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Religious extremist group frees kidnapped girls; ready to release more
The Islamic State-allied faction of Boko Haram, which last week freed 21 of more than 200 Chibok girls kidnapped in April 2014 in northeast Nigeria, is willing to negotiate the release of 83 more of the girls, the Nigerian president’s spokesman said Sunday.
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Richmond mom takes action after teen deaths
Candice Walker, like many people in Richmond, was appalled and outraged by the recent slayings of five teenagers.
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CIAA celebrating 125 years of black college football
Black college football turns 125 years old this year.
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Protecting the right to vote
Voting is not a privilege. It is a fundamental, constitutionally ratified right afforded to all eligible citizens. The right to elect your federal, state and local representatives and weigh in on proposed local policies via ballot is the very definition of democracy — rule by the people.
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City receives grants for lead paint abatement, workforce development
Richmond has been awarded grants totaling $4.6 million that will enable the city Health District to do more to reduce lead poisoning of children and to beef up the city’s workforce programs that seek to reduce poverty. The biggest grant, $2.7 million, is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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School culture change needed with new superintendent
Richmond Public Schools needs a new leader with a new plan because what has been done in the past is not working. That was the general sentiment of parents, teachers, staff and RPS supporters who gathered Tuesday at John Marshall High School to discuss the ideal qualities and expectations for the city’s next schools superintendent.
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Trump’s views on Islam ‘continue to evolve’
President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia this week has begun to soften his attitudes about Islam, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Monday after a two-day summit in which the president was treated to extraordinary Arab hospitality. “I think the president’s views — like, we hope, the American people’s views — are going to continue to evolve,” Mr. Tillerson said on the flight from Riyadh to Tel Aviv.
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More help requested at Evergreen, East End cemeteries
More help, please. That’s the plea from Marvin Harris, founder and president of the nonprofit Evergreen Restoration Foundation that is dedicated to improving the historic 60-acre Evergreen Cemetery on the border between Richmond and Henrico County in the East End.
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Football standout Phillip Sims gives back as new football coach at John Marshall High
Some may look at John Marshall High School football and see a struggling program with a string of losing seasons.
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Hanover standout Cayman Richardson to play ball at U.Va.
Cayman Richardson is going from one of the top high school baseball programs in Virginia to one of the top college programs in America.
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Gravely resigns NAACP post
After three weeks of mulling the decision, Jack Gravely is stepping down as interim executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP. He delivered his resignation Monday via email to state NAACP President Linda Thomas and other members of the executive board.
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Gordon Parks exhibit opens Saturday at VMFA
An exhibit featuring works by the noted late photographer Gordon Parks opens Saturday at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit, “Gordon Parks: Back to Fort Scott,” will be on view through Oct. 30 at the museum, 200 N. Boulevard. It features 42 photographs that examine life during segregation in 1950s America.
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Resources available to reduce stress, violence
Increased attention has been on African-Americans who experience violence in the household, neighborhood or overall society. Negative life experiences, such as violent households and violent communities, can have a mental and physical cost.
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Sentiments of black press 190 years later
In the February 1981 issue of Ebony magazine, brilliant journalist and historian Lerone Bennett Jr. provided the best reason for studying and learning from history that I have ever heard or read. In an article, “Why Black History Is Important to You,” he wrote, “The past is a bet that your father placed that you must now cover.”
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Donations allow Armstrong High to ‘play ball’
The enthusiastic words “Play ball!” were heard on Armstrong High School’s campus this spring for the first time in many baseball seasons.
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Va. officials propose commission on 400th anniversary of Africans in U.S.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott want to set up a federal panel to study the contributions and accomplishments of black people in America.
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HU’s Miles Grooms awaiting draft call from NFL
A native Richmonder who got a late start in football could be Hampton University’s next NFL entry. Miles Grooms hopes to hear his name called in the NFL draft scheduled for Thursday, April 28, through Saturday, April 30, in Chicago.
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Hampton U. Pirates favored to win MEAC Tournament
Hampton University has the MEAC’s best basketball record, and arguably the conference’s two best players. Its archrival, Norfolk State University, however, has the last regular season laugh, as well as hometown advantage, heading into this week’s MEAC Tournament at the Norfolk Scope.