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Embattled RPS employee continues fight for her job
A 14-year Richmond Public Schools teacher and social worker is battling a second attempt to fire her — this time for failing to show up to work in a position that apparently never was offered to her.
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Emergency communications graduates 13 dispatchers to improve services
More dispatchers have joined Richmond’s 911 staff, reducing vacancies in a critical element of public safety.
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Council raises percentage of vehicle tax owners must pay
Richmond vehicle owners can expect to see bigger personal property tax bills for their cars and trucks this year.
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Environmental Film Festival multiple showings, venues
The RVA Environmental Festival will feature 21 feature films during its upcoming two-week run, with all films free and open to the public.
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Victory
Jennifer L. McClellan elected Virginia’s first Black congresswoman
“I’m ready to fight for you in Congress for as long as you’ll have me,” State Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan declared Tuesday night.
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3 candidates vie for McClellan’s seat
The race to replace Congresswoman-elect Jennifer L. McClellan in the state Senate could be decided this weekend, with a quick Democratic firehouse primary or convention to choose between three candidates. Details were unsettled at Free Press deadline.
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Leroy Mason, a voice for prison reform, dies at age 83
Leroy Mason is being remembered for helping to change the Virginia prison system where he spent most of his adult life and for helping other prisoners make a successful transition after their release.
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Approval of budget amendments before state lawmakers adjourn still uncertain
For the first time in two decades, the Virginia General Assembly could adjourn Saturday, Feb. 25, without approving amendments to the current two-year budget, a potential boon for Richmond’s casino backers.
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Delegate Jeff Bourne to leave legislature
After six years in the legislature, Delegate Jeffrey M. Bourne wants to spend more time with his family rather than run for a fourth two-year term in the House of Delegates or seek a Richmond state Senate seat.
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Labor unions ready to represent City employees
City Hall is closer to having four unions represent employees — although two unions are now facing off in a bid to represent the city’s 475 labor and trades workers.
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City names new HR director
City Hall has named Tyrome Alexander director of human resources as part of efforts to rebuild the department and rev up efforts to recruit and retain employees. Mr. Alexander, director of human resources for Toledo, Ohio, for the past four years, will take over Monday, Feb. 27.
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North Side health hub planned
A nonprofit pharmacy and offices for medical specialists and behavioral health and job development services could be coming to a former Bank of America building in North Side.
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House Republicans kill two historic resolutions
Two resolutions expressing profound regret for past wrongs to Black people in Virginia have been killed in the Republican-dominated House of Delegates.
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Lucille A.B. Roane, voting proponent, former detective, dies
Richmond voter advocate and former city police detective Lucille Aurelia Brown Roane has died. Mrs. Roane, who was the first Black president of the Richmond Metropolitan Area Chapter of the League of Women Voters and the third Black woman to serve on Richmond’s police force, succumbed to illness Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. She was 94.
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Reapply
Most of City’s HR employees’ jobs no longer guaranteed - ‘We’ve been told our department is the heartbeat of City Hall, but we’ve been left in the dark’
Richmond continues to struggle to fill vacant positions in multiple City Hall departments, ranging from police to finance. The situation could soon be more difficult as the city’s key recruiting and employee services department, Human Resources, undergoes upheaval.
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A race to the finish
4th Congressional District voters will choose McClellan or Benjamin on Feb. 21
Jennifer L. McClellan’s campaign to become the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress will culminate next week in a special election she is heavily favored to win — and most aptly during Black History Month.
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William L. Prentiss Jr., local and regional band director, musician and educator, dies at 58
William Leon “BB” Prentiss Jr., who molded thousands of student musicians as the director of high school marching bands in Richmond, Chesterfield County, Norfolk and four other localities, has died.
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VUU’s tower sign stays; scooter rentals advance
Virginia Union University can keep its logo shining at night from the top of a historic 60- foot tower on its campus.
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City’s annual financial report shows $35 million surplus
City Hall has completed its annual financial report, although it comes three months behind schedule and the first to come in late since 2016.
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Enrichmond’s remaining assets headed for receivership, sources say
A deal that could resolve issues related to the collapsed Enrichmond Foundation is in the works, the Free Press has learned.
