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Mayor to propose $35M to fix schools
Mayor Dwight C. Jones will propose spending $35 million to pay for major fixes for Richmond’s decaying school buildings when he delivers his two-year budget plan to City Council. While the mayor is keeping mum, Norman Butts, the city’s chief financial officer, disclosed at a City Council committee meeting Mayor Jones’ plan to address school maintenance in the budget he is scheduled to present Friday, March 13. Mr. Butts, who is involved in the budget preparation process, described the impending proposal as “a high priority” for the mayor.
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74th Golden Globe Awards hit notes of inclusion
The lack of racial and ethnic diversity in Hollywood was a running joke during last year’s Academy Awards ceremony. This year, several African-Americans were recognized at the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards, a star-studded event televised from Beverly Hills, Calif. The event is put on by Hollywood Foreign Press Association to honor the best in film and American television during the past year.
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Biden ‘continues to be fit for duty’ his doctor says after president’s annual exam
President Biden “continues to be fit for duty,” his doctor wrote Wednesday after conducting an annual physical that was closely watched as the president seeks re-election.
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Friends, family offer final goodbyes to Orlando Shooting Victim
Darryl “DJ” Roman Burt II may have had premonitions about his impending death as he drove to meet four friends at an Orlando, Fla., nightclub to celebrate the master’s degree and certificate in business administration he had received just hours earlier in Jacksonville from Keller Graduate School of Management.
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$2.9M
Family of Philando Castile settles in his fatal shooting by police officer
The city of St. Anthony, Minn., has agreed to pay nearly $3 million to the mother of Philando Castile, a registered gun owner who was shot to death by a police officer during a routine traffic stop although he was complying with the cop’s orders.
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VSU, NSU receive multimillion $ bonanzas
Virginia State University just received a gift of $30 million, the largest private donation since its founding 138 years ago. Norfolk State University also received a record-setting gift of $40 million.
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Big Herm's again only black-owned food vendor at Washington NFL team training camp
As football players gather in Richmond this month to test their stuff and compete for a role on the Washington NFL team before thousands of fans, some of Richmond’s small business enterprises are showcasing their best sides, too.
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Tree problems go unanswered by city
Editor’s note: Just before the Free Press Wednesday deadline, Spencer Turner sent a text message to a Free Press reporter stating: “Thanks for help. They are cutting tree down Friday. The power of a free press.” As of deadline, the Free Press had not been able to confirm Mr. Turner’s statement with city officials. By Jeremy M. Lazarus
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Coalition to City Council: Slow your roll on rapid transit
Slow down the rush to install bus rapid transit (BRT) in Richmond and take the time to ensure that the service will not become an expensive boondoggle.
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Candidates chip away at Mayor Stoney’s record during Chamber RVA forum
Candidates vying to unseat Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney in November’s general election tried to chip away at his record during a candidates forum Tuesday night sponsored by Chamber RVA.
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New Henrico schools diversity chief ready to push change
Monica Manns keeps certain books within arm’s reach of her desk at the Henrico County Public Schools central office.
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Thousands fill the Staples Center for Kobe Bryant’s ‘Celebration of Life’
A gallery of basketball legends joined thousands of Kobe Bryant fans in Los Angeles on Monday to pay tribute to the transcendent NBA star, his daughter and seven others who died in a helicopter crash last month that shocked the world of sports and beyond.
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Census forms are changing again — because we are, by Clarence Page
On his HBO show “Real Time,” comedian Bill Maher recently went after Democrats for “pandering” to minority groups for votes.
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Students return to campus amid water crisis in Mississippi
While its water crisis continued, students in Mississippi’s capital returned to class for the first time in a week Tuesday with assurances that the toilets and sinks in their buildings would finally work.
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Trailer park heroine
18-year-old aids neighbors facing eviction
18-year-old aids neighbors facing eviction
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Alicia Keys joined Usher as a surprise guest during the halftime show. She sang her song “If I Ain’t Got You” before joining Usher in …
Published on February 15, 2024
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RPS $311.2M budget for 2020-21 unveiled
Superintendent Jason Kamras’ proposed $311.2 million general fund operating budget for the new fiscal year that will begin July 1 received mixed reviews at the Richmond School Board meeting on Monday night.
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Celebrating Father’s Day
What is your fondest memory of your father?
On Sunday, June 21, we celebrate Father’s Dayand all the love, lessons and gifts they give to their families and children.In honor of this special day, the Free Press asked people: What is your fondest memory of your father?
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Personality: Donald S. ‘Don’ Richards
Spotlight on vice chair of Autism Society of Central Virginia
After decades in broadcasting, Donald S. “Don” Richards is gearing up for a new chapter of community advocacy.
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HUD officials: Essex Village improvements underway
The overhaul of Henrico County’s troubled Essex Village apartment complex appears to be underway. Under threat of losing $4.2 million in yearly federal housing subsidies and facing pressure from Henrico County and 4th District Congressman A. Donald McEachin, PK Management, which operates the 496-unit, Section 8 complex at Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue, has begun making improvements to address long-standing health and safety issues, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
