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Gov. Northam announces plan to reopen schools in the fall
Richmond Public Schools teachers and students are to return to in-person classes after a long summer break, but with strict new social distancing guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
VMI superintendent resigns after probe ordered of ‘ongoing structural racism’
The superintendent of Virginia Military Institute resigned Mon- day, a week after Gov. Ralph S. Northam and other state officials ordered an investigation into what they characterized as a culture of “ongoing structural racism” at the college.
No Justice for Trayvon
WASHINGTON The Justice Department says George Zimmerman will not face federal civil rights charges in the 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The department announced its decision Tuesday, saying there was not enough evidence to bring federal civil rights charges, which would have required proof that the killing was motivated by racial animosity. “This young man’s premature death necessitates that we continue the dialogue and be unafraid of confronting the issues and tensions his passing brought to the surface,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. “We, as a nation, must take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”
Reparations OK’d for Chicago’s police torture victims
For decades, a police unit in Chicago used torture to induce confessions from black suspects. This week, the Chicago City Council approved a unique $5.5 million reparation fund to benefit dozens of surviving victims who were shocked, burned and beaten into admitting — often falsely — to crimes by the unit led by Jon Burge, a former police commander.
Bishop Curry has prostate surgery
The American clergyman who preached about the power of love at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has undergone surgery for prostate cancer. An Episcopal Church spokeswoman said the surgery was performed July 31 on the Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry.
Gov. Northam praises removal of Confederate honor at Fort Monroe
Gov. Ralph S. Northam praised the state’s removal of Confederate president Jefferson Davis’ name from an archway at the site where the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia 400 years ago.
Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events and quiet reflection on the end of slavery
Americans across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively new national holiday with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War.
Stoney demands DOJ investigation
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney doesn’t believe that a “coding error” is the reason 3,400 voters were removed from Virginia’s voter rolls, as stated by Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin last week.
Report forecasts millions would lose health insurance under Trumpcare
Fears that the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, would wipe out health insurance for millions of mostly low-income people appear to be highly accurate.
Pharrell to NSU grads: ‘You have the ability to create the city, life that you deserve’
NORFOLK Grammy Award-winning musician Pharrell Williams told the newest graduates of Norfolk State University on Saturday to act like “the emerging majority” and help develop the area’s businesses and culture.
Niecy Nash, 'Pose' cast and others to be honored by Essence
Emmy winner Niecy Nash, the groundbreaking cast of the hit television series “Pose,” Grammy-winning music video director Melina Matsoukas and “Captain Marvel” actress Lashana Lynch will be honored at the 2020 Black Women in Hollywood Awards.
Muslims scale back Eid al-Adha observance in midst of pandemic
Muslims around the world this week begin observing a major Islamic holiday in the shadow of the pandemic amid growing concerns about the highly infectious delta variant of the coronavirus.
Evangelist Creflo Dollar drops pitch for jet
The ministry of a prominent Georgia megachurch pastor and evangelist who teaches that God wants to bless the faithful with earthly riches has dropped a pitch for donations to buy a luxury jet valued at more than $65 million. The website of Creflo Dollar Ministries no longer features a message asking followers to “Sow your love gift of any amount” to help buy a Gulfstream G650 airplane. That message has disappeared.
Charlottesville City Council votes to sell Lee statue
Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee has taken one more step toward leaving the city of Charlottesville. Despite a pending court case, the Charlottesville City Council voted 3-2 Monday to sell the city’s statue of the Confederate general which now stands in the center of the city.
Richmonder debuts his film June 22
While growing up in Richmond, Jai Jamison knew that he wanted to be a film director. Next week, the 30-year-old’s award-winning feature film, “Tri,” will premiere in Richmond. The film, chronicling the efforts of two female triathletes, will be shown 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at Bow Tie Cinemas, 1310 N. Boulevard.
Nice guy Russell Wilson helps teammate make $100,000 bonus
The Seattle Seahawks had the lead and the ball with less than 30 seconds left on the clock Sunday, Jan. 3. All they had to do was take a knee to lock up a 26-23 victory against the San Francisco 49ers.
Good preaching attracts congregants
Top-notch preaching most attracts people looking for a new place to pray. That’s the conclusion of a new Pew Research Center study released Tuesday that asked 5,000 people about their search for a new church or other house of worship.
Dr. William E. ‘Bill’ Ward, former mayor of Chesapeake, NSU professor dies at 84
Dr. William E. “Bill” Ward, the first African-American mayor of Chesapeake and the only official to serve the longest in that role, has died.
Bloody Sunday memorial March 7 to honor late civil rights giants
This year’s commemoration of a pivotal moment in the fight for voting rights for African-Americans will honor four giants of the Civil Rights Movement who died in 2020, including the late Congressman John Lewis of Georgia.
Herring, other AGs sue to force U.S. to adopt ERA
Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring and two other Democratic state attorneys general sued a U.S. government official last week, seeking to force him to recognize Virginia’s recent vote to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and adopt the measure in the U.S. Constitution.
