More information emerges on Fairfax’s second accuser
Information about Meredith Watson, who alleged Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax raped her in college almost 20 years ago, has surfaced in multiple reliable media reports.
Richmonders react
Virginians continue to witness the chaos and confusion consuming Virginia’s top executives.
‘Unmasking Blackface’ discussion Feb.18 at Black History Museum
“Unmasking Blackface” will be the topic of a community conversation 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St.
Gov. Northam apology tour
Gov. Ralph S. Northam will attend a Virginia Union University chapel service on “Faith, Identity and Social Justice” next week as part of his “apology tour in the aftermath of his blackface photo controversy,” university officials announced.
4 contenders for VUU QB post next season
Coach Parker contends he has four solid candidates to replace departing senior Darius Taylor as the Panthers’ signal caller.
Baseball great Frank Robinson dies at 83
The world of baseball has lost a legend. The great Frank Robinson died Thursday, Feb. 7, in Los Angeles following a lengthy illness at age 83.
Love Stories
The Free Press proudly presents its annual Valentine’s Day feature sharing the Love Stories of four Richmond area couples.
City to get new children’s hospital
Construction is set to start in a few months on a $350 million, 92-bed hospital for children on the medical campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Catholic dioceses release list of 58 clergy accused of sexually abusing children
Virginia’s two Roman Catholic dioceses on Wednesday published lists of 58 priests credibly accused of sexually abusing minors, joining other dioceses around the country in answering calls to make public the names of abusive clergy.
Council approves new housing, shelter policies
Overshadowed by the debate over renaming the Boulevard, Richmond City Council Monday night unanimously approved policy changes that will impact affordable housing and the use of city property for cold weather shelters.
7 honored in 2019 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History program
Seven outstanding African-American leaders were celebrated during the seventh annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” awards program Feb. 7 at a Downtown hotel.
Rap scores Grammy breakthrough while girl power rules awards show
“This is America,” Childish Gambino’s searing indictment of police brutality and racism, scored a breakthrough for rap on Sunday at the Grammy Awards by winning both record and song of the year and becoming the first hip-hop track to win either of the top Grammy categories in 61 years.
Northam, Fairfax and next steps
The controversy swamping Virginia’s top three executives continues, with Gov. Ralph S. Northam refusing to resign in the wake of his 1984 medical school yearbook photos and blackface scandal; Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax standing accused by a second woman of sexual assault in 2000 while the two were students at Duke University; and Attorney General Mark R. Herring laying low after admitting that he, too, wore blackface to a party in 1980 as a 19-year-old student at the University of Virginia.
Arthur Ashe Blvd.
We applaud the Richmond City Council for voting earlier this week to rename the Boulevard in honor of Richmond native and tennis great Arthur Ashe Jr.
Why impeachment for Fairfax?
When the accusations of sexual assault were made against Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax by two different women, he stated without equivocation that the sexual liaisons were consensual. At this point, Lt. Gov. Fairfax must be given the presumption of innocence, which is the cornerstone of American jurisprudence.
Personality: Kenneth M. Dye
Spotlight on board chairman of GRASP Inc.
For many students from low-income families, a college education is out of reach. GRASP, the Richmond-based Great Aspirations Scholarship Program Inc., may be the answer.
Rev. Franklin, 47, dies after preaching sermon
The Rev. Charles M. Franklin Jr. preached a sermon, finished serving communion and had gone into his office at Ray of Hope Baptist Church in Northeast Baltimore on Sunday, Feb. 10, when he lapsed into a seizure.
City Council and street names
One Richmond group is calling on City Council to change the names of streets and bridges that are named for slaveholders and those who fought to keep African-Americans enslaved.
