Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond has activated an Extreme Weather Warming Center following the National Weather Service’s issuance of a Winter Weather Advisory. Warming Centers provide a safe, warm location for residents in need. The City of Richmond will continue to monitor weather conditions and, if necessary, adjust sheltering plans accordingly. 

Daytime Extreme Weather Warming Center  

• Location: Richmond Public Library, Main Branch
• Address: 101 E. Franklin Street
• Hours: Sunday, Feb. 22, 1 – 5 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 23, regular operating hours 

Overnight Extreme Weather Warming

• Location: Linwood Robinson Center
• Address: 700 N. 26th Street
• Hours: 5 p.m. – 9 a.m. 

Transportation will be available directly from the daytime Warming Center at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch to the overnight shelter at Linwood Robinson Center. 

Commits to Continued Diligence in Identifying and Addressing Shortfalls  

Richmond, VA  — During a presentation to the Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee yesterday afternoon, Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II  delivered a comprehensive update on the City’s financial and budgetary processes over the past year, underscoring the strong commitment to transparency and collaborative governance that has been a hallmark of Mayor Danny Avula’s Administration since taking office last year.  

The presentation detailed key milestones achieved in fiscal management, long-range planning, and budget execution and illustrated the City’s continued focus on responsible stewardship of public resources.  

“Financial transparency, best in class service delivery, and collaboration with Council and our community remain central to how we operate,” said Donald . “This update provides a thorough look at the measurable progress we’ve made together, and next steps in ensuring that the government’s fiscal health supports the long-term stability and growth of Richmond.”  

CAO began by highlighting the breadth and depth of challenges faced by the new Administration in getting the Finance and Budget functions back on track, including limited internal controls, inconsistent reporting, unexpected costs, a high volume of audit findings, leadership and staffing constraints, and systems challenges, to name a few.  

Early efforts to course correct have focused on the fundamentals, including a restoration of operational stability and confidence. These efforts have begun to take shape over the past several months, in the form of:  

• New Staff to Meet the Mission Need: With the hiring of a new DCAO for Finance and Administration , a new Director of Finance , and a new Director of Revenue , the City has strengthened executive leadership to ensure top tier service delivery and oversight of these critical portfolios. 
• Accurate Real Estate Tax Billing: In December 2025, the Department of Finance issued more than 70,000 accurate real estate tax bills overcoming significant existing operational challenges and revising standard operating procedures to ensure timely, accurate, and responsible billing.
• Enhancements to RVAPay Portal: In January 2026, the City launched significant enhancements to the RVA Business / RVA Pay Portal for the 2026 tax year, improving transparency, compliance, and ease of use for taxpayers. 
• Successful Implementation of City Council Ordinance: In January 2026, the City implemented the new business, professional and occupational license (BPOL) taxes threshold approved by City Council under Ordinance No. 2024-187 , doubling the exemption level from $250,000 to $500,000. City staff seamlessly implemented the change , as requested by Council, allowing Richmond small businesses with with gross receipts between $5,000 and $500,000 to pay a $30 flat license fee, reducing their financial burden and allowing them to focus on what matters most. 

Additionally, Mr. Donald drew attention to complex legislative and fiscal matters addressed by the administration over the past year, including the Grimm settlement, GAP Grant enabling legislation, proposed tax rollback rates, janitorial and security legislation, and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, to name a few. 

Importantly, the City has accomplished this while maintaining a strong credit profile, retaining its Aa1 issuer and Aa1 general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) ratings from Moody’s. 

“We are committed to getting this right,” said DCAO for Finance and Administration Tanikia Jackson . “And that means turning over every stone to, in the words of Mayor Avula, ‘Look for it, Find it, and Fix it.’ I’m excited by the work we’ve done on behalf of Richmonders and look forward to reporting back on additional actions taken in the coming months.” 

Posted February 17, 2026

It is a sad day in Richmond, as one of our core institutions, the Richmond Free Press, is closing its doors. For more than three decades, this Black-owned newspaper has been a beacon. In a city with a history as complex and painful as ours, the Free Press did more than report the news. It reinvigorated the Black press, asked hard questions of the city’s leaders, and amplified voices often pushed to the margins.  

Black-owned media plays a vital role in strengthening democracy and community trust. At the height of segregation, publications such as John Mitchell Jr.’s Richmond Planet made sure Richmond’s whole  story was told. The Free Press carried on that important legacy. It made sure the fullness of Richmond’s story was part of the public record--not just the comfortable chapters. And in the former capital of the Confederacy, this was no small feat. 

Through its award-winning journalism – recognized by the Virginia Press Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, and others – the Free Press preserved history, while pushing us towards a brighter, more just, more equal future.

Many of the advancements we have seen in and around Richmond – in public awareness, in civic consciousness, in conversations about race and equality - did not happen in isolation. They happened because institutions like the Free Press did the steady, disciplined work of publishing stories that others might overlook, documenting injustice, and elevating community voices.  

I am deeply grateful to the founders -- the devoted and trailblazing Boone family -- the editors, reporters, photographers, and staff, who poured their talent and heart into this work. You helped move our city forward. The closing of your doors should inspire us all to remain active and involved neighbors in our communities.  

Thank you for the impact you have had on our city. You will be missed.  

Proposed Ordinance was Introduced at February 9, 2026 Richmond City Council Meeting 

On February 9, Councilmember Ellen Robertson, Richmond Gateway 6th District, and Mayor Danny Avula announced their joint support for a new proposed Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund (RAHTF) Ordinance, which was introduced at the 2/9 Richmond City Council Formal Meeting. 

Both Councilmember Robertson and Mayor Avula agree that with high housing costs and the current affordable housing crisis throughout the city this action is greatly needed.  

This people-centered policy will make a real difference and help move Richmond forward in providing affordable housing opportunities for all. 

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund will help thousands of residents by creating and preserving housing that working families, seniors, and long-time Richmonders can afford. 

The proposed ordinance establishes a dedicated, fiscally responsible and predictable source of funding for the construction and preservation of affordable housing across Richmond. It strengthens accountability and transparency to ensure that funding allocated for affordable housing supports the goal of ending the city’s housing crisis.  

“The proposed ordinance reflects great collaboration among Richmond City Council members, housing advocates, and community partners, and represents a significant progress towards building thriving neighborhoods that meet the needs of a growing city,” says  Mayor Danny Avula.  

The Proposed ordinance will deliver affordable housing for Richmond residents and reflects a clear commitment to strengthen how the City funds, manages, and delivers these efforts. The proposed ordinance includes: 

1. Establishing a simple funding methodology to ensure predictable, reliable investment  in affordable housing 
2. Clarifying requirements  for Trust Fund revenues to be calculated and applied consistently 
3. Creating clear reporting and oversight to strengthen transparency and accountability  
4. Aligning policy and implementation to support housing production and preservation