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Witness signature dropped for absentee ballots during pandemic
Absentee voters who receive their ballots by mail likely will not need to have a witness present when they cast their vote at home in Virginia’s June 23 primary election to choose candidates to run for the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives. Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced Tuesday that he agrees with a federal lawsuit seeking the temporary suspen- sion of the state’s current requirement that voters casting mail-in ballots have someone present as they open the letter containing
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Corrections officers’ union calls for testing of all inmates and staff at Virginia facilities
A union representing state correctional officers is calling on Gov. Ralph S. Northam to immediately begin coronavirus testing for all officers, staff, residents and incarcerated people in facilities run by the Virginia Department of Corrections and the state Department of Juvenile Justice.
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Census deadline to be changed; jobs still available
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the 10-year census, officials report.
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All Americans deserve better, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
If we didn’t know before, we now know that we have a failed federal government. The man in the White House is so bad that we don’t really need to look for failures down the line.
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The coronavirus and achievement gap, by Julianne Malveaux
The coronavirus has upended our way of life, especially in urban America, where social distancing has replaced the laughter of children playing on the street, the excitement of preparing for graduation and prom and the frenzy of last-minute test preparation.
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We need to protect children from human trafficking
Slavery has been abolished for more than 150 years nationwide since the enactment of the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
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Coronavirus and public tantrums
Re “Timeout for COVID-19,” Richmond Free Press April 23-25 edition: Most people have an understanding of the unusual virulence of COVID-19 and the need to limit exposure and spread.
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Coach Gilbert leaves Lady Panthers for Detroit Mercy
Virginia Union University’s next women’s basketball coach has a tough act to follow.
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VUU and VSU announce 2020-21 football schedules
CIAA football starts in September, but Virginia Union University fans won’t see their Panthers at home until October.
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Former Highland Springs players drafted into NFL
NFL fans in Highland Springs now have local connections to the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Memories of Tommie Aaron in Richmond live on
The former Richmond Braves drew headlines in 1977 by making Tommie Aaron the International League’s first African-American manager.
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State executioner who turned against the death penalty dies at 67
For 17 years, Jerry Bronson Givens carried out death sentences as Virginia’s chief executioner. The Richmond native then spent the rest of his life crusading against the death penalty.
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Beating COVID-19
Delegate Delores McQuinn is on a mission to help others avoid getting the coronavirus after she and her family were stricken
When Delores Jordan Mc- Quinn was a promising youngster volunteering for voter registration efforts in the Bungalow City neighborhood of Eastern Henrico County, she would always do her best to get the word out — register and vote. She did so well that, one year, she was chosen Miss NAACP of Henrico County.
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Class of 2020 has hope in President Obama
Could Barack Obama deliver a national graduation address to students? Stay tuned.
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Overall crime down in Richmond during pandemic
One silver lining during this pandemic is a reduction in crime, according to Richmond Police Chief Will Smith.
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Richmond School Board grapples with $24.5M budget shortfall
The Richmond School Board is holding a special meeting 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, to continue discussing how to handle a $24.5 million shortfall in the proposed 2020-21 budget from the loss of city revenue stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
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Waiver of penalties and interest on late real estate and vehicle taxes in works
Richmonders are being promised some relief as they face a Friday, June 5, deadline for paying city taxes on real estate and vehicles.
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Area meal programs feed first responders, help restaurants
City Hall is planning to pump more than $500,000 over the next two months into Richmond-based restaurants that serve meals to Richmond police officers, firefighters and ambulance staff.
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COVID-19 testing in Richmond’s high-risk communities
With data showing that COVID-19 is disproportionately infecting and killing African-Americans in Richmond and across the state, we were pleased to learn late last week that city health officials were going to step up efforts to provide testing in the city’s largely black, high-poverty areas.
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Safety first in watching out for pedestrians
This is a request to skateboarders and electric scooter riders: Please slow down, watch out for pedestrians and give plenty of alert to people you are passing.