The Wrap: 4th of July Guide, new laws, the ICA, and the Coliseum

The week in brief

Hey, y’all! The long holiday weekend is upon us, and that means two things. First, it’s a short week next week for many of us, and second, tomorrow is my birthday–which means no one is ever in town to celebrate because they’re out doing said fun things. What kind of fun things, you ask? Oh man, the River City is chock full of fun places to get your fireworks on, places to enjoy fun family-friendly activities, and more. Richard Hayes has put together the only guide you’ll need from Friday until Independence Day of all the fun things going on, where to see the fireworks, what to grill, where to chill, and even some pointers on what NOT to do. Check it out here before you head out this weekend!

Beyond that, I know folks are headed out of work early today to gear up for fun in the sun, so let’s keep this short, shall we? Instead of my long-winded roundup of everything going on this weekend, I present not five, but ten things to read this weekend to get you caught up on the week:

Ten things to know

1. Dominion Energy is leading the charge to replace the aging Richmond Coliseum, it was announced Monday.
2. The man accused of setting an American flag on fire in The Fan has turned himself in.
3. Secco Wine Bar is offering a new happy hourto anyone who commits to staying off their phone beginning July 10th.
4. VCU Health celebrated its 5,000th transplantthis past week as it looks to the future.
5. Tonight is the final Friday Cheers show of 2017! You’ll definitely want to go after reading our show preview.
6. The VCU Institute for Contemporary Art announced its opening has been pushed backto spring of 2018.
7. International grocer New Grand Mart will open a new store on W. Broad Street by the end of the year.
8. Richmond Police need your help to catch a burglar that’s struck in The Fan seven times.
9. Nick’s International Foods (and that delicious deli) will soon move to the West End after their building was sold.
10. Local performing arts nonprofit SPARC has won an Emmy for a documentary they recently produced that follows some of its students.

Five new laws taking effect

Tomorrow is July 1st, and that means dozens of new laws go into effect in the Commonwealth! All week, in an effort to keep our readers informed, we’ve run a feature called the New Law Spotlight, where we’ve highlighted some of the new legislation that might affect your life. Get caught up before midnight tonight!

1. Virginia schools must test for lead in water supply beginning July 1st
2. Delivery robots get green light to share sidewalks, paths throughout Virginia
3. Schools can now partner with nonprofits for better student vision screenings
4. General Assembly allocates funding to restore African American cemeteries
5. Drivers must have wider field of vision, healthcare providers to report driver impairments