
School Board grapples with budget cuts and uncertainty in the next school year
The Richmond School Board and city schools administration continue to work on academic and staffing priorities as looming budget cuts and spending limits caused by the COVID-19 crisis hover like a dark fiscal cloud.

City Council clears way for $38.5M cut to 2020-21 budget
City Council is backing Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s proposal to cut $38.5 million from his initial budget plan for the 2020-21 fiscal year that begins July 1, even as some members aren’t sure it’s enough.

Free Press wins 13 state journalism awards
The Richmond Free Press continues its 28-year tradition of award-winning excellence.

Kay Coles James heads National Coronavirus Recovery Commission
Richmonders across the political spectrum are joining forces in trying to persuade people to keep their distance to help mitigate the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus that has taken the lives of more than 700 Virginians.

Daily Planet, CAHN and CrossOver clinics provide COVID-19 testing
As the coronavirus arrived in Richmond, the nonprofit Daily Planet Health Services in Downtown was among the quickest to set up a testing operation for its mostly low-income and homeless patients.

Nothing stops 80-year-old from taking her birthday bridge walk
When her 80th birthday arrived, Corrine V. “Coco” Mc- Claine was bound and determined not to let the coronavirus stop her from capping the celebration with her traditional practice — a walk across the Lee Bridge in Downtown.

Next steps
Gov. Northam moves to reopen Virginia on May 15
Movie theaters, barber shops and hair salons, restaurants and a host of other businesses deemed non-essential could begin to reopen Friday, May 15.

Obamas to deliver commencement addresses
Yes, they will! Former President Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, will salute the Class of 2020 in two separate virtual graduation ceremonies replacing the traditional end of high school and college.

Racist memorabilia puts Trammell in the hot seat
As a longtime member of Richmond City Council, Reva Trammell has come to be known as a reliable and outspoken advocate for the poor and elderly in the city’s 8th District. She has a reputation for challenging her political peers to govern and enact policies that protect the least powerful.

State executioner who turned against the death penalty dies at 67
For 17 years, Jerry Bronson Givens carried out death sentences as Virginia’s chief executioner. The Richmond native then spent the rest of his life crusading against the death penalty.

Personality: Michelle Johnson
Spotlight on board chair of Senior Connections
While the coronavirus affects all people regardless of gender, race or class, the elderly have seen an outsized impact in their lives. In this tense time, many are relying on the services of Senior Connections, the Capital Area Agency on Aging,

Memories of Tommie Aaron in Richmond live on
The former Richmond Braves drew headlines in 1977 by making Tommie Aaron the International League’s first African-American manager.

Former Highland Springs players drafted into NFL
NFL fans in Highland Springs now have local connections to the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Chase Young, Washington’s first NFL draft pick, plans to ‘Terrorize the Moment’
Chase Young is all business on the football field — and thinking about business off the gridiron.

VUU and VSU announce 2020-21 football schedules
CIAA football starts in September, but Virginia Union University fans won’t see their Panthers at home until October.

Coach Gilbert leaves Lady Panthers for Detroit Mercy
Virginia Union University’s next women’s basketball coach has a tough act to follow.

Coronavirus and public tantrums
Re “Timeout for COVID-19,” Richmond Free Press April 23-25 edition: Most people have an understanding of the unusual virulence of COVID-19 and the need to limit exposure and spread.

We need to protect children from human trafficking
Slavery has been abolished for more than 150 years nationwide since the enactment of the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Goal of COVID-19 testing is to protect Richmonders and their families, by Mayor Levar M. Stoney
The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc across the globe and hitting the United States especially hard. And the hardest hit racial demographic in the U.S. is African-Americans, who are both contracting the disease and dying from the disease at a much higher rate than any other group.