Senate committee’s ‘no’ vote for Morrissey casino bill may mean ‘yes’ for Richmond
With two weeks to go in the 2023 General Assembly session, Richmond appears to be on track to retain the right to hold a second vote on hosting a casino in November. While it could all change, Richmond gained much needed help from a slim majority of the Senate Finance Committee. Last week, the committee voted 8-7 to kill Petersburg Democratic state Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey’s bill to add the Cockade City to the list of cities allowed to have a casino and authorize that city to host a referendum before Richmond made a second attempt to get voters to approve after a majority rejected a casino plan in 2021. If the majority holds in the Senate Finance Committee, the same fate would await an identical bill that Petersburg Repub- lican Delegate Kim Taylor successfully pushed through the House on Tuesday. Petersburg believed it had a good chance to win after sign- ing an agreement with The Cordish Companies of Baltimore to deliver a casino and related developments worth $1.4 bil- lion. Despite the setback, that city is still is likely to hold a November referendum seeking approval from its voters for the Cordish proposal. Richmond is not guaranteed to retain the right to hold a referendum. With Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin seeking to lift up Petersburg, the Free Press has been told that some of those who opposed Sen. Morrissey’s bill in the committee could use the Petersburg casino measure as a bargaining chip when the House and Senate conferees meet to finalize the budget. A year ago, after Sen. Morrissey’s bill appeared to be dead after losing 9-7 in the Finance Committee, budget language re- vived it. The legislature followed Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan’s
Impassioned calls for police reform at Tyre Nichols’ funeral
Tyre Nichols ’ family and friends gathered Wednesday for a funeral that blended a celebration of his life with outrage over the brutal beating he endured at the hands of Memphis Police and heated calls for police reform.
Michael Jackson’s nephew to star in King of Pop biopic
Michael Jackson’s 26-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will play the King of Pop in the planned biopic “Michael” to be directed by Antoine Fuqua.
PGA tour event to honor Marcus Byrd
Marcus Byrd has been chosen to receive the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption for the upcoming PGA Genesis Invitational in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
McDonald’s games to include “Bronny” James
LeBron “Bronny” James Jr. will soon display his basketball talents on a national stage.
Miles Mallory’s blocking sets records
Warning: Trying to score inside against Miles Mallory can be hazardous to your shooting percentage.
Newark next stop for HU, NSU match
Hampton and Norfolk State universities are packing their bags and taking their “backyard rivalry” on the road again.
Black college network to broadcast VUU weekend game
Virginia Union University fans can enjoy basketball with their lunch this Saturday.
Population growth continues to widen affordability gap in Richmond
The need for more and varied affordable housing continues to grow in the Richmond region.
Push for rental inspection program appears to gain traction
Properties yielding high-volume complaints, code violations would be targeted
Maybe the third time is the charm when it comes to a rental inspection program for Richmond.
VMHC to spotlight civil rights hero Curtis Harris and Great Dismal Swamp
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture will feature the following films at part of its Black History Month programming:
A new George Wythe High School will cost a record $86,111 per student, data show
The cost of replacing George Wythe High School has ballooned to $154.6 million, far more than anticipated.
'Black history in Virginia is Virginia’s story'
Museum exhibit explores freedom, justice, equality
From a weathered slave auction block used in 19th Century South Carolina, to the military attire, documents and scientific tools of soldiers, teachers and doctors, each item in Jackson Ward’s Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia tells a story.
Rail agency begins historic cemetery review for estimated 22,000 souls
It took nine months, but the Federal Railroad Administration is keeping its promise to take a fresh look at a historic Black cemetery in Richmond and its potential impact on proposed rail improvements between Richmond and Washington.
Let’s talk Social Security instead of about Morrissey
Instead of wasting time, energy, resources and newsprint on calling for Sen. Joe Morrissey to resign, I suggest you focus your efforts on changing a common practice that leads to perpetual inequality.
Enrichmond article ‘is inaccurate and misleading
Jeremy Lazarus’ Jan. 26, 2023, article, “It’s complicated” is a one-sided story that provides little clarity.
Woodson’s wisdom, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
Carter Godwin Woodson, The Father of Negro (Black) History, remains an invaluable source of historic information and critical thinking, which prepares today’s young African- Americans to confront and challenge the persistent racism that continues to plague the national psyche.
Gun violence and the disease behind it, by Ben Jealous
We’ve had more mass shootings this year than we’ve had days this year.
