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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.

Richmond's $30 summer concert deal returns

Discounted tickets cover select Allianz Amphitheater shows as the summer promo expands again.

Things to Do

Live Nation&#x27;s $30 summer concert <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deal is back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/05/20/live-nation-30-dollar-summer-concerts-deal" data-vars-content-id="f2605235-339d-46fe-b223-d018886e9243" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s $30 summer concert deal returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/05/20/live-nation-30-dollar-summer-concerts-deal" target="_self">deal is back</a>, the company announced this week.Why it matters: Locals can score cheap tickets to more than 4,000 shows in the U.S. and Canada, including some at Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allianz Amphitheater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.allianzamphitheater.com/shows" data-vars-content-id="f2605235-339d-46fe-b223-d018886e9243" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s $30 summer concert deal returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.allianzamphitheater.com/shows" target="_blank">Allianz Amphitheater</a>.

Richmond weekend guide: The Wiz, Shakespeare and Train Day

Broadway shows, festivals, food events and family fun fill Richmond's calendar through Sunday.

It&#x27;s a big RVA weekend for Shakespeare, artsy festivals and gardening.

Richmond's "leave a trinket" boxes are popping up everywhere

The premise is simple: Leave a trinket, take a trinket.

There&#x27;s a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/06/san-francisco-trinket-trade-boxes-sidewalk-joy-outer-sunset-noe-valley-castro" data-vars-content-id="0d80d48a-b318-4ffc-86dc-1f2e7d36f769" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s &quot;leave a trinket&quot; boxes are popping up everywhere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/06/san-francisco-trinket-trade-boxes-sidewalk-joy-outer-sunset-noe-valley-castro" target="_self">growing trend</a> in Richmond with a simple premise: Leave a trinket, take a trinket.Why it matters: The small, often hand-built boxes are part of a broader wave of spreading &quot;sidewalk joy,&quot; or creating connection between strangers through random, swappable items.

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.

A love letter to L'Opossum: Richmond dining at its best

Take this as your sign to go to your bucket list Richmond restaurant instead of waiting years like I did.

Food and Drink

Five stars for Richmond chef David Shannon.Why: What he&#x27;s built with his Oregon Hill restaurant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="L&#x27;Opossum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/05/12/richmond-best-restaurant-tournament-lopossum-lemaire" data-vars-content-id="7a7900c2-3dfb-45e0-b55e-4ff9e954668b" data-vars-headline="A love letter to L&#x27;Opossum: Richmond dining at its best" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/05/12/richmond-best-restaurant-tournament-lopossum-lemaire" target="_self">L&#x27;Opossum</a> is so beautiful that I haven&#x27;t stopped talking about it since finally dining there over a month ago.

Richmond weekend guide: Monument 10K, Patti LaBelle and more

Plus: Alabama Shakes, Juvenile and Two Feet concerts.

It&#x27;s Monument Avenue 10K weekend and we&#x27;re facing highs of 93-degree weather. Stay hydrated.

Allianz Amphitheater opens season two with upgrades

The upgrades, which include AC in bathrooms, are shaped by last year's feedback.

Culture

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allianz Amphitheater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/11/allianz-amphitheater-riverfront-2026-lineup" data-vars-content-id="c7bd96cd-3227-487a-8116-c852f6218883" data-vars-headline="Allianz Amphitheater opens season two with upgrades" 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/allianz-amphitheater-riverfront-2026-lineup" target="_self">Allianz Amphitheater</a> at Riverfront is rolling out some venue upgrades for its second year. Why it matters: Its 2026 concert season starts Thursday with Alabama Shakes.

Coffee raves hit new Venezuelan café in Scott's Addition

Think espresso martinis, arepas and a DJ set at 11am.

Sabrina here. I stumbled upon a party at a new Venezuelan café in Scott&#x27;s Addition over the weekend.Why it matters: It&#x27;s part of a growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="club culture trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/02/coffee-raves-daybreaker-soft-clubbing" data-vars-content-id="617f71d3-0d40-4871-a0d2-624daea1876c" data-vars-headline="Coffee raves hit new Venezuelan café in Scott&#x27;s Addition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/02/coffee-raves-daybreaker-soft-clubbing" target="_self">club culture trend</a> nationwide that includes daytime coffee raves.

Where to find the viral soft serve margaritas in Richmond

Spoiler: There are at least two places in the city that offer them.

This is not a drill: La Playa on Broad Street has soft serve margaritas.Why it matters: Richmond has been in a soft serve marg deficit since Barrio closed in the Fan in 2024, and the only other place we&#x27;ve found that offers it is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Juan&#x27;s Rooftop" data-vars-click-url="https://anyflip.com/evyay/ojas/" data-vars-content-id="d5e96c85-6abc-4163-b6dd-ec9e145a7789" data-vars-headline="Where to find the viral soft serve margaritas in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://anyflip.com/evyay/ojas/" target="_blank">Juan&#x27;s Rooftop</a>.

Virginia 250 celebrations ramp up across Richmond this month

From museum exhibits to reenactments, Richmond is already marking America's 250th anniversary.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/trump-america-250-celebration-new-years-eve-dc" data-vars-content-id="a961e407-9fcd-43eb-a08d-5e0be16afdd9" data-vars-headline="Virginia 250 celebrations ramp up across Richmond this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/trump-america-250-celebration-new-years-eve-dc" target="_self">America&#x27;s 250th</a> is less than 100 days away, but you don&#x27;t have to wait until July 4 to celebrate. There&#x27;s already plenty happening just this month. Why it matters: A nation only turns 250 once, and Virginia played a pivotal role in its founding.

Things to Do 🗓

Richmond's $30 summer concert deal returns

Richmond weekend guide: The Wiz, Shakespeare and Train Day

Richmond's "leave a trinket" boxes are popping up everywhere

New Hanover tourism push targets locals, I-95 drivers

A love letter to L'Opossum: Richmond dining at its best