Biden commutes federal death sentences, spares 37 lives
President Biden on Monday announced that he is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office.
Musk takes on Washington, but can he take over? by Clarence Page
Watching the year-end budget fights in Congress as we await the second term of President-elect Donald Trump, I find myself wondering: Will this era be remembered as the time when Trump was president and Elon Musk ran the country?
Christmas Memories
Holiday memories are shaped by the families we hold dear — whether they are the families we are born into or the ones we build through the bonds formed at church, work, or through social connections.
Richmond Symphony teams up with Butcher Brown to celebrate Black film scores
The classically trained musicians of the Richmond Symphony are preparing to share the stage with hometown heroes Butcher Brown, weaving together two musical worlds to breathe new life into some of Black cinema’s most memorable soundtracks.
The Liberty in Laundry Act sounds like a joke – it’s not by Ben Jealous
The incoming Trump administration is supposedly interested in “efficiency.”
Custodians demand justice after alleged retaliatory firings, file federal charges
Just days before Christmas, two custodians contracted with the City of Richmond delivered a lump of coal to their former employer, along with federal charges alleging they were fired in retaliation for their union activities due to disability discrimination.
The Mayor’s exit
‘I work too damn hard to have any regrets’
Run through the tape. That’s the message written on a markerboard by Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s office. It likely refers to his busy final days in office, which included a “Faring Well” tour, “exit interviews” with local news outlets, in addition to his usual responsibilities.
RPS distributes food for holiday season
Richmond Public Schools held its Holiday Harvest Distribution on Saturday at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, where volunteers assembled meal boxes to support families facing food insecurity during the school division’s winter break.
NFL great Michael Vick introduced as Norfolk State’s football coach
To shouts of “Coach” and “Let’s go Spartans,” Michael Vick was introduced Monday as Norfolk State’s football coach, a homecoming for the former NFL star and a splashy, attention-grabbing hire for a program that has struggled in recent years.
Chavis leaves Maggie Walker CLT Board, citing setbacks with Bensley Agrihood project
Duron Chavis, executive director of Happily Natural Day, recently announced his resignation from the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust Board of Directors after serving for seven years.
Holiday schedule
In observance of New Year's Day, Jan. 1, please note the following:
New poll shows over half of Va. drivers are driving distracted
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Drive Smart Virginia are urging Virginians to stay focused while driving this holiday season as part of their “Your Presence is the Real Present” campaign.
Henrico to recycle Christmas trees into mulch starting Dec. 26
Henrico County will accept Christmas trees for recycling into mulch from Dec. 26 through Jan. 9.
Smoltz returns to Richmond for Flying Squirrels’ opener
Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz will return to Richmond to throw out the ceremonial first pitch opening night for the Flying Squirrels on April 4, 2025, the team announced Monday.
Colonial Downs sets race season schedule
Colonial Downs will host a record 44 days of live racing in 2025 including Virginia’s first Kentucky Derby qualifier on March 15.
Boxing’s next generation stars in Richmond’s national championships
Richmond’s Nnajai Wright and six Olympians shined at the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships, which concluded Saturday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center after a week of intense competition featuring nearly 900 boxers from across the country.
Oldest known stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments sells for over $5M
The oldest known stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments sold for more than $5 million at an auction last Wednesday.
Senate passes McClellan’s bill to rename Petersburg Post Office
The U.S. Senate has passed Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan’s (VA-04) first standalone bill, H.R. 7385, to rename the Petersburg Post Office as the John Mercer Langston United States Postal Service Building.
Cousins announces re-election bid for House of Delegates
Democratic Delegate Rae Cousins announced her re-election campaign for the 79th District in Virginia’s House of Delegates last week.