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Political newcomer Rae Cousins upsets opponents for House bid

Rae Cousins, a lawyer and fourth-generation Richmonder, handily won Tuesday’s primary in Richmond to become the Democratic nominee for the 79th House of Delegates District. Ms. Cousins, 43, bested 3rd District City Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert, 47, and criminal justice crusader Richard Walker, 65, in the their contest in the L-shaped district that is anchored in the East End and takes in portions of South Side and North Side. The district is one of three that includes portions of the city and the only one in which there was a party nomination contest. Incumbent Delegate Betsy B. Carr is unopposed in her bid for

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Sacred burial site to be marked by mural

A mural with a message embedded in large red, black and green stripes will soon mark an historic but largely unknown Black cemetery in North Side.

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Swansboro Elementary names auditorium for music teacher

For Wallesa Diane Coleman Jones, teaching elementary schoolchildren to appreciate music has been a labor of love.

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Summer up

Summer 2023 arrived Wednesday, and although the purported longest day of the year was accompanied by rain, cheer up. The wetness won’t last long! After all, this is Richmond.

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Why teachers need to fight against adult supremacy, by Ashley Clerge

As educators, we often talk about the importance of empow- ering students and giving them agency in the classroom. How- ever, there is a darker reality that we must confront: The per- vasive influ- ence of adult supremacy, which takes away agency from kids by restricting their access to freedom and control- ling their bod- ies, especially in schools. This issue is even more intense for students of color, as the need for control is often justified under the guise of “safety” and “dis- cipline.” As teachers, it is our responsibility to combat adult supremacy in the classroom and give power and agency back to our students. At its core, adult supremacy is rooted in the belief that adults are inherently superior to chil- dren and therefore have the right to control and dominate them. This manifests in a number of ways in schools, from strict dress codes to zero-tolerance discipline policies to the use of physical force to maintain con- trol. In each case, the message is clear: Children are not capable of making their own decisions and must be controlled for their own good. For students of color, the need for control is often even more intense, as they are viewed as inherently more dangerous or disruptive. This can lead to Ashley Clerge harsher punishments, greater surveillance, and a lack of trust on the part of teachers and administrators. The result is a toxic environment that strips students of their agency and leaves them feeling powerless and marginalized. As educators, we must work to combat adult supremacy in the classroom and give power and agency back to our stu- dents. This means rethinking our approach to discipline, moving away from punishment and control, and toward restor- ative justice and community building. It means listening to our students, valuing their opinions and experiences, and empowering them to make decisions about their own lives and education. One way to do this is through the use of student-led classrooms, where students have a say in everything from the curriculum to the rules to the physical layout of the classroom. This not only gives students agency but also helps to build a sense of community and ownership in the classroom. We also can work to create safe spaces where students feel comfortable sharing their experiences and expressing their opinions. This means creating an environment where all voices are heard and valued, and where students feel free to challenge the status quo and advocate for themselves and their peers. Ultimately, combating adult supremacy in the classroom requires a fundamental shift in our approach to education. We must move away from a model that views children as passive recipients of knowledge and toward one that values their agency, their experiences, and their voices. Only then can we create a truly empowering and equitable education system for all students. The writer is a fifth grade humanities teacher for Boston Public Schools and a 2023 International Literacy Asso- ciation 30 Under 30 Literacy Champion.

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Six key points from the scathing report on Minneapolis Police after George Floyd’s killing

The Justice Department on June 16 issued a scathing assessment of Minneapolis Police, alleging that racial discrimination and excessive force went unchecked before George Floyd’s killing because of inadequate oversight and an unwieldy process for investigating complaints.

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A Black preacher, ‘no longer at war with her body,’ on connecting flesh with the divine

Lyvonne Briggs describes herself as “a Black woman spiritual leader who is no longer at war with her body.” Her mission, in her new book, “Sensual Faith,” is to help other women stop being at war with their bodies too.

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Richmond Free Press founders receive City Hall honor and recognition

Black-owned weekly saluted for its ‘leadership, service, dedication and prominence in the community’

Jean P. Boone and the late Raymond H. Boone, founders and publishers of the Richmond Free Press newspaper, received recognition from City Council on Monday night to honor their journalistic contributions to the city.

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Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges that he illegally kept classified documents

Trump became the first former president to face a judge on federal charges as he pleaded not guilty in a Miami courtroom Tuesday to dozens of felony counts accusing him of hoarding classified documents and refusing government demands to give them back.

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Personality: Richard Allen Jackson Sr.

Spotlight on VHEF’s honorary co-chair for 12th Annual Jazz Inside Out

Richard Allen Jackson Sr., M.D. describes himself as compassionate, caring and supportive. The decision to be the honorary chair for the 12th Annual Jazz Inside Out, along with his wife, Eucharia “Ukay” Jackson, fits right in with those ideals.

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Athlete, coach and educator Ethan M. Pitts Jr. dies at age 50

For the first time in at least 15 years, veteran Coach Ethan Matthew “Matt” Pitts Jr. was missing from the Richmond delegation to the Virginia Special Olympics summer games at the University of Richmond.

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High 5!

Denver Nuggets win first NBA title over Miami Heat in Game 5

This is no joke. The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, aka “The Joker,” are NBA champs for the first time since entering the league 47 years ago.

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Library of Virginia, Virginia Folklife Program hosts ‘Celebration of Virginia Folklife’

The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities will present a free two-day celebration featuring documentary screenings, live music and more to highlight Virginia’s diverse and evolving folklife heritage. “A Celebration of Virginia Folklife” will take place July 7 and 8 at the library as part of its yearlong 200th anniversary celebration.

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13th Senate District primary candidates discuss their platforms

The issue of abortion and a woman’s right to choose has been front and center in the Virginia primary race in which Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey and Lashrecse Aird are vying to become the Democratic candidate for the state 13th Senate District.

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79th House District candidates cite school funding, gun legislation and criminal justice reform as key issues

Three candidates have been knocking on thousands of doors and sending out mailers in pitching to represent the House of Delegates 7th District. Next Tuesday, June 20, voters will choose from Rae Cousins, Ann-Frances Lambert and Richard W. Walker as the Democratic nominee and the odds-on favorite to win in the November general election.

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Bon Secours expanding in East End

Following through on a three-year plan to expand health services in Richmond’s East End, Bon Secours announced this week the expansion of obstetrics and gynecology services on its Richmond Community Hospital campus, and plans to open a $2 million urgent care center by year’s end.

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High blood pressure plagues many Black Americans

Combined with COVID, it’s catastrophic

Charles Thomas was unwell but he had no time for rest. He was on the cusp of a management promotion and a move to Florida to begin a new chapter that would alter his family’s financial future and break the cycle of generational poverty. Yet, as his family’s prospects improved, concerns about his health grew.

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Jeff Wilson receives local PRSA chapter’s highest honor

VHMC’s Taylor Fuqua receives ‘Rising Star’ award

Jeff Wilson, vice president of Workplace Culture, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and chief of staff at Padilla, recently received the 2023 Excellence in Public Relations Award from the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond).

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New tool to help Chesterfield residents locate voting precincts

With the June 20 primary one week away, the Chesterfield County Registrar’s Office is making it easy for county residents to locate their respective representatives and voting precinct with the click of button.

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Get your vote on

After months of campaigning, it’s now the voters’ turn to determine the winners and losers in local elections. On Tuesday, June 20, polling places will open in districts with contests from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and citizens can choose their Democratic or Republican nominee to run in the November election.