Richmond City Council will consider whether to declare equal access to high-speed internet a "public necessity" for all Richmond residents next month.

Why it matters: The end goal is to eventually have citywide WiFi.

How it works: The resolution calls for chief administrative officer Lincoln Saunders to assess what the internet access gaps look like in Richmond and create a plan for how the city can help close them.

• That includes identifying partnerships, potentially with internet providers like AT&T — which Amarillo, Texas, did in 2022.
• It could set a vision for how to ensure connectivity along bus routes or in lower-income neighborhoods, which nationally, have had slower internet speeds than more affluent areas.

First District City Council Member Andreas Addison, who is sponsoring the resolution, tells Axios he hopes the plan leads to conversations about how internet access affects access to city services.

• "With so many functions of today's society being moved to virtual and online, if we know there are populations that are in our city right now that don't have that ability, then we're not doing our job."

Yes, but: Even if City Council passes the resolution, which isn't expected to face pushback, it doesn't mean what it's proposing will get done.

• Resolutions requesting similar plans, led by Addison and 5th District Council Member Stephanie Lynch, passed in September 2021.
• They were prompted by the pandemic revealing how some RPS students didn't have reliable internet access for remote schooling.
• City Council members haven't received updates about what those plans look like nearly three years later, Addison tells Axios.

By the numbers: Nearly 75% of Richmond households have broadband through cable, fiber optic or DSL, per 2022 census data estimates.

• Roughly 23% either use their cellular data as their only internet subscription or don't have an internet subscription at all.

What's next: City Council will vote on the resolution on Sept. 9.

Keep reading for how internet access impacted COVID rates

After more than 40 years on Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond's Greyhound station will close in October to make way for a hundreds of new apartments and a mixed-use development.

Why it matters: Intercity bus riders will have to catch a ride in the parking lot across from Main Street Station in Shockoe Bottom after it closes.

The big picture: The shuttering of the Greyhound station has seemed likely for nearly a year, but a clear timeline wasn't available until WRIC reported the October date and the possible station move to Shockoe Bottom.

• "This is a spot where FlixBus ... and Virginia Breeze already conduct services," city spokesperson Gianni Snidle told Axios, confirming the month and relocation.
• A specific date wasn't available. It's also unclear if passengers would have access to Main Street Station while waiting or after the building closes in the evening.

Catch up quick: Greyhound bus stations nationwide have been closing and relocating at a rapid pace since 2022 after dozens, including Richmond's, were acquired by Alden Global Capital, the investment firm that rose to infamy for its acquisition and gutting of American newspapers.

Zoom in: Alden paid $11.1 million for Richmond's 5-acre Greyhound property, which sits across from the $2.4 billion Diamond District project.

• A New York developer filed plans late last year for a two-building, mixed-use development with 650 apartments and nearly 11,000 square feet of retail space fronting Arthur Ashe, BizSense reported.

Keep reading to learn about the loss of Megabus this month

🏎️ The Richmond Raceway is losing its spring NASCAR Cup race next year to make way for a Mexico City location, potentially leading to the loss of tens of millions of dollars in local revenue. (WTVR)

⚡️ Richmond's Cardinal Elementary will be closed for the rest of the week due to damage from Monday's lightning strike. (X)

⛈️ Two Chesterfield County schools were closed yesterday because of a power outage after the same Monday storms. (WRIC)

• At least six Richmond-area schools have canceled classes for one or more days due to weather-related issues in the first week and half of school.

🤑 Keith Lee is tipping D.C. restaurants thousands of dollars. (Axios D.C.)

• Also, see where he's dined in the DMV thus far.

To anyone headed to the Richmond Kickers game tomorrow, say hello to the new scoreboard.

Why it matters: City Stadium hasn't debuted a fresh scoreboard in 30 years, and sometimes fans had to squint to see the old one.

That won't be a problem anymore.

• This is a Jumbotron that's over 65 feet wide and 35 feet tall, the owners of the Richmond Kickers and Ivy soccer teams said in a press release.
• That's as wide as a Viking ship and as tall as seven queen-sized mattresses.

Zoom in: The picture quality is "greater than full high definition" and will allow fans to see replays, graphics and, perhaps best of all, be on fan cams for the 150 home games City Stadium hosts each year.

What's next: Other upgrades for the 100-year-old stadium could include adding seats with backs.

Tell someone who loves the Kickers but has back problems

🎉 A unique event in Richmond.

"A Better Life for Their Children: A Rosenwald Schools Journey" at Virginia Museum of History & Culture on September 5: Hear from photographer and author Andrew Feiler as he shares extraordinary photographs and the story of his journey across the country documenting the history of Rosenwald schools.

Promoting your event? Email [email protected].

Welp, Virginia's beaches had fun while they lasted in our weeklong beach smackdown.

Why it matters: Every beach outside of OBX is out of our bracket.

• In other words, you told us you were from Richmond without telling us you were from here. Well done.

Onto Round 3: Hatteras vs. Corolla/Corova and Nags Head vs. Emerald Isle.

• Rock your vote until 3pm today. We'll be back tomorrow with the results.