Story
Source: City Hall knew Adediran was managing church project
It was no secret at Richmond City Hall that city Public Works Director Emmanuel O. Adediran was doubling as project manager for a new $5.3 million sanctuary that First Baptist Church of South Richmond is building in Chesterfield County, the Free Press has learned. According to a highly knowledgeable source, “everyone knew (Mr. Adediran) had been asked by the mayor to help with the church project.”
Story
City Council members call for ban on police use of tear gas, pepper spray as demonstrations continue
Ban the tear gas, pepper spray, flash bangs and rubber bullets that Richmond Police and their law enforcement partners have used repeatedly to disperse protesters clamoring against police brutality and racial injustice. That’s the cry from two Richmond City Council members who have witnessed the demonstrations and choked on the tear gas, and believe its use by police needs to end.
Story
5 African-American leaders recognized as 'Strong Men & Women in Virginia History'
Five African-American leaders, including a retired judge, NASA scientist and inventor and a former NFL player, were honored during the eighth annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” awards program Feb. 6 at a Downtown hotel.
Story
Personality: Carolyn Tibbs Hemphill
Spotlight on founder of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society
Black history runs deep in Hanover County, and Carolyn Tibbs Hemphill is on a mission to find it, preserve it and let the world know about it.
Story
Personality: Jenny M. High
Spotlight on founder and president of nonprofit Go High Center for the Arts
Jenny M. High, founder and president of Go High Center for the Arts, is a visionary and mentor to Richmond area youths.
Story
AME Church and black banks launch partnership for black wealth
The black church, among the most prosperous institutions in America, has long led movements for the spiritual, social and civic uplift of black people.
Story
Remembering MLK
People in Richmond and across the nation pause to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his death
On the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed 50 years ago, tens of thousands of people gathered at small and large events in Richmond and other cities on Wednesday to mourn his death, celebrate his life and rekindle his struggle for economic and social justice.
Story
Love stories
The Free Press proudly presents its annual Valentine’s Day feature. It shares the love stories of four Richmond area couples.
Story
Dems take the House
Voter enthusiasm, coupled with rejection of Trump policies, results in Democrats regaining the U.S. House of Representatives in midterm election
Voters brought an end to one-party Republican rule in the nation’s capital in Tuesday’s election. Propelled by a surge of rank-and-file enthusiasm and widespread urban and suburban dissatisfaction with President Trump, Democrats took control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2011.
Story
Personality: Jacqueline C. Presley
Spotlight on president of Altrusa International of Capital City of Virginia
As she nears the end of her two-year tenure as president of Altrusa International Capital City of Virginia, Jacqueline C. Presley remains excited “just to be a part of a worldwide organization” dedicated to making the community a better place.
Story
City erupts
Death of George Floyd in Minneapolis prompts plans for reform by Mayor Stoney and Gov. Northam, including removal of Confederate statues on Monument Avenue
The statues of Confederate traitors are headed for removal from Monument Avenue — ending their long reign as white supremacist icons of Richmond that extends back to 1890.
Story
John Marshall High wins 2A state championship
John Marshall High School’s statewide domination of boys’ basketball doesn’t figure to end any time soon.
Story
Funeral arrangements announced for ‘Queen of Soul,’ Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin, the glorious “Queen of Soul” whose music became the backdrop for a generation and a theme song for both the civil rights and women’s movement, will be laid to rest Friday, Aug. 31, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.
Story
Songs of redemption
Documentary film captures noted hip-hop artist ‘Speech’ of Arrested Development helping men incarcerated at the Richmond City Justice Center make strides toward better lives through music
For 10 days, hip-hop artist Todd “Speech” Thomas, the front man for Arrested Development, worked inside the Richmond City Justice Center helping inmates to tell their stories via music. They sang, rapped and played out their pain in music, part of a method to unearth the past and open new chapters in the lives.
Story
Some Muslim candidates face backlash on campaign trail
Two months ago, Fardousa Jama did something no other Muslim woman in South-Central Minnesota has done: She filed to run for a City Council seat in Mankato, Minn.
Story
Lt. Gov. Fairfax compares ‘rush to judgment’ against him to Jim Crow-era lynching
With his political career in tatters, embattled Democratic Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax took a stand against his critics in the final moments of the 2019 General Assembly session.
Story
Harry and Meghan have a royal baby
And his name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex whose fairytale wedding last year garnered international headlines, gave birth to a 7 pound 3 ounce boy at 5:26 a.m. Monday.
Story
Incumbent Thornton facing 2 challengers in Fairfield District primary in Henrico
All five seats on the Henrico County Board of Supervisors are up for election in November.
Story
Probe into Northam’s blackface scandal ‘inconclusive’
Was Gov. Ralph S. Northam actually one of the people in the racist photo on his Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook page in 1984? It’s “inconclusive.”
Story
School Board approves $224.7M for school buildings
The Richmond School Board once again is challenging the mayor and City Council to find money to start replacing or renovating the decrepit public school buildings a majority of students attend.
