State auditor concludes city doesn’t need state intervention
Richmond can handle its financial problems without the state needing to hold its hand. That’s the conclusion the state auditor of public accounts reached after reviewing the city’s information on its financial operations and holding discussions with the city’s finance officials.
Punxsutawney Phil needs to be retired
As time passes, traditions that are no longer in sync with enlightened attitudes must evolve. It’s time to retire Punxsutawney, Pa.,’s annual groundhog spectacle.
Confederate on Virginia Women’s Monument ‘will diminish’ it
Once again, the state of Virginia has allowed some to dishonor, or fail to acknowledge, the vast accomplishments and the very existence of a marginalized people or population as it proceeds toward the erection of another Confederate statue, that of Confederate Capt. Sally Tompkins on the Virginia Women’s Monument.
West End Dialysis Center responds
Re “ ‘I was handed a death sentence’: Advocates help NAACP stalwart Ora Lomax receive life-saving dialysis after a Henrico center moves to terminate her treatment,” Free Press Feb. 1-3 edition:
Unemployment and wage gap
President Trump keeps boasting about the low black unemployment rate, although African-Americans still suffer nearly twice the unemployment rate as white people do. What the president never mentions is the growing racial wealth gap — the economic disparity between white people and people of color that plagues this country.
Meals tax increase is ‘a critical start’
I am a single man with no children. I strongly support Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s proposal to add a cent and a half increase to Richmond’s meals tax to fund the construction of new schools for our city’s children.
A display of illness
Move over Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un. President Trump wants to show you up. Our ego-driven president wants to have a military parade showing off American might — tanks, planes, rockets, weapons and soldiers in step.
Let the journey begin
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” — Chinese proverb The task to improve the long-neglected, decrepit buildings in which we expect Richmond’s 24,000 public schools students to learn is a daunting one.
Love stories
The Free Press proudly presents its annual Valentine’s Day feature. It shares the love stories of four Richmond area couples.
Trumpet Awards to be presented Feb.11
Six people and the group Cameo will be celebrated for the their achievements and contributions during the 2018 Trumpet Awards to air on Bounce TV at 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.
Philadelphia flying high after Eagles claim victory in Super Bowl LII
Philadelphia counts among its top heroes Ben Franklin. And the most famous date in Philadelphia is July 4, 1776, the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
U.S. athletes bring diversity to 2018 Winter Olympics
The Winter Olympics, sometimes called the “white Olympics,” is gaining in diversity. The United States delegation of 242 athletes heading to South Korea will include 10 African-Americans, including its first African-American hockey player.
Jermaine Marrow brings excitement — and big fan numbers — to Hampton Pirates
Two of the brightest subjects regarding Hampton University basketball are Jermaine Marrow and home attendance. It’s reasonable to assume the two are linked.
Former Rams coach returns with Dayton Flyers to play VCU this Saturday
Virginia Commonwealth University and the state of Florida, while far apart geographically, have long been linked on the basketball map.
Standing room only for John Marshall-Trinity showdown at the Ashe Center
No. 1 versus No. 2. Private versus public.
Church to become regional private school for children with disabilities
A former church is about to become the new home of a regional private school that serves children with autism and other mental challenges.
Members await naming of interim pastor at Thirty-first Street Baptist
Thirty-first Street Baptist Church continues to face turmoil after the retirement of its pastor, Dr. Morris J. Henderson. Dr. Henderson officially stepped down as pastor of the East End church on Jan. 31, although he had stopped preaching at Sunday morning services earlier in the month. An interim pastor has yet to be named, members said.
Pat Robertson recovering from stroke
Televangelist Pat Robertson is recovering after suffering an embolic stroke.
Dennis Edwards, former member of The Temptations, dies at 74
Grammy winner Dennis Edwards, who performed lead vocals for some of the chart-topping Motown singles recorded by The Temptations in the 1960s and 1970s, has died at age 74.
Personality: Jamar Jones
Spotlight on area actor in Black History Month production
“We can learn from our ancestors that it is possible to blaze our trail in order to improve the lives of our descendants because they will be a direct reflection of what we accomplish in our lives.”
