Weather: Another day of rain, but it'll clear for Halloween. High of 57.

On this date in 1952, the state highway department reports that vehicle traffic on Virginia’s roads has nearly doubled in a 10-year span.

Today's newsletter sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University: As a top 20% global university, Virginia Commonwealth University is an unparalleled powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. VCU attacks challenges as opportunities. It's truly a university unlike any you’ve ever seen.

Richmond has at least 87 vape shops. Police say most are selling marijuana.

Officials say the prevalence of vape shops is a problem not only because many market their products to youth but because they are increasingly becoming hotspots for crime.

Raids of 10 city vape shops have turned up 10 guns and 75 pounds of marijuana or other products containing THC, including candy and snack lookalikes with names similar to non-drug products.

“Many vape shops are just de facto marijuana shops at this point,” Richmond's police chief said. Read more here.

How Virginia’s new redistricting push could impact the Richmond area

The General Assembly is in Richmond this week discussing a constitutional amendment that could allow congressional maps to be redrawn before next year's midterm elections.

• Democrats say it's an emergency counteroffensive after President Donald Trump told Texas officials to draw more Republican districts.
• Republicans have denounced the maneuver as a hypocritical power grab that would partially restore partisan gerrymandering.

In one hypothetical scenario, multiple congressional representatives could have a slice of Richmond, spreading its Democrat-leaning voters across multiple districts. But the city would no longer be kept together as a cohesive community with one person speaking for all of Richmond in the U.S. House of Representatives. Read more here.

Richmond police will take on firefighters in charity boxing match

A friendly bout of fisticuffs will pit Richmond firefighters and police officers against one another for the chance at boxing glory while championing charitable causes. The event will be next Wednesday. Read more here.

High school football report: Thomas Jefferson proves resilience with late stand

The Vikings emerged strong from their bye week. It was a chance to recover for a team that has just 30-35 players, typical for the state's smaller schools.

• Plus, the region's biggest annual football game will take place tomorrow when Varina battles Highland Springs.

Read more here.

Today's sponsor:

Uncommon Minds: VCU’s Class of 2029 Arrives Ready—and Unstoppable

In August, 4,500+ first-years joined Virginia Commonwealth University’s Ramily. Thousands of different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are coming together to shape one shared journey.

Here’s a snapshot of the VCU freshman class:

• Students have an average high school GPA of 3.65, with 26% of all first-years earning a 4.0 or higher (weighted).
• 57% are starting with some college credit.
• 38% of first-years are first-generation.
• 41% are Pell Grant-eligible
• $25 million+ in financial aid awarded. 

Read more.

In other news

• As pharmacy deserts grow, Virginia drug store owners warn these middlemen threaten closure (CBS 6)
• New Kent derailment cancels Amtrak service from Richmond to Newport News through Nov. 1 (12 On Your Side)
• Richmond's viral cat Patches sheds over half his body weight (Axios)

The editor's desk

I love a weekend Halloween. I'd be in favor of permanently making it the last Saturday of October.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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