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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.

Virginia data center boom faces Texas competition

Lawmakers are reconsidering $1.6B in incentives as Texas attracts new projects with land and power advantages.

Texas seems to be trying to oust Virginia from its spot as the data center capital of the world.Why it matters: The Lone Star state is positioning itself as one of the nation&#x27;s most data center-friendly states as Virginia lawmakers debate ending the massive tax break that helped land it at No. 1.

Richmond region split more on redistricting than governor's race

Some precincts that voted for Gov. Abigail Spanberger rejected redistricting — even in Richmond.

Across the Richmond region, more voting precincts were divided on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redistricting measure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/22/virginia-redistricting-vote-passes-house-control" data-vars-content-id="06038b78-872e-41be-ad33-b790f3b34560" data-vars-headline="Richmond region split more on redistricting than governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/22/virginia-redistricting-vote-passes-house-control" target="_self">redistricting measure</a> than on last year&#x27;s governor&#x27;s race.Why it matters: Some of the same precincts split on redistricting are also being split in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new congressional map" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/06/virginia-redistricting-map-richmond-nova-midterms" data-vars-content-id="06038b78-872e-41be-ad33-b790f3b34560" data-vars-headline="Richmond region split more on redistricting than governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/06/virginia-redistricting-map-richmond-nova-midterms" target="_self">new congressional map</a>.

New Hanover tourism push targets locals, I-95 drivers

The county is launching a coordinated strategy to turn a drive-through into a tourism destination.

Hanover County is betting on tomatoes, farms and road-trippers to become a tourism destination.Why it matters: Until <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hanovercounty.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/968#:~:text=Hanover%20County%20has%20named%20Rachel,her%20role%20on%20September%201." data-vars-content-id="cb95dbe0-626a-48a3-ad58-37435cd617b9" data-vars-headline="New Hanover tourism push targets locals, I-95 drivers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hanovercounty.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/968#:~:text=Hanover%20County%20has%20named%20Rachel,her%20role%20on%20September%201." target="_blank">last fall</a>, the county didn&#x27;t have a tourism director. Now it has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tourism brand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/visithanoverva/" data-vars-content-id="cb95dbe0-626a-48a3-ad58-37435cd617b9" data-vars-headline="New Hanover tourism push targets locals, I-95 drivers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/visithanoverva/" target="_blank">tourism brand</a>, website, app and a campaign targeting the I-95 corridor between D.C. and Richmond.

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.

Why Virginia's redistricting referendum is confusing some voters

Dark money, dueling ads and celebrity cameos are part of a high-stakes fight that could reshape Virginia.

One of the most unusual elections in recent Virginia politics is almost over.Why it matters: Virginia&#x27;s redistricting fight has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="filled with lawsuits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/13/virginia-supreme-court-redistricting-referendum" data-vars-content-id="8fa03a18-4965-4b15-97f2-9cf629647a60" data-vars-headline="Why Virginia&#x27;s redistricting referendum is confusing some voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/13/virginia-supreme-court-redistricting-referendum" target="_self">filled with lawsuits</a>, conflicting messaging, celebrity cameos, dark money and Democrats announcing campaigns for districts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="that don&#x27;t exist yet." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/11/virginia-redistricting-house-seats-2026" data-vars-content-id="8fa03a18-4965-4b15-97f2-9cf629647a60" data-vars-headline="Why Virginia&#x27;s redistricting referendum is confusing some voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/11/virginia-redistricting-house-seats-2026" target="_self">that don&#x27;t exist yet.</a>

Virginia redistricting vote sets spending record

More than $83M has been pouring into Virginia's redistricting fight, ousting Richmond casino from the top spot.

Virginia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redistricting referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/06/virginia-redistricting-map-richmond-nova-midterms" data-vars-content-id="669f4e22-7057-4d8f-aff8-87a06d85748a" data-vars-headline="Virginia redistricting vote sets spending record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/06/virginia-redistricting-map-richmond-nova-midterms" target="_self">redistricting referendum</a> is the most expensive ballot measure in state history, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Virginia Public Access Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vpap.org/visuals/visual/the-most-expensive-referenda/" data-vars-content-id="669f4e22-7057-4d8f-aff8-87a06d85748a" data-vars-headline="Virginia redistricting vote sets spending record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vpap.org/visuals/visual/the-most-expensive-referenda/" target="_blank">the Virginia Public Access Project</a>. Why it matters: The money pumped into the redistricting campaigns ousted Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2023 casino referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/08/election-results-casino-urban-one-churchill-downs" data-vars-content-id="669f4e22-7057-4d8f-aff8-87a06d85748a" data-vars-headline="Virginia redistricting vote sets spending record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/08/election-results-casino-urban-one-churchill-downs" target="_self">2023 casino referendum</a> from the top spot.

70 mph in school zones: Richmond's worst speeding spots

Drivers going this fast are uncommon, but it's among the most dangerous driving behavior.

Richmond&#x27;s fastest school zone drivers reached at least 70 mph on some of the city&#x27;s busiest roads, per police data obtained by Axios.Why it matters: These rare cases of extreme speeding highlight a persistent challenge: curbing the small share of drivers responsible for the most dangerous behavior, Richmond transportation director Andy Boenau tells Axios.

A map showing Virginia's current congressional district boundaries and the new boundaries Democrats are proposing as of February 5, 2026.

Virginia proposed Congressional districts map

Note: The 3rd congressional district will extend slightly farther south after Democrats modified their map in late February. Data: Virginia Legislative Information System; Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios

News 🗞

Virginia data center boom faces Texas competition

Richmond region split more on redistricting than governor's race

New Hanover tourism push targets locals, I-95 drivers

Virginia voters approve effort to redraw congressional map

Sapporo is selling Stone Brewing but keeping its Richmond taproom