We hear the kids are throwing it back to 2016 and thought it would be fun to play along.

Why it matters: The viral trend is reminiscing over everything that happened a decade ago, which happened to be a big year for Richmond.

The big picture: Politics was the overarching storyline.

• Richmond had a mayoral election, and a pretty wild one at that.
• At one point, 16 candidates were running, but the race became largely one among just three: Levar Stoney, Joe Morrissey and former Venture Richmond head Jack Berry.
• Spoiler: Stoney won, becoming the youngest mayor in the city's history, eking out a victory with 35% of the vote over Berry's 34%.

Yes, but: It was Morrissey — the scandal-prone attorney and former delegate who served 90 days in jail in connection to his relationship with his then-wife — who dominated the headlines. (Anyone remember that pic?)

Zoom in: The country also got to know Sen. Tim Kaine as Hillary Clinton's running mate.

• Many fell in love with the Richmonder, dubbing him "America's step-dad."

Meanwhile, locals in 2016 also got:

• 🌅 Rooftop bars, with the opening of Quirk's in April and Kabana's in June.
• 🌁 The T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, which opened in December, bridging Brown's Island and Manchester for pedestrians.
• 🤡 A rash of "creepy clown" sightings in Chesterfield and Henrico. (Someone made anti-clown spray, which apparently did the trick. The clowns moved on.)
• 🍽️ A bunch of new restaurants, including Boulevard Burger & Brew, Charm School, the Fan's Secco Wine Bar, Laura Lee's and Stone Brewing Co. (though we're still waiting on that promised restaurant).
• 🍆 L'Opossum was named Restaurant of the Year by Style.

The bottom line: 2016 was a hell of a year for Richmond. Makes you wonder what this one will look like when we look back in 2036.

Reminisce with a friend

We're more than a week into a partial government shutdown, but you might not have noticed. Yet.

Why it matters: Airport travel delays and other disruptions could be coming if it drags on, which seems likely. Congress isn't back until next week, and lawmakers were far from a deal before leaving.

The big picture: The Department of Homeland Security is the only agency facing a funding lapse, putting immigration enforcement and border operations at the center of the standoff.

Catch up quick: Last week, Congress voted to pass a bill funding most of the government until September while keeping DHS funded through Feb. 13.

• Democrats are pushing to disrupt ICE funding and shut down DHS unless reform happens.
• That affects FEMA, potentially delaying disaster response efforts, and TSA, since both fall under DHS.

Reality check: Funding for ICE will continue because of the money allocated in President Trump's spending bill last year.

Like past shutdowns, TSA workers would be required to work without pay — a dynamic that's lowered morale and increased absences.

• That could ultimately lead to longer security lines and some flight delays or cancellations.
• About 1,100 officers left the TSA during last fall's shutdown, a more than 25% increase from the same time in 2024, per the agency.

Yes, but: As of Thursday afternoon, nearly every flight out of Richmond was on time.

Go deeper

🚰 A water main break in South Richmond's Stratford Hills neighborhood on Wednesday night led to an elementary school closing and over 100 households being without water yesterday morning. (The Richmonder)

💰 Hanover officials proposed a $427 million budget that keeps the real estate tax rate unchanged but includes a 6.5% water and sewer rate hike that could add $4.68 to residents' typical bimonthly bills. (VPM)

🗺️ The redistricting drama continues: A judge issued a temporary restraining order yesterday blocking the April referendum after national Republicans filed a new lawsuit claiming the measure is illegal. (Times-Dispatch)

• Richmond-area GOP Reps. Rob Wittman and John McGuire also filed a separate lawsuit in Richmond challenging the ballot language.

🎓 Senate Democrats voted to remove three members of VCU's Board of Visitors as part of their broader push to overturn former Gov. Youngkin's college board appointments. (Times-Dispatch)

🧗 Riverrock will have its May 15-17 festival at the Allianz Amphitheater this year because Brown's Island is closed for renovations. (WRIC)

Don't worry, we didn't forget to round up what to do in Richmond this weekend.

Friday

🎶 "Let's Groove Tonight" at The Carpenter Theatre has performers singing classic Motown hits from the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and more. 7pm. Tickets start at $20.

Saturday

🛍️ There's a Black History Month Market at Beulah Recreation Center in Chesterfield with nearly 60 Black-owned businesses. 10am-2pm. Free.

⛸️ Chesterfield's River City Sportsplex has its Snowball Festival with an ice rink, a gingerbread slide and a snow globe for pics. 11am-4pm. Free.

🍺 Get unlimited beer tastings at Stone Brewing's annual beer festival. Noon-4pm. $45.

Full list with whale watching, Pokémon cards and Muttminster

📅 Upcoming events around the city.

2026 Virginia Farm Bureau | Virginia Wine Expo Feb 28-Mar 8: Savor 25 curated Virginia wine and food experiences, highlighted by the Walk-Around Grand Tastings, at beautiful venues in Richmond.

Pound town nearly got de-Pounded this week.

Why it matters: A council vote in the Southwest Virginia locality — which has one of the state's best town names — could have put Pound on a path to dissolve its charter and cease to exist.

State of play: That didn't happen Tuesday, reports Cardinal News.

• One council member who previously voted to start disincorporation talks with Wise County, where Pound is located, flipped to a "no."
• The tiebreaker vote on the five-person council could stall efforts to have the county take over control until January.

The backstory: The town has weathered years of financial trouble, scandals and a state threat to erase it.

The bottom line: For now, Virginia's Pound town is here to stay.

Share this story or keep reading via Cardinal News