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Virginia voters approve effort to redraw congressional map

Virginia Democrats' redistricting passes in vote that could shift Congress

The move positions Virginia as a key battleground in a national redistricting fight that could help determine control of the U.S. House.

Politics & Policy

Virginia voters approved a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redistricting measure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/21/virginia-redistricting-election-voter-confusion" data-vars-content-id="6eb66a27-e640-49ce-9f9e-e70036e7737d" data-vars-headline="Virginia voters approve effort to redraw congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/21/virginia-redistricting-election-voter-confusion" target="_self">redistricting measure</a> Tuesday, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP reports," data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/virginia-special-general-results-question-1/" data-vars-content-id="6eb66a27-e640-49ce-9f9e-e70036e7737d" data-vars-headline="Virginia voters approve effort to redraw congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/virginia-special-general-results-question-1/" target="_blank">AP reports,</a> clearing the way for a new congressional map that could help Democrats flip multiple Republican-held districts.Why it matters: The move positions Virginia as a key battleground in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a national redistricting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/redistricting-illinois-indiana-trump-jeffries" data-vars-content-id="6eb66a27-e640-49ce-9f9e-e70036e7737d" data-vars-headline="Virginia voters approve effort to redraw congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/redistricting-illinois-indiana-trump-jeffries" target="_self">a national redistricting</a> fight that could help determine control of the U.S. House.

The "Taj Mahal" of Krogers is now open in Hanover

The $40M store spans 118,000 square feet and adds clothing, toys and more to grocery aisles.

Business

The largest Kroger in the Mid-Atlantic opened last week in Mechanicsville. Why it matters: The 118,000-plus-square-foot store sells toys, electronics, home goods, and has a clothing department, complete with a dressing room.

British royals plan Virginia stop for America's 250th

The king and queen plan a Virginia stop for the nation's 250th, with cultural events and visits planned.

News

The King and Queen of England are coming to Virginia at the end of April to celebrate America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" data-vars-content-id="435b0b36-aace-49e4-a13d-fd07bfbf6467" data-vars-headline="British royals plan Virginia stop for America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" target="_self">250th anniversary</a>.Why it matters: That&#x27;s some posh sportsmanship from the royal heads of the country we fought against.

What to know about Virginia Beach's Oceanfront curfew

The temporary rule covers all ages in a two-mile tourist zone, with stricter limits for minors.

A temporary, all-ages curfew for a two-mile stretch of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront will be in effect again this Friday night. Why it matters: That&#x27;s on top of an existing one for minors, so if you&#x27;re planning a trip to Virginia Beach, you may want to study up on their rules.

Sapporo is selling Stone Brewing but keeping its Richmond taproom

The East End facility will become Sapporo's U.S. hub as the company sheds the Stone brand.

Stone Brewing&#x27;s owner is selling the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego-based brand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/21/san-diegos-stone-brewing-sold-beer-production-moves" data-vars-content-id="e3d816ed-e7f3-45f4-9e45-651c39d4b277" data-vars-headline="Sapporo is selling Stone Brewing but keeping its Richmond taproom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/21/san-diegos-stone-brewing-sold-beer-production-moves" target="_self">San Diego-based brand</a>, ending the production of Stone beers in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/27/sapporo-buys-stone-brewing-richmond-operations" data-vars-content-id="e3d816ed-e7f3-45f4-9e45-651c39d4b277" data-vars-headline="Sapporo is selling Stone Brewing but keeping its Richmond taproom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/27/sapporo-buys-stone-brewing-richmond-operations" target="_self">Richmond</a> and temporarily closing its local taproom. Why it matters: Richmond gave Stone a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multimillion-dollar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/27/sapporo-buys-stone-brewing-richmond-operations" data-vars-content-id="e3d816ed-e7f3-45f4-9e45-651c39d4b277" data-vars-headline="Sapporo is selling Stone Brewing but keeping its Richmond taproom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/27/sapporo-buys-stone-brewing-richmond-operations" target="_self">multimillion-dollar</a> incentive package to secure the city as its East Coast production headquarters a decade ago.

Richmond Restaurant Week returns with $7 price jump

The popular dining event jumps to $42.26 per meal as restaurants face rising costs and fewer participants.

Food and Drink

Spring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rrweek.com/" data-vars-content-id="06ea8d84-b542-45de-8a81-732fe4a98cc1" data-vars-headline="Richmond Restaurant Week returns with $7 price jump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rrweek.com/" target="_blank">Richmond Restaurant Week</a> is back —  with a $7 price hike.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first price increase for the event since 2021 and the biggest in it&#x27;s 25-year history.

Redemption BBQ closure reflects Richmond dining strain

The Short Pump restaurant's owner says sales dropped sharply as expenses climbed, mirroring a wider local trend.

Redemption BBQ, named one of the South&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best new barbecue restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/08/23/best-barbecue-richmond-country-redemption" data-vars-content-id="9b571798-f01b-4997-99aa-31896c6ab214" data-vars-headline="Redemption BBQ closure reflects Richmond dining strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/08/23/best-barbecue-richmond-country-redemption" target="_self">best new barbecue restaurants</a>, will serve its last tray of barbecue and pile of minced pork on Saturday after four years in business.Why it matters: The challenges forcing the Short Pump restaurant to close are ones <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independent restaurant owners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/restaurants-menu-prices-james-beard-foundation-report" data-vars-content-id="9b571798-f01b-4997-99aa-31896c6ab214" data-vars-headline="Redemption BBQ closure reflects Richmond dining strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/restaurants-menu-prices-james-beard-foundation-report" target="_self">independent restaurant owners</a> everywhere are grappling with.

AI pressure grows on Richmond's young workforce

Nearly a third of Richmond-area jobs face AI exposure as entry-level roles shrink fast.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the job market in Virginia and is likely to hit entry-level and younger workers particularly hard, a pair of recent reports found.Why it matters: Younger workers and college grads were already facing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grim" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/hiring-rate-jobs-employment-iran" data-vars-content-id="f6967169-d711-4fa6-82c0-543bc51cc9a8" data-vars-headline="AI pressure grows on Richmond&#x27;s young workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/hiring-rate-jobs-employment-iran" target="_self">grim</a> and &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frozen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/25/jobs-market-ai-indeed-retail" data-vars-content-id="f6967169-d711-4fa6-82c0-543bc51cc9a8" data-vars-headline="AI pressure grows on Richmond&#x27;s young workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/25/jobs-market-ai-indeed-retail" target="_self">frozen</a>&quot; job market and AI is likely to make it worse.

Richmond's Belle Isle rolls out dill pickle moonshine

Belle Isle's new dill pickle moonshine is real, locally made and now hitting Virginia ABC shelves.

Richmond-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Belle Isle Moonshine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/08/23/belle-isles-new-taproom-moonshine" data-vars-content-id="245f1a65-5850-4a8e-800f-3de12480ea2a" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s Belle Isle rolls out dill pickle moonshine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/08/23/belle-isles-new-taproom-moonshine" target="_self">Belle Isle Moonshine</a> just dropped its newest flavor: Dill pickle. Why it matters: The team shared a bottle with Axios to demonstrate that the concoction is not an April Fools&#x27; joke, despite its April 1 release date.

Construction workers lead Richmond homeownership gains

But they're not the ones most likely to own a home.

Skilled trades and construction workers saw the biggest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeownership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/25/richmond-real-estate-2026-homebuyers-inventory-competition-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="86fc5fbb-eab7-4430-b020-085567ecf1bf" data-vars-headline="Construction workers lead Richmond homeownership gains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/25/richmond-real-estate-2026-homebuyers-inventory-competition-mortgage-rates" target="_self">homeownership</a> gains in metro Richmond over the past decade, according to a new analysis shared with Axios.Why it matters: They&#x27;re outpacing teachers, police and health care workers, per the National Association of Realtors&#x27; analysis of census data comparing homeownership rates in 2014 and 2024.

How to get a table at Lafayette Tavern in Richmond

The Giavos family's buzzy Near West End spot is booked solid — here's how to snag a seat.

The most in-demand reservation in town right now is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lafayette Tavern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/16/lafayette-tavern-richmond-opening-retro-modern-restaurant-menu" data-vars-content-id="64d6e8c1-2c94-4390-a0c5-a9ec8edd24f7" data-vars-headline="How to get a table at Lafayette Tavern in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/16/lafayette-tavern-richmond-opening-retro-modern-restaurant-menu" target="_self">Lafayette Tavern</a>, the Giavos family&#x27;s sexy new Near West End restaurant.Why it matters: We went to the source, Constantine Giavos — the creative mind behind the restaurant and creative director of the Giavos family restaurants — to get the skinny on how to score a seat.

Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues

The former headquarters will be demolished for a new arena project, but its famed limestone eagle statues will stay..

The former Best Products headquarters in Henrico will soon be demolished for the county&#x27;s planned arena-anchored development, dubbed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Products Reimagined" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/05/henricos-23-billion-greencity-development-and-arena-project-could-be-in-jeopardy" data-vars-content-id="a775ffd1-9445-4008-92c3-654b98ee02eb" data-vars-headline="Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/05/henricos-23-billion-greencity-development-and-arena-project-could-be-in-jeopardy" target="_self">Best Products Reimagined</a>. Why it matters: The iconic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Art Deco eagle statues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWGsuM5Gk4S/" data-vars-content-id="a775ffd1-9445-4008-92c3-654b98ee02eb" data-vars-headline="Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWGsuM5Gk4S/" target="_blank">Art Deco eagle statues</a> that once flanked the building off I-95 and East Parham Road will be preserved.

Nearby Buc-ee's for Richmond still years away

Traffic concerns delay two planned Buc-ee's, leaving the closest location hours from Richmond.

The Buc-ee&#x27;s travel center the Texas-based gas station chain hopes to build in Stafford could cause &quot;significant&quot; traffic issues that could spill onto I-95, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per a recent VDOT report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fxbgadvance.com/p/vdot-still-has-concerns-and-questions?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=share" data-vars-content-id="5c2a374d-3245-4652-bab9-714a76b744fb" data-vars-headline="Nearby Buc-ee&#x27;s for Richmond still years away" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fxbgadvance.com/p/vdot-still-has-concerns-and-questions?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=share" target="_blank">per a recent VDOT report</a>. Why it matters: It looks like now both Buc-ee&#x27;s Richmonders were supposed to get within easy driving distance will be delayed due to traffic worries.

Business 🏦

Sapporo is selling Stone Brewing but keeping its Richmond taproom

The "Taj Mahal" of Krogers is now open in Hanover

Richmond Restaurant Week returns with $7 price jump

Redemption BBQ closure reflects Richmond dining strain

AI pressure grows on Richmond's young workforce