Former governor eligible to receive state pension
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell is once again eligible to receive his state pension and practice law now that he is no longer a felon.
Voting rights rally July 19 to coincide with hearing on Va. restoration of rights case
A Stand Up for Voting Rights rally will take place 8 a.m. July 19 at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square at 9th and Franklin streets.
Chavis to lead initiative at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Duron Chavis is leaving Virginia State University to join Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden as its first community engagement coordinato
New physics lab, majors at VUU
A new physics laboratory, and new majors in physics and cyber security at Virginia Union University, are expected to boost the number of students who want to pursue careers in cyber security.
Death penalty for Roof won’t stop the hatred
Re “Federal authorities seek death penalty in S.C. church massacre,” May 26-28 edition: Killing Dylann Roof, the Charleston church shooter and racist who wrapped himself in the Confederate flag, with the death penalty will not end the layer of white supremacy in the nation. Who do you think the major supporters of Donald Trump are?
Airbnb working to correct discrimination
You learn a lot about the character of an organization when things go wrong. For the team at Airbnb, hearing the outcry from African-American travelers who were denied lodging because of discrimination was one of these moments. I know, because I met with them in San Francisco in early June to discuss this challenge.
Affirmative action upheld
In many instances, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent affirmative action ruling upholding the University of Texas’ affirmative action program was overshadowed by a same-day order overturning President Obama’s executive order to ease illegal immigrants’ path to U.S. citizenship.
Stop the violence
The deadly violence by police against African-Americans and other people of color continues unabated. The latest victim, 37-year-old Alton Sterling, was killed Tuesday outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, La. As the graphic video shows, he had been wrestled to the ground and restrained by one police officer when another shot him five times at point blank range in his chest and back.
Exhaling
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton must be exhaling today after learning she’s off the hook criminally for her imprudent way of handling emails containing classified materials.
‘We are The Wilsons!’
Singer Ciara has one-two stepped down the aisle with NFL player Russell Wilson. The couple both posted the same photo Wednesday on Twitter and Instagram showing Ciara in a wedding gown and the Richmond native in a tuxedo with the caption, “We are The Wilsons!”
C.A.V.E. to hold march, community day at Essex Village
After the shooting death of 12-year-old Amiyah Moses last year six days before Christmas, several Richmond area youth sports league coaches pledged to help curb violence in the city and surrounding areas by leading awareness marches.
Free oral history workshop at Black History Museum
Historian Lauranett L. Lee has devoted her life to uncovering the lost stories of African-American women and men to help spotlight their contributions both locally and nationally. Now Dr. Lee wants to inspire people to preserve their own family histories to expand appreciation and knowledge of where they come from.
Muralists coming to town for latest project
Richmond is about to get more murals. Beginning next week, at least 10 muralists from across the world will paint distinctive works on the exterior walls of now bare buildings — with the permission of the owners, of course. The artists are expected to start work Wednesday, July 13, and wrap up 11 days later, on Sunday, July 24, it has been announced.
History makers celebrate Fourth
Judge Damon J. Keith’s annual Independence Day picnic in Hanover County turned into a celebration of history Monday. The senior judge on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals who lives in Detroit returns each year to his late wife’s family home in Virginia to celebrate his July 4 birthday.
By invitation only
New members to join Academy after 2nd all-white Oscars draws criticism
After suffering severe criticism for having a second straight year of all-white acting nominees for the Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 683 new members to join the organization. The academy says its invitees are 46 percent female, 41 percent minority and represent 59 countries.
Officials hope President Obama’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ program will remain under next administration
President Obama has seven months left in office. One of the leaders of one of his key initiatives is hard at work ensuring the president’s legacy will continue after he leaves the White House.
Richmonder Jackie Bradley selected to MLB All-Star team
Richmond native Jackie Bradley Jr. is officially a Major League Baseball All-Star. The 26-year-old outfielder for the Boston Red Sox will be an American League starter at the 87th annual MLB All-Star Game on July 12 at San Diego’s Petco Park.
VSU’s Pittman receives NCAA Degree Completion Award
Virginia State University scholar-athlete Wynterra Pittman has received the 2016 NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award.
Hanover standout Cayman Richardson to play ball at U.Va.
Cayman Richardson is going from one of the top high school baseball programs in Virginia to one of the top college programs in America.
Rev. Marshall H. Garrett, 73, Christian education minister at Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church
The Rev. Marshall Henderson Garrett, minister of Christian education at Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church, was widely known for his loving and caring spirit.
