As the government starts churning again after a historically long shutdown, questions remain about how quickly Richmond can get back to normal.

Why it matters: Lingering delays are expected for everything from flights to paychecks.

Catch up quick: The 43-day shutdown limited food assistance, left thousands of local federal workers unpaid and contributed to widespread delays and cancellations at Richmond's airport.

• City officials had warned that millions of dollars in federal aid could soon dry up and jeopardize programs that help more than 100,000 residents if the shutdown had dragged on.

Zoom in: The deal funds the government through Jan. 30, reverses federal layoffs made after Oct. 1 and guarantees back pay for those who worked through the shutdown.

• But it failed to include Democrats' top demand: extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits that keep marketplace premiums low.
• It only secures a vote on them later this year.
• That means nearly 400,000 Virginians could see their coverage costs soar next year if Congress lets those credits expire.

What to expect for now:

💰 Backpay

Virginia's 350,000 federal workers, including thousands in metro Richmond, could start getting checks tomorrow, an Office of Management and Budget spokesperson tells Axios D.C.'s Mimi Montgomery.

• All should be paid by Nov. 19, but timing and pay amounts vary by agency, per the spokesperson.

🛒 SNAP benefits

Gov. Youngkin's office told WTVR that SNAP recipients began receiving 65% of their payments on Thursday.

✈️ Flight delays

It could take days or longer for airlines to rebuild schedules after weeks of unpaid work and staff shortages — which could mean more delays.

• But FlightAware data shows Richmond's airport is already having far fewer than it did on Monday, when it hit 89 delays.

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The Richmond marathon is sprinting into town Saturday.

Why it matters: Widespread street closures and no-parking zones are now in effect — and towing starts at 4pm Friday.

State of play: The 2025 Allianz Richmond Marathon kicks off at 7am at 1st & Broad streets in Jackson Ward and loops its way through downtown, Northside, the Near West End and South Richmond.

• More than 21,000 runners are expected this year, organizer Sports Backers tells Axios, so locals should expect some temporary street disruptions to make way for them.

Zoom in: In all, portions of more than three dozen Richmond roads will be closed along the 26.2-mile route.

• Some of the closures and no-parking zones started mid-week. Others take effect on Friday. The remaining closures begin at 4am Saturday.

The notable street closures include portions of:

• Broad Street
• Arthur Ashe Boulevard
• West Main Street
• Monument Avenue
• Belvidere Street

Zoom out: If your car is towed for marathon closures, you can find it at Seibert's Towing in South Richmond, per Richmond police.

• 💸 It's a $120 fine for being towed from a public road, per the city.

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🥳 The Carytown welcome sign is back up and lit after more than a month of repairs. Crews reinstalled the sign early yesterday morning. (News release)

👀 Henrico officials filed a petition in a Richmond court asking it to overrule the Virginia Racing Commission approval of a gambling license for Roseshire Gaming Parlor, which opened in September on Staples Mill Road. (Times-Dispatch)

💸 Meanwhile, bettors placed $5.6 million in wagers at Roseshire in its first four days of operation. (Henrico Citizen)

🥯 South Richmond bagel shop Baltik's Bagel is headed to NYC this weekend to rep Virginia at NYC BagelFest, the "world's premier bagel" trade show, Karri reports.

• Baltik's is the only Mid-Atlantic bagel shop that will be in attendance, owner Yero Rudzinskas tells Axios.

🫗 And Dim Sum restaurant will close at the end of service Saturday after two years in business. (News release)

• Diners with gift cards can use them this weekend or at the group's other restaurants, Tarrant's and Bar Solita.

The Granite Grill restaurant opens tonight in the Stony Point Shopping Center in Bon Air.

Why it matters: Southsiders have been hungry for another option in that strip since Southbound closed last year.

State of play: The Granite is a concept from the Tazza Kitchen and Conejo folks that's an updated take on the classic American grill (think Applebee's, but better).

• The interior is moody and spacious, with booth seating, an open kitchen, massive bar, a patio and a private dining space.

On the menu: Apps like house-made focaccia and spinach and artichoke dip ($8.95-$19.95); burgers, sandwiches and salads (including crispy fish, fried chicken and a wedge salad, $12.50-$18.95).

• Entrees include fresh fish and crab cakes ($26.95-$33.95) and eggplant parmesan and roasted chicken ($17.95-$32.95).

Zoom in: The Granite is starting with daily dinner service for now. Lunch, happy hour and takeout orders start the first week of December.

If you go: The Granite Grill opens at 4:30pm nightly.

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Sabrina here, fresh off a hard hat tour at VPM's new headquarters.

Catch up quick: In case you've forgotten (or wondered what that giant under-construction building is on East Broad Street), the local NPR affiliate has had the 53,000-square-foot HQ in the works for at least two years.

• Construction began last August, and it's slated to open around late spring.

Zoom in: The building is still a work in progress, but here are a few things to look forward to, per VPM president Jayme Swain:

🎶 Live music in their first-floor community space.

🚗 50 public parking spaces.

🌆 A rentable rooftop terrace.

🎮 Augmented reality studios.

🎨 Murals from local artists across Central Virginia and Harrisonburg.

What they're saying: "This is about uplifting and bringing people downtown," Swain said.