Thursday, January 8
Holding vape shops accountable is a step toward safer communities
Letters to the Editor
After reading the article in the Richmond Free Press entitled “Blowback,” I thank all the officials who have worked diligently to require vape shop owners to be responsible business owners in communities that are often low-income communities of color.
Jill Scott announces sixth studio album
Jill Scott is returning to music with her sixth studio album, “To Whom This May Concern,” set for release Feb. 13 through Human Re Sources/ The Orchard. The first single, “Beautiful People,” is available on all streaming platforms.
Richmond Symphony to perform Damien Geter’s ‘African American Requiem’
Audiences at the Carpenter Theatre on Jan. 17 will have a chance to experience music that asks them to listen as much as to feel.
Exhibit of Wilder’s watercolors to benefit scholarship fund
Visitors to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia will get a closer look at L. Douglas Wilder’s artistic side this month as the former governor’s watercolor paintings go on display in an exhibit and auction benefiting the Wilder National Ovation Scholarship.
Local poet wins Tanka Deathmatch at library
Dorothy Marie Rice, a 77-year-old retired Richmond Public Schools teacher and practicing poet, earned first place in a Tanka Deathmatch Poetry Tournament at the Main Library on Franklin Street on Saturday.
Why the rise of ‘AI Jesus’ demands a moral response from the church by Barbara Reynolds
Sooner rather than later, there must be an outcry that technology has crossed a sacred line. A growing wave of AI-powered religious apps now allows users to “text with Jesus,” “talk to the Bible” and even hold conversations with AI versions of Mary, the apostles, angels — or the devil itself. These tools mimic holy figures with unsettling ease, blurring the line between devotion and digital impersonation.
Chesterfield stadium construction marks final phase of baseball complex overhaul
Construction crews are building a new stadium field at The Diamonds at Ironbridge baseball and softball complex in Harry G. Daniel Park, completing a project that began in 2023.
Trojans turn defense into offense in 74-53 victory over Wasps
The Virginia State University women’s basketball team turned defense into offense Saturday, forcing 29 turnovers and converting them into 38 points in a 74-53 home victory over Emory & Henry.
River City Fight Night series to expand with monthly boxing events
River City Fight Night, one of Central Virginia’s growing combat sports series, will host monthly boxing events throughout 2026, organizers announced Tuesda
Henrico schools to host on-site vaccination clinics for rising 7th, 12th graders
Henrico County Public Schools and the Virginia Department of Health will hold free vaccination clinics at all Henrico middle and high schools for students entering seventh or 12th grade in the 2026-27 school year.
Hampden-Sydney professor earns national communication awards
Hampden-Sydney College rhetoric professor Miranda Rouse received two national awards last month for her work in communication studies at the National Communication Association’s annual convention.
Cristo Rey hires vice president of advancement
Cristo Rey Richmond High School has appointed Cynthia Coleman as its new vice president of advancement, the school announced Tuesday.
City names Trinija Martin as human resources director
The City of Richmond has hired Trinija Martin to direct its human resources department, citing her experience in both corporate and municipal HR leadership.
Richmond mails more than 73,000 notices to identify lead water lines
The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities has begun mailing more than 73,000 notices to residents in an effort to identify and replace lead water service lines as part of its expanded Lead Free Water program.
Personality: LeQuan Hylton
Spotlight on the chairman of the Ujima Legacy Fund
LeQuan Hylton, a community leader committed to service, chairs the Ujima Legacy Fund, a giving circle supporting youth-focused nonprofits in underserved communities.
Acclaimed journalist Jelani Cobb to discuss MLK’s legacy
Jelani Cobb, Pulitzer Prize finalist and dean of the Columbia Journalism School, will reflect on the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a conversation with Randolph-Macon College President Michael Hill on Jan. 21 as part of a weeklong series of events honoring the slain civil rights leader.
Joy Moore resigns as Northern Seminary president after months of uncertainty
Joy J. Moore has resigned as president of Northern Seminary, a Baptist school near Chicago, after months of uncertainty over her status, school officials said. Moore was the first Black president of the school.
Metropolitan Junior Baseball League marks 60th anniversary
The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League is celebrating 60 years of providing life skills and opportunities to young athletes with a series of events and partnerships in 2026.
CIAA to honor eight inductees at 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced its 2026 John B. McLendon Hall of Fame class, recognizing former student-athletes, officials, administrators, historians and media figures whose contributions helped shape the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference.
Martin reaches 1,000 point, sets sights on school record
Maggie L. Walker junior continues scoring run with career achievement
Maggie L. Walker junior Jamie Martin was recognized during a game on Tuesday against Hermitage High School for achieving what few high school basketball players ever do: scoring her 1,000th career point.
Who thinks Republicans will suffer in the 2026 midterms? Republicans by Charlie Hunt
The midterm elections for Congress won’t take place until November, but already a record number of members have declared they will not run again — 43 in the House and 10 in the Senate.
SCC approved Dominion’s gas plant. Now, it’s reconsidering — here’s why by Ivy Main
The State Corporation Commission is reconsidering its approval of Dominion Energy Virginia’s 944-megawatt gas peaker plant, weeks after granting the utility permission to build it.
What happens when Black students’ civil rights are violated? by David W. Marshall
The Lady Justice statue, often seen in courthouses, has become the most recognized symbol of American justice.
Scott’s bold giving is transforming HBCUs and communities by Marc H. Morial
“It’s easy to focus on the methods of civic participation that make news, and hard to imagine the importance of the things we do each day with our own minds and hearts.
Staying the course
At the start of the new year, we believe it is important to return to our foundation and clearly restate the mission of the Richmond Free Press.
Virginia reverses law requiring public disclosure of judicial misconduct
At the end of every year, state agencies, boards and commissions churn out dozens of annual reports. Last year, one notable document was missing.
After decade in politics, Stoney steps back to rest and recharge
After a hugely successful election year for Virginia Democrats that didn’t turn out quite as he hoped, former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney isn’t ready to completely rule out a future run for public office.
Spanberger nominates Smith as next secretary of education
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger announced Tuesday that long-time educator Jeffery Smith would be Virginia’s next secretary of education.
Richmond touts major fixes at water plant one year after catastrophic outage
Even with a snowy start to winter in Richmond, a top city official recently joked to a crowd gathered downtown, there was nothing to report about the water treatment plant.
AG-elect Jones opposes DOJ suit over Virginia tuition law
A federal lawsuit challenging Virginia’s law on tuition eligibility for undocumented students has exposed a sharp divide between the state’s outgoing and incoming leadership, drawing opposition from Attorney General-elect Jay Jones and prompting intervention from immigrant and civil rights groups.
Dems hold South Side seats as Jones, Schmidt prevail
Michael Jones will return to the General Assembly as a senator after winning a special election to the state Senate on Tuesday, while attorney Charlie Schmidt claimed his former House of Delegates seat.
Richmond protesters denounce U.S. military action in Venezuela
About 100 residents and organizers rallied Saturday to condemn a controversial U.S. military operation in Venezuela that included strikes on Caracas and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, actions critics say represent an escalation of U.S. involvement and a violation of international norms.
