Axios Richmond

June 12, 2025
π It's Thursday!
π» Today's weather: Sunny, with a high near 93.
π§ Sounds like: "Waves" by Sleeper Agent, picked by reader Amy R. because "it screams summer."
π Happy birthday to our Axios Richmond member Kate Slayton!
Today's newsletter is 899 words β a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Confederate HQ sues over 2020 fire
Five years ago, protesters targeted the United Daughters of the Confederacy headquarters in Richmond and set the building on fire.
Why it matters: The organization, known for helping dot the South with Confederate monuments, is now suing to find out who did it and make them β literally β pay.
Driving the news: UDC's lawsuit, filed against "unknown" parties and first reported by The Richmonder, says the group incurred over $4.1 million in damages because of the destruction on May 31, 2020.
- Protesters also smashed the building's windows and graffitied the exterior with the words "racists," "abolition" and "stole from us."
- Among the artifacts destroyed, per WRVA, was a Confederate flag flown by Stonewall Jackson. Insurance paid the UDC $60,000 for that loss.
/2025/06/11/1749659708821.gif)
By the numbers: Per the lawsuit, insurance also covered about 66% of the total damage.
- The UDC wants those responsible to pay the remaining $1.4 million insurance didn't cover, $350,000 in punitive damages and their lawyer fees.
Zoom in: The UDC and the lawyer representing the organization didn't respond to Axios' request for comment on why they waited five years before suing.
- But UDC's president general, Julie Hardaway, said in a statement that the lawsuit aims to stop their claims from "expiring" under the statute of limitations for property damage.
- She said it also allows them to use subpoenas to collect more footage for evidence.

Friction point: Identifying suspects has proven challenging in the past.
- And Richmond police spokesperson James Mercante told Axios that no arrests have been made in the case, as of Wednesday.
- Richmond officials identified one suspect in 2021, but the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office ultimately said there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute.
- "Given the darkness, use of masks and overall chaotic conditions," the office said they couldn't identify anyone else.
2. π€ The state owes you money
The state is mailing roughly $2.5 million in unclaimed money to Virginians this week.
Why it matters: Some of that money could be yours.
The big picture: The Virginia Department of Treasury's Unclaimed Property Division is doling out checks for everything from unpaid wages to uncashed checks, utility deposits, or insurance policy proceeds.
Between the lines: The department has always collected and held this money for residents, but previously, one had to file a claim with the state to get it back.
- Now, under a new law, Virginia is automatically returning the money to its "rightful owners."
Catch up quick: Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed legislation creating the VA Cash Now program, which requires the state to automatically return unclaimed funds valued up to $5,000.
- More than 10,000 unclaimed property notices have been sent since May 1, reports WTKR News.
- WTKR's investigation into the previous process prompted the new law.
Fun fact: You don't have to wait for a letter to see if you're owed money. You can check for yourself at vamoneysearch.gov.
3. π The Current: Data center restrictions
π Henrico approved tighter restrictions for new data centers in parts of the county by requiring provisional use permits, which call for further scrutiny and public input. (BizSense)
βοΈ A Chesterfield man pleaded guilty to stealing mail from over 700 people. It's unclear what he planned to do with the three duffel bags full of mail. (Times-Dispatch)
π« A Virginia appeals court said the Second Amendment doesn't protect a person's right to a machine gun, rejecting a Richmond's man challenge to the constitutionality of state law. (The Richmonder)
π§± A Lego Store is coming to Short Pump Town Center, making it the first for Richmond and sixth for Virginia. (BizSense)
- An opening date wasn't available, but the store is already hiring for a manager.
4. π€πΌ Pride hoedown, barbecue and Dad beers
This weekend in Richmond is hot enough to enjoy and complain about. We can't wait.
Thursday
π³οΈβπ Hoedown for Pride at Babe's and get your annual line dancing in. 7pm. Free.
Friday
βΊοΈ The VMFA's "Shop Tent Sale" has discounted books, home decor and jewelry. Friday and Saturday, 9am-3pm. Free.
Saturday
π The Multicultural Festival is back at Dogwood Dell in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month and World Refugee Day. 1-7pm. Free.
Sunday
π· Have a barbecue-centered Father's Day at Final Gravity Brewing Co with brisket egg rolls and pulled pork sandwiches. Noon-5pm. Free.
πΊ Fine Creek Brewing Company in Powhatan has a Father's Day cookout with live music and "a solid lineup of Dad beers." Noon-5pm. Free to attend.
Full list with a "Freedom Celebration," sunset river views and a lavender festival
5. π When in doubt, tube it out
Plenty of locals know you can kayak, paddle board and white water raft on the James River, but you can also just get in a tube and float.
Why it matters: Temperatures are likely in the 90s for the rest of the week, so drifting in water might be all we can handle.
Zoom in: Here are some of the best places to tube on the James in or near Richmond, according to Friends of the James River Park.
- The Wetlands, in Stratford Hills.
- Pony Pasture, also in Stratford Hills.
- Riverside Meadows, west of Pony Pasture.
- Huguenot Flatwater, the other side of Huguenot Road in South Richmond.
No tube? No problem.
Riverside Outfitters offers a rent-and-ride package Friday through Monday for $44 a person, including the tube.
- You park at Pony Pasture and Riverside Outfitters picks you up to drop you off for a two-to-three-hour float time up river.
- Then you just ... drift back to your car.
Keep reading for more, plus safety tips
π Karri is not owed any unclaimed property money, but it looks like her sister is due more than $700.
- She'd like to take this opportunity to remind her sis that her birthday is this weekend, and she believes love is best expressed through large gifts.
π¨π»β𦲠Sabrina wishes she had been at Pitbull's concert in Manchester, where hundreds of people wore bald caps in honor of the hairless Mr. 305.
Thanks to Alexa Mencia Orozco for editing today's edition
Sign up for Axios Richmond





/2025/06/11/1749649824573.gif?w=3840)
/2025/06/11/1749671099262.gif?w=3840)
