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State Board of Elections investigation continuing into city Electoral Board

The state Board of Elections is to meet Tuesday, April 20, to determine whether allegations involving two Democratic members of the Richmond Electoral Board are to be referred to the Richmond Circuit Court for further action.

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Marijuana on track for legalization July 1

In landmark action Wednesday, the General Assembly put Virginia on track to legalize possession of a small amount of marijuana on July 1.

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Driver, mechanic shortages could lead to GRTC service cuts

Offering bonuses of $5,000 to $8,500, GRTC is seeking to lure more drivers to its ranks and avoid cutting service.

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NAACP, Herring support innocence claims of the Waverly Two

More than 20 years after two men were sentenced to prison for convictions stemming from the slaying of a Waverly police officer, a new effort has emerged that could grant them their innocence and freedom.

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Desiree Roots joins Virginia Repertory Theatre

Singer, dancer, actor Desirée Roots has been named co-artistic director for community with the Virginia Repertory.

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Dominique Bailey leads John Marshall in basketball and college credits

From the bleachers, it’s easy to see that Dominique Bailey is a multitalented guard for John Marshall High’s undefeated Justices. What spectators can’t see about Bailey, from afar, is just as interesting.

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Local basketball referees help reboot SlamBall league

Ray Bullock Sr. has refereed nearly every level of basketball there is, from youth leagues to the NBA. Now he can add SlamBall to his list.

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Willard Bailey Classic

Panthers return for first home game of season

Bye bye cramped bus seat. Hello Hovey Field. Finally, the road-weary, yet road-conquering Virginia Union University Panthers will merely have to stroll across Lombardy Street to play a football game. Now 3-0 after three long bus rides, Coach Alvin Parker’s squad will play host to Fayetteville State 6 p.m. Saturday under the Hovey lights. It also will serve as the Willard Bailey Classic, honoring the former (and still avid supporter) who posted a 157-73-6 record in two stints of duty, 1971-1983 and 1995-03.

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Taking a RISC

It is gratifying to read Free Press reporter George Copeland Jr.’s article about the commit- ment shown by Richmond’s current and potential political leaders who attended a forum focused on affordable housing, mobile home repair and replacement, and gun violence prevention. Tuesday night’s forum, which drew hundreds of parishioners from more than 20 member congregations to St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County, was organized by Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities, also known as RISC. Such a turnout is incredible and worthy of several rounds of “Amazing Grace” performed by our Forever President Obama! During the RISC meeting, pledges from city Councilmembers Stephanie A. Lynch, Andreas D. Addison and Ann-Frances Lambert for an additional $2 million in mobile home funding in next year’s budget and a resolution guaranteeing money owed from the 2022-23 fiscal year would be added to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Ms. Lynch agreed to patron the Trust Fund resolution and to ensure a mobile home fund amendment would be in the budget if it wasn’t already there. She also charged the RISC members pres- ent to bring this same energy and collective organizing to other political offices outside the City of Richmond. “It is not in any way equitable, just or Christ- like that we live in a country with so much and yet so many suffering with so little,” Ms. Lynch said. “If you live in Henrico, you live in Chesterfield, you live in other localities, I want you to push your electorate and challenge your elected leaders to do the same.” Councilmembers Addison and Lambert agreed to co-patron the resolutions. Coun- cilmember Ellen F. Robertson also agreed to support efforts in improving affordable hous- ing and supporting mobile home repair and replacement, though she said additional budget amendments might not be necessary. The additional funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the Mobile Home Re- pair Program will help address critical needs in the city. The focus on gun violence prevention through the Group Violence Intervention solu- tion also is commendable, as it has garnered success in other areas. Say “Amen,” somebody.

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Free community testing for COVID-19 continues

For the week of April 20, the city of Richmond and the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover saw 35 confirmed hospital admissions of patients with COVID-19. Four deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported statewide during the same timeframe.

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Loss of support from Republican evangelicals suits MAGA crowd just fine, by Clarence Page

Black voters traditionally have been pivotal to the fortunes of the Democratic Party, but some recent polls have suggested that they are proving less bankable for President Biden than in the past. Whether or not as many as 20% of Black voters have in fact deserted the Democrats, as some recent polls suggest, is a contested matter. But it’s probably fair to say that Democrats currently are in more of a defensive than a growth mode with that portion of the electorate.

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Dems need winning formula

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel just got spanked. Despite a campaign war chest of more than $15 million and the support of President Obama, the former congressman and White House chief of staff could not avoid a runoff in the non-partisan election. Garnering 45 percent of the vote to runner-up Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s 34 percent, he did not clear the 50 percent bar for victory. Mr. Emanuel, the darling of the mainstream Democratic Party, has earned the dubious distinction of being in the first Chicago mayoral runoff in nearly 20 years. He also runs the risk of being the first incumbent mayor ousted since Harold Washington beat Jane Byrne in 1983.

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Body cameras coming

Richmond police officers could be wearing body cameras as early as this fall. Chief Alfred Durham said Tuesday the nearly 740-officer force should have about 200 body cameras purchased and ready for use by officers “by October or November.”

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$87.6M

Wilson inks contract extension with Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has millions of reasons to be wearing one of the biggest smiles in the team’s training camp this week in Renton, Wash.

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Tests cheat students out of education

Eleven Atlanta teachers have been convicted of altering student test scores on standardized tests. They are charged with racketeering and conspiracy. The much-celebrated superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, the late Beverly L. Hall, was among the indicted but was too ill to stand trial. She died March 2.

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New Fulton housing development on drawing board

Richmond’s apartment boom is heading east into the Fulton community. The former Robert Fulton Elementary School, long a haven for artists, is proposed to be a centerpiece of a 266-unit, $38 million apartment complex to be called Studio Row.

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No eggs, bacon for The Breakfast Club

They call themselves “The Breakfast Club.” They arrive about 6 a.m. at Fifth Baptist Church in the West End every Tuesday and Friday. Deacon John Chavis opens the back door for them. On this particular morning, 13 members of the club arrive. And as they do twice a week, they play basketball in the church gymnasium.

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New United Way head faces fundraising challenge

Giving to United Way is continuing to shrink. Ten years ago, the umbrella charity could raise at least $20 million between Labor Day and Thanksgiving through its workplace campaign to benefit nonprofit partners.

Women’s instinct

A woman’s instinct is usually spot on. In this case, it was the instinct of a small group of women to convene a march in Washington to protest the inauguration of President Trump.

Get ready to rumble

For many, the new year began rather gloomily with the reminder that, in just a few short days, the nation will have a new president, who slid into office without the backing of a majority of American voters and with the help of the Russian government, if you believe U.S. intelligence sources.