Medicaid expansion moves ahead in House of Delegates
Efforts to expand Medicaid to about 300,000 low-income adults in Virginia continue to gain momentum, as Republican House leaders on Sunday publicly embraced a form of expansion that includes work requirements and copays.
Fla. school shooting survivors hoping to be catalyst for tougher gun laws
Bodies of the dead were still inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., when the teenage survivors of the Valentine’s Day massacre began speaking out about gun violence.
Federal appeals court rules Trump travel ban unconstitutional
President Trump’s latest travel ban on travelers from six largely Muslim countries is “unconstitutionally tainted with animus toward Islam,” a federal appeals court ruled last week, delivering another blow to the policy. In a 9-4 vote, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond said on Feb. 15 that it examined statements made by President Trump and other administration officials, as well as the presidential proclamation imposing the ban, and concluded that it “second-guesses our nations dedication to religious freedom and tolerance.”
Divine sounds: Foote family celebrates gospel radio station's first anniversary
Foote family celebrates gospel radio station’s first anniversary
Richmond radio station WQCN is marking its first anniversary of delivering gospel to fans in the area on 105.3 FM. Better known as “The Choice,” the station is the growing broadcast arm of the 150-member Faith & Love Fellowship Church based on South Side.
Councilwoman seeks to expand bulk trash pickup service
Richmond City Councilwoman Kim B. Gray wants the city to include mattresses and upholstered furniture among the items routinely picked up without charge as part of the new biweekly bulk-and-brush collection program.
Police officers, city settle overtime lawsuit
City Hall has agreed to pay a bit more than $27,000 to four police officers who claimed they were denied overtime pay while assigned to former Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ security detail.
Richmond Ambulance Authority again receives accreditation
The Richmond Ambulance Authority continues to rank as one of the top emergency service agencies in the nation. The national Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services made that finding in renewing the Richmond authority’s accreditation for another three years.
Unveil the camouflage to combat bullying
Bullying is plantational authoritarianism. Someone posted on social media an adolescent male sobbing because of bullying incidents. Bullies are not those actually committing the conflicts, but those who have the authority to resolve the discords and don’t — or won’t — because of the camaraderie affiliation, causing continuing hostilities.
Dr. Lucas’ record should have been scrutinized
Re “VUU president accused of fraud,” Free Press Feb. 1-3 edition: I am a Virginia Union University alumnus and your article is not only embarrassing, but again indicative of extremely negligent administrative oversight on the part of the VUU Board of Trustees.
Dr. King’s legacy exploited
It is incredibly sad to watch how the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life and legacy inspired and changed the lives of millions, is being used to hawk trucks. The ad during the recent Super Bowl for Dodge Ram Trucks used words from one of his most inspiring speeches, “The Drum Major Instinct,” which he delivered on Feb. 4, 1968.
Hustling backward in Richmond
Richmond City Council voted 7-2 on Monday night to increase the meals tax 1.5 percent, expecting annual revenue of $9 million. This will be leveraged to borrow $150 million over five years and earmarked for renovating and building new schools for Richmond Public Schools.
No deal
We understand the need for compromise, but we believe Democratic Gov. Ralph S. Northam caved to the Republicans when he struck a deal last week with GOP House Speaker Kirk Cox.
Meals tax redux
We applaud the Richmond City Council for approving the city meals tax hike. We heard the anguish — and the urgency — from people on both sides of the meals tax debate who spoke at Monday night’s City Council meeting. In the end, what unifies us all is the universal support for Richmond Public Schools and the 24,000 youngsters who attend them.
7 African-Americans honored for ‘2018 Strong Men & Strong Women in Virginia History’
Seven outstanding African-American leaders were celebrated during the sixth annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” awards program Feb. 7 at a Downtown hotel.
Martin Luther King III to speak Feb.18 at VCU
Martin Luther King III, son of the slain civil rights leader and Coretta Scott King, will speak 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Commonwealth Ballroom in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
Hip-hop panel Feb.19 at UR
Richmond-based hip-hop artist Mad Skillz and music producer Hank Shocklee, who has produced albums for Public Enemy, LL Cool J, EPMD and others, will be featured at a University of Richmond panel on hip-hop.
VUU rebounding in view of TV cameras
The Aspire TV cameras may have served as a wake-up call for Virginia Union University’s slumbering basketball Panthers.
Alexis Johnson leading a repeat for Lady Panthers
You might say Alexis Johnson has become the “Lady Walker Part Two” story for Virginia Union University basketball.
DaVaughn Kelsie lights it up for Shaw Univ.
DaVaughn Kelsie is Shaw University’s spark from the arc. The Richmond native leads CIAA basketball in filling the cup from behind the 3-point arc.
Smothering defense propels VSU against VUU and in CIAA
Virginia State University and the University of Virginia share more than just school colors. Wearing orange and blue, the University of Virginia has featured a smothering defense in rocketing to the top rank in college hoops.
