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‘Why support legislation designed to obstruct a Richmond casino?’
I am strongly opposed to any legislation that has been crafted specifically to obstruct economic development in the city of Richmond. The fact that a state senator, who represents Richmond, would lead the charge to strategically cut Richmond out of an opportunity to build a casino, while feverishly promoting a casino in Petersburg, is unconscionable. Richmond was one of the five original cities selected by the legislature to build a casino. Curiously, the other four cities have all moved forward with building their casinos without opposition. It has not gone unnoticed that the proposed Richmond casino would be the only Black-owned casino in the state and that it plans to offer profit-sharing for its employees. The Richmond proposal indicates that ap- proximately 2,050 new jobs would be created by the casino. According to the state’s own research, a Richmond casino would generate almost $300 million in net gaming revenue, over $91 million in local tax revenue and over $33 million in state gaming tax. In fact, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission reported that a Richmond casino would be the highest earning facility in the state. The proposed Richmond casino will be an $800 million private investment, which will greatly enhance economic development in our capital city. It will undoubtedly create a long-lasting opportunity to positively impact the citizens of Richmond and the entire state. So the “million dollar question” is, “WHY” would anyone support legislation that was crafted with the single purpose to obstruct Richmond from realizing such a tremendous economic opportunity? BIRDIE HAIRSTON JAMISON Richmond
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Is our gun-crazed society reflection of entertainment biz?
The prop gun killing on the “Rust” movie set by Alec Baldwin reminds me of other reckless gun-violence disasters on movie sets. Specifically, when the actor Jon-Erik Hexum died after shoot- ing himself in the head with a prop gun blank while pretending to play Russian roulette with a .44 Magnum on the set of the 1984 CBS television series “Cover Up.” As well as when actor Brandon Lee, 28, son of the late martial arts star Bruce Lee, died after being hit by a .44-caliber slug while filming a death scene for the 1993 movie “The Crow.”
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Love Stories
The Free Press proudly presents its annual Valentine’s Day feature. It shares the Love Stories of five Richmond-area couples.
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VUU defeats Elizabeth City 87-71 on live TV
Harding, Osborne score 17 points each
Tahj Harding looks good on camera.
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The secret is out about Trinity’s football dominance
It all started about four years ago. First one standout football player enrolled at Trinity Episcopal School. Then another ... and another ...
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Grammys rebound from COVID years, reach 12.4 million viewers
An estimated 12.4 million people tuned in to watch stars Harry Styles, Lizzo and Bad Bunny perform at the Grammy Awards, along with a tribute to 50 years of hip-hop.
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Ma Cong’s ‘Firebird’ mixes storytelling and dance
The Richmond Symphony will accompany ballet’s East Coast premiere
The storyline of the ballet “Firebird with Serenade” is set in a fairytale. It involves princesses, spells and castles. However, the foundational theme of the piece is based on the realities of reunion and love.
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Black History Museum launches event management arm
The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia is expanding from curating exhibits to curating and hosting events.
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'Black history in Virginia is Virginia’s story'
Museum exhibit explores freedom, justice, equality
From a weathered slave auction block used in 19th Century South Carolina, to the military attire, documents and scientific tools of soldiers, teachers and doctors, each item in Jackson Ward’s Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia tells a story.
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Capital of compassion
Mayor Stoney’s upbeat agenda: Increased home ownership, public safety, enhanced learning
As he launched his seventh year in office, Mayor Levar M. Stoney painted a rosy picture of a thriving city “filled with promise and hope ... and purpose” Tuesday in delivering his State of the City address.
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Impassioned calls for police reform at Tyre Nichols’ funeral
Tyre Nichols ’ family and friends gathered Wednesday for a funeral that blended a celebration of his life with outrage over the brutal beating he endured at the hands of Memphis Police and heated calls for police reform.
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Dominique Bailey leads John Marshall in basketball and college credits
From the bleachers, it’s easy to see that Dominique Bailey is a multitalented guard for John Marshall High’s undefeated Justices. What spectators can’t see about Bailey, from afar, is just as interesting.
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City School Board, NAACP raise concerns about RPS budget proposal
Superintendent Jason Kamras’ budget presentation during a School Board meeting last month launched the school division’s budget talks for the 2023-2024 school year, while also raising questions about budget allocations for RPS students.
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Morrissey banned from Henrico jail
Henrico County Sheriff Alisa A. Gregory released a statement Tuesday confirming a Jan. 28 incident that led to the revocation of Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey’s, D-Richmond, visiting privileges to Henrico’s Jail West and Jail East for 90 days.
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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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Pioneering Harvard entrepreneur to be honored by Howard University
Lillian L. Lambert is being recognized by Howard University with its Alumni Award for Distinguished Postgraduate Achievement.
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City jail deputy shortages continue
“This feels like an emergency situation. It feels like we are in a crisis.”
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Lessons in photo ops
The front page of the Free Press’ Jan. 26 edition shows Gov. Glenn Youngkin and his wife, First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, surrounded by adorable first-graders at Richmond’s Carver Elementary School.
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Gun violence and the disease behind it, by Ben Jealous
We’ve had more mass shootings this year than we’ve had days this year.
