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A federal case
U.S. Dept. of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to investigate unequal discipline in Richmond Public Schools
The pursuit of justice for two Richmond Public Schools students has resulted in a federal investigation of the school district’s disparity in disciplinary procedures for African-American students and students with disabilities.
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Altria Theater lights up with new acoustics, amenities
Revamped acoustics — including a new sound system and sound-absorbing materials — are among the biggest changes in the grand venue once known as The Mosque and Richmond’s Landmark Theater.
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Slavery memorial to gain in capital budget plan
The battle over the ballpark in Shockoe Bottom apparently is over. At the same time, hopes are fading for Richmond Public Schools to gain funding to develop essential new schools on South Side to relieve overcrowding.
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Under scrutiny, Trump announces plans to dissolve his foundation
President-elect Donald Trump said he intends to dissolve his charitable foundation, the Donald J. Trump Foundation, which has been under investigation by the New York attorney general. The president-elect gave no timeline for winding down the foundation, but said in a statement released on Dec. 24 that he wanted “to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as president.”
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The cost of electricity is going up
Surging demand and a jump in the price of natural gas is about to impact electric bills in Virginia.
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What dreams come true
City’s ownership of Mayo Island appears within reach
City Hall is jumping to buy a major James River island that the city has dreamed of owning for 40 years to expand parkland.
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VSU, other colleges dealing with changes because of COVID-19
Virginia State University officials announced this week that campus housing will not be reopened and all courses will remain online this fall to avoid the spread of COVID-19 — a prime example of the upheaval students, parents and schools are facing now that classes have begun.
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11% tuition hike
NSU and U.Va. among state’s highest
Once again, the price tag to attend Virginia’s 15 state-supported colleges and universities is going up faster than inflation. In-state students can expect to pay at least 3 to 5 percent more in the fall, with a few schools going even higher. For example, Norfolk State University and the University of Virginia are posting a tuition-and-fees increase of 11 percent for incoming freshmen — among the largest tuition hikes in Virginia. U.Va. is imposing a $1,470 increase for new freshmen with the aim of raising money to reduce borrowing for students from lower-income families. The increase means new freshmen will pay $14,468 for the fall and spring semesters, not including room and board. Tuition for current students will rise only 3.9 percent from the current charge of $12,998.
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City cuts tax bills on vehicles 20 percent
The value of used vehicles has soared, but the rising prices will have far less impact on the yearly tax that Richmond residents are required to pay on their cars and trucks.
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Pivotal church versus state legal battle urged to proceed in high court
Missouri officials and a church embroiled in a closely watched dispute over public money going to religious entities urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to decide the case despite a pivotal policy change by the state’s Republican governor.
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African dance company eyeing former Jackson Ward church building
Could the vacant former Sharon Baptist Church in Jackson Ward become a performing arts center for an African dance company and other arts groups?
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VLBC outlines legislative priorities for new General Assembly session
Buoyed by two legislative sessions last year that ushered in huge reforms in voting and criminal justice, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is vowing to keep pressing for more change.
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DMV mobile service center to be outside City Hall on Sept. 7
The state Department of Motor Vehicles will operate its mobile customer service center outside Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad St. in Downtown, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7.
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Larus Park water sale on track for approval
A controversial City Hall plan to sell more water to Chesterfield County appears to be on track to win Richmond City Council approval now that a key member is supportive.
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Kirk Franklin apologizes after son releases obscenity-laced, family feud audio
Gospel entertainer Kirk Franklin has posted an online apology after one of his sons released a recording of an obscenity-laced and physically threatening argument he claimed was with Mr. Franklin.
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Televangelist Rev. Frederick K.C. ‘Fred’ Price, who built the ‘FaithDome’ in L.A. dies at 89
The Rev. Frederick K.C. “Fred” Price, the televangelist who built his Los Angeles ministry into one of the nation’s first Black megachurches, has died. He was 89.
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A. Donald McEachin for Congress
We strongly endorse 4th District Congressman A. Donald McEachin of Richmond for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Unequal punishment
Rep. McEachin requests federal investigation into high suspension rates for African-American students and those with disabilties
Congressman A. Donald McEachin has asked the U.S. Department of Education to investigate the disproportionately high suspension rates for African-American students and students with disabilities in his district. His request, made in a letter Monday to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, seeks a prompt review by the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights.
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A big deal
Let’s be clear. Your grocery bill won’t go down and your rent won’t drop because President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Action into law on Tuesday. But make no mistake, this legislation has all the earmarks of a big deal.
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Ira P. Washington Jr., retired educator and sports enthusiast, dies at 79
For Ira Payne Washington Jr., guiding middle school students to academic achievement was a calling. For nearly 50 years, he was a fixture at Henderson Middle School in Richmond’s North Side where he taught, ran the in-school suspension program and served as an assistant principal, with a lengthy illness forcing him into retirement.
