Richmond leaders named to Avula’s inauguration committee, transition team
Mayor-elect Danny Avula has enlisted dozens of local officials and experts as he prepares to take office next year. Key leaders will participate in an inauguration celebration scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11, while others will advise his administration on the challenges ahead in 2025.
Investigation: Registrar, elections office wasted almost $500,000
About $500,000 in wasted expenses was one of many revelations in a report released Monday following a months long investigation into allegations of misconduct by Richmond’s General Registrar Keith Balmer and the Office of Elections. The report, completed by the Richmond Office of the Inspector General led by James Osuna, cites Balmer and the office with 25 counts of waste, fraud and abuse of city funds, resources and authority.
Thanksgiving travel cranks up
The Thanksgiving holiday rush neared its full stride at U.S. airports Tuesday, putting travelers’ patience to the test. The Transportation Security Administration expected to screen more than 2.8 million people on Tuesday and 2.9 million on Wednesday after handling more than 2.5 million people on Monday.
T.D. Jakes suffers health incident during sermon
The founder of Dallas-based megachurch The Potter’s House, Bishop T.D. Jakes, suffered what the church called a “slight health incident” while delivering his sermon at the church.
Bipartisanship cannot be a dirty word, by Ben Jealous
What is one thing — just one — you can agree on with someone on the opposite side of the political divide? The late Gen. Colin Powell once told me, “Figure that out and you can get a lot done. And as you win one victory together, you might just discover along the way that there’s something else you agree on.”
Holiday closings
In observance of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, please note the following closings:
Jean Thompson Williams, leader in education and business, dies
Jean Thompson Williams, a former educator and community volunteer, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. She was 88. A native of Richmond, Williams had a distinguished career in both education and entrepreneurship.
Officials join families for annual turkey giveaway
Hundreds of families gathered at River City Middle School on Saturday for the 6th Annual Turkey Giveaway and Resource Fair, the largest of its kind in the Metro Richmond area. Organized by Delegate Mike Jones (D-77th), the event distributed over 2,000 turkeys and cooking supplies, including tin pans, to families in need.
Health officials urge vaccinations
With Thanksgiving approaching, health officials from the Richmond and Henrico health districts are urging residents to take precautions against respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV, to ensure a safe holiday season.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending Saturday, Nov. 23, COVID-19 accounted for .4% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, with overall respiratory illness low but trending up from previous data. No deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported within that period at time of publication. COVID-19 wastewater levels for Richmond and Henrico County were below detection as of the most recent sample collection week on Sunday, Nov. 17.
RPS to receive $244k grant in security equipment upgrades
Richmond Public Schools will receive nearly $245,000 in state grant funding to enhance security equipment across its schools.
CIAA announces 2024 Football All-Conference Teams and top honors
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has revealed its 2024 Football All-Conference selections and annual superlative awards, celebrating standout performances from the season. The honors highlight six individual players and one coach whose achievements defined the year.
Botanical Garden workers vote to unionize
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden workers voted 37-13 in favor of unionization on Nov. 21.
Giving Heart brings free meals, clothing and care
This Thursday, The Giving Heart will host its annual Community Thanksgiving Feast at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, offering Richmond area residents free meals, clothing and other essential assistance.
Food Banks partner with local farmers to distribute thousands of pounds of apples
The Federation of Virginia Food Banks, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is distributing thousands of pounds of fresh, locally grown apples to families across the Commonwealth this holiday season. With funding from the Federal Farms to Food Banks initiative, approximately 9,500 bushels of Virginia apples will be delivered to food-insecure households in November and December.
More than 900 boxers to compete in national championships here
Over 900 boxers from nearly every state will compete in the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships, beginning Monday, Dec. 16, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Malcolm X lawsuit challenges systemic injustice, by Marc H. Morial
For decades, [U.S. government agencies and the NYPD] viewed Black activism as a threat to national security, resulting in the unchecked targeting of prominent leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Marcus Garvey. This lawsuit seeks accountability for the systemic negligence and intentional actions that deprived Malcolm X’s family and the world of his life and legacy.” — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump
VCU to retire Briante Weber’s No. 2 jersey
Virginia Commonwealth University will retire the No. 2 jersey of former men’s basketball standout Briante Weber on Dec. 22, when the Rams host William & Mary at the Siegel Center.
