Story
Gillum concedes in Fla. gov.’s race
Democrat Andrew Gillum, who had sought to become Florida’s first African-American governor, conceded last Saturday after a recount showed he had no way of catching his Republican rival Ron DeSantis, an ally of President Donald Trump.
Story
Sharks hire Mike Grier as NHL’s first Black GM
The San Jose Sharks’ three-month search for a general manager ended with a barrier-breaking hire as the team made longtime NHL forward Mike Grier the first Black GM in league history.
Story
VSU wins Labor Day Classic before crowd of 10,000-plus in Norfolk
Virginia State University continues knocking out its football opponents — even those in a larger division. Under Coach Reggie Barlow, the Trojans beat Norfolk State University 14-10 last Saturday before a crowd of 10,221 fans at the Labor Day Classic in damp Dick Price Stadium.
Story
Another Barbara Johns?
Open High students plan citywide walkout to protest lack of funding
Imagine all 5,600 high school students in Richmond walking out to protest the physical conditions of their buildings. Then imagine them overflowing the Richmond City Council chambers a few hours later to bring their concerns to the nine-member governing body.
Story
Scott co-leader of bipartisan effort to curb federal prison spending
From Virginia to California, states are pushing change to cut their ballooning prison costs that collectively approach $60 billion. Instead of automatically locking up people, 32 states have put in place reforms during the past five years that have reduced the numbers of people imprisoned without increasing crime rates. The efforts have saved at least $4 billion. That includes reserving prison cells for the most serous offenders and doing more to divert lower-level offenders to supervised support programs outside prison.
Story
City Council calls for Washington team to pay its way or end relationship
Will Washington’s pro football team continue to run a summer training camp in Richmond after 2020? That question is expected to be decided after Mayor Levar M. Stoney and team representatives hold talks, likely in May, on a potential extension of the current agreement.
Story
Architects for future George Wythe High gather comments, ideas from public
The idea of a new George Wythe High School is beginning to take shape, but a rendering shared with an audience of about 60 in the school’s auditorium Tuesday night is only a starting point said RRMM Architect’s president and CEO Duane Harver.
Story
VCU drops Moore Street School day care project
Virginia Commonwealth University apparently has dropped its $5 million plan to transform the historic, but deteriorating Moore Street School in the Carver community near Downtown into a day care and child development center for pre-school children.
Story
License plate campaign pays homage to Richmond Planet
Reginald L. Carter is within striking distance of scoring another victory for his campaign for Black history and racial justice.
Story
Petersburg votes to rename Confederate schools
The Confederate names on three Petersburg public schools are coming down. The Petersburg School Board voted unanimously on Feb. 7 to rename the schools following a series of public meetings, a public hearing and survey of Petersburg teachers, students, families, school employees and the public.
Story
GRTC extends free fares
As anticipated, free rides will continue on GRTC for another year, without any additional subsidy from Richmond taxpayers.
Story
New agreement appears to move forward Diamond District, stadium
A breakthrough in negotiations has put the $2.4 billion Diamond District deal back on track, the Free Press has learned.
Story
City Council setting up procedures for public meetings online
The Richmond City Council is moving to set up processes and procedures for holding online public meetings, including ways to gain resident comments on legislation, it was announced Tuesday.
Story
$1M upgrade at Main Library in Downtown
Every day, dozens of people flood into the Main Library in Downtown to use public computers. They come to check emails, seek employment, do research and handle other activities in the online world, including paying bills and applying for visas.
Story
To save lives, lawmakers must seek common ground on gun legislation, by Roger Chesley
Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly, now in charge in both chambers in the session that opened last week, hope to pass several gun-control bills. The wish list includes legislation to ban the sale of new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, The Washington Post reported.
Story
Mountain of Blessings starts Chesterfield satellite service Nov. 1
Henrico-based Mountain of Blessings Christian Center is making a fresh go at expanding south of the James River nine months after its bid to buy the Richmond Christian Center on the city’s South Side was rebuffed.
Story
Supreme Court rejects GOP argument in North Carolina case that could have transformed U.S. elections
The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that state courts can curtail the actions of their legislatures when it comes to federal redistricting and elections, rejecting arguments by North Carolina Republicans that could have dramatically altered races for Congress and president in that state and beyond.
Story
Children paying the price for gun violence
Gun reform has been revisited time after time. It is time now for action to be taken. Gun violence has continued to plague Richmond’s African-American community.
Story
Millions struggle to pay AC bills in heat waves
Federal aid reaches only a fraction
Bobbie Boyd is in a losing battle against near triple-digit temperatures in Northwest Arkansas.
Story
RPS students chosen for unique Washington experience
Forty high school students from Richmond Public Schools will attend the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s National Town Hall on Thursday, Sept. 15, in Washington.