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Beware of predatory tax refund loans, advances
Across the country, advertising — particularly on urban radio — tempts listeners with easy ways to get a loan against anticipated tax refunds. But just like other predatory lending products, what is advertised is not quite what consumers receive. Convenient tax-related loans almost always come with a price that takes a big bite out of consumers’ money.
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Surprised, no. Sickened, yes.
Is it white privilege, white hubris or just plain arrogance that keeps Gov. Ralph S. Northam in office well after most reasonable Virginians — and people across the nation — believe it is time for him to exit?
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Sen. Booker launches 2020 presidential bid
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker declared his bid for the presidency in 2020 with a sweeping call to unite a deeply polarized nation around a “common purpose.” Announcing his run on Friday, Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month, the New Jersey Democrat is the second African-American candidate in a primary field that’s already historically diverse. He delivered his message of unity amid an era marked by bitter political division.
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Standing with Bennett: Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, left, meets with alumnae of Bennett and Spelman colleges Monday evening at Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond to …
Published on February 1, 2019
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Personality: Stephan A. Hicks
Spotlight on founder of nonprofit My Brother’s Keeper of Greater Richmond
“Men are the greatest resource in our city. However, services focusing on men in Richmond are severely lacking. When it comes to helping men get on their feet, there is little offered.”
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Enrichmond Foundation now owns East End Cemetery
Twenty months after buying historic Evergreen Cemetery with state assistance, a city-created charity has taken ownership of a second neighboring African-American burial ground, East End Cemetery.
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Brook Road bike lanes get the green light
Cars and trucks will have to surrender half of their lanes on Brook Road to cyclists. That’s the final decision of Richmond City Council, which voted 6-3 to install bike lanes and uphold a nearly 4-year-old approved plan for developing biking infrastructure in the city.
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New Richmond Police stables put on hold
Samson, Scooter and Toby, the horses in the Richmond Police Department’s Mounted Unit, will not be getting a new home. Without any fanfare, City Hall has dropped plans for developing a modern 12-stall stable at Crestview and Government roads in the East End.
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Richmond Environmental Film Festival kicks off Feb. 4
Call it a feast of 22 movies that will be shown at no charge with the goal of educating and raising awareness of environmental issues that are important to Richmond, the nation and the planet. That’s what the ninth edition of the Richmond Environmental Film Festival will be offering the public from Monday, Feb. 4, through Saturday, Feb. 16.
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1954 photo Spencer Christian, then 7, visits the home of an uncle in Charles City County with his parents, Lucy and Spencer Christian Sr., and …
Published on January 31, 2019
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Richmond teacher is finalist for National Teacher of the Year
Richmond teacher Rodney A. Robinson’s star keeps rising. Mr. Robinson, who was selected in October as Virginia’s 2018 Teacher of the Year, is one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year.
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Case against VUU president in Florida appears stalled
Bethune-Cookman University in Florida appears to have halted its legal effort to hold former top officials accountable for their alleged role in saddling the Daytona Beach school with an overly expensive dormitory.
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Postal rates go up Sunday
The price of a first-class stamp will jump to a record 55 cents on Sunday, Jan. 27. The nickel increase from the current 50-cent stamp price is the largest single jump in the history of the American postal service, according to U.S. Postal Service records.
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Speaking Spirit Ministries says praise the Lord, pass the popcorn
Go to church and stay for a movie. That’s now possible at a satellite sanctuary of the independent Speaking Spirit Ministries.
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Free tooth extraction clinic pulls in crowd
It was 9 a.m. and already 140 people were in line at the Capital Area Health Network’s free dental extraction clinic last Friday.
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Renovated Northside Family YMCA gears up for ribbon-cutting on Monday
Nearly one year after a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off a major renovation project, Richmond’s Northside Family YMCA will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its spacious revamped facility at 4207 Old Book Road. The ceremony will be held 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28.
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Gov. Northam speaks at VUU Community Leaders Breakfast
Gov. Ralph S. Northam addressed the 41st Annual Community Leaders Breakfast last Friday honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a message of valuing Virginia’s diversity and the collective responsibility of supporting each other as the state moves forward.
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Corey Blount works on his latest projects in a small studio set up in the Henrico County home of his mother, Taryn Blount, during his …
Published on January 19, 2019
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Personality: Dr. Michael L.W. Moore
Spotlight on chair of Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker Educational Foundation
Legendary civil rights leader Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker wanted his legacy to center on educational opportunities for generations to come. The Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker Educational Foundation is the vehicle to perpetuate his lasting dream and provides scholarships for underserved youths to attend college.
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Suggestion for King license plate
Re “Proposed King license plate shelved until next year,” Free Press Jan. 10-12 edition: I read where the commemorative license plate plan honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was postponed until next year because only 100 signatures were collected.
