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Vote ‘YES’ for the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino
For the past several weeks, Alfred C. Liggins III, CEO of Urban One, and representatives of Churchill Downs have spoken with church, civic and media organizations about their quest to build a gambling project on Richmond’s South Side.
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Right to vote hangs in balance, by Marc H. Morial
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and should be accessible to every eligible resident. It has been proven that participating in the civic process reduces recidivism, and individuals take pride in their communities when they can fully contribute to Virginia. True democracy does not deprive individuals of participation based on the whim of one individual. It’s time to correct the wrongs of our 1902 Constitution and leave the power to one succinct process that cannot be modified by a single person’s emotions in the moment.” — Sheba Williams, Executive Director, Nolef Turns
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Versatile Huguenot quarterback Jason Wright eyes championships
If Huguenot High School football is to rise as a tower of power, Jason Wright deserves to go down as a cornerstone of the project.
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RVA Bandits compete for football championships this weekend
Darryl H. Johnston fondly remembers playing youth football growing up in Richmond. Frustrated that the city’s parks and recreation department was no longer fielding a team at the Broad Rock Sports Complex where he played as a child, the 32-year-old Atlantic City, N.J., native started a program in August.
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Finalists pitch podcasts during RESONATE festival
The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University will present the second annual RESONATE Podcast Festival Nov. 3-4. This year, both established and aspiring pod- casters were once again invited to submit ideas that demonstrate sound-rich, creative nonfiction storytelling.
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Mr. Virginia State University, Christopher Lawrence, and Miss Virginia State University, Aliya Mayers, wave to the crowd during the game, which drew 3,409 people. VSU …
Published on October 19, 2023
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$5M payday?
Tentative agreement said to be reached in Arthur Ashe controversy
City Hall and the Richmond School Board appear to be on the verge of settling a 17-month dispute over control of the aging Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, a basketball arena and convocation center that the school system managed since it opened in 1982. As the Free Press previously reported, both sides claimed ownership of the 4.1-acre property that occupies a key corner of the planned 67-acre, $2.44 billion Diamond District redevelopment initiative — and until now, an ugly and embarrassing court battle appeared to be looming to settle which entity holds title to the building.
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Biden didn’t make Israeli-Palestinian talks a priority; Arab leaders say region now paying the price
From its first months in office, the Biden administration made a distinctive decision on its Middle East policy: It would de-prioritize a half-century of high-profile efforts by past U.S. presidents, particularly Democratic ones, to broker a broad and lasting peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
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Personality: W. Weldon Hill, Ph.D.
Spotlight on CultureWorks board chair
Jazz pianist and retired educator W. Weldon Hill, Ph.D., believes in freedom of expression through art.
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After homecoming win, VSU eyes championship prizes
Boldly, VirginiaStateUniversity’s football schedule includes games on Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 that aren’t guaranteed. That would be the CIAA Championship Game Nov. 11 and NCAA Division II Playoffs Nov. 18. And while Trojans fans may want to hold off a bit in making travel plans, those games are looking more and more like a reality.
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Florida faith leader: Black history toolkit gains interest outside the state
When the Rev. Rhonda Thomas decided to create a toolkit to help teach Black history outside the public school system — after Florida legislators approved revisions to its required instruction — she expected Black churches like her own would be the ones to use it.
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Department of Defense awards $9M to create research institute at VCU
A new research institute is coming to Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Engineering through a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to create and improve technologies for security, health and various other benefits.
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Could Youngkin be on presidential campaign trail?
Most say it’s a ‘no’ for Virginia’s governor
Glenn Youngkin was waving off talk about running for the White House back in 2021, before he’d even made it to the Virginia governor’s mansion.
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Yes or no?
The announcement that former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn will not run for governor in 2025 comes amid continuing rumors that Virginia’s current governor may make a late entry into the 2024 presidential race.
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America’s ticking fiscal time clock, by Charlene Crowell
For the second time this year, Congress’ inability to reach consensus on essential fiscal legislation has devolved into largely partisan bickering and literal, last-minute temporary financial Band-Aids. On Sept. 30, the last day of the 2022-2023 federal fiscal year, a continuing resolution (CR) provided a 45-day reprieve, just in time to meet a midnight deadline that would have resulted in a federal government shutdown.
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Panthers cruising into homecoming
What more could you ask for? Virginia Union University has the wind at its back, a full head of steam and arguably the nation’s top running back heading into homecoming weekend.
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Brotherly love
TJ’s Stovall plays in slain sibling’s honor
Whenever Dashawn Stovall steps onto a football field, he is fueled by flesh, bone and a full tank of emotion. He carries the pigskin and makes tackles for Thomas Jefferson High School, but also for his slain brother, Davonte, who was murdered in 2019 in a shooting on Selden Street.
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Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
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Virginia Union University’s Jada Byers zig-zags for 245 yards and two touchdowns in VUU’s 42-20 CIAA win over Elizabeth City State.
Published on October 12, 2023
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Caleb Wilson, 3, and Caiden Wilson, 7, smile for the camera while their mother, Simone Wilson, keeps a watchful eye on them.
Published on October 12, 2023
