The Virginia Department of Health is breaking with the Trump administration's latest vaccine guidance, which narrows the list of universally recommended shots for kids.

Why it matters: It's at least the second time in the past six months that VDH has moved away from controversial federal changes.

State of play: In a letter to clinicians on Thursday, State Health Commissioner Cameron Webb said VDH "strongly recommends" providers follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' immunization schedule instead of the CDC's.

• At least 23 other states and D.C. have announced similar moves.

Catch up quick: Last month, the Department of Health and Human Services updated CDC guidance to reduce the number of recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11.

• The changes removed hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, flu, COVID-19 and meningitis from the routine immunization schedule.
• The CDC now says those shots should mainly go to higher-risk children or be decided case by case by parents and their child's doctor.
• The agency also cut the HPV vaccine recommendation from two doses to one.

What they're saying: "This change was made in the absence of new data or safety signals to prompt such an update," Webb, who Gov. Spanberger recently appointed, wrote in the letter.

• Webb said following the AAP's schedule — which still recommends routine vaccination against the above diseases — keeps Virginia's guidance "grounded in science" and focused on "optimally" protecting children.

The other side: HHS officials say the change aligns the U.S. with the schedules of other countries like Japan and Denmark.

The intrigue: It's rare for state health departments and doctors to buck the CDC's guidance, though it's become increasingly more common under this Trump administration.

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VDOT, Henrico and Richmond are working on a post-winter storm pothole-filling blitz.

Why it matters: Richmond-area streets are riddled with them right now.

State of play: Potholes can form at any time, but they're especially prevalent after winter storms like the massive one that hit Richmond in late January, VDOT says.

Zoom in: VDOT is asking locals to report potholes at my.vdot.virginia.gov.

• The state transportation department is responsible for potholes on the roads it manages, which is all roads in Chesterfield and Hanover, plus interstates and U.S. highways (like Broad and Patterson) in Henrico.
• Henrico Public Works is in charge of the rest of its roads and a spokesperson for them says they're "putting a big focus on potholes right now." Locals can report Henrico potholes here.
• Richmond Public Works oversees all the city streets and a city spokesperson tells Axios that a "pothole blitz" is coming "within the next two weeks." Report city holes at RVA311.

Fun fact: If your car gets damaged from hitting a Richmond pothole, you can file a claim and get reimbursed by the city.

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Two people were killed and seven others shot after a fight between two groups turned deadly early Saturday morning on 18th and Main streets in Shockoe Bottom. (WTVR)

• Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said "the sheer amount of guns" on city streets turned what began as a fist fight into a mass shooting that left Genesis Jones, 23, of Petersburg and Dominic Antoine Jackson, 42, of Henrico dead.

✍🏻 Gov. Spanberger signed legislation on Friday approving state Democrats' proposed congressional redistricting map. (VPM)

• The map would go into effect if Virginians vote to let lawmakers redraw it in an April referendum.
• Meanwhile, Spanberger will give the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union Address tomorrow night. (News release)

✉️ After the last winter storm, over 300 Richmonders got letters from the city warning them that they were violating city code by not clearing snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their properties. (Times-Dispatch)

🏟️ City Councilmember Kenya Gibson is scrutinizing a proposal to lend $14.7 million from Richmond's emergency reserves to help the Economic Development Authority buy Sports Backers stadium. (BizSense)

• City officials say the move is needed to keep the Diamond District on track as CarMax Park nears its opening day in April.
• City Council is expected to vote on the proposal today.

Virginia importers paid nearly $2.7 billion in tariffs that are now in limbo after the Supreme Court struck down a swath of President Trump's trade levies on Friday.

Why it matters: Roughly $126 billion nationwide could be subject to refunds. But it's unclear who would get the money, or when.

Catch up quick: The overturned tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) likely made a few things more expensive — from clothes and medical supplies for hospitals to fruits, vegetables and liquor.

Yes, but: They were only one piece of Trump's broader tariff agenda.

By the numbers: Virginia's tariff costs heavily trail some larger states, according to economic research firm Trade Partnership Worldwide.

• California paid $28 billion from February to December 2025, followed by Texas ($12 billion) and Georgia ($7.7 billion).

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Richmond TikTok is losing its 🤬 over a limited-edition red velvet latte at Stella's Grocery.

Why it matters: The gourmet market has extended its run and expanded where you can find it.

Driving the news: The River Road Stella's dropped the velvety latte just before Valentine's Day, per TikTokers.

• The concoction, created by River Road assistant manager Abryanna Gheen, was quickly embraced by local latte TikTokers, which is apparently a thing.
• It has since garnered over a dozen TikTok posts, including from folks who drove in from out of town to get one.
• Due to demand, Stella's extended its run through the end of February — and made it available at all seven local stores. You can try it for $5.99.

What they're saying: "It's extremely exciting! We think it's delicious, so it's very gratifying to see the response from customers," says Constantine Giavos, creative director for the Giavos family, who owns Stella's.

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