Oklahoma judge rules man who wrongfully spent nearly 50 years in prison for murder is innocent
An Oklahoma judge has exonerated a man who spent nearly 50 years in prison for murder, the longest serving inmate to be declared innocent of a crime.
Stand’n up for books!
There’s lots of folks who want to secede, From cultural books afraid they might read,
Hall of Famer McGinnis dies at age 73
George McGinnis, whose basketball Hall of Fame career spanned multiple seasons in the old ABA and NBA, died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, of heart complications. He was 73.
Number of Black quarterbacks honored with Heisman continues to climb
A running back was the model for the iconic Heisman Trophy statue, but over time it is increasingly awarded to quarterbacks.
Cherished Holiday Memories
Holiday memories are created by family — whether it is the family in which we are born or the family we create through church, work or social interactions. May these reflections of cherished holiday memories, shared by four Richmond residents, bring you a renewed sense of joy and peace now and in the coming year. Happy holidays!
Good tidings
Various civic and social organizations continue the holiday spirit by sharing both tangible and intangible gifts throughout the community.
Henrico to accept Christmas trees for recycling Dec. 26 through Jan. 9
Henrico County will accept Christmas trees for recycling into mulch from Tuesday, Dec. 26, through Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Liberty’s Flames turning into a bonfire
On a winning football scale of one to 13, Liberty University is a 13. There are only four undefeated major college football teams left, and one of them is located only a fast two hours west in Lynchburg.
West Virginia’s Farrakhan, others suit up after court ruling against NCAA transfer policy
College athletes who have transferred multiple times but were denied the chance to compete immediately can play through the remainder of the academic year, a federal judge ruled Monday. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey in West Virginia made the ruling on a motion filed Friday by the NCAA and a coalition of states suing the organization. Judge Bailey extended a temporary restraining order he issued last Wednesday barring the NCAA from enforcing its transfer rule for 14 days.
Highland Park’s Highland Grove development halted
A long-awaited 122-unit subdivision that is supposed to rise on nearly 40 acres in the 500 block of Dove Street in Highland Park remains shut down.
Library of Virginia’s ‘Indigenous Perspectives,’ highlights state’s tribal citizens
A new multimedia exhibition at the Library of Virginia explores voices and experiences of Virginia’s tribal communities and how they remain a vital part of Virginia’s culture today.
VCU Health Sciences Library exhibits focus on HIV/AIDS
“Let communities lead” was the theme of World AIDS Day, which this year fell on Friday, Dec. 1. Although AIDS deaths and HIV infection rates do not often lead news reports in 2023, that does not mean that HIV/ AIDS does not continue to impact people’s lives and our health care systems.
State Jails Board creates improvement plan for City Jail
Investigation cites 6 deaths, inconsistent inspections and other unmet standards
Only a small staff of deputies is working in the Richmond City Justice Center on any given day, the Free Press is being told, as the number of sworn officers under the command of Sheriff Antionette V. Irving continues to fall.
Lawsuits filed against RPS regarding school shooting report
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the Richmond School Board for refusing to release the findings of an external investigation into the June 6 mass shooting in Monroe Park after the Huguenot High School graduation ceremony.
Shining stars
Bernadine Simmons, L. Victor Collins and Andre Braugher remembered
The world had Oprah. Richmond had Bernie. Longtime television journalist Bernadine A. “Bernie” Simmons, who died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at age 79, was well known to many in Richmond and surrounding communities as the creator and face of NBC12’s popular “12 About Town” news show.
Give a child a book for Christmas, by Julianne Malveaux
They don’t call it “Black Friday” because they love Black people; they call it Black Friday because many businesses are pushed into the black (from the red ink of losses to the black ink of profits) on that day or into the holiday season.
America no longer the ‘land of opportunity’, by David W. Marshall
When the governors of Texas, Arizona and Florida took advantage of the welcoming traditions provided by sanctuary cities, it was meant to get rid of an unwanted problem. More than 23,000 asylum seekers have been bused to Chicago from Texas since the beginning of the year. As the cold weather sets in, people in the nation’s third largest city are sheltering on sidewalks, at police station foyers and at the city’s airport.
Youngkin proposes millions in child care subsidies
To the delight of beleaguered day care operations and child advocates, Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin is calling for an investment of $484 million a year into child care— with most going to help parents cover the surging costs.
Nicole Jones appointed as Michael Jones’ interim replacement on City Council
Richmond School Board member Nicole Jones has received a big boost to her campaign for the 9th District City Council seat.
