Gov. Spanberger vetoed legislation yesterday that would've launched legal retail marijuana sales in Virginia.

Why it matters: It's the third straight year a Virginia governor vetoed the legislation — but the first while Democrats held a trifecta in state government.

State of play: As passed, the retail marijuana marketplace legislation lacked the structure, timeline and resources to be successful, Spanberger wrote in her veto statement.

• She said the state's retail market needed a clear enforcement authority and framework for product testing, inspections and compliance, and "robust tools to crack down" on illegal sales.
• The legislation the General Assembly passed called for retail sales to begin in January and set up the framework for tax rates, license caps, and enforcement.

Between the lines: Spanberger had proposed multiple amendments, including delaying the start of sales until July 1, reducing the number of stores allowed and increasing the tax rate.

• State legislators rejected the governor's changes when they reconvened last month and sent it back to Spanberger as is.

What they're saying: Sen. Lashrecse Aird and Del. Paul Krizek, the legislators who helped craft the bills, strenuously pushed back on the veto in a joint statement.

• "The only question is whether we as leaders will finally ensure those sales occur within a legal, regulated market or continue turning a blind eye to a booming illicit market while pretending to be outraged by its existence," they wrote.

Flashback: In 2021, Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize possession of marijuana, but Democratic lawmakers decided to wait a year to work on the retail marketplace.

• Democrats, and eventually some Republicans, have been working since then to get legal recreational weed sales off the ground in Virginia.
• Now they'll have to wait (at least) another year.

What we're watching: Spanberger said she's "committed to working with members of the General Assembly, stakeholders and law enforcement to get this right."

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New apartments, redesigned shopping centers and more walkable streets could transform parts of Richmond under plans tied to the proposed North-South Pulse bus line.

Why it matters: The newly unveiled concepts, shaped by public feedback, show how the years-in-the-making transit line could drive redevelopment across the city.

• But the process is surfacing a broader tension: Residents want more investment in their neighborhoods, but fear being priced out of them.

Driving the news: On Monday night, GRTC consultants shared redevelopment visions for areas surrounding future bus rapid transit stations along Chamberlayne Avenue, Hull Street and Midlothian Turnpike.

• Those three corridors are critical to the rapid transit route that will connect Chesterfield and Henrico to Richmond.

The big picture: Six station concepts — Brook Road, Southside Plaza, Brookland Park Boulevard, School Street, Broad Rock and Erich Road — were presented as examples of how different neighborhoods could redevelop in the coming decades.

• At Brook Road, planners pitched redeveloping the vacant Azalea Mall area into a district with apartments, retail, senior housing and parks.
• At Southside Plaza, concepts include replacing large parking lots and aging retail space with offices, hotels, and community markets.
• Around School Street, near VUU, plans involve new housing, hotel space and better pedestrian connections to campus.

Meanwhile, Broad Rock focused on retail and improving access to the James River Branch Trail.

• Brookland Park emphasized preserving neighborhood character while improving bike and pedestrian safety along Chamberlayne.
• Erich Road proposed replacing truck yards with housing, employment hubs and green spaces.

Reality check: The phased plans stretch into the 2040s, though planners cautioned the projects might not happen exactly as shown.

• Most of the land is also privately owned, meaning redevelopment depends on property owners, developers and market demand.

What's next: Residents can comment on the study here through May 31.

See the renderings

Richmond Police are investigating a second death along the James River this week after rescuers recovered a body yesterday near Great Shiplock Park. (WTVR)

🏨 Shamin Hotels broke ground Monday on a $110 million, 12-story Marriott hotel across from Scott's Addition that will be the area's tallest building when it opens in 2028. (Times-Dispatch)

🏗️ An LLC tied to a local developer filed plans last month for a new 14,000-square-foot retail building at The Lake, the massive surf park-anchored development underway in Chesterfield. (BizSense)

• The building would be behind the Starbucks on Genito Road.

🪔 Families are urging Chesterfield Schools to add Diwali as a holiday after the district left it out of its 2027-28 calendar. Richmond and Henrico already observe it. (WWBT)

🎷 Erykah Badu is headlining Jazz Fest, which has a lineup that includes Leon Thomas, Alex Isley and Noname. (Instagram)

• Festival tickets go on sale Friday.

Richmond Animal Care & Control just shared renderings of its adoption center in the works in the Fan.

Why it matters: The one-time artist studio property will give the city shelter more space for cat and dog adoptions — and for animals in need.

Driving the news: RACC's 10,000-square-foot adoption center is in addition to its Chamberlayne Avenue headquarters.

• Council approved RACC's request for $2 million to buy the building in fall 2024 in response to the shelter's need for more room.
• The city will also cover the estimated $1.5 million renovation cost, RACC director Christie Chipps Peters tells Axios.

Zoom in: The new center will be decked out in a pink facade.

• It'll also have a cat hangout room and a dedicated dog adoption space.

What they're saying: "WE LOVE IT SO MUCH," Peters said in a statement to Axios.

What's next: The new center should be open by this time next year.

Tell an animal lover