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.
Independence day: Queen blesses Harry's and Meghan's exit as senior royals
Queen Elizabeth has reluctantly agreed to the wish of her grandson, Prince Harry, and his wife, former American actress Meghan Markle, for a more independent future after the British royal family held crisis talks on Monday to resolve a widening rift among the Windsors.
Not here
Virginia Union University rescinds permission for outside group to use campus facility for Trump event
Virginia Union University on Tuesday pulled out of allowing a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration after learning the private group arranging the event planned to bring President Trump to the campus to be honored.
'Bunching' problem plaguing Pulse service
The Pulse’s reputation for fast, reliable service has begun to take a hit, with the potential to undermine the public transit company’s ability to get more people to skip their cars and take the bus.
Readers weigh in on Coliseum and Downtown development proposal
Re: “Thumbs down: City Council-appointed advisory commission rejects $1.5B Coliseum and Downtown redevelopment plan after 3-month review,” Free Press Dec. 26-28 edition:
Emancipation Proclamation still under attack, by Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
Jan. 1 marked the anniversary of a new America. On Jan. 1, 1863, as the Civil War approached the end of its second year, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are and henceforward shall be free.”
The next debate, by Julianne Malveaux
Democrats started this presidential campaign season with more than 20 candidates. Eventually, it dropped to about a dozen, with, so far, only five of those “qualified” to appear on the next debate stage this month.
Trump, Iran and answers
Now that President Trump has pushed America to the brink of war in the Middle East, we want answers.
Opportunity time
The 2020 Virginia General Assembly session started on Wednesday with several historic markers of note.
