Publicity about escalating penalties and fees tied to multiple Richmond restaurants’ meals tax payments are prompting changes to the city’s tax collection practices on a broader scale; US Foods is planning to build a new location of its Chef’Store retail chain in Henrico County; Construction began this month on a 7 Brew coffee shop in Midlothian; and a local entrepreneur has brought an indoor playground to Stony Point Fashion Park.

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s office has advanced regulations meant to hold law enforcement officers accountable; On Thursday Democrats on a House subcommittee pushed forward a bill that would raise Virginia’s minimum wage next year; Virginia lawmakers have gotten bipartisan support for their legislation to raise educator salaries to the national average or higher.

Richmond Public Schools has made a third-party report on the Huguenot graduation shooting available to the public; General Assembly Democrats reject bills to repeal California vehicle emissions standards; and other stories

A Virginia scientific advisory panel recently recommended alerting all parties in thousands of past criminal cases involving former state serologist Mary Jane Burton; The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care will conduct its semi-annual count of people experiencing homelessness on January 25 ; Richmond City Council recently approved a plan to develop a program that will extend benefits to city employees in domestic partnerships.

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority has assumed oversight of the state’s medical marijuana program.

A new COVID-19 variant is spreading across the U.S. 

Mayo Island is now set to become part of the James River Park System; VPM has taken another step forward with its plans to relocate to downtown Richmond; For the second time in recent years, an effort to bring a food hall concept to Scott’s Addition has fallen through; and it’s out with cider, in with simple syrups for a Shockoe Bottom storefront. 

This week officials with Henrico and Hanover Counties appointed new leaders to their respective board of supervisors ; The 2024 General Assembly session is underway. Among the hundreds of bills already introduced are a handful focused on transportation ; Richmond Delegate Betsy Carr has filed legislation that, if passed, would disallow Richmond from having a casino built within city limits.

Virginia’s General convened today with Democrats in charge; Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered the annual State of the Commonwealth address; Two veterinarians testified Tuesday in a case focused on conditions at Natural Bridge Zoo.

A scientific advisory panel for the Virginia Forensic Science Board recommends that anyone impacted by Mary Jane Burton's past lab work be notified about potential testing errors; The Virginia Restaurant Association aims for new state legislation to help with Richmond's meals tax issues; and other stories