Coach Tubby Smith returns to N.C. to coach at his alma mater
Tubby Smith has coached five schools to the NCAA Basketball Tournament. He’s hoping High Point University, his alma mater, becomes the sixth.
Catholic diocese apologizes for display of figure hanging in tree
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond apologized last Friday for the “insensitive” hanging of a homemade mannequin in a tree outside Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Henrico County.
‘Mother of South Africa’ dies at 81
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who emerged as a combative anti-apartheid campaigner during her former husband Nelson Mandela’s decades in jail but whose reputation was later tarnished by allegations of violence, died on Monday, April 2, 2018, at the age of 81.
Joe Morrissey disbarred for violating State Bar rules
“Fighting Joe” has been hit with a knockout blow. For the second time in his career, Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey, a savvy attorney and former Richmond prosecutor who built a reputation as a courtroom battler, has lost his license to practice law.
Why is it flying?
The Confederacy may have been defeated, but the flags of the rebels who fought to separate from the United States to keep black people in bondage still fly in city-owned cemeteries.
Confederate statues must come down, commission told
At a raw and emotional meeting last week with members of the Monument Avenue Commission, several speakers told commission members there is no middle ground — the Confederate statues cannot remain on Monument Avenue if the city wants to evolve beyond its racist past.
Medicaid expansion to be key in state budget battle April 11
The high-stakes battle over Virginia’s next two-year budget resumes next Wednesday, April 11. On the line: Expansion of health care to 300,000 to 400,000 low-income Virginians, pay raises for state workers and teachers, and increased state support for education, mental health and workforce development.
City Hall fends off ransomware attack
The Richmond City Hall information technology staff has fended off the same kind of ransomware attack that crippled city computers in Atlanta for more than a week.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Fifty years after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, the world honors his legacy and leadership in civil rights activism to bring freedom, equality and justice to all people.
Remembering MLK
People in Richmond and across the nation pause to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his death
On the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed 50 years ago, tens of thousands of people gathered at small and large events in Richmond and other cities on Wednesday to mourn his death, celebrate his life and rekindle his struggle for economic and social justice.
Suggestions offered to add ‘context’ to Monument Avenue statues
Richmonders are posing creative ideas for adding context to the Confederate statues along Monument Avenue. At a meeting hosted by members of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond last Friday, many of the 60 people attending the event said they would prefer the statues to be removed or relocated.
Kamras fields questions, concerns at community meeting
Richmond schools Superintendent Jason Kamras met with more than 60 parents, educators and community members from the city’s 3rd District last week in the latest of his community meetings to talk about his vision for Richmond Public Schools and to listen to concerns people have about the school system.
City introduces Living Wage Certification Program
Richmond community and business leaders gathered last week at the Washington NFL team’s training center to celebrate and discuss efforts to ensure a living wage for workers.
Manns named new Henrico schools equality and diversity officer
Monica Manns, a 43-year-old former Henrico County educator and administrator, is Henrico County Public Schools’ first director of the Office of Equity and Diversity.
City treasurer seeking volunteers for new board
City Treasurer Nichole Richardson Armstead is taking a first step to carry out her campaign promise to turn her office into a center for financial literacy.
Pointing the finger in school shootings
Re “Walkout: City students join Wednesday’s national demonstration for tougher gun laws on one-month anniversary of Florida high school massacre,” Free Press March 15-17 edition:
Va. can choose better path on carbon pollution
At a recent public hearing held by the state Department of Environmental Quality, one concerned citizen said the following about acting on climate: “We have been kicking this can down the road so long that we have run out of road.”
RPS problems remain no matter who’s in office
In 2008, I ran for the Richmond School Board. I had this crazy idea that I could fix the decades-long problems with Richmond Public Schools.
Obama leadership still matters
Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama did not go into seclusion and act like the rest of the world did not exist or impact them. They have made very important appearances on issues and on occasions that really matter.
From rally to power
Who would have thought that in less than 15 days, I would have to coordinate and manage 1,000 young black student leaders from more than 24 cities on 17 buses in the name of gun reform and safety? The reality is sometimes the work chooses you.
