Without federal, state dollars, city residents may pay higher sewer bills
Richmond residents could potentially see their bill for sending wastewater to the city’s treatment plant skyrocket to $170 a month or more in the coming years, officials with the city’s Department of Public Utilities are warning.
White House responds to HBCU bomb threats; Black leaders decry ‘domestic terrorism’
Black leaders are calling the recent series of bomb threats against several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) campuses “terrorism.” There have been threats to more than a dozen HBCUs so far this month, many of which occurred only in the past two days. The matter is so alarming that civil rights lawyer and attorney for the family of Ahmaud Arbery, Lee Merritt, who also is a graduate of Morehouse College, said that he believes the Biden administration should form a task force to get to the bottom of the threats and identify the source of the ongoing threats. As the news of the HBCU bomb threats over the past two days was making headlines, in the White House brief- ing on Tuesday, Feb. 1, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki reporters, “We take these threats incredibly seriously. Our Homeland Security adviser is in close touch with law enforcement authorities at a federal and local level, and we are assessing what we think the origin, the reasoning, the motivation behind it is.” The Biden administration affirmed its continued support for HBCUs in this moment that is being characterized by leaders as domestic terrorism. “We are absolutely behind these HBCUs. We want to make it very clear that we take these threats seriously and we deeply value their contributions. But it’s important for law enforcement authorities and others to make an assessment before we make any determinations about next steps,” said the presidential spokesperson. On the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, the Congressional Black Caucus plans to engage with the Department of Justice on actions to be taken to address the threat of danger against HBCUs. Meanwhile, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, To- bacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are investigating the matter. “ATF is aware of bomb threats received by some Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We take all potential threats seriously and we regularly work with our law enforcement partners to determine the threat credibility,” ATF said in a statement. “This is a fluid situation with ongoing investigations, and we can’t comment on the specifics at this time.” White House Press Secretary Psaki said, “I would not call it irony, but I would say that it is scary. It is horrifying. It is terrible that these students, these faculty, these institutions are feeling under threat.” She added, “We don’t know more details at this point in time, and I don’t want to get ahead of law enforcement authorities ... but certainly, given the history you referenced, you know, this is something we’re very mindful of, and that is why we’re so focused on providing regular updates and seeing what our law enforcement team assesses.”
From early on, Childs seen as 'destined for further things'
When she hired Michelle Childs to practice employment law in the early 1990s right out of school, Vickie Eslinger said she knew there was something different about the freshly minted South Carolina attorney.
Suicide takes Miss USA 2019
Cheslie Kryst, who won the 2019 Miss USA pageant and worked as a correspondent for the entertainment news television show “Extra,” reportedly committed suicide Jan. 30.
Metro Richmond area will host numerous events for Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African-Americans.
Then and Now: Richmond area's Super Bowl heroes
Cincinnati Bengals offensive right guard Quinton Spain - No. 67 - will become the latest local athlete to perform on football’s grandest stage.
Southern Baptist Convention taps Willie McLaurin for top leadership role
Tennessee Pastor Willie McLaurin has been named interim president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, becoming the first African-American to lead one of the denomination’s ministry entities in its more than 175-year history.
Richmond attorney Rhonda K. Harmon, who challenged Nationwide's redlining policies, has died
Rhonda Michelle King Harmon, a former attorney who helped overturn racist insurance policies that prevented Black homeowners in Richmond and elsewhere from gaining standard coverage for their property, has died.
Personality: Ricky Martin
Spotlight on Fit2Give founder’s goal to reduce health risks in underserved areas
With COVID-19 resulting in more sedentary lifestyles for many Richmond area residents, Fit2Give founder Ricky Martin believes that his nonprofit organization can help offset some of the health disparities likely to have increased in underserved communities during the ongoing pandemic.
President Biden furthers pledge to name a black woman to the Supreme Court
President Joe Biden met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at the White House on Wednesday to talk about how to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
Confederate pedestals out
Grass and landscaping to soon replace dead soldiers
Richmond’s streets and parks will soon lose virtually all vestiges of the white-supremacist Confederate statues and monuments that once loomed so large.
Former RIchmond firefighter is Petersburg's first woman fire chief
Shortly after being sworn in at Petersburg’s new fire chief on Jan. 31, Tina R. Watkins described the moment as “surreal” and something she has envisioned since childhood.
Double down
City Council's yes vote is still a gamble for South Side casino
If at first you don’t succeed, ...
New governor’s policy is killing our kids
Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin used his wealth to purchase the job of Virginia’s governor and he also bought and paid for many Virginia parents.
More now than ever, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
By now you have heard what was forecast as the inevitable — all Senate Republicans and two Senate Democrats believe the Senate Filibuster Rule to be more significant than the right of millions (actually all) of Americans to participate in free and impartial elections.
Protecting voting rights, by Sen. Tim Kaine
I’ve served in elected office since 1994 — first on the Richmond City Council, then as mayor, then lieutenant governor, governor, and now U.S. senator. The Senate seat I currently hold was occupied for 50 years, from 1933 to 1983, by Harry F. Byrd Sr. and Harry F. Byrd Jr. It became known as the “Byrd seat.” The Byrds were supporters of the Massive Resistance movement against desegregation and opponents of civil rights and voting rights legislation. Harry F. Byrd Sr. was one of 27 U.S. senators to vote against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And he was one of only 19 senators to vote against the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Black History Month and the audacity to achieve
Black History Month. Dare we say those three words alone or in a sentence?
Sundance: 'Descendant' chronicles a Black history uncovered
Rarely have past and present mingled in a documentary the way they do in “Descendant,” a nonfiction account of the last known ship to bring African captives to the American South for enslavement.
RPS joins lawsuits that challenge Youngkin's push to stop mask mandates
Richmond Public Schools is among six school districts to block Gov. Glenn Young- kin’s executive order to repeal mandates for masking in schools to protect students from spreading the Covid-19 virus.
Bryant's laser focus on basket nets wins for NSU
As sure bets go, Joe Bryant at the foul line is about as close as you’ll find.
