Lady of the House // Freshman Delegate Lashrecse Aird enjoys a moment with her family on the opening day of the 2016 Virginia General Assembly session. With her Wednesday are her proud husband, Blaine Aird, and their children, Blake, left, and Blaine Jr. The Petersburg Democrat was sworn in Wednesday to her first term in the House. Elected in November, she represents the 63rd House District, which also includes parts of Hopewell and Chesterfield and Dinwiddie and Prince George counties. State lawmakers will meet at the Capitol through mid-March to grapple with major issues, including a new two-year state budget.

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond // This billboard is overwhelmed by the historic size of the Powerball jackpot ahead of Wednesday’s drawing. The sign shows the jackpot at $999 million because there are not enough number slots to show the full amount, about $1.5 billion. Location: the 1300 block of Dinneen Street on North Side. Millions of hopefuls purchased tickets this week for the chance of being struck by luck and becoming a billionaire. The chances of winning are 1 in 292 million.

Coaches march to end violence // Sports coaches from Richmond area schools and recreation leagues mobilized more than 100 people who rallied and marched against violence Saturday in the Creighton Court public hous- ing community.

Coaches march to end violence //The group, known as Coaches Against Violence Everywhere, joined in a circle of prayer with community members and then spoke out against the violence that has claimed the lives of young people such as 12-year-old Amiya Moses on Dec. 19 on North Side and 18-year-old Tray-Quain Holmes, who was killed in Creighton Court on Christmas Eve.

Coaches march to end violence // A previous rally against violence was held in Henrico County. Right, Cornelia Jackson embraces her children, Joseph, left, and Shemoanee, as gunshot victims share their stories with the crowd. Left, Coach Alex Motley holds his sign as he and Coach Anthony Grigsby lead the marchers.

Red berries in Downtown

Va. Legislative Black Caucus reception at VMFA // Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus gathered Monday for their annual reception before the start of the 2016 General Assembly session. Other elected officials, corporate and educational leaders attended the event at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The 18-member caucus formally announced its legislative agenda Wednesday at a news conference. Above, Caucus members joined Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Virginia’s top elected officials for a photograph. From left, they are Delegate Jeion Ward of Hampton, Sen. Kenneth Alexander of Norfolk, Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan of Richmond, Sen. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County, Delegate Charniele Herring of Alexandria, Delegate Lionel Spruill Sr. of Chesapeake, Gov. McAuliffe, Sen. Mamie Locke of Hampton, Sen. Dance of Petersburg, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, Delegate Daun Hester of Norfolk, Delegate Lamont Bagby of Henrico, Sen. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth, Attorney General Mark R. Herring, Delegate Marcia Price of Newport News, Delegate Lashrecse Aird of Petersburg, Delegate Sam Rasoul of Roanoke and Delegate Joseph Lindsey of Norfolk. Caucus members not pictured are Delegate Luke Torian of Prince William County, Delegate Matthew James of Portsmouth and Delegate Delores McQuinn of Richmond.

Va. Legislative Black Caucus reception at VMFA // Sen. Locke, left, chair of the Caucus, with incoming Virginia State University President Makola M. Abdullah and Sen. Rosalyn Dance.

Delightful debutantes // Thirteen young women were presented by the Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at its 2015 Debutante Ball. The formal evening of recognition was held Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Downtown. The theme of the elegant affair was “A Holiday Wrapped in Magic.” The ball was the culmination of months of activities the high school students participated in hosted by the AKAs, a service organization composed of college-educated women.

Celebrating 24 years // Checking out the Free Press // Clinton A. Strane/Richmond Free Press Officers and members of the board of directors of Paradigm Communications Inc., the parent company of the Richmond Free Press, check out a prototype of the new newspaper in its newsroom located in Downtown. From left, the late Dr. Allix B. James, Dr. Elwood Boone Jr.; the late Free Press founder Raymond H. Boone Sr., president and CEO; the late Dr. Darrel Rollins, board secretary; the late Dr. William S. Thornton, board chairman; Beverly Davis; the late Leonard Lambert, board treasurer; Dr. Lerla Joseph; and Clarence L. Townes Jr. This photograph was published on the front page of the Free Press debut edition Jan. 16-18, 1992.