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RPS approves changes in selection process for three high schools
In an effort to enable more underprivileged students to attend Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Richmond Community High School and Open High, the Richmond School Board approved changes for admissions to those schools on Monday.
Housing advocates threaten to sue RRHA for keeping public housing units vacant
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has been warned that it would face a federal lawsuit if it refuses to start leasing units that deliberately have been kept vacant in the Creighton Court public housing community.
Youths from across Virginia join in Global Climate Strike
Chants drowned out the sound of traffic on Broad Street near City Hall last Friday as hundreds of people, largely youths, from across Virginia marched in two climate protests, demanding an urgent response to the threat of climate change.
Gilpin Court residents ancestry project enables them to reclaim their time
Michelle Bryant wants to learn more about herself and her ancestors.
Va. student test scores show no significant improvement
Virginia students continue to struggle academically, according to the latest results from the state’s Standards of Learning tests.
Rise up
RISC continues mission for housing, safety, well-being
The city of Richmond’s current and potential political leaders committed themselves to more action on affordable housing, mobile home repair and replacement, and discussions on gun violence prevention Tuesday evening, during RISC’s 2024 Nehemiah Action Assembly.
Voting is key to change, CBC members say
Call it better living through politicking. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus emphasized the importance of political power as the key to positive change locally, statewide and nationally Saturday afternoon at the State of Black America Town Hall.
VCU’s Heartbeats program races for better maternal health outcomes
For the last several months, a new program at Virginia Commonwealth University has been working to prevent sometimes fatal complications such as domestic violence, racial inequality and medical bias that come with pregnancy.
Dr. Melissa Viray steers local health departments through changing state COVID-19 policy
In the midst of shifts in Virginia’s COVID-19 policies, Dr. Melissa A. Viray is looking to continue the evolution and expansion of Richmond and Henrico County’s public health response as the new acting director of the Richmond and Henrico health districts.
Bold beginnings
RPS pilots new program at 2 schools
It was bright and sunny Monday morning when Angela Swafford brought her sons, Zarkarin and Zionyah, back to school. While other Richmond students and parents are still in the middle of the summer break, Ms. Swafford was one of the first of many parents escorting their children to Fairfield Court Elementary School this week as part of a pilot program extending the school’s semester from 180 to 200 days.
Joye B. Moore hits the area’s sweet spot with Joyebells Sweet Potato Pies
Joye B. Moore is a sixth-generation baker whose sweet potato pies based on an old family recipe may be making their way into countless homes throughout Metro Richmond.
School, city spirit merged at Armstrong-Walker Classic Legacy
“I’m the last Dragon.” Ashley Singleton is many things — a Richmond resident with deep family ties to Church Hill and an educator with the nonprofit Blue Sky Fund.
Eviction attempt highlights disconnect between RRHA and residents
The eviction of Creighton Court residents has been halted by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, according to housing officials who addressed the matter during a community meeting Monday evening in the Creighton Court Community Center.
Yaegel T. Welch has long carried ‘Mockingbird’ role in his head
It was the power and value of performance that first inspired Yaegel T. Welch to take to the stage. Growing up, he saw the arts as a way to express himself in a world that didn’t always know how to connect or communicate with him.
Next steps
Gov. Northam moves to reopen Virginia on May 15
Movie theaters, barber shops and hair salons, restaurants and a host of other businesses deemed non-essential could begin to reopen Friday, May 15.
Arthur Ashe Jr., ‘A true champion’: Thousands celebrate dedication of Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Local, state and national figures joined a crowd of thousands Saturday at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture to celebrate the official renaming of Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
Answers to COVID-19 questions
With eligibility for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine expanded to children ages 12 to 15, and updates to mask mandates nationally and statewide, the Free Press has gathered answers from experts to common questions about these new developments:
State officials: Va. ready to handle coronavirus
Virginia officials stressed the state’s readiness to confront any cases of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, during a news conference Wednesday morning at a state office building in Downtown.
Time capsule with items from a new Virginia buried at former Lee site
The streets of Monument Avenue were filled with sounds of construction equipment last Thursday as more than a dozen workers searched from sunrise to sunset, and through sporadic rainfall, for a 134-year-old time capsule believed to be hidden in the base of the pedestal that until Sept. 8 held the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Dr. Lucas officially inaugurated as VUU president
Dr. Hakim J. Lucas was inaugurated as Virginia Union University’s 13th president last week in an event that recognized and honored the historic institution’s past and future.
