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Free Press staff report

Stories by Free Press

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Workshop to explore African American spirituals in worship

Voices will come together Saturday morning, Aug. 16, at Grace Episcopal Church in Goochland County for a workshop on African American spirituals and gospel music.

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Virginia Union earns record five CIAA academic awards

Virginia Union University has earned a record five Dr. Freddie Vaughan Awards for academic achievement during the 2024-25 school year, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced Monday.

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Henrico schools offer free immunization clinics

Rising seventh- and 12th-grade students in Henrico County Public Schools can receive required immunizations at no cost during four clinics scheduled in August.

Shalom Farms welcomes families to explore food justice work

Shalom Farms will host its annual summer open house on Sunday, July 20, offering Richmond residents a chance to explore its Northside farm and connect with local food justice initiatives.

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S.A. Cosby to discuss new novel at Petersburg event

Award-winning crime fiction author S.A. Cosby will stop in Petersburg on Saturday, July 19, to promote his newest release, “King of Ashes,” during a book tour stop hosted by Resist Booksellers.

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Excelsior University honors Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg

Excelsior University formally dedicated its headquarters on July 9 as the Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg University Center, paying tribute to the late U.S. Army leader and founding university trustee.

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Virginia Commonwealth Games find new home

The Virginia Commonwealth Games are headed to the Richmond area.

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Parking meter rates, violation fines rise

Starting July 7, the City of Richmond’s Parking Enterprise Division implemented new parking fees following approval of the city budget by City Council in May.

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Former Richmond Braves manager honored

Former Richmond Braves manager Grady Little has been named the recipient of the 2025 Paul Keyes RBI Award, the Richmond Flying Squirrels announced Monday.

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Chesterfield’s Mila Henry receives honor from Megan Thee Stallion

Thirteen-year-old Chesterfield resident Mila Henry was honored July 16 at the inaugural gala of Megan Thee Stallion’s Pete & Thomas Foundation in New York City.

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Rodgers named Richmond’s economic development director

Angie Rodgers has been named Richmond’s new director of economic development, city officials announced this week.

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City seeks public input on Hull Street bridge replacement project

The City of Richmond is inviting residents to weigh in on plans to replace the Hull Street bridge over the Manchester Canal, with a public meeting scheduled for Aug. 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Main Street Station.

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Charles brings listening tour to Richmond theater

Independent gubernatorial candidate Donna Charles will host a community listening session Saturday in Richmond as she seeks to become Virginia’s first elected female governor.

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Beto O’Rourke to host town hall in Glen Allen on July 19

Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke will hold a public town hall meeting at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.

Camels, ostriches and zebras set to race at Colonial Downs

Colonial Downs is adding a wild twist to its summer racing season with exotic animal races set for Friday, July 11.

CIAA extends Baltimore basketball tournament partnership

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Board of Directors approved Baltimore as the host city for the men’s and women’s basketball tournament through 2029 during its annual spring meeting last month at Virginia State University.

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Morenike Miles appointed to VSU Board of Visitors

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed Morenike Miles, a senior executive at Dominion Energy, to the Virginia State University Board of Visitors, the university announced.

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Juicy tradition continues at Hanover Tomato Festival

The 47th annual Hanover Tomato Festival returns Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville. This free, family-friendly event celebrates Hanover’s signature juicy tomatoes with live entertainment on two stages, nearly 100 vendors, and a variety of children’s activities, all centered around the beloved tomato.

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Voices sought to shape memorial at lost burial site in Shockoe Hill

City officials and local partners are inviting the public to weigh in on plans for a permanent memorial at the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground, where an estimated 22,000 free and enslaved African Americans were laid to rest.

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Proposals sought for transformation of Intermediate Terminal Building

Sitting along the James River waterfront, the Intermediate Terminal Building stands as both a relic of Richmond’s industrial past and a blank canvas for its future. Now, city officials are looking for proposals to bring new life to the historic structure at 3101 E. Main St.

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Vick era at Norfolk State to kick off in primetime, bolstered by new recruits

The Michael Vick era at Norfolk State will begin on a national stage with a primetime matchup and a bolstered roster.

Richmond utility rates increase as new billing cycle begins

City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities customers will see higher bills this month, as new utility rates approved by City Council have taken effect.

Audit finds oversight gaps in Richmond’s fuel program, officials pledge reform

A new report from the Office of the City Auditor has found significant weaknesses in the City of Richmond’s fuel program, including poor tracking of fuel usage, inadequate controls over fuel card access and PIN management and a lack of standardized procedures and training.

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VCU duo achieves NBA dreams as Shulga and Watkins get drafted

Two former VCU standouts achieved their NBA dreams Thursday night, with both Max Shulga and Jamir Watkins hearing their names called in the draft.

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Museum to close select galleries for expansion project

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will temporarily close galleries displaying African art, Indigenous American art and Pre-Columbian art beginning July 7 as it prepares for its largest expansion and renovation project.

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Baskin named deputy director of research at VCU Massey

Monica L. Baskin has joined the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center as deputy director of research.

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Norfolk State names M.L. Morgan head baseball coach

Norfolk State University has named Merrill “M.L.” Morgan as its new head baseball coach, the school announced last week.

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Flying Squirrels drop series finale to Fightin Phils, 5-3

The Richmond Flying Squirrels fell behind early and couldn’t recover in a 5-3 loss to the Reading Fightin Phils on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond.

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‘Ayida’ at VCU’s ICA celebrates Caribbean culture and diaspora

The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University recently opened “Ayida,” a group art exhibition celebrating the Caribbean and its diaspora, that will be on display through early 2026.

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Virginia Union to induct 8 and 1992 basketball team into Hall of Fame

Virginia Union University will induct eight individuals and the 1992 men’s basketball team into its Thomas “Tricky Tom” Harris Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 19.

National Muslim convention to focus on faith, service and dialogue

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will host its annual U.S. convention, Jalsa Salana USA, on Saturday, July 4-6 , at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, drawing attendees from across the country for a day of religious discussion, exhibitions and community building.

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Fellows to research and preserve Black history across Virginia

Three community preservationists have been selected for the 2025 African American Fellows Program at Preservation Virginia, an initiative designed to support the study and protection of African American historic sites across the state.

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Union Presbyterian Seminary names new VP

Union Presbyterian Seminary announced a key leadership change this month, welcoming a new leader and honoring longtime staff. Tamica Goode began her role as vice president for finance and administration on June 23.

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GRTC adding larger buses to handle rider surge

The Greater Richmond Transit Co. will roll out a new fleet of articulated buses next month to accommodate higher ridership and ease overcrowding on its busiest routes.

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Virginia Union’s Alvin Parker participates in NFL leadership events

Virginia Union University Associate Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Alvin Parker attended two National Football League-sponsored leadership programs June 17-18 in Atlanta: the Eighth Annual Quarterback Summit and the Ozzie Newsome General Manager Forum.

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Archaeologists uncover original Williamsburg Bray School foundation at W&M

Archaeologists have uncovered the near-complete 18th-century foundation and a previously undocumented cellar of the historic Williamsburg Bray School beneath William & Mary’s Robert M. Gates Hall.

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VSU viral fans video raises $12,000 for student tuition

A viral moment from Virginia State University’s 2025 spring commencement has turned into a successful fundraiser, bringing in $12,000 for the university’s Student Tuition Assistance Fund.

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Richmond closes first half with first series win of 2025

John Michael Bertrand pitched six scoreless innings and Turner Hill tied a franchise record for triples as the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Altoona Curve 2-1 on Sunday at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

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UR graduate named Marshall-Motley Scholar

Ryan Doherty, a 2025 graduate of the University of Richmond, was recently selected as a Marshall-Motley Scholar by the Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

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The Thunder are NBA champions, and they might be just getting started

The promise came three years ago from Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti. It might have been overlooked for a couple of reasons. One, the Thunder were awful at the time. Two, he was speaking Latin.

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Chesterfield announces Sports Hall of Fame class of 2025

Chesterfield County will add seven new members to its Sports Hall of Fame, honoring local athletes who have made significant contributions to the community’s sports legacy.

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Library of Virginia staff win award for book on Black freedom

Library of Virginia editors John G. Deal and Marianne E. Julienne and historian Brent Tarter have received this year’s Richard Slatten Award for Excellence in Virginia Biography from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture for their book “Justice for Ourselves: Black Virginians Claim Their Freedom After Slavery.”

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Retiring Sports Backers director honored with street designation

Henrico County and Sports Backers have renamed the street outside the organization’s headquarters in honor of Jon Lugbill, who has served as executive director for 32 years. Park Street, which connects Lakeside Avenue to Sports Backers’ offices, now also carries the honorary designation “Jon Lugbill Drive.”

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1708 Gallery presents ‘2x3: Love’ summer community engagement series

Two artists will transform 1708 Gallery into an evolving space for projects about love this summer as part of the gallery’s new community series, “2x3: Love.”

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Norfolk State adds Penn transfer Iyanna Rogers to women’s basketball roster

Norfolk State women’s basketball head coach Jermaine Woods announced Thursday the addition of Penn transfer and former McDonald’s All-American nominee Iyanna Rogers.

RippleCon returns to Richmond Public Library

RippleCon, the Richmond Public Library’s annual mini fandom convention, is set to return for its third year on Saturday, June 28, at the Main Library downtown. The free event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include special guests, workshops, gaming, vendors, photo ops and a cosplay contest.

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Flying Squirrels, Rumble Ponies play to 4-4 tie after storms halt game

The Richmond Flying Squirrels and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies battled for 10 innings Sunday before thunderstorms rolled through The Diamond and forced the game to end as a 4-4 tie.

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VUU Gospel Choir releases debut single ‘Great is Yahweh’

The Virginia Union University Gospel Choir has released its debut single, “Great is Yahweh,” marking a historic milestone for the student ensemble.

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Virginia State University names new interim dean and vice provost

Virginia State University has appointed Jessica Brooks as interim dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences and Desmond Stephens as vice provost for academic affairs, effective July 1.

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City earns top accreditation for parking

For many Richmond residents, finding a parking spot can feel like navigating a maze of confusing signs, unpredictable enforcement, and hidden fees. Despite these challenges, the City of Richmond’s Parking Enterprise Division has recently achieved a notable milestone: earning the Accredited Parking Organization status.

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