Story

‘Dilbert’ artist downfall, triggered by a reckless commentary, by Clarence Page
Scott Adams, creator of the popular “Dilbert” comic strip, has faced a backlash of cancellations after a tirade on his YouTube livestream in which he described Black people as members of “a hate group” from which white people should “get away.”
Story

Applause for Encore program
I hope that other surrounding counties and the City of Richmond are taking notice of the new program Henrico County is rolling out titled Encore, which was featured in the Free Press, March 2-4 edition.
Story

Women’s soccer league drafts high schooler Alyssa Thompson
Alyssa Thompson is an 18-year-old high school senior with a professional soccer contract.
Story

Antoine Davis approaching Pete Maravich’s scoring record
It might not be over yet for Antoine Davis.
Story

New documentary commemorates James Solomon Russell
The James Solomon Russell – Saint Paul’s College Museum and Archive will host a dinner and documentary premiere from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Gateway Event Center at Virginia State University.
Story

A box office KO: ‘Creed III’ debuts to $58.7M
“Creed III” punched above its weight at the domestic box office in its first weekend in theaters.
Story

Year after the slap, Chris Rock punches back in Netflix special
A year after Will Smith smacked him on the Academy Awards stage, Chris Rock finally gave his rebuttal in a forceful stand-up special, streamed live on Netflix, in which the comedian bragged that he “took that hit like Pacquiao.”
Story

Art 180 opens residency applications
Young Richmond-area artists who want to polish their portfolios while in high school have a new opportunity to do so, courtesy of ART 180 and its Atlas Artist Residency. Applications for the nextAtlas Artists are now open for students in the 9th, 10th and 11th grade. The program will provide 10 students an eight-week residency over the summer, which will in- clude materials, studio space and a stipend of $1,350. The students’ residency will finish with a public exhibition of their work. Applications will be accepted until Thursday, March 16. Links to apply or more information can be found at www.art180.org/ student-artist-residency.
Story

RPS superintendent’s chief of staff resigns
Michelle Hudacsko, chief of staff for Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, has resigned.
Story

Personality: Scottessa A. Hurte
Spotlight on Metropolitan Business League board chair
Scottessa A. Hurte has been a source of aid and guidance for Virginia’s small, women and minority-owned businesses during years of struggle.
Story

Karl E. Bren, housing advocate, dies at 78
Tennessee transplant Karl Ellis Bren is being remembered for his influence and impact on affordable housing, environmental policy and homelessness during his 38 years in Richmond.
Story

Panthers lose CIAA tourney to Rams 45-44
VUU awaits NCAA II decision after lowest scoring game in annals
Heading north on I-95, it took Virginia Union University’s bus about two hours and 35 minutes to reach Baltimore, site of the CIAA basketball tournament. It probably felt like a lot longer coming back.
Story

Bagby wins ‘firehouse’ primary in quest for Senate seat
Henrico Delegate Lamont Bagby has made a fast start in his quest to succeed Jennifer L. McClellan in the state Senate.
Story
Story

Youngkin’s schools chief resigns after department missteps
Jillian Balow, Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s superintendent of public instruction, announced her resignation Wednesday in a letter to the governor that did not offer a specific reason for her departure.
Story

Council raises percentage of vehicle tax owners must pay
Richmond vehicle owners can expect to see bigger personal property tax bills for their cars and trucks this year.
Story

Florida is latest battleground for war on education, by Svante Myrick
It’s been a few weeks since a mess started boiling over in Florida with the rollout of the new AP African-American Studies course, and no one involved is looking good: not the state Department of Education, not the College Board, and definitely not Gov. Ron DeSantis, who blasted the course publicly and pressured the College Board to water it down.
Story

John Marshall High School basketball didn’t just get good; it’s been good for years
There has been a lot of talk about John Marshall High School lately. Some good and some bad. I stayed away because outsiders love opinions and never base things on facts. What lies behind those walls of a poorly unkept building and below that building is a strong foundation.
Story

DHR to administer preservation easement over Drexel-Morrell Center property
A permanent preservation and open-space easement has been established for the Drexel- Morrell Center, a historic property in Powhatan County that highlights the role of African-Americans in that area, and the life and contributions of American Catholic St. Katharine Drexel, founder of two now defunct African-American academies that were located nearby.
Story

Baldwin’s skills, stamina, scoring work to VCU’s advantage
Adrian “Ace” Baldwin Jr. is merely the best player on the best team in the Atlantic 10.