Advocates launch effort to expand paid sick days for workers
An alliance of 25 Virginia organizations, coordinated by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, is calling for the expansion of paid sick days across the Commonwealth to aid workers and their families in a way that may help stem the spread of COVID-19.
Correction
City Hall has not begun talks with the Loving family about purchasing 12 parcels in Shockoe Bottom, including the vacant Loving’s Produce building at 1601 E. Grace St., to add to the proposed Enslaved African Heritage Campus, according to Jim Nolan, press secretary to Mayor Levar M. Stoney.
Dr. Anthony Fauci to address COVID-19 myths on city panel Jan. 8
The nation’s top doctor in the battle against COVID-19 will participate in a virtual discussion of health disparities and the coronavirus on Friday, Jan. 8, that will be open to the public.
Hopewell nurse dies helping COVID-19 patients
One hour after the new year began, nurse Syvie M. Robertson died at age 51 from COVID-19 complications at Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond, leaving behind a loving family and promising future.
School Board swears in new members, selects new leaders
The East End gained another leadership post with Cheryl L. Burke’s election as the new Richmond School Board chair.
Minority-owned companies waited months for federal COVID-19 relief loans
Thousands of minority-owned small businesses were at the end of the line in the government’s coronavirus relief program as many struggled to find banks that would accept their applications or were disadvantaged by the terms of the program.
IRS claims Prince’s estate undervalued by 50 percent
The ongoing controversy over the money left behind by Prince when he died without a will is heating up again after Internal Revenue Service calculations showed that executors of the rock star’s estate undervalued it by 50 percent, or about $80 million.
Record-breaking weightlifter Baron Dixon defies stereotypes as a vegan
Baron Dixon fits the image of a weight-lifting champion with arms like tree trunks, legs thick as courthouse pillars and boulder shoulders.
Historic Black church in DC sues Proud Boys over property destruction
A historic Black church has filed a lawsuit against members of the Proud Boys after a leader of the white supremacist group took credit for burning a Black Lives Matter sign belonging to the Washington church.
New City Council has history-making membership
Along with welcoming two new members, City Council installed two veterans and allies of Mayor Levar M. Stoney in its top leadership posts Monday and reshuffled committee chairmanships.
Mary P. James, first lady of Trinity Baptist Church, succumbs at 74
The first lady of Trinity Baptist Church in North Side has died. Mary Peebles “Mary P” James, wife of Dr. A. Lincoln James Jr., who has led the church for 40 years, succumbed to illness on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. She was 74.
Personality: Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson
Spotlight on VUU board chairman and the MLK Community Leaders Celebration
For the first time in 43 years, Virginia Union University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leaders Breakfast will be a virtual celebration.
Mayor’s new term to focus on transforming city into ‘capital of compassion’
Mayor Levar M. Stoney promised to listen more, engage the community in developing initiatives and push for “justice and equity” as he was sworn in Monday for a second four-year term.
No charges in shootings of Jacob Blake and Tamir Rice
A Wisconsin prosecutor declined Tuesday to file charges against a white police officer who shot a Black man in the back in Kenosha, Wis., concluding he couldn’t disprove the officer’s contention that he acted in self-defense because he feared the man would stab him.
Kudos to Richmond Free Press
Thank you, Richmond Free Press, for delivering a quality newspaper on a weekly basis.
Wider concerns about cemetery reclamation lacking in article
Re “Work at historic cemeteries continues during pandemic,” Free Press Dec. 24-26 edition:
General Assembly has final say on Capitol statue
The Virginia General Assembly has the final decision on the statue that will forever be a reflection of Virginia in our U.S. Capitol.
Others more deserving of a statue in U.S. Capitol
Re: “Statue of teen civil rights advocate set to represent Virginia in U.S. Capitol,” Free Press Dec. 17-19 edition:
