
New signs discourage drivers from giving out money
Nearly two dozen signs designed to decrease panhandling and distracted driving recently popped up at busy intersections in Richmond.

City Councilwoman says rumors of eminent domain in North Side ‘not true’
A hoax that created a small uproar over the Richmond leg of the $266 million regional Fall Line Trail is being dispelled.

Chesterfield County receives $755,000 broadband grant
Chesterfield County has been awarded a $755,523 grant through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Develop- ment’s Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) to support the county’s partnership with All Points Broadband and Dominion Energy to develop broadband availability countywide.

Revered dentist, Dr. James ‘Mac’ McCain Jr., dies at 85
Dr. James “Mac” McCain Jr. was often described as the “philanthropist” dentist. During his more than 40 years of practice in Church Hill, he gained a reputation for taking on patients who could not afford his services.

New life, new name for Wythe
When making remarks about the new Richmond High School of the Arts last Saturday, Jason Kamras’ words were noticeably cheerful and upbeat.

Jesse Jackson steps back from PUSH
The Rev. Jesse Jackson announced Saturday that he will step down as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Chicago-based civil rights group he founded more than 50 years ago.

City names Edwards as police chief
Richmond's top cop will be paid a record $216,000
Richard “Rick” Edwards is now the city’s 21st chief of police.

VSU’s Alexis McNair earns new title
Alexis McNair sparkles in the classroom, on the volleyball court and even at The Diamond on Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

Maggie Walker’s 159th birthday comes to life
Richmond community members enjoyed a glimpse into the past during celebrations for Maggie L. Walker’s 159th Birthday at Third Street Bethel AME Church and her national historic site in Jackson Ward on July 15.

Combating PTSD during, after military career
Sgt. Maj. Keith L. Craig, who was raised in Yantley, Ala., joined the Army in August 1984 at age 17.

City OKs plan for toothless commission to keep tabs on utilities
Also, owning big cats, reptiles, bears and wolves is a ‘no’
City Council is on track to create the city’s first Public Utilities & Services Commission to review issues involving public utilities and pass a modified ban on lions, tigers, alligators and other “exotic or wild animals.”

Changing of the guard
Roger Gregory no longer a chief judge; Reggie Gordon, Damon Jiggetts now head foundations
Judge Roger L. Gregory is now the former chief judge of the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:

Coming Together Virginia presents ‘Education Not Incarceration’
The school-to-prison pipeline is the focus of an upcoming discussion, “Education Not Incarceration: Stopping the Prison Pipeline,” that will be hosted by Coming Together Virginia on Thursday, July 20,rom 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Branch Museum on 2501 Monument Ave.

Virginia NAACP demands to see governor’s criteria for restoring voting rights to felons
The Virginia NAACP on Tuesday called on Gov. Glenn Youngkin to establish clear and publicly available criteria for restoring the voting rights of convicted felons who have served their time, saying the system now is secretive and could discriminate against people of color.

Veteran RPS employee loses effort to keep her job
A veteran social worker has lost her job with Richmond Public Schools after a 20-month fight.

Woolfolk picks baseball over football
Jay Woolfolk has decided to move forward with baseball and leave football in his rearview mirror.

Learn, lead and lift, by Darrell K. Williams
HBCUs will continue to thrive amid diversity debate
After several weeks of national debate, there is broader understanding of the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action and the redefined legal framework that governs diversity initiatives in higher education. The decision reaffirms the importance diversity plays in fostering inclusive learning environments. Admissions policies must strike a balance between meritocracy and equal access, ensuring that all students — regardless of their backgrounds and circumstances — have an equitable opportunity to pursue higher education. This aspect of the decision is not in question.

Detroit’s bankruptcy architect says filing 10 years ago was best fix for broken city
Detroit’s newly hired emergency manager, Kevyn Orr, stood before reporters in March 2013 and issued a warning to city creditors, unions, vendors and others: “Don’t make me go to bankruptcy court. You won’t enjoy it.”