Ivy grows in Metro Richmond • Cultural Arts Center to host opening reception for new exhibits Nov. 14

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen will host a free public opening reception for new exhibits Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. The event will feature the unveiling of “Opening Minds Through Art,” an award-winning Scripps inter-generational art program, and “Regional & Other Splendors,” showcasing the

The Virginia Mercury’s Voter Guide will help you prepare to exercise your civic rights, inform you about the candidates and lay out the elections information you need. Virginia has two United States senators and 11 congressional districts; The Mercury will focus on the contest between U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. (incumbent) and his Republican challenger Hung Cao, and four congressional district races: District 2, District 7, District 9, and District 10. We will also cover select local races, including the Richmond mayoral race. Additionally, we’ll offer presidential election stories that explore how each candidates’ policies might impact Virginia. Need to know: -Early voting begins Sept. 20 in Virginia. Use the Virginia Department of Elections polling place lookup tool to find out where you can mark your ballot. The last day of in-person early voting at your local voter registration office is Nov. 2. -The deadline to register to vote in Virginia, or to update an existing registration, is Oct. 15. According to the Department of Elections, “Voters may register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot.” You can register to vote online through the Department’s Citizens Portal. -Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. You can still vote if you’re in line at closing time. -You’ll need to show an acceptable form of identification to vote at the polls. You can show your Virginia driver’s license, whether it’s expired or not. Other forms of ID will work too; find the full list here. -Think you might have been mistakenly purged from Virginia’s voter rolls? Here’s what to do. On the issues As Election Day draws closer, The Mercury asked candidates in four key Virginia congressional races — Districts 2, 7, 9 and 10 — to share their views and policy plans on the issues that most impact the commonwealth, and reviewed their positions on their campaign websites, social media pages, and in other media. Read their responses to our questions about abortion, guns, housing, immigration, environmental, and education policy here, and stay tuned for in-depth profiles of these candidates in the coming weeks. District/candidate profiles: • U.S. Senate: Kaine faces off against GOP challenger Cao in high-stakes U.S. Senate race • District 2: Kiggans and Smasal face off in highly competitive 2nd District • District 7: Tight race looms in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District as Anderson and Vindman face off •District 9: In the ‘Fightin’ Ninth,’ Baker seeks to end Griffith’s 13-year tenure • District 10: Northern Virginia’s 10th Congressional District race pits Clancy against Subramanyam

By Katie Farthing, Capital News Service Virginia’s PrideFest in mid-September was highlighted by rainbow shirts, balloons and a festive mood. In addition to music performances, vendors sold items from handmade shirts to spicy pickles. Groups were on hand to share voting information with the tens of thousands of attendees

Two University of Richmond geography students are conducting research on the impacts of zero-fare public transportation in the Richmond region and are seeking input from the community. Kendal Hart and Michelle Quach are working in partnership with RVA Rapid Transit on their Capstone research projects. Hart is focusing on the

Presented by Blue Cheese Robotics (Deep Run’s robotics team) and Build, The Build Forward Foundation, the free event will feature 50 local makers showcasing their skills in robotics, science, art, technology, engineering, sustainability, food, music, and fashion. The event is designed as a a celebration of local innovation and provides

Henrico County Fire officials are asking residents to exercise caution with outdoor fires as a result of the current dry weather conditions. With no rain in the foreseeable future, it’s even more critical that residents practice outdoor fire safety measures and obtain permits from the Henrico Fire Marshal’s office for

8000 block of West Broad Street, Tuckahoe District – Police arrested and charged a citizen(s) with shoplifting and possession of drug paraphernalia at a gas station Oct. 25 at 10:28 a.m. Chamberlayne Road at Brook Hill Circle, Fairfield District – Police arrested and charged a citizen(s) with possession

The annual Craftsmen’s Christmas Classic art and craft show will be held Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Richmond Raceway. Thousands of items

Recess in middle school? It’s a thing at one Henrico school; the county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund begins to pay dividends; dry weather prompts calls for outdoor fire safety; our Weekend Top 5 and Restaurant Watch.