Thursday, June 5

Data brings hidden stories of self-emancipation to light in talk
Rows of names, dates and notations in dusty county records may seem like dry data points. But to researcher Tev’n Powers, they reveal stories of resistance and freedom once left out of Virginia’s historical narrative.
Girard going global with sports diplomacy program in Bulgaria
Mallori Girard, a longtime volunteer with the Richmond-based nonprofit Jacob’s Chance, has been selected by the U.S. Department of State to take part in the Sport for Social Change exchange program this month in Bulgaria.

City leaders confront water system failures, plan treatment plant upgrade
Frustration is mounting among Richmond area officials and residents following a series of water service disruptions, as City of Richmond leaders weigh long-term plans to modernize the aging water treatment plant responsible for much of the region’s supply.

Bag it up
Council approves 5-cent fee on plastics
They flutter in trees, clog storm drains and drift along the James River — and starting next year, plastic bags will come with a price in Richmond.

Judge dismisses murder charges against Atlanta officer in 2019 shooting of unarmed man in closet
A federal judge has thrown out murder charges against a former Atlanta police officer who shot and killed an unarmed man hiding in a closet.

Personality: William Hamm
Spotlight on board president of Virginia Down Syndrome Association
When parents learn their child has Down syndrome, they often go through a spectrum of emotions—from shock and disbelief to fear and guilt. For some, the diagnosis comes during prenatal testing; for others, it may arrive weeks after the baby is born. William Hamm and his wife, Teresa, received their son David’s diagnosis when he was two weeks old.

Pacers’ 25-year Finals drought is over as they look to overcome snakebitten history
The Pacers have finally ended the franchise’s 25-year NBA Finals drought, achieving the unthinkable after starting the season 10-15 and looking like anything but a title contender.

Walkathon raises funds for Gaza children’s mental health care
About 70 residents from across the Richmond region gathered at Byrd Park on Saturday morning for a 5K walkathon and breakfast in support of the children in Gaza amid the ongoing war.

Va. free health clinics strategize survival after state, federal funding cuts
Amid federal and state funding cuts, freezes and delayed payments, the outlook is grim for free clinics in Virginia that have had to trim or halt some services, but there is hope, Health Brigade Executive Director Karen Legato said Thursday evening.

Tucker’s lasting contributions to medicine and patients’ rights
A new Virginia historical highway marker honoring Bruce Oliver Tucker was unveiled during a private ceremony Friday, May 30. The dedication brought together members of Tucker’s family, local officials, community members and health system leaders.
Youngkin sets Sept. 9 special election to fill Connolly’s seat in Congress
Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday set a special election for Sept. 9, 2025, to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly, a longtime Democratic fixture in Northern Virginia who passed away May 21 after a recurrence of cancer.

Protesters rally in Minneapolis after federal operation sparks immigration raid fears
Dozens of protesters converged in the heart of the Latino community in Minneapolis on Tuesday after a large force of federal and local authorities wearing tactical gear conducted what they called a law enforcement action.
Election Coverage: Democratic candidates highlight education, equity and justice in LG primary
Virginia’s Democratic primary for lieutenant governor features several candidates, with the Richmond region playing a prominent role as two of the leading contenders have strong Central Virginia ties.
Running for the dunker’s spot in Virginia politics
If you’re reading this in the state of Virginia, there’s a good chance that you — or someone you know — is a candidate for lieutenant governor.

Summer learning loss a crisis we can’t ignore, by Julianne Malveaux
When schools let out for summer break, usually between mid-May and mid-June, millions of students will be disengaged from learning and will experience significant learning loss.

Rising temperatures, poor planning fuel wildfire crisis, by Ben Jealous
The smoke has already arrived. This past week, thick plumes from wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan drifted into the U.S., triggering air quality alerts across the Midwest. Cities like Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago are experiencing hazy skies and dangerous air conditions, with the Air Quality Index reaching levels unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Flying Squirrels held hitless into eighth in 5-1 loss to Senators
The Richmond Flying Squirrels were held without a hit until the eighth inning and dropped their series finale to the Harrisburg Senators, 5-1, Sunday afternoon at The Diamond.

Norfolk State to face Rutgers in Vick’s first road game as head coach
The Michael Vick era at Norfolk State will include a nationally televised road game against Rutgers, with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13, the Big Ten Conference announced Thursday.

New Generation Church RVA to dedicate new building
New Generation Church RVA will host a building dedication ceremony Sunday, June 8, at its newly opened campus in the Randolph neighborhood.

Civil rights, legal trailblazer Jerrauld C. Jones dies at 70
Jerrauld C. Jones began making history before his 10th birthday, becoming one of the first Black students to integrate Ingleside Elementary School in Norfolk in 1961. It was the start of a lifetime of breaking barriers in Virginia’s courts and legislature that extended his family’s civil rights legacy and served the Commonwealth for more than four decades. Jones, who went on to become the Virginia Supreme Court’s first Black law clerk, a state delegate and a Norfolk Circuit Court judge, died Saturday, May 31, 2925, at age 70.

Faith leaders, health care advocates arrested while protesting GOP budget bill at U.S. Capitol
A group of clergy, faith-based protesters and disability advocates were once again arrested in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Monday, June 2, while praying against the Republican-led federal budget bill, including a wheelchair user who said potential cuts to health care programs would imperil her future.

‘Ultimate Dinosaurs’ exhibit reveals prehistoric predators from distant continents
The roar of the past echoes through the halls of the Science Museum of Virginia this summer, as visitors encounter the strange and spectacular creatures of a lost world. “Ultimate Dinosaurs,” a touring exhibition, reveals discoveries about prehistoric predators that lived millions of years ago on continents far from the North American landscape.

Chief Justice Goodwyn honored with state’s top judicial service award
The Judicial Council of Virginia recently named Chief Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn of the Supreme Court of Virginia as the recipient of the 2024 Harry L. Carrico Outstanding Career Service Award.

Minus named president at Eastern Shore Community College
Daryl Minus has been named president of Eastern Shore Community College, effective July 1, the Virginia Community College System announced last Thursday.

Early voting
Early in-person voting for the June 17 primary election continues through Saturday, June 14.

Hey men, Dems want your votes—they really do, by Clarence Page
Where are the Democrats? What are they doing about the damage President Trump is doing to … everything?
City urged to focus on water fixes, not distractions
The ongoing issue of not having access to safe drinking water is unacceptable. How many times do we have to go through this? While the City Council debates the use of plastic bags, more urgent matters, like addressing the recurring failures at the water treatment plant, are being overlooked. It feels like the city is prioritizing the wrong problems. Perhaps it’s time to bring in an external investigative panel to determine why we can’t seem to get this right. It’s shameful
Who will protect Jackson Ward?
Jackson Ward, Richmond’s National Landmark and Historic District of brick row houses, churches and museums, small black-owned businesses, murals and parks, porches and gardens, is under attack.

VUU’s DJ Mitchell ballin’ at legendary Rucker Park
Virginia Union University 6’5” guard DJ Mitchell has been selected to play in the HBCU All-Star Dream Classic, set for Saturday, Aug. 9, at Rucker Park in Harlem, N.Y.