The status quo is unacceptable
Editorials
Another weekend, another mass shooting — this time in Odessa, Texas, where a 36-year-old man, who had been fired from his oil services job earlier Saturday, initially shot a Texas state trooper during a routine traffic stop and then went on a 10-mile, hourlong shooting rampage, killing and wounding people in passing cars, in neighborhoods, at car dealerships and shopping plazas and killing a postal worker while hijacking her mail truck.
New Ebola drugs show promise
Two experimental treatments are raising hopes among medical personnel that a cure for the deadly Ebola virus has been found.
Robin Thede looks to build legacy in HBO comedy sketch show
Robin Thede knew plenty of talented African-American female comedians, but only a few were getting hired on popular TV comedy shows such as “Saturday Night Live” and “Mad TV.” So Ms. Thede decided to create her own show featuring some of the industry’s funniest black women. The comic-writer-producer-actress is breaking new ground with her HBO comedy series “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” which airs Friday nights.
Jepson Leadership Forum starts Sept. 17
Experts in the fields of technology, journalism, politics and education will examine leadership in the age of the internet during the annual Jepson Leadership Forum speaker series that kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the University of Richmond.
Crab Feast & Fish Fry fundraiser Saturday for Peter Paul Development Center
The Men of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will hold their annual benefit Crab Feast & Fish Fry 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Peter Paul Development Center, 1708 N. 22nd St. in the East End.
World Heritage Festival, Festival of Kites this Saturday
A free international festival on Brown’s Island that will offer children an opportunity to showcase their kite-flying skills will highlight Richmond events this weekend.
Big sounds
VUU Ambassadors of Sound Marching Band gets first female drum major
Diamond McGhee’s usual wide smile projects confidence. But the smile disappeared last week as she pulled her hair into a ponytail and focused on the students standing before her playing their instruments — clarinets, cymbals, drums, flutes, trombones and trumpets. This was band practice, but not just any band.
Steph Curry scores golf team for Howard University
What started as an innocuous conversation during a public event has evolved into a golf partnership between NBA star Stephen Curry and Howard University.
Richmond native helping to diversify NASCAR pit crew
Raynard Revels II, a former linebacker, is now tackling a new assignment. The native Richmonder has been chosen for NASCAR and Rev Racing’s Drive for Diversity Pit-Crew Program in Charlotte, N.C.
VSU Coach Reggie Barlow looking to recapture past magic in Saturday’s game against NSU
Coach Reggie Barlow’s first two seasons at Virginia State University resembled a smooth ride with a finely tuned engine. Last season was more like smoke steaming from the hood.
After 25-year hiatus, VUU Panthers to meet HU Pirates on the gridiron this Saturday
Virginia Union University and Hampton University are about to dust off one of the HBCU’s oldest gridiron rivalries.
‘A heavy lift’: Religious black voters weigh Buttigieg’s bid
The Rev. Joe Darby, a South Carolina pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, pondered a sensitive question that he knew was on the mind of his congregation. Would black voters be able to reconcile their conservative religious doctrine with voting for a gay candidate for president?
In Mississippi Delta, Catholic clergy abuse cases settle on the cheap
A famed Catholic religious order settled sex abuse cases in recent months by secretly paying two African-American Mississippi men $15,000 each and requiring them to keep silent about their claims, the Associated Press has found.
Personality: Dr. Milondra B. Coleman
Spotlight on Richmond Education Association president
The new school year brings increased responsibilities for everyone connected to the Richmond Public Schools system, but only one person is both managing her curriculum and plans to improve the lives of an entire city of schools employees. That person is Dr. Milondra B. Coleman, who balances teaching modern world history and AP government at John Marshall High School with her duties as president of the Richmond Education Association.
Israeli company introduces recycling bins for CVWMA made from recycled waste
Plastic made from banana peels, dirty diapers, discarded vegetables, mixed paper and other household waste? That’s right.
Visitation policy change for state prison inmates
Inmates in state prisons will be able change a visitation list only twice a year instead of anytime they wish, the Virginia Department of Corrections has announced.
Clarification
Richmond City Councilman Michael J. Jones, 9th District, said Monday that he would abstain if he had to vote today on the $1.5 billion Coliseum replacement plan.
Community colleges to host driver training for CDLs
Community colleges in Richmond and across the state are moving to become hubs for obtaining a commercial driver’s license, or CDL. Under a program announced Aug. 27 by Gov. Ralph S. Northam, community colleges are to be a one-stop shop where students can get required classroom training and hands-on vehicle experience and take the tests to obtain learner’s permits and CDL licenses.
Free small business course to start Sept. 19
“Mine Your Business,” a nine-week course on creating and running a small business, launches Thursday, Sept. 19, and aims to bring business fundamentals, coaching by mentors and the chance to win money to pump into a new venture.
City council candidates to meet in back-to-back forums
The eight candidates running to replace 5th District City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto will have two chances next week to impress voters at candidate forums where they will respond to questions.
