Hundreds to benefit from payday loan settlement
Hundreds of low-income Richmond area residents will benefit from the settlement of a lawsuit challenging the lending practices of Advance ‘Til Payday, a company that charges up to 960 percent interest on loans of $100 to $300. The settlement will result in the dismissal of at least 50 garnishment actions and 800 judgments that Advance ‘Til Payday had obtained in court against borrowers who defaulted on the loans, according to Jay Speer of the Virginia Poverty Law Center, which brought the suit.
Parking, trash collection fees to increase under new city budget
Beginning July 1, Richmond residents will be charged an extra $3.55 a month for trash collection and recycling services, largely to help fund the city’s leaf collection program. That’s an 18 percent bump that will raise the monthly cost from $19.44 to $22.99.
Richmond School Board adopts budget; cuts funds for academic improvement plan
The Richmond School Board adopted a $280 million operating budget that eliminates $4 million in numerous programs and services, but includes money for a plan to increase salaries to attract and retain teachers.
Virginia’s voter ID law upheld by federal judge
A federal judge has upheld a 2013 Virginia law requiring prospective voters to show approved photo identification before being allowed to cast ballots.
U.S. Supreme Court upholds newly redrawn congressional boundaries
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Virginia Republican efforts to overturn redrawn congressional district lines Monday, completing a sweep of this year’s major high court redistricting cases by Democrats and minorities. The justices ruled unanimously that three GOP House members challenging lines drawn by a federal district court lacked standing to bring the case because they could not show they were directly affected.
Headed for self-destruction
Since the 1970s, black folks have resolutely refused to organize a national unity movement to promote and protect our cultural, economic, political, educational, health and legal interests in what is still basically a white supremacist/racist country. One of the most significant and very harmful results of our refusal is the too high rate of homicides in too many urban areas throughout the country.
Boost the homefront first
America is literally falling apart. In Flint, children were poisoned by the lead contamination of the water. In Washington, the subway system is plagued by fires and delays. Arlington Memorial Bridge, which connects the North to the South, the Capitol to Arlington National Cemetery, may have to be closed soon. President Kennedy’s eternal flame may burn forever, but the bridge is on its last legs.
Memorial Day
In honor of those who are gone, in remembrance of those we love, we lift you up in spirit on Memorial Day.
Oprah to star in Henrietta Lacks story
Oprah Winfrey will star in an HBO movie based on the 2010 nonfiction book “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot.
Madonna, Stevie Wonder pay homage to Prince at Billboard Music Awards
Madonna paid homage to Prince by wearing his signature color and bringing another icon, Stevie Wonder, onstage to sing the classic “Purple Rain” at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards. Sitting atop a purple throne, Madonna kicked off the tribute with a version of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which Prince wrote and Sinead O’Connor recorded. She was teary-eyed as she sang the song, videos and photos of Prince projected behind her.
Cosby to stand trial on sexual assault charge
A Pennsylvania judge on Tuesday ordered comedian Bill Cosby to stand trial on accusations of sexual assault, the most serious setback so far for a man who epitomized the all-American dad on the 1980s sitcom “The Cosby Show.” Judge Elizabeth McHugh found that prosecutors presented enough evidence to support allegations that he drugged and assaulted a woman in 2004. The judge rejected arguments from Mr. Cosby’s defense lawyers that the case should be thrown out.
Bishop Tutu’s daughter quits priesthood after gay marriage
The daughter of Nobel laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu of South Africa has given up her clergy credentials after marrying a Dutch woman. Mpho Tutu told South African media that because her church did not recognize her wedding, she could no longer serve in the country.
Trump wooing evangelical Christians
Donald Trump is moving quickly to rally the evangelical base of the Republican Party as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee pivots toward a general election contest where the conservative Christian vote will be crucial to his chances for winning the White House.
Federal authorities seek death penalty in S.C. church massacre
Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a man accused of killing the pastor and eight parishioners in a racially motivated attack at an African-American church in Charleston, S.C., last June, the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday. “The nature of the alleged crime and the resulting harm compelled this decision,” Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement.
VUU’s Taylor White named CIAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Few have maximized their college experience more than Virginia Union University’s Taylor White.
MLB’s Jackie Bradley has Richmond roots
The hottest hitter in major league baseball has deep Richmond roots. Boston Red Sox centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who has an epic 29-game hitting streak, was born in Richmond in 1990, and played baseball in the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League.
African-Americans, Latinos few among MLB managers
Talk about a discrepancy. About 28.5 percent of the players in Major League Baseball (MLB) are Latinos, but there are no Latinos in the managers’ offices, according to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports based at the University of Central Florida.
High school baseball players heading to camp in Cincinnati
In Major League Baseball’s search for young African-American talent, the Richmond area hasn’t been overlooked. Tyriq Branch of Henrico High School and Chris Hayden at L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield County have been selected to participate in the Breakthrough Series, June 15 through 19 in Cincinnati.
Carter-Sheppard no longer headed to Central Florida
Jeremy Carter-Sheppard has announced on Twitter that he is de-committing from the University of Central Florida and will re-open his recruitment. The John Marshall High School senior basketball standout signed with UCF coach Donnie Jones last November. On March 23, former Duke University All-American Johnny Dawkins was named the new basketball coach at UCF, replacing Coach Donnie Jones, who was fired.
NSU basketball signs 3 transfer players
In need of immediate help, Norfolk State University basketball has gone all in on transfers. Spartans Coach Robert Jones recently announced three more signings — all transfers.
