Virginia Reads One Book kicks off Friday in city elementary schools
Richmond elementary schools are joining Virginia Reads One Book, a program designed to help schools and communities build reading habits, increase student and family literacy and family financial literacy.
Rogers named Dumfries town manager
On Tuesday, Mr. Rogers reported to his new position — town manager of Dumfries in Prince William County. The post pays nearly $134,000 a year.
Doris Causey honored with Hill-Tucker Public Service Award
One of the top civil lawyers for low-income residents in the Richmond area has received recognition for the important work she is doing. Doris H. Causey, managing attorney for the Richmond Office of the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, is the 2019 winner of the Hill-Tucker Public Service Award.
State NAACP officer charged with embezzlement from local branch
The Virginia State NAACP, already under national scrutiny, is facing more woes following the disclosure that an officer has been charged with misdemeanor embezzlement from the Chesterfield Branch NAACP.
School Board sends proposed $310.6M budget to mayor
The Richmond School Board voted 6-3 Monday night to send to Mayor Levar M. Stoney a proposed $310.6 million operating budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year that will begin July 1 — equaling a per pupil cost of $13,362 for each of the estimated 23,200 students expected to be enrolled in city schools next fall in preschool through 12th grade.
Making moves
Legal battle to remove Parker Agelasto from City Council ramps up
The legal fight to remove 5th District City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto from office as the result of his move to the 1st District last year is gaining new energy.
Lt. Gov. Fairfax compares ‘rush to judgment’ against him to Jim Crow-era lynching
With his political career in tatters, embattled Democratic Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax took a stand against his critics in the final moments of the 2019 General Assembly session.
No holiday for justice as protesters hold March of Reckoning
Banks and schools may have been closed Monday, but around 50 political activists descended on Bank Street and went to work protesting against Gov. Ralph S. Northam and other elected officials.
‘We all have something bad we have done’
I’d like to put my 2 cents worth in about the people put in office and in charge of running Virginia.
Background checks for elected officials
Where are we as Virginians and Americans that we can strip a man of his reputation, career, family and livelihood based on an accusation that has not been proven in a court of law?
Forgive and hold Gov. Northam accountable
In the current political challenges facing our Commonwealth, I was taken aback by comments and ideologies espoused by the Rev. Al Sharpton during a gathering at Virginia Union University. I vehemently disagree with Rev. Sharpton’s observations on forgiveness in this matter of Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s inappropriate actions of appearing in blackface.
Trump’s wall no national emergency
President Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency in order to fund his border wall triggers a crisis for our Constitution and our democracy. This is no longer about the shameless lies, exaggerations and slanders that the president has trotted out to justify his silly campaign promise to build a wall that he promised Mexico would pay for.
Blackface: An insulting mask of privilege
As a black student in overwhelmingly white schools in Louisiana, I faced my share of racial insults and slights. But one of the more memorable incidents was not even a deliberate slight directed at me. The offenders probably didn’t even think of me. But when a group of my classmates contemptuously affected exaggerated accents mocking black people as part of a school production, I walked out.
Today’s last word from Richard Wright
We thank Richmond Free Press reader Rosalyn A. Brackett for sharing the words of author Richard Wright published in his 1945 memoir, “Black Boy.”
Happy anniversary, Mr. Kamras
The honeymoon is over for Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras.
New online magazine to focus on people making contributions
B.K. Fulton, a creative media entrepreneur in Richmond, has launched an online entertainment and lifestyle magazine.
20 feature films vying for Africa’s ‘Golden Globes’
Twenty feature-length films by African filmmakers will compete for the “Yennanga” Gold Standard prize at the Pan-African Film and Television Festival held every other year in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Jussie Smollett attack staged?
Questions continue to swirl around “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett this week after reports surfaced Wednesday that Chicago Police classified Mr. Smollett as a suspect in a criminal investigation for allegedly filing a false report.
Ruth E. Carter poised for Oscar win Sunday
It’s a big week for Ruth E. Carter, who on Sunday could become the first African-American to win an Academy Award for costume design for her Afro-futuristic wardrobes in “Black Panther.”
NBA’s Harden ranks right up there with Wilt
James Harden is turning into a modern day Wilt Chamberlain on the basketball court. The Houston Rockets guard is running away with the NBA’s individual scoring championship, much like Chamberlain did more than a half century ago.
