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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.
City leaders, groups propose housing crisis solutions
Following months of rising rent costs, a high number of evictions and growing housing scarcity, Richmond officials have declared that the city is in an affordable housing crisis.
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.
Churches, apartment complex are latest sites for COVID-19 vaccinations
A chance to avoid further danger and tragedy. A message from a trusted pastor or fellow church member. An opportunity to keep themselves, their friends and their families safe. These reasons and others compelled seniors to get vaccinated against COVID-19 last Friday and Saturday during events held by the Richmond and Henrico health districts.
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.
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.
Concern rises about COVID-19 cases among Va. inmates
Lawmakers, advocates and inmates are demand- ing answers and new solutions to the rising cases of COVID-19 among inmates and staff in Virginia’s prisons and jails.
‘It’s been a long time coming’
VSU hopes its All-Steinway School designation will attract ‘high caliber’ piano players
After 20 years, more than $1 million, and nearly 40 pianos, Virginia State University has elevated its approach to music education. The university has replaced many of its old pianos with new instruments from the Steinway & Sons piano company.
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.
Richmond Free Press freelance writer, editor Charles H. Taylor III, dies at age 70
From his earliest days to his twilight years, Charles H. Taylor III was a person of excellence and compassion for those who knew, worked with and loved him.
New laws tax cigarettes in city, raise smoking age statewide
Smoke ’em if you got ’em, because the cost of cigarettes and vaping is about to go up in more ways than one.
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.
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:
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.
