🌀 Virginia's Helene recovery

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Today's newsletter is 882 words — a 3.5-minute read.

The share of metro Richmond residents living in poverty last year was the lowest it's been in over a decade, recent census data shows.

Why it matters: The poverty rate has been declining locally and statewide over the years as wages have increased, particularly for low-income workers.

By the numbers: The poverty rate in the Richmond metro area dropped to 9.9% in 2023, compared to 10.7% in 2022, according to new data released by the American Community Survey (ACS).

• The poverty rate was 11.9% a decade earlier.

Yes, but: Richmond city's poverty rate was 17.1% last year, significantly higher than that of the whole metro region, but down from 21.7% in 2022.

The big picture: The poverty rates in 22 of the 25 most populous metropolitan areas did not change significantly from 2022 to 2023, per the ACS.

• The Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis metros had among the lowest poverty rates at about 8%. Houston, Detroit and San Antonio were among the highest at about 14%.

Zoom out: Most states did not see a significant change in poverty rates last year, including Virginia which stands at 10.2% — but it was down from 11.7% in 2012.

• New Hampshire had the lowest poverty rate at 7.2%, while Louisiana had the highest at 18.9%.
• Nationally in 2023, the poverty rate was 11.1%.

How it works: The ACS uses an income threshold to determine whether a household is below poverty level.

• The threshold is adjusted for inflation and changes depending on household size and number of children.
• The Census Bureau considered someone below the poverty line in December 2023 if they made less than about $15,800 as an individual, or under about $31,000 as a family with two adults and two children.

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At least two people are dead and more than 100 homes and businesses destroyed in Southwest Virginia after the remnants of Hurricane Helene slammed the southeast last week.

The big picture: While states south of Virginia took the brunt of the Helene's force, the portions of the Commonwealth along the North Carolina and Tennessee borders also saw widespread devastation.

Zoom in: One person in Tazewell County was killed by a large tree while cleaning debris and a woman in Craig County died after being struck by a barn, Cardinal News reported.

• Around 200,000 people were without power Saturday morning at the height of outages. Some won't see it restored until late tonight.
• Wind speeds reached 40 mph for six-to-eight-hour stretches, in some places gusting at 60 mph, downing thousands of trees.
• Across the region, first responders conducted more than than 70 rescues, including water rescues of 16 people, two dogs and a seven cats, per Gov. Youngkin's office.
• Virginia State Police also helped with helicopter rescues of around 50 people stranded on the roof of a hospital in Eastern Tennessee.

What they're saying: "There's a lot of work ahead, but together, I know Southwest Virginia will rebuild stronger than ever," Youngkin said in a statement.

How to help: The United Way of Southwest Virginia started a fund to assist affected counties.

Full story

🤯 A Chesterfield woman's husband gave his retirement savings to a dancer at a strip club instead of his wife, who found out after he died. (VPM)

• It's legal because Virginia law allows people to disinherit their spouses without their spouses knowing.

⚠️ The James River could rise to 14 feet today near the Huguenot Bridge because of Helene, potentially leading Riverside Drive and Huguenot Flatwater Park to flood. (Times-Dispatch)

🏗️ A developer filed plans to build a three-story mixed-use building on Robinson Street in the Fan, replacing the Starbucks parking lot — which was terrible to begin with. (BizSense)

Whether you're a resident or considering living in Richmond, now's your chance to get a comprehensive overview of downtown's economic development.

What to expect: Explore mixed-use ventures, hundreds of residential projects across local neighborhoods and more.

Start the tour.

A food truck-sized wagon filled with banned books is rolling into Richmond this weekend.

Why it matters: Organizers will be handing out free copies of banned titles, including "The Outsiders," "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Color Purple."

The big picture: Richmond is one of nine southern or Midwestern cities publisher Penguin Random House selected for its Banned Wagon Tour.

• The publisher picked communities being targeted by book banning or censorship, per a news release.
• We're pretty sure they meant Hanover County over Richmond, but the event is open to everyone in the broader community.
• The Virginia Library Association will be there, too, talking about librarians, books and what they're watching legislatively on book bans.

Details: The wagon will post up in front of Shockoe Slip's Fountain Bookstore on Saturday, noon-4pm.

• Free banned books are while supplies last and limited to one book per person.

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A Virginia Republican's campaign is posting footage of him with what looks to be his wife and three kids.

Why it matters: He doesn't have a wife or kids.

Driving the news: Derrick Anderson, the GOP candidate in a tight race to take over Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger's seat, went viral this weekend after The New York Times wrote about him posing with the family of a "longtime friend."

• A spokesperson for Anderson said the video simply showed him "with female supporters and their kids," per the NYT.
• California Rep. Ted Lieu, a Democrat, called it "trying to mislead voters."
• And now, under Anderson's posts, people are dubbing him "rent-a-family guy."

Keep reading for the campaign's statement to Axios

Venture Richmond has a free drone-based virtual tour of downtown Richmond on its website.

What's in it for you: The platform serves as a virtual gateway, allowing users to explore downtown through a comprehensive overview of each neighborhood, residential projects and commercial ventures.

🤯 Karri wants to meet the pole dancer who got most of that retirement money because she is obsessed with this story and wants to hear every detail.

💪🏼 Sabrina has always wanted to take a pole dancing class in Richmond because it seems like a great way to get ripped.

Thanks to Fadel Allassan for editing today's edition.