Monday, January 6
Richmond issues boil water advisory amid system outage
The City of Richmond, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health, has issued an immediate boil water advisory for all city residents following a winter storm-related power outage that disrupted the city’s water reservoir system.
Thursday, January 2
Mayor’s orders: Avula prescribes day of service
More than a dozen new community service projects will begin Saturday, Jan. 11, as part of Mayor Danny Avula’s “Inaugural Day of Service.”
Netflix’s ‘Missing You’ lands in time for New Year’s binge watch
It’s Netflix’s resolution every new year to give viewers a head scratcher in January.
Virginia State commits to Henry Frazier III with long-term contract
Virginia State University Head Football Coach Henry Frazier III has signed a five-year contract, extending his tenure as he enters his third season with the Trojans in 2024. Frazier, named the team’s 26th head coach in May 2022, has led the program to 21 total wins and a share of the CIAA regular season championship in 2023.
Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78
Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster who broke barriers during his career calling some of the biggest sporting events, has died from cancer, according to a statement from his family released by the network on Friday. He was 78.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico health districts are set to begin COVID-19 testing in 2025 on Thursday, Jan. 8. New data from the Virginia Department of Health on COVID-19’s impact on emergency department visits, respiratory illness levels, or deaths related to the virus were not available at press time. COVID-19 wastewater levels for Richmond and Henrico County also were unavailable.
Adinkra Alliance Institute announces honorees from Virginia
The Adinkra Alliance Institute recently announced the 2024 recipients of the Adinkra Distinguished Black Achievers Honors, recognizing Black leaders around the country whose significant contributions have positively impacted their communities.
Applications open for HBCU Scholars Fellowship
Virginia Humanities is now accepting applications for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Scholars Fellowship, a program designed to support humanities scholars affiliated with HBCUs.
Richmond fire chief retires
Richmond Chief of Fire and Emergency Services Melvin Carter announced his retirement Friday, Dec. 27, after nearly four decades of service to the city. Carter was the third African-American chief in the department’s history.
Henrico sports center emerges as powerhouse in rookie season
The motto of the Henrico Sports & Events Center at Virginia Center Commons in Glen Allen is “Showtime, all the time.” Since the center’s grand opening in December 2023, over 375,000 people have attended events there. The center is the heart of Henrico’s sports tourism industry — which generated nearly $72.5 million in local economic activity in 2023 from “nonlocal tournaments,” according to county officials.
Latin Ballet presents ‘Legend of the Poinsettia’ for 24th year
The Latin Ballet of Virginia will celebrate the 24th anniversary of its holiday production, “Legend of the Poinsettia,” with performances scheduled from Jan. 9 through 12 at the Perkinson Center for the Arts in Chester.
Floyd Andrew Miles, former RPS transportation director, remembered
Former Richmond Public Schools Director of Transportation Floyd Andrew Miles died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy of public service.
Marjorie Ann Cunningham, beloved gospel singer, dies at 81
A voice that brought music and joy to many corners of Richmond fell silent on Christmas Day as Marjorie Ann Cunningham died at age 81. Cunningham’s talent and spirit resonated deeply with those who experienced her music.
Former NFL star DeSean Jackson to lead Delaware State football
Former NFL receiver DeSean Jackson is taking over the football program at Delaware State.
Nominations for RVA Sports Awards honor top athletes, coaches
Public voting is open for the fourth annual RVA Sports Awards, offering fans an opportunity to celebrate athletes, teams, and coaches who have significantly impacted the community. The awards highlight excellence in Richmond sports, with categories recognizing athletes, teams, coaches and standout moments of the year. Voting continues through Jan. 15.
The transformation of Richmond’s Confederate monuments into historical lessons, by David Cunningham
In a symbolic rebuke of the American South’s racist history, an old Confederate monument now has a meaningful new life, four years after it was toppled in Virginia.
‘I upended my life to care for Mama, it was one of the best decisions I ever made’, by Hazel Trice Edney
It was an autumn morning in 2018 when my phone rang in Washington, D.C., and I’ll never forget the sound of Mama’s voice on the line.
Behind the “Lie of the Year,” some bitter truths, by Clarence Page
As it has been doing yearly since 2009, the fact-checking organization PolitiFact has chosen the Lie of the Year.
Will next HUD secretary fight for the unhoused?, by David W. Marshall
In 2000, Republican George W. Bush ran for president as a “compassionate conservative.”
Civil rights icon James Meredith honored in Mississippi
A new historical marker has been unveiled in the hometown of James Meredith, honoring the Black man who fought white supremacy by integrating the University of Mississippi in 1962.
Youngkin putting brakes on car tax burden with new budget amendment
As lawmakers consider Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposal to provide vehicle tax relief for Virginians and ultimately eliminate the property tax, policymakers can find comfort after repeals in Rhode Island and Georgia.
Settlement reached in case over vandalism of Arthur Ashe mural by white nationalists
Five members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front settled a civil lawsuit over defacing the Arthur Ashe mural in Richmond’s Battery Park in October 2021.
Personality: Melissa Weaver
Spotlight on chair of 30th Annual Women and Wellness Luncheon/ VCU Massey Cancer Center
When doctors told Melissa Weaver the lump she had felt for six months was not cancerous and didn’t need to be removed, they suggested it was due to hormonal changes. However, she wasn’t convinced and sought more conclusive answers.
Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76
Richard Parsons, one of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. He was 76.
America mourns the loss of Jimmy Carter, a president who lived with purpose
James “Jimmy” Carter, the peanut farmer from Plains, Ga., who became the 39th president of the United States and later redefined the role of an ex-president through decades of humanitarian work, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at his home. He was 100.
New year, new state laws
New Year’s Day brought a range of new laws and changes to Virginia, including a rise in the minimum wage, expanded protections against discrimination, harassment and retaliation based on ethnic origin and greater privacy for minors from data collectors. These are a few of the changes residents can expect this year.
