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General Assembly approves city charter change for school modernization
By Jeremy M. Lazarus 40-0 in the state Senate.

City’s hourly ‘living wage’ to rise to $12.07 under mayor’s proposed pay plan
More than 3,800 employees at City Hall, from janitors to executives, will be affected by the long-awaited overhaul of the city’s pay plan that Mayor Levar M. Stoney is expected to introduce Monday, Jan. 7, to Richmond City Council.

General Assembly green-lights preference for Pamunkey tribe in local casino
The General Assembly, eager for a flood of green from casino gambling, gave a Virginia Indian tribe with a well-documented history and continuing practice of racial bigotry, a leg up in two cities — Richmond and Norfolk.

Tax law change to affect city utility customers
In an unexpected twist, Richmond’s utility customers could gain a few dollars of savings on their water, sewer and natural gas bills as the result of the tax overhaul bill that Congress passed last week and President Trump signed into law.

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe makes it official: He wants another 4 years
Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe has been saying for months he wants his old job back. On Wednesday, Mr. McAuliffe made his bid official.

$ for schools
Mayor Levar M. Stoney announces $800M plan to fully fund school construction over next 20 years
The mayor announced a plan on Dec. 20 to provide the $800 million that Richmond Public Schools wants to improve and modernize schools, a majority of which are 60 or more years old and seven of which are 100 years old.

Lost cause
Richmond City Council rejects resolution requesting General Assembly approval for authority over city’s Confederate monuments
The racist Confederate past has maintained its stranglehold on Richmond’s future.

Minister continues legal pursuit of control of Fourth Baptist Church
The battle for control of historic Fourth Baptist Church is once again headed to court.

Delegates Filler-Corn and McQuinn launch interfaith reproductive coalition
Two Democratic members of the House of Delegates are seeking to rally Christians, Jews, Muslims and other people of faith who support abortion.

City packs heat with little impact
Gun buyback nets 126 broken weapons, 227 handguns, 117 rifles and shotguns
City Hall touted Richmond’s first gun buyback program as an “overwhelming success” despite evidence that the event is unlikely to have any impact on violence or gun ownership.

GRTC drives starting pay by 43 percent
GRTC boosted starting pay for bus drivers by a whopping 43 percent, effective immediately, with double-digit increases for most current drivers as well.

City Addresses problems in three new school buildings
City Hall is blaming manufacturing defects for flaws in three new school buildings that opened for in-person classes on Sept. 8.

GRTC bus operators picket over safety, security concerns
Active drivers and retired bus operators hold up signs to passing vehicles Nov. 10 as they conduct informational picketing in front of GRTC’s headquarters at 301 E. Belt Blvd. in South Side.

$22.3M: The amount the city expects the surplus to be from 2020-21 fiscal year
A $22.3 million surplus, equal to $96 for every man, woman and child in Richmond.

New year, new leadership
Michael Jones succeeds Cynthia Newbille as City Council president
City Council shook up its leadership Tuesday afternoon.

Highland Park’s Highland Grove development halted
A long-awaited 122-unit subdivision that is supposed to rise on nearly 40 acres in the 500 block of Dove Street in Highland Park remains shut down.

Average value of Richmond homes hits new record
Homeowners in Richmond can expect to pay bigger real estate tax bills in 2024 as the value of their property continues to rise, though at a more modest pace than the blistering double digit growth rates of the past two years.
New SCLC chapter chartered in Richmond
The Rev. Dwayne E. Whitehead is the leader of a new Richmond area chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

McDonnell skirts jail with appeal
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell will remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction on corruption charges. In a win for the one-time Republican star, he will not have to report to prison in two weeks to start his two-year sentence. That’s the result of Monday’s order from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The order approved the request from Mr. McDonnell’s legal team for him to remain free while his jury conviction is challenged. The two-page order also took a slap at U.S.JudgeJamesR.Spencer,whopresided