Morrissey pulls out of Senate race
Petersburg state Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance may have an easier road to victory on Election Day in November in her bid to win her first full four-year term representing the 16th Senate District, which includes most of Richmond’s East End. Her only opponent, independent candidate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey, ended his campaign this week due to a medical issue, a paralyzed left diaphragm, which interferes with his breathing.
VSU, NSU have smallest freshman classes in years
Enrollment is continuing to retreat at Virginia’s two historically black public universities, Norfolk State and Virginia State. Both institutions apparently have admitted their smallest freshman classes in at least a decade, and total enrollment has declined to levels not seen in at least 15 years or longer.
General Assembly refusal to adjourn blocks governor
For at least the sixth time in the past 34 years, the House of Delegates is refusing to adjourn a special session. And that decision by the Republican-dominated body appears to throw a constitutional monkey wrench into Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s plan to keep Justice Jane Marum Roush on the Virginia Supreme Court.
NAACP officials call for continued probe into Chesterfield woman’s death
Richmond private investigator Perry Hicks began probing the mysterious disappearance and death of Ogechi Sarah Uwasomba three months ago at the behest of the Richmond NAACP and other concerned parties.
$6.4M to Freddie Gray’s family
Baltimore agrees to pay before trials of police officers
Baltimore city officials on Wednesday approved a $6.4 million civil settlement to the family of Freddie Gray, whose death from an injury in police custody triggered protests and rioting.
NAACP ‘Journey for Justice’ to stop in Richmond
“I’m going to put on my tennis shoes and march.” That was Richmond NAACP President Lynetta Thompson’s enthusiastic declaration as “America’s Journey for Justice” march nears Richmond.
GRTC slowdown ends; drivers get back pay
GRTC bus drivers have received the back pay they were due and have ended an informal work action that slowed service dramatically on various routes last week. The drivers received the anticipated back pay last Friday, according to Frank Tunstall III, president and business agent for Local 1220 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents bus operators and mechanics for the Greater Richmond Transit Co.
Herring to run for re-election, not for governor
Mark Herring enjoys his job as Virginia’s attorney general. That’s why the state’s top legal officer announced Wednesday that he would seek re-election for a new four-year term in 2017 rather than going after the top job of governor.
Amelia Boynton Robinson, civil rights activist, dies at 104
Free Press staff, wire reports MONTGOMERY, Ala. Amelia Boynton Robinson helped change America. The first African-American woman to run for Congress served on the front lines during the Civil Rights Movement. Almost beaten to death in a march for voting rights in 1965, she was among those who pushed the country to pass a strong law to finally ensure African-Americans could cast a ballot without facing literacy tests, poll taxes and vicious attacks.
Ministry is ‘a family business’
It’s a family affair at Southside Baptist Ministries on South Side. Dr. Lonnie Stinson, 65, is the founder and senior pastor of the church at 5515 Bryce Lane.
Rep. Scott hosts Labor Day picnic
Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott will be dishing out politics and lots of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs again on Labor Day.
VUU looking toward new season; Saturday opener at Hovey Field
Mark James began his first coaching season at Virginia Union University with modest expectations. Much has changed heading into year two.
Encourage schools to serve healthier lunches
With the new school year just around the corner, parents’ attention is focused on clothes, supplies and lunches. Yes, school lunches!
Restoring ‘good time’ would cut prison costs
At some point, most inmates in Virginia’s prisons will be released into society. Therefore, the public has an interest in both the financial and social costs of lengthy prison sentences.
Will education be a priority in Lumpkin’s Jail makeover?
Re “Lumpkin’s Jail site to get new life,” Aug. 20-22 edition:
Black-on-black violence needs attention, too
I was watching “The Kelly File” on Fox News several nights ago when Megyn Kelly had a segment about the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
Stop the violence is plea from Richmond youths
These letters were written by young people participating in the Richmond Peace Education Center’s Youth Gun Violence Prevention Workshop this summer and submitted by the workshop’s lead facilitator, Alison R. Wilson.
GOP’s enemies list
It’s getting more and more difficult to keep up with the lengthening list of people, groups and nations the Republican Party’s presidency-seekers are designating as targets.
The new face of activism
“This aint yo mama’s civil rights movement.” Those were the words emblazoned on activist Rahiel Tesfamariam’s T-shirt as she was arrested in Ferguson, Mo., during protests marking the one-year anniversary of the police killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown.
Honoring all workers
Monday, Sept. 7 is Labor Day. It’s an annual tribute to the contributions workers have made in building this country and sustaining its prosperity. Our community understands what that means. America was built — literally — on the backs of our ancestors whose unpaid labor has provided a legacy of wealth for scores of individuals and families and propelled our nation and economy to its exalted position.
