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Harding’s leading man status
For three seasons, Tahj Harding sat on the runway, with engines revved, at Virginia Union University. This year he’s taken off and his only limit is the sky.
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Richmond native successfully pitches at Black Ambition
For Leslie Winston III, it was a case of the third time is the charm when his company, Monocle, was named HBCU Grand Prize Winner at the 3rd Annual Black Ambition Demo Day on Nov. 9 at Spring Studios in New York.
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Robinson triplets turn 10
Three times the charm
A decade ago, Deirdre Harris welcomed three of her daughters, Kali’Co, Keri’Co and Koh’Co Robinson. Triplets, the girls were delivered two months prematurely by Cesarean section on Oct. 21, 2013, and required medical support.
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Councilwoman hopes proposed changes to City Charter find support
Under proposed changes to the City Charter or constitution, City Council would gain new authority over housing subsidies and real estate tax relief to residents with low to moderate incomes, in addition to setting its own compensation and modi- fying zoning. Fifth District Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch hopes to gain unanimous support from her eight colleagues at the Monday, Dec. 11, council meeting for the changes she has negotiated with Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration. If passed by the council, the package would be sent to the General Assembly for approval in the upcoming 2024 session. Many of the changes follow recommenda- tions that a council-created Richmond City Charter Review Commission submitted Aug. 2 after a year of study. As the most significant package of charter changes proposed since the 2004 creation of a mayor elected citywide, the amend- ments do not address the current relationship between the council and the mayor ahead of the 2024 elections for the governing body and chief executive. The biggest proposed change could well be the tax and housing initiatives that the charter review commission did not address. The proposed Section 2.09 amendment would allow the city to defer property taxes and tax increases for qualifying low or moderate income property owners, using the definition of such individuals established by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, now known as Virginia Housing. Such a program could allow the taxes to accumulate over time to be paid off from proceeds after the property is sold. In addition, the proposed charter change would authorize the city to create a program that could help such qualifying individu- als buy a home or receive rental subsidies. The city also could use state or federal funds to advance such initiatives. The charter amendment also would declare the creation of programs that could provide funds directly to individuals for housing to be “in the furtherance of a public interest” to get
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Getting homes winter-ready
With El Niño returning for the first time in four years, Virginia could be in for a cold, snowy winter. Chill. Help is on the way.
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COVID-19 updates
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
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Virginia War Memorial, Navy League commemorate Pearl Harbor
The Virginia War Memorial and the Navy League of the United States, Richmond Chapter, will co-host the 82nd Commonwealth’s Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony on Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be outdoors in the Memorial’s Shrine of Memory — 20th Century at 621 S. Belvidere St. The public is invited and should dress accordingly.
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How to normalize an insurrection, by Clarence Page
Well, it took long enough. House Speaker Mike Johnson has finally started releasing 44,000 hours of security footage from the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol assault that many, including me, hoped would shed more light on what really happened on that chaotic day.
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New state NAACP president chastises Democrats for selecting Scott Surovell instead of Mamie Locke for leadership role
The Rev. Cozy E. Bailey Sr. used his first public statement as the new state NAACP president to tongue-lash the Democratic Caucus in the state Senate for failing to elect Hampton Democratic Sen. Mamie E. Locke as the next majority leader.
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The spirit of giving
Meadowbridge market offers free groceries to local residents
Dark and silent most days, the Meadowbridge Community Market comes alive on Saturdays.
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Personality: Tara Michele Sample
Spotlight on ThisAbility’s founder who builds awareness, acceptance for people with disabilities
For more than a decade, Tara Michele Sample has provided a space for children and adults living with disabilities.
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Texas Rangers’ Tony Beasley lives stone’s throw from Richmond
It may come as a surprise to area baseball fans that one of the Texas Rangers’ coaches resides just a half hour north of Richmond.
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Hanover County bans books in schools
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Wicked” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” are among the 75 books Hanover County school administrators directed teachers and librarians to remove from their schools last Friday, according to various news reports.
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Richmond to host national speech, debate tournament
The National Speech & Debate Association has selected the Richmond region as the host of its 2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament, an event that is expected to attract 10,000 student contestants and visitors to the area.
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COVID-19 updates
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
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Swansboro opens Literacy Corner
Since Sept. 20, the basement floor of Swansboro Elementary School has been the site of a new experiment in education. Among the warm atmosphere of bustling classrooms, Swansboro staff and faculty are using a new Literacy Corner to bring students a personalized way to learn and improve their reading skills.
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Matthew Lamar Edwards is 27th annual Beautillion’s new king
Matthew Lamar Edwards was crowned king of Professionals Reaching Out to the Community (PROC) Foundation’s 27th annual Beautillion which took place Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
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Feudalism in the Commonwealth, by Gary L. Flowers
In 1619, English colonizers brought captured Africans to Virginia on a cargo ship “The White Lion.” The white colonizers also brought a hierarchical social structure, left over from the days of feudalism in mid-evil England.