The biggest victory
Congratulations to the new national basketball champions, the University of Virginia Cavaliers. After a series of heart-pounding, nail-biting games — including a tense, overtime victory in Monday night’s final — the Wahoos have brought home the NCAA men’s basketball trophy, flooding all Virginians with pride.
Taking potshots at vaccines
Measles cases have cropped up across 12 states over the last 10 weeks, nearly two decades since the highly contagious disease was said to be eradicated in the United States. Temple University in Philadelphia has reported more than 100 cases of mumps in an outbreak, and more cases are spreading across the Philadelphia region.
Dr. Allia L. Carter promoted to No. 2 role at VUU
Dr. Allia Lakenya Carter, a 22-year veteran of higher education, has been promoted to the No. 2 executive position at Virginia Union University, the historic North Side school announced this week.
17th Street Farmers’ Market
Who should Richmond residents see about a partial refund of the $3.6 million in taxpayers’ dollars spent on what was supposed to be a rehab of the 17th Street Farmers’ Market?
MathScience Innovation Center to be hampered by cuts
No matter how you do the math, one MathScience Innovation Center, minus four school systems, equals downsizing.
Regional recycling program at risk with Chesterfield, others pulling out
Chesterfield County is poised to pull out of a regional curbside recycling program, which could require Richmond and Henrico County to boost their subsidies to maintain the program.
What’s in a kiss? Wilder accused of sexual impropriety by VCU student
Aging political lion L. Douglas Wilder allegedly propositioned a Virginia Commonwealth University student who was young enough to be his great-granddaughter and has ended up receiving what amounts to an embarrassing and highly public slap from the young woman.
Fairfax releases polygraph results as accusers hit airwaves
After two women appeared on national television this week accusing him of sexual assault, Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax released results of polygraph examinations that he says exonerate him.
ABC’s of costs
The administration of Mayor Levar M. Stoney insists that the contracts awarded to build three new city schools “are reflective of the best possible prices given the scope of the work and the current market conditions.”
Chicago makes history in mayoral race
Lori Lightfoot’s victory in the Chicago mayor’s race signaled hope among voters that the nation’s third-largest city may someday move beyond long-entrenched divides, racial and otherwise, that have left large parts of the metropolis feeling ignored by people in power.
Va. NAACP to be run by Tenn. official
The longtime president of the Tennessee NAACP has been handed control of the Virginia State Conference NAACP. Gloria Jean Sweet-Love, who has earned credit for turning around NAACP operations in her state during her 24-year tenure at the helm, was named administrator for the Virginia operations and given sweeping powers over state NAACP policies, programs and expenditures.
Gov. Wilder as mentor
I believe God places particular persons in my life to help me navigate through my journey. One of those persons is former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder.
Taxation not solution for Richmond Public Schools
Re Column “We must invest in ourselves,” Free Press March 28-30 edition: While I can agree with Dr. Ravi K. Perry’s assertion that the state of Richmond Public Schools reflects years of racist policies, I do not agree with his solution.
Another Trump lie: Health care
Donald Trump’s madcap presidency is now seeking to strip 20 million Americans of their health care coverage. He has instructed the U.S. Justice Department to join the lawsuit seeking to declare the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. He then proclaimed that Republicans would offer a far better alternative, tweeting they’ll become the “Party of Great Health Care.”
Raising the minimum wage
It is unfathomable that the federal minimum wage has not been increased in more than a decade, since 2007. It is also unfathomable that the minimum wage, at $7.25 per hour, has remained flat through recession and recovery, through extremely high unemployment rates and much lower ones.
The ghosts of truth
The allegations of sexual assault lodged against Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax seem to follow him like unwelcomed ghosts. The latest appearance of these apparitions arose earlier this week in television interviews with Oprah’s bestie, Gayle King, that were broadcast over three days by CBS News.
‘Once On This Island’ to be performed April 17 and 18
Students from Armstrong and Richmond Community High Schools are putting on a play, “Once On This Island,” about a peasant girl who uses the power of love to bring together people from different social classes.
UR and Armstrong High students present ‘Civil Rights Richmond: Then and Now’
University of Richmond students will team with students from Armstrong High School’s Leadership Program in a performance next week to highlight the university’s exhibition, “Growing Up in Civil Rights Richmond.”
Inaugural Richmond Night Market kicks off April 13 at 17th Street Farmers’ Market
The Richmond Night Market, a new monthly gathering celebrating the city’s food, art and culture, will be held 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the 17th Street Farmers’ Market in Shockoe Bottom and will take place the second Saturday of each month through December.
VUU Legacy Awards this Friday, April 5
Virginia Union University’s 7th Annual Legacy Awards and Scholarship Gala will be held Friday, April 5, at The Shed at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St. in Shockoe Bottom. It opens with a VIP reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing to the music of the VUU Jazz Ensemble and the Legacy Band.
