla dealership, women's rights march and more.
The big picture: The early moves of President Trump's second term and DOGE cuts have pulled a wide range of Americans into the political crosshairs, from National Parks Service workers to Social Security recipients to the transgender community.
- That's brought previously uninvolved people into resistance efforts, said Maurice Mitchell, the national director of the progressive Working Families Party.
What we're hearing: One leader of the #50501Movement's state chapter told us 400-600 people from all backgrounds and ages are showing up at the Richmond protests.
- "I see veterans, I see teachers. I see federal workers, scientists, librarians. Why are all these people here today? And it's because we're all scared at how the country is moving," Jim Wade, an attendee of the Tesla protest last Saturday, told WTVR."

The state #50501 chapter has three general "demands": opposing an expansion of executive power, protecting the constitution and opposing fascism.
- But the biggest issue for Richmond protesters appears to be the billionaire head of Tesla and DOGE chief Elon Musk.
What we're watching: The next demonstration in Richmond, "Hands Off!," is on Saturday.
2. ποΈ Virginia eyes stricter testing standards
The Virginia Board of Education has begun the process of revising how state tests are graded, reports RTD's Anna Bryson.
Why it matters: If the board decides to increase the threshold to pass, Virginia could end up with some of the toughest state tests in the country.
State of play: The goal is to close the gap between how students test on SOLs versus the federally mandated NAEP, which compares fourth and eighth graders across the U.S.
- NAEP's standard for "proficiency" surpasses most states' standards and Youngkin has vowed to raise Virginia's grading scales to match, per RTD.
- One way they could do this is by increasing the number of questions a student has to get right to pass.
Zoom in: Proponents of overhauling the grading scale say it could be the dramatic change needed to reverse steep drops in reading and math scores.
- Critics like Anne Holton, the board's sole Democratic member, warned that increasing the pass threshold could lead thousands of high school students to fail and not graduate.
What's next: Last week's board vote was only about starting the revision process. Committees will first propose changes for the Board to review in June.
3. π The Current: Potential Dominion rate hike
πΈ Dominion Energy is proposing a 13.9% base rate increase to monthly bills next year, which would add around $8.51 to a $140 bill. (Times-Dispatch)
- The company is also asking the SCC to approve a fuel cost increase, which would add another $10.95 to monthly bills.
βοΈ The city is piloting a virtual FOIA Reading Room in which the public can review previous unreleased documents "of substantial public interest" related to the water crisis. (WRIC)
πΈ Richmond rockers Lamb of God and GWAR will play Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront in July. (News release)
𦫠It's finally happening. Virginia's first Buc-ee's location near Harrisonburg is opening June 30 β a few days earlier than expected. (Fox5DC)
4. π Poppy gets a tan
America's princess has made it to the outdoor Hippo Haven habitat.
Why it matters: Poppy the pygmy hippo is soaking up the spring sun just like us βΒ and you soak it up with her.
Driving the news: The Metro Richmond Zoo announced Tuesday that she went outside for the first time on Friday.
- The habitat has a pool she can splash, play and cool off in, per the release.
- And when she and her mother Iris aren't in the water, they're grazing on the grass.
Plus, the outdoor habitat's pool has an underwater viewing window, where people can get up close and personal with Poppy.
Fun fact: The zoo says people have traveled as far as Alaska and California to see her.
Keep reading for the baby goats at Maymont
5. π‘ 1 skinny house to-go

One of the skinniest houses in Richmond hit the rental market late last year.
Why it matters: The skinny house trend has arrived in town.
The big picture: RVA's skinny house is tucked away on Hancock Street in Carver, near VCU and just a stone's throw from Carver Elementary.
- A local developer who specializes in infills snapped up the vacant lot in 2021 for $93,500, per city property records, and completed the new 3-story new build last year.
- The slender abode is a svelte 10-feet wide (and 60-feet long).
And it packs a lot into its lean frame, including four bedrooms, five baths ... and a Zestimate of just under half-a-million dollars.
Yes, but: The house isn't for sale. It rented and came off the market in February... for $2,300, per HotPads.
π¬ Know of a skinnier house? Hit reply and let us know.
β€οΈ Karri kind of loves that skinny little house.
π€ Sabrina would love to live in a matte black house like the meme. One of her favorites in Richmond is near The Franklin Inn.
Thanks to Alexa Mencia for editing today's edition.
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