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Political newcomer Rae Cousins upsets opponents for House bid
Rae Cousins, a lawyer and fourth-generation Richmonder, handily won Tuesday’s primary in Richmond to become the Democratic nominee for the 79th House of Delegates District. Ms. Cousins, 43, bested 3rd District City Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert, 47, and criminal justice crusader Richard Walker, 65, in the their contest in the L-shaped district that is anchored in the East End and takes in portions of South Side and North Side. The district is one of three that includes portions of the city and the only one in which there was a party nomination contest. Incumbent Delegate Betsy B. Carr is unopposed in her bid for
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Second gun buyback program for city targeted
City Hall plans to continue to invest in gun buyback programs despite clear evidence that the program has not worked, which studies have shown is the case in virtually every locality offering to pay people to turn in their guns.
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Sacred burial site to be marked by mural
A mural with a message embedded in large red, black and green stripes will soon mark an historic but largely unknown Black cemetery in North Side.
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Swansboro Elementary names auditorium for music teacher
For Wallesa Diane Coleman Jones, teaching elementary schoolchildren to appreciate music has been a labor of love.
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Staircases for new housing units at 7000 Carnation St. symbolize steps being taken to accommodate people making 50 to 70 percent of median income, said …
Published on June 15, 2023
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Richmond Free Press founders receive City Hall honor and recognition
Black-owned weekly saluted for its ‘leadership, service, dedication and prominence in the community’
Jean P. Boone and the late Raymond H. Boone, founders and publishers of the Richmond Free Press newspaper, received recognition from City Council on Monday night to honor their journalistic contributions to the city.
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Staging the future
Council bets on showbiz
Betting on entertainment as a key element of future job and economic growth, City Council, as expected, put two high-profile projects on the fast track Monday night—a proposed $560 million casino-resort for the South Side and a $30 million amphitheater for the Downtown riverfront.
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Athlete, coach and educator Ethan M. Pitts Jr. dies at age 50
For the first time in at least 15 years, veteran Coach Ethan Matthew “Matt” Pitts Jr. was missing from the Richmond delegation to the Virginia Special Olympics summer games at the University of Richmond.
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79th House District candidates cite school funding, gun legislation and criminal justice reform as key issues
Three candidates have been knocking on thousands of doors and sending out mailers in pitching to represent the House of Delegates 7th District. Next Tuesday, June 20, voters will choose from Rae Cousins, Ann-Frances Lambert and Richard W. Walker as the Democratic nominee and the odds-on favorite to win in the November general election.
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Affordable housing efforts build momentum
Tall staircases rise from the ground at 7000 Carnation St. in South Side – the first major feature of the 218 new income-restricted apartments that will rise on the 5-acre site.
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RPS bus drivers choose new union
Richmond Public Schools now has a third union with which to bargain.
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Bon Secours expanding in East End
Following through on a three-year plan to expand health services in Richmond’s East End, Bon Secours announced this week the expansion of obstetrics and gynecology services on its Richmond Community Hospital campus, and plans to open a $2 million urgent care center by year’s end.
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Council waits to hear if another casino vote is in the cards
Second District City Councilwoman Katherine Jordan remains the only opponent of giving Richmond voters a second chance to decide whether the city should be allowed to host a proposed $560 million casino-resort project in the South Side. She was the lone dissenter on Monday as the City Council moved casino-support legislation to the Monday, June 12, meeting for quick passage.
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Fox Elementary employee to plead case before School Board
Robin Spears, a 15-year social worker, who has been on paid leave since November 2021 is going to the School Board in hopes the members will reject a recommendation that she be fired for failing to report to a position she said she was never offered.
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Outdoor concert venue booked for council approval
A 7,500-seat outdoor concert venue that will feature 25 to 30 concerts each season is likely headed to the Richmond riverfront.
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Planned Fire Training Center clears final hurdle
The Richmond Fire Department can proceed with building a new training center on a 2-acre section of lawn at Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side, despite the property being zoned as residential.
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New police precinct building set for East End
A new First Police Precinct will be built on the parking lot of the Richmond City Justice Center in the 6th Council District, according to information shared with City Council this week.
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The need for food and shelter grows for city’s homeless
“The need has tripled,” Rhonda Sneed said. “More and more people are experiencing a crisis at this time, and so many with food insecurity. I am seeing more people seeking some form of nourishment from a trash receptacle.”
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Shielding from responsibility?
City mum on funds diverted to police
Mayor Levar M. Stoney joined community partners Tuesday to announce the city is all for trying to prevent the killings that leave bodies in the street and families in mourning. However, during his City Hall press conference, the mayor didn’t mention that just a few weeks ago his administration gained approval from
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Festival of the Arts
The 66th edition of Richmond’s Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park will launch Saturday, June 10, with a six-hour showcase of music, dance, food and culture of immigrants who now live in the Richmond area.
