VCU Health resumed offering some gender-affirming care for existing patients under 19 yesterday, but won't accept new patients.

The big picture: The change aligns one of the state's largest hospital systems with a UVA Board of Visitors decision last Friday, reversing some youth gender-affirming care pauses following President Trump's executive order.

State of play: VCU and UVA Health stopped providing gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and puberty blockers, to patients under 19 last month to comply with Trump's order.

• They were among the first nationwide to do so as hospitals grappled with the administration's threat to cut federal funding from any institution providing such care to transgender youth.
• Federal judges have since temporarily blocked Trump's order.

The latest: In an email obtained by Axios, VCU Health's senior leadership said gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 remain suspended. But as of yesterday, the health system will:

• Continue gender-affirming medications for existing youth patients "if appropriate."
• Transfer existing youth patients requiring gender-affirming medication or surgeries to non-VCU Health providers "as soon as feasible."
• Provide "education, counseling, and mental health services" for new patients seeking such care.

Zoom in: It added that VCU has "significantly increased" the availability of mental health care providers, social workers and counselors to its pediatric facilities and ERs.

In emails obtained by Democratic state Sen. Danica Roem before the Tuesday decision, VCU Health doctors wrote about "anticipating a large spike in children who are in acute mental health crises," reported the Virginia Mercury.

VCU Health spokesperson Danielle Pierce declined to answer Axios' questions about whether the goal is to eventually move existing trans youth patients seeking gender-affirming care out of the hospital system.

• She instead referred Axios to the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU's site for information.

Full story

The city of Richmond just launched a new payment portal for local small businesses.

Why it matters: The city promised technological upgrades for small businesses last year after dozens of restaurant owners said they were erroneously charged late penalties on their meals taxes, in part due to outdated software.

The big picture: RVA Business Portal launched in January as a one-stop shop for small businesses to view, file, and pay their annual business personal property and license taxes.

• Previously, local business owners had to manually fill out paper forms, mail them in, and hope that the city would process the payment by the deadline.

Yes, but: Local restaurant owners can't yet make their monthly meals tax payments via the portal (though that feature is in the works, city spokesperson Ross Catrow tells Axios).

• And some biz owners have struggled to set up accounts due to time-out errors and unclear instructions, per a local Reddit thread of gripes about it.
• The portal also doesn't appear to be mobile-friendly.

Go deeper

🕳️ The city of Richmond is planning a 2-week pothole repair blitz and wants locals to report any potholes they need filling to 3-1-1. (News release)

📝 Henrico's proposed budget for its next fiscal year would reduce residents' tax rates on real estate (to 83 cents per $100 of assessed value from 85 cents) and cars (to $3.35 from $3.40). (Henrico Citizen)

💰 Mayor Avula said the city has spent $5 million upgrading its water plant. (The Richmonder)

• He didn't give a breakdown of those costs but officials noted it reflects the repairs recommended in the preliminary water crisis report.

🧶 Crafts retailer Joann is going out of business and shutting all of its 800 stores nationwide, including its West End and Chesterfield stores. (Axios)

It's hard to believe with the recent freezing temperatures, but Virginia's winters are actually getting warmer.

The big picture: Over the last decade, climate change has added an average of 10 days in December and January where the minimum temperatures are above freezing in Virginia, per a recent Climate Central report.

• The report calls these "lost winter days."
• 2021 had 14 of them statewide.

What's next: Richmond isn't forecasted to have a low below freezing until Sunday night thanks to fake spring — which will have us in nearly 70-degree weather Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

• But shorter winters also mean an earlier spring, which means longer allergy seasons.

Tell your friend with an Allegra subscription

🏙️ Check out what's happening around Richmond.

• History Blooms at Virginia Museum of History & Culture Feb 28-Mar 2: Get a taste of Spring. View floral displays created by Garden Clubs from across the Commonwealth inspired by this year's theme "Step into the Garden".
• Virginia Wine Expo presented by Publix Feb 28-Mar 9: The Virginia Wine Expo presented by Publix welcomes the world's passionate wine drinkers and producers, spirits enthusiasts, and foodies to its unparalleled 10-day celebration of great wine, spirits, and local, artisan cuisine.

Interested in featuring an event? Email [email protected].

Henrico erected a replica of the Atlantic 10 Championship basketball court inside the Richmond airport over the weekend.

Why it matters: The "terminal takeover" is in celebration of the A10 Women's Basketball Championship, which will play out at the Henrico Sports & Events Center on March 5-9.

The big picture: The court is regulation width and nearly half the length of a regular court, sits on RIC's upper level above baggage claim, and will be there for at least two weeks, airport spokesperson Troy Bell tells Axios.

• The public can walk and roll their luggage across the court, but sadly it's for "not meant for competitive play."

There also aren't any basketballs available if travelers wanted to play a quick game of H-O-R-S-E.

Yes, but: Should one happen to have a ball on their person, they might be able to get in a free throw or two.

The bottom line: If you're heading to the airport in the next few weeks, you should absolutely not slip a basketball into your carry-on.

• We'd never recommend someone break airport rules.

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