Henrico plans to increase security at public events after recent incidents involving unsupervised teens, including one that cut short last weekend's Independence Day celebration.

Why it matters: Henrico hopes the new measures will make its events safer, as communities debate how to respond to disruptive teen gatherings.

State of play: Henrico police chief Eric English said this week that the department is working to enhance security protocols for county events in response to "disorderly conduct and unsupervised groups of juveniles" at recent events.

• Without a parent or guardian present, groups of teens are creating "unsafe situations," English said.
• The county is finalizing the new protocols, which are expected to require pre-entry weapons screening and clear bags for attendees, mirroring the county's rules for high school football games, Henrico police spokesperson Will McCue tells Axios.

Context: Fights broke out at Henrico's July 3 celebration, which the county ended early after a juvenile was arrested and charged with underage possession of a firearm.

• Henrico reported fights and "disorderly conduct by minors" at its Juneteenth event, per the Times-Dispatch.
• English also warned of fights, underage drinking and vandalism in county parks last month, including bathroom sinks and paper towel dispensers ripped from walls.

Zoom out: It's unclear if Henrico will adopt teen-specific curfews or chaperone policies, but both are increasingly being deployed nationwide in response to teen gatherings that end in property damage and violence.

Yes, but: Curfews and chaperone rules that treat teens like a problem punish all young people for the actions of a few, and leave young people without a "third place," teen advocates say.

Case in point: In Richmond, teens — and, in some cases, 20-year-olds — can't go to some movie theaters at night without a chaperone, including Movieland, CinéBistro Stony Point and Cinema Cafe Chester.

• Similar rules are in place at River City Roll, Bowlero Richmond and The Park; at Top Golf, Drive Shack and Hotel Greene; for Kings Dominion and Southpark Mall.

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RPS is looking to City Hall for a financial lifeline after the delayed state budget left the district with an unexpected $8.9 million shortfall.

Why it matters: The city's next move could determine whether Richmond students see larger class sizes and fewer mental health supports this fall.

• RPS has already closed its virtual school and laid off over 70 people this year.

The big picture: The school board asked Mayor Avula on Tuesday to use $5.6 million in short-term rental tax revenue and other local funds to avoid "these drastic cuts."

• How: by proposing budget amendments to City Council.
• In a letter yesterday obtained by Axios, Avula told the board his administration is reviewing the request and expects to know more "in the coming weeks."

Reality check: Avula also told reporters yesterday that the tax revenue "may not be the answer" because it first flows through the Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority and hasn't been finalized.

• But the city is exploring options.

Catch up quick: Superintendent Jason Kamras warned the board on Monday that RPS faced "fairly desperate measures."

• The proposals include eliminating all 88 annual substitute teachers, cutting 15 vacant teaching positions and freezing some hiring.
• Other ideas: eliminating vacant central office jobs, reducing after-school transportation and leadership furloughs.

What we're watching: For Avula's decision.

Inside the heated Tuesday meeting

💨 Virginia State Police says it'll continue enforcing marijuana laws after confusion over whether the state budget accidentally made weed distribution and underage possession unenforceable until next July. (Virginia Scope)

🏠 Legacy at Imperial Village, a Richmond apartment complex already under a city compliance plan for health and safety violations, owes more than $1.8 million in delinquent property taxes. (WRIC)

• Residents continue reporting unsafe living conditions while management told WTVR the issues are being addressed.

🏥 Richmond expects to transfer medical 911 calls back to the Richmond Ambulance Authority by July 27, after missing City Council's deadline. (The Richmonder)

• Officials say the delay will ensure a smooth transition, while supporters say the switch will give first responders more accurate information.

📈 Virginia climbed to No. 3 in CNBC's latest "Top States for Business" ranking after placing fourth last year. (Virginia Business)

• Yes, but: Its economy ranking fell due to ongoing federal job and funding cuts.

Benny's newest Richmond outpost is open in Scott's Addition.

Why it matters: There's only one Virginia-based pizza chain that serves giant pizza slices and pies, and Richmond now has two locations.

• Benny's is also one of the few that stays open until 3am on weekends.

State of play: Benny's Pizza Scott's Addition opened last month at the corners of Marshall and Altamont.

• Like the Benny Ventano's that opened in the Fan in 2019, and the original Benny Marzano's location in Blacksburg founded in 2011, the newest Benny's serves massive, 28-inch pies — available whole or by the giant slice.
• For comparison, a typical large pizza is 16 inches.
• So Benny's are nearly twice the size, running $38 for a whole cheese pie, $46 with one topping, and $5-$6 for a slice (specialty pies are slightly more).

Keep reading for why this one doesn't have an Italian-inspired persona

This week, after being underwhelmed that Virginia's entry in "America's Time Capsule" was a coin, we asked readers what they would've picked instead.

Why it matters: The responses were very Richmond — arguably the best city to represent our state 250 years from now.

What Richmonders chose:

🤖 A data center (the counties have a lot)

🌈 Rainbow cookies (Richmond's hottest debate)

🦝 A drunk raccoon (who could forget?)

🔫 The Gun Hole (RIP, but you can see it at The Valentine)

🚬 A pack of Marlboros (they're manufactured in South Richmond)

🐷 Preserved country ham (the world's oldest country ham is at the Isle of Wight County Museum and has a Ham Cam.)

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