All results / Stories / Free Press wire reports
Justices could return Allen's cable TV race bias suit to lower court
The U.S. Supreme Court seems likely to overturn a lower court ruling in favor of an African-American media mogul and comedian who’s suing cable giant Comcast for racial discrimination.
Black-owned beauty brands move into the retail spotlight
When Dr. Rose Ingleton launched her own namesake skincare line two years ago, she couldn’t break into the big chains and was forced to use her own funds and get financial help from family and friends.
‘I can’t breathe’
Minneapolis police officers fired after cell phone video shows one kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, who later died.
Four Minneapolis police officers have been fired in the wake of the brutal death Monday of George Floyd, a 46-year-old father and security guard, who died after being handcuffed by police and put face down in the street, where a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.
Gov. Northam calls for elimination of state tax on groceries
Virginians would pay a smaller tax on groceries and receive an income tax rebate of up to $500 under outgoing Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s budget proposal rolled out on Tuesday.
Charlottesville police chief retires in wake of damaging report
The first African-American police chief of Charlottesville abruptly retired Monday, about two weeks after a scathing independent review criticized his “slow-footed response” to violence at a white nationalist rally this summer.
One down
Trump’s first year in office marked by controversy and protests
Less than 24 hours after Donald Trump took office, his presidency started generating controversy. Photographs showing that the crowd at President Trump’s swearing-in was smaller than at Barack Obama’s first presidential inauguration in 2009 caused the first ruckus in his administration — but not the last.
Jury sentences white supremacist to death in S.C. church massacre
Unrepentant white supremacist Dylann Roof was sentenced to death Tuesday for fatally shooting nine African-American church members during Bible study at a landmark Charleston, S.C., church, becoming the first person ordered executed for a federal hate crime.
Trump changes course
President-elect Donald Trump vowed on Wednesday to step back from running his global business empire to avoid conflicts of interest, as concern over his dual role mounts ahead of the Republican’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
Chauvin violated policy, training and ethics in pinning George Floyd, chief says
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo joined in condemning the actions of Derek Chauvin during the second week of the trial of the former officer charged with murdering George Floyd while he was in custody.
Newest Rhodes Scholars are Richmonder at Howard, U.Va. students
A Howard University senior who lives in Richmond and a University of Virginia senior from Maryland are among 32 Americans chosen as 2017 Rhodes Scholars.
Serena Williams wins Auckland Classic; donates money to help bushfire victims
Former world No. 1 tennis star Serena Williams won the World Tennis Association’s Auckland Classic last Sunday — her first title since 2017 — and immediately donated her prize money to aid victims of Australia’s deadly bushfires.
Grammy winner James Ingram dies at 66
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter James Ingram, who launched multiple hits on the R&B and pop charts and earned two Oscar nominations for his songwriting, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2018, at his Los Angeles home from brain cancer. He was 66.
Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle remembered for his music, community efforts
Tributes continue to pour in for Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was fatally shot outside his clothing store in South Los Angeles on Sunday, March 31.
Serena getting ready for U.S. Open
Tennis champion Serena Williams is getting ready for the U.S. Open, which gets underway Aug. 26 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
George Floyd’s family wins $27M settlement in civil suit over his death
The family of George Floyd won a $27 million settlement in a civil lawsuit over his death last year at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer.
Crusading journalist George E. Curry dies at 69
George E. Curry, a pioneering journalist and publisher whose civil rights advocacy helped free a Henrico County woman from federal prison while calling national attention to the disparity in federal drug sentences for African-Americans, died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, at a Takoma Park, Md., hospital.
Legendary debate coach, Dr. Thomas F. Freeman Sr., dies at 100
Richmond native Thomas Franklin Freeman Sr. transformed historically black Texas Southern University into a national powerhouse in debate.
‘America’s Dad’ Bill Cosby now inmate No. NN7687
“America’s Dad” Bill Cosby was marched out of court in shackles Tuesday after a judge branded him a “sexually violent predator” and sentenced him to between three and 10 years in prison for sexual assault.
Trump rejects invitation to speak at NAACP convention
The NAACP says Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has declined an invitation to address the group’s upcoming convention, flouting established precedent and highlighting anew the GOP standard-bearer’s struggle to attract support from non-white voters.
Kings Dominion changes name of roller coaster
Kings Dominion amusement park is changing the name of a roller coaster named after the war whoop of a Confederate soldier.