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Free Press staff report

Stories by Free Press

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Kotto named head coach of Lady Panthers tennis team

Virginia Union University has tapped international tennis veteran Gabriel Kotto as the new head coach of the Lady Panthers tennis program.

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Campaign uses 54-foot ladder to highlight speeding dangers

Last week, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the City of Richmond unveiled a 54-foot bright yellow ladder beside The Diamond to illustrate the force pedestrians experience when struck by a vehicle. According to the campaign, a person hit by a car going 40 mph suffers the same impact as being pushed from the top of the five-story structure.

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New exhibit highlights legacy of Black Catholics in Virginia

A new exhibition exploring the history and contributions of Black Catholics in Virginia is now on view at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia.

Richmond to launch smart signal system to boost bus reliability

The City of Richmond will begin rolling out an advanced traffic signal system this fall aimed at improving public transit service and emergency response times.

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From Mraz to makers markets, Glen Allen arts center plans packed season

A lawn chair on the grass. A guitar on stage. Handmade jewelry in one room and a Carpenters tribute echoing from another. That’s a glimpse of what’s in store at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen’s 2025-26 season of performances, exhibits and community events.

Science Museum to host adults-only ‘Dino Night’

The Science Museum of Virginia is inviting adults to step back in time — about 65 million years — during its upcoming after-hours event, “Science on Tap: Dino Night,” on Thursday, July 24.

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Burning Sands foundation to host 12th annual golf tournament

The Burning Sands Alumni Football Foundation will host its 12th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament on Saturday, July 26, at Hunting Hawk Golf Club in Glen Allen. Proceeds will support the educational and athletic programs of the Virginia Union University football team.

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City installs harm reduction vending machines to prevent overdoses

The City of Richmond has launched a new harm reduction initiative to support residents living with substance use disorders and prevent drug overdoses.

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Atlee Church to host free back-to-school community event

As families prepare for the start of a new school year, Atlee Church and several local partners are teaming up to provide support through a free Back-to-School Community Day on Saturday, Aug. 9.

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VUU tops CIAA preseason football poll; VSU earns third

Virginia Union University has been picked as the pre-season favorite to win the CIAA football title, marking the first time in more than 25 years the Panthers have earned the top spot in the league’s predicted order of finish.

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Concert series brings jazz to bars, museums and theaters

Jazz will spill into bars, museums and cultural spaces across downtown Richmond next week as the city kicks off a five-day series of free performances ahead of the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival.

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Squirrels rally past Senators to claim weekend series win

The Richmond Flying Squirrels came back from an early deficit and used a strong bullpen performance to beat the Harrisburg Senators, 8-3, on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond, securing their third straight series victory.

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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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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.

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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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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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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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.

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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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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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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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Virginia Commonwealth Games find new home

The Virginia Commonwealth Games are headed to the Richmond area.

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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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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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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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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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.

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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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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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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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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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‘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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.