
Free Press wins 15 awards in annual VPA contest
The Richmond Free Press continues its 30-year tradition of award-winning excellence.

Spartans snag George Beale, Region 4A Player of the Year
Norfolk State University will lose some key players from last season’s championship basketball team, but help is on the way.

Ashton Pratt signs to join the VUU Panthers next season; JV basketball team also in the works
Virginia Union University has received a commitment from one of the best players from arguably the state’s best high school basketball team.

Washington Nationals may be out front in diversity in MLB
The Washington Nationals may be last in the National League East standings, but they’re likely first in diversity.

Rev. Wilbert D. Talley reaches 50th anniversary milestone at King William church
“I never expected to reach this kind of milestone.”

VCU receives formal designation as minority-serving institution
Virginia Commonwealth University officially has joined the ranks of schools with a federal designation for serving minority students.

City offers amnesty for past-due parking ticket penalties
Good news for people with old, unpaid Richmond parking tickets: City Hall will waive the penalties if the tickets are paid by Monday, Sept. 12.

City officials tout efforts, framework to prevent gun violence
Richmond officials have recommended investing more than $140 million in federal and local funds for a multi-pronged approach to intervening in the lives of those affected by gun violence, tackling the root causes behind the violence and preventing further injury and death.

Proposed city budget includes help for aging mobile homes and examination of real estate taxes
For the first time, Richmond will help pay for fixing up aging trailers and mobile homes.

School Board reverses course, approves River City Middle rezoning
The Richmond School Board approved a rezoning plan for River City Middle School that will alleviate the overcrowding that has occurred in the first year of the school’s opening for in-person learning.

Former city worker and union advocate: ‘I had no one to go to bat for me’
Andrew Thomas hoped to build a career in the Richmond Department of Public Utilities. Instead, the 49-year-old Jamaica native has quit the department after seven years.

Activist, therapist, author, designer and prosecutor among this year’s commencement speakers
Area colleges and universities are returning to in-person commencements this year after two years of relying on virtual ceremonies because of COVID-19.

Players’ fortunes rise with the NFL draft; others seeking free agent contract
If Jahan Dotson does in the NFL what he did in college, the Washington Commanders’ first season could have fans dancing in the aisles at FedEx Field.

Rev. Marlene E. Forrest to be installed as rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
The Rev. Marlene E. Forrest will be installed as the 23rd rector of historic St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in North Side on Saturday, May 14.

Artist William R. ‘Junie Red’ Johnson Jr. succumbs at 70
“Junie Red” cut steel for a living. But in his free time, the Richmond native let his creative juices flow in transforming metal pieces into abstract sculptures and painting a variety of subjects, most notably imagined landscapes of other worlds.

Personality: LeTeisha Gordon
Spotlight on founder and program director of A Better Day Than Yesterday Initiative Program
“Ms. Gordon, how would you rebuild a relationship with someone that was released from prison?”

Abortion battle erupts with leaded U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion
America’s decades-old battle over abortion rights exploded anew on Tuesday as the U.S. Supreme Court authenticated a draft opinion leaked to the news outlet Politico that signaled the court will soon overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.

Portsmouth lawmaker led successful ouster of Filler-Corn; seeks to replace her as House minority leader
Delegate Don L. “Scotty” Scott Jr. of Portsmouth, an attorney and former Navy officer who once served time in prison, took a first step to becoming the Democratic leader in the House of Delegates.

Speak out on transportation funding
The funding decisions local leaders make today impact our collective future. That’s why the Central Virginia Transportation Authority would like to hear from the public about a new proposed funding scenario that includes $276.4 million to improve the region’s bike, pedestrian, bridge and highway infrastructure.