First female Muslim chaplain commissioned by the U.S. military
The U.S. Air Force commissioned its first Muslim woman chaplain candidate last month, marking the first time the U.S. military will have a female chaplain of the Islamic faith.
Byron E. Howlett Sr., former head of Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union, dies at 73
Byron E. Howlett Sr. led the modernization of the Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union during his 19 years as the second president and chief execu- tive officer of the oldest African-American financial institution still in operation in Richmond.
Mary F. Conyers, former RPS teacher, dies at 87
Mary Foster Conyers never forgot a promise she made to her father when she got married — that she would complete her college degree.
Longtime political cartoonist Ron Rogers dies at 65
Ron Rogers, a longtime political cartoonist whose start began in 1980 for the former Richmond Afro-American and Planet, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, after a sudden illness.
Personality: Edward G. Hamlin Jr.
Spotlight on 2019 Astorian of the Year
An award from one of Richmond’s oldest African-American organizations would be an extraordinary honor for just about anyone. For Edward Ganon Hamlin Jr., his award reaffirms his close connection to a group that has helped him “define what a man should contribute to a community organization.”
Advocates rally for prison reform bills at State Capitol
Activists, family members and supporters rallied last Saturday at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square to support prison reform bills filed recently in the General Assembly, including measures such as parole, record expungement and incentives for good behavior.
Hanover NAACP lawsuit to change names of Confederate schools continues in federal court
A federal lawsuit launched by the Hanover County Branch NAACP against the Hanover County School Board to force the board to eliminate the Confederate names of two schools is still alive following a hearing Tuesday afternoon in a Richmond federal court.
$200M loss spurs City Council to revise real estate tax abatement program
For at least two decades, Richmond has primed the redevelopment pump by allowing individuals and companies that improve aging houses, apartment buildings and commercial properties to pay reduced property taxes over 10 years without any restrictions.
Nonprofit regional partnership works to tackle housing affordability issues
Soaring housing costs are leaving tens of thousands of families across the Richmond region hard-pressed to pay the rent or purchase a residence.
Voting begins this week in Virginia's Democratic presidential primary
The first votes in the Democratic presidential primary in Virginia will be cast this week — 45 days before the scheduled March 3 primary election across the state.
Mayor withdraws proposal to change definition of 'emerging small businesses'
A proposal to redefine City Hall’s definition of “emerging small businesses” has been scrapped following a Free Press report last week highlighting the potential detriment the change could create for city-based businesses seeking city contracts.
Mayor's State of the City address scheduled for Jan. 28
Mayor Levar M. Stoney plans to deliver his third State of the City address 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., his office announced.
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday schedule
In observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 20, please note the following:
ERA passes hurdles toward final approval
Virginia moved to the brink of becoming the crucial 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment on Wednesday in what was seen as a momentous victory by women’s rights advocates, although it is far from certain the measure will be added to the U.S. Constitution.
Planned Parenthood to open clinic in Church Hill
The former home of Edloe’s Pharmacy and Drs. Frank S. and Harry W. Royal’s medical practices in Church Hill is being transformed into a full-service women’s clinic for the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood.
Salvation Arms headquarters move to North Side has clear path from City Council
The Salvation Army appears to have won its nine-month battle to move its Central Virginia headquarters and shelter program from Downtown to North Side after the main opponent, 3rd District Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, dropped his opposition.
Bill would set up regional transportation authority and generate $ for public projects, including GRTC transfer station
A proposal that could generate tens of millions of dollars for roads and GRTC transit service in Richmond and eight other localities in the region is working its way through the General Assembly.
Beauty and brains
Miss America shows Carver students how royalty and science mix
Wearing a white lab coat adorned with sequins, goggles and a sparkling crown, newly crowned Miss America Camille Schrier demonstrated mad science as she mesmerized an excited and cheering group of Carver Elementary School fourth-graders Wednesday at the Science Museum of Virginia.
Gov. Northam issues temporary weapons ban
Fearing a repeat of the deadly violence that engulfed Charlottesville more than two years ago, Gov. Ralph S. Northam declared a temporary state of emergency Wednesday that would ban all weapons, including guns, knives, sticks, bats, chains and projectiles, from Capitol Square through the weekend and until Tuesday.
Serena Williams wins Auckland Classic; donates money to help bushfire victims
Former world No. 1 tennis star Serena Williams won the World Tennis Association’s Auckland Classic last Sunday — her first title since 2017 — and immediately donated her prize money to aid victims of Australia’s deadly bushfires.
