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Rev. Thomas S. Simmons, a ‘people’s pastor,’ dies at 80
The Rev. Thomas S. Simmons always was willing to help somebody — anybody. “He truly never met a stranger,” his daughter, Angela Simmons Cason said. “Once you met him, he loved you and you loved him.”
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Personality: Gregory D. Suskind
Spotlight on chair of CARITAS Board of Directors
Richmond native Gregory D. Suskind has been involved with CARITAS for more than a decade. Since May 2022, he has been board chair of the non-profit organization that focuses on helping people experiencing homelessness and/or addiction by creating safe spaces for healing and recovery and providing support to help them rebuild and renew their lives.
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Glory
As a part of the First African Baptist Church Music and Fine Arts Black History program, the Richmond Free Press was recognized as having made significant contributions to the community on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, during the morning worship service.
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One word says it best: ‘Mahomes!’
Chiefs win Super Bowl on Mahomes’ clutch play
Give the man a cape. He’s become the “Superman of the Super Bowl.” Patrick Mahomes now has three Super Bowl MVPs to go with a trio of Super Bowl victories following Kansas City’s 25-22 win over San Francisco on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.
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Franklin from ‘Peanuts’ gets to shine in the spotlight of a new animated Apple TV+ special
The mild-mannered Franklin — the first Black character in the “Peanuts” comic strip — gets to shine in his own animated Apple TV+ special this month in a story about friendship.
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Lawmakers take up ‘skill games,’ minimum wage, marijuana as Assembly hits midpoint deadline
Virginia lawmakers plowed through hundreds of bills Tuesday as they reached a key deadline for this year’s legislative session.
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Youngkins’ announce high school essay contest
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and the Virginia Council on Women have announced the 13th Annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Healthcare (STEAM-H) essay contest. The contest is open to female high school seniors who plan to pursue a STEAM-H career at a community college, four-year college or university, trade or technical school, online or through certificated STEAM-H courses.
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Community bands together to renovate Charles City’s historic Mt. Zion School
A tarp covers part of the roof of an abandoned building on Route 623 in Charles City County. Underneath the tarp, clear plastic drapes a weathered window, perhaps to further shield the decaying wood structure from elements endured nearly 110 years.
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Housing and feeding brethen in need
Homelessness affects hundreds of people in the Greater Richmond area.
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Schools are trying to get more students therapy. Not all parents are on board
Derry Oliver was in fifth grade when she first talked to her mom about seeing a therapist.
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VUU, VSU stars heading to New Orleans
The football season isn’t quite over for Virginia State and Virginia Union universities.
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Panthers have wind at their back
It’s not how you start that counts most. It’s how you finish. And with Baltimore beckoning, Virginia Union is putting on a finishing kick.
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Coble honored for longtime work in golf
E. Lee Coble’s lifetime golf achievements have earned national recognition.
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Nelson leads Rams’ ‘Bench Bunch’
Basketball championships run in the Nelson family and there is room for more. Jason Nelson Jr. has become a ringleader of VCU’s talented “Bench Bunch” that has spurred the Rams to the threshold of the Atlantic 10’s top perch.
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Family and friends celebrate Constance Delores Brown
For more than 38 years, Constance Delores Brown was a nurturing and welcome presence for students at Richmond’s Armstrong High School, where she helped further their education and served as the Senior Class Sponsor and “Miss Armstrong” Pageant Sponsor until she retired.
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Review: Usher shines at star-studded 2024 Super Bowl halftime show
Wedding bells ring after
Usher emerged at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium for the Super Bowl halftime show seated on a throne, joined by a marching band and a trove of Vegas performers — but stayed its center.
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VSU, NSU bands featured in documentary
In honor of Black History Month, the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) announced the debut of “The Legacy of HBCU Marching Bands,” a documentary film that pays tribute to the heritage and legacy of marching bands at historically black colleges and universities. The film will air on WTVR CBS6 at 9 p.m.,Sunday, Feb. 18.
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The award for best R&B song went to SZA for “Snooze” during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, in Los Angeles.
Published on February 8, 2024
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An hour can save a life
More diverse blood donors needed amid emergency shortage nationwide
National Blood Donor Month might have ended Jan. 31, but ongoing shortages in Virginia and nationally mean that the need for donors remains critical.
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Personality: Shawna Chapman
Spotlight on America’s United States Mrs. Mid-Atlantic 2024
Growing up in Petersburg, Shawna Chapman never believed pageants were open to women like her, whose background includes dropping out of high school and experiencing periods of homelessness.
