Local groups join ‘Good Trouble’ day of action rallies
Activists in Richmond and across the country will honor the legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis on Thursday with marches, rallies and calls to action aimed at defending civil rights and expanding voter protections.
A tribute to Black legacy in performance and public service
Richmonders paid tribute to two historic legacies with commemorative events held days apart. The Richmond Fire Department and community partners marked the 75th anniversary of Virginia’s first Black professional firefighters, while the Astoria Beneficial Club Inc. hosted its 52nd annual service honoring the enduring legacy of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
Thousands gather in Richmond for Ahmadiyya Muslim convention
Nearly 10,000 Muslim Americans gathered at the Greater Richmond Convention Center over the Fourth of July weekend for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s 75th annual convention.
Camels, ostriches and zebras set to race at Colonial Downs
Colonial Downs is adding a wild twist to its summer racing season with exotic animal races set for Friday, July 11.
CIAA extends Baltimore basketball tournament partnership
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Board of Directors approved Baltimore as the host city for the men’s and women’s basketball tournament through 2029 during its annual spring meeting last month at Virginia State University.
Vick era at Norfolk State to kick off in primetime, bolstered by new recruits
The Michael Vick era at Norfolk State will begin on a national stage with a primetime matchup and a bolstered roster.
Squirrels sweep Baysox with 12-2 rout, set season high in runs
The Richmond Flying Squirrels capped a dominant weekend with a 12-2 blowout win over the Bowie Baysox on Sunday afternoon at Prince George’s Stadium, completing a three-game sweep and setting a new season high for runs scored.
Trump’s promises of cuts lost in a sea of costly waste
In these hectic weeks of the Trump administration, America has witnessed has witnessed division, hatred, complete disregard for the Constitution and the law. There have been sudden cuts and disruptions to important departments such as the Department of Education, USAID, DEI programs and other departments. Employees have been fired, furloughed without notice and given ultimatums.
Divesting from education is divesting from our future, by Ben Jealous
The big ugly boondoggle, which our president calls the “Big Beautiful Bill,” is a transfer of resources from the poor to the wealthy, preserving 2017 tax cuts, cutting Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps), imposing new work requirements for benefits, and increasing defense spending by at least 13%. Kasey Kosgarian, director of the National Priorities Project of the Institute for Policy Studies, posed our choices as “weapons and war or food and health care.” We have apparently chosen weapons and war, and the rest of us exist in peril.
School spirit
I didn’t attend school in Richmond Public Schools, but even from a distance I was aware of the strong school spirit that some Richmonders have for their high schools. It’s similar to a sorority or fraternity, in some ways, except that the schools were less picky about who they let in.
Morenike Miles appointed to VSU Board of Visitors
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed Morenike Miles, a senior executive at Dominion Energy, to the Virginia State University Board of Visitors, the university announced.
Beto O’Rourke to host town hall in Glen Allen on July 19
Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke will hold a public town hall meeting at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.
Charles brings listening tour to Richmond theater
Independent gubernatorial candidate Donna Charles will host a community listening session Saturday in Richmond as she seeks to become Virginia’s first elected female governor.
Voices sought to shape memorial at lost burial site in Shockoe Hill
City officials and local partners are inviting the public to weigh in on plans for a permanent memorial at the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground, where an estimated 22,000 free and enslaved African Americans were laid to rest.
Richmond’s procurement director steps into interim deputy CAO role
Rene Almaraz, Richmond’s director of procurement, has been named interim deputy chief administrative officer for finance and administration.
Henrico gets a head start with back-to-school bash
Henrico County Public Schools will hold its annual Back-to-School Kickoff on Thursday, July 31, at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, marking the second consecutive year the event will take place at the spacious venue. The free, divisionwide event aims to energize students and families ahead of the first day of school on Aug. 18.
Personality: Will Melton
Spotlight on the board chair of Housing Families First
Will Melton carries with him the memory of the housing insecurity his family faced growing up in Lansing, Mich. That experience, along with the loss of his father at age 12, shaped his resilience. As his mother worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, he took on the responsibility of helping care for his siblings. Despite the hardships, Melton channeled those struggles into a relentless drive, using his work as a springboard to build a different future.
City advances upgrades to water system and emergency plans
Following a series of high-profile water system failures earlier this year, Richmond officials say they are making steady progress on state-mandated improvements to the city’s water treatment operations and emergency response plans.
Festival returns to Chimborazo Park to uplift East End youth
The seventh annual RVA East End Festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 27, from noon to 7 p.m. at Chimborazo Park, 3215 E. Broad St., organizers announced Monday.
Juicy tradition continues at Hanover Tomato Festival
The 47th annual Hanover Tomato Festival returns Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville. This free, family-friendly event celebrates Hanover’s signature juicy tomatoes with live entertainment on two stages, nearly 100 vendors, and a variety of children’s activities, all centered around the beloved tomato.
