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Tree at Walker site to be removed this weekend
The live oak tree that has dominated a gateway to Jackson Ward for nearly 30 years will be coming down this weekend to make way for a new statue and plaza honoring Richmond business leader Maggie L. Walker.
Controversial Broad Street high-rise ordinances withdrawn
The battle over possible Broad Street high-rise buildings has temporarily ended in victory for the opponents.
Report details City jail stabbing
The dangers at the Richmond City Justice Center were re-emphasized Monday when one prisoner repeatedly stabbed another in the head around 6 a.m. Monday as breakfast was being served, according to internal reports the Free Press obtained.
VUU housing problems resolved
Virginia Union University has resolved the housing problems that troubled the private institution last week just before classes started.
Staging the future
Council bets on showbiz
Betting on entertainment as a key element of future job and economic growth, City Council, as expected, put two high-profile projects on the fast track Monday night—a proposed $560 million casino-resort for the South Side and a $30 million amphitheater for the Downtown riverfront.
Vacancies hurting Richmond’s emergency operations
Every element of public safety in Richmond is under stress due to manpower shortages.
Historic City Council celebration at Hippodrome
African-Americans took control of the levers of city political power almost 38 years ago and changed Richmond. It was 1977, and for the first time in the city’s history, five of the nine members of City Council were African-Americans. And as a result, the new majority was able to elect one member, Henry L. Marsh III, as Richmond’s first African-American mayor since the city’s founding in 1782.
Richmond Free Press founders win prestigious George Mason Award
The founders of the Richmond Free Press are being honored with one of Virginia journalism’s top awards.
Federal appeals court rejects VSU professor’s claim on pay discrimination
Studies show that men make more money than women for doing the same work, but proving in court that gender bias is the reason a woman is receiving lower pay turns out to be very difficult.
VSU, NSU still facing cutbacks
Cutbacks. That’s what Norfolk State and Virginia State universities are facing because of surprisingly steep enrollment drops. Enrollment at both of the state-funded, historically black institutions peaked in 2012 and then began a sharp decline. Based on current projections, both schools expect to enroll at least 25 percent fewer students in the fall than in 2012. That means less income and more need to reduce spending on staff and programs.
City selects sculptor for Maggie Walker statue
More than 16 years after it was first proposed, a bronze statue is to be created of a Richmond great, Maggie L. Walker, the first African-American woman in the nation to found and operate a bank.
U.S. Supreme Court upholds Virginia’s redrawn House of Delegates districts
Virginia voters and candidates now can have full confidence in the boundaries of the redrawn House of Delegate districts ahead of the Nov. 5 general election to fill the 100 seats.
Another case of inequity?
2 people rob the same SunTrust Bank but sentences different as black and white
Two people robbed the same SunTrust Bank branch in Hanover County four years apart.
Contractors claim they are left out of city lead removal contracts
Small African-American contractors like Anson Bell and Nathan Beyah claim they are being locked out of work to remove from 150 Richmond homes and apartments toxic lead paint that yearly damages the developing brains of dozens of young children.
Woodland Restoration Foundation hopes descendants will help with continuing cemetery upkeep, plans
Call him the headstone hunter.
5th Street traffic detour expected through mid-August
A portion of North 5th Street was closed Wednesday to start the second phase of work on the bridges beside the Richmond Coliseum.
Cleared
Allegations dismissed that Mayor Dwight C. Jones used city resources to benefit his church
Mayor Dwight C. Jones is off the hook. Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring announced Wednesday that Mayor Jones has been cleared of allegations that he used city resources to benefit the South Side church where he also is senior pastor.
City launches aid efforts to help businesses damaged in protests
Recovery help is on the way for Richmond businesses damaged by vandals during the local protests over a white Minneapolis police officer’s killing of George Floyd.
Bottom of the pack
Richmond Public Schools’ on-time graduation rate still lowest in state
Richmond Public Schools continues to generate more dropouts and produce fewer graduates in four years than virtually any other school division in Virginia, according to the latest yearly report from the state Department Education.
Jackson Ward hotel project dies after dispute with RRHA over land price
In the summer of 2019, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority awarded a Black-led development team the right to build a 115-room hotel, at least 63 apartments and a retail store on 3.4 acres in Jackson Ward.
