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
Charles Willis, the ‘first responder to first responders’, continues decades of community advocacy
On Tuesday, June 6, Charles Willis was on Cowardin Avenue going to get dinner when he saw police cars racing across the Lee Bridge toward Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus. He knew something was wrong.
New General Assembly building to open later in 2023
Anticipating a possible special session, the Virginia General Assembly announced it won’t be moving into its new building until later this year.
Second gun buyback program for city targeted
City Hall plans to continue to invest in gun buyback programs despite clear evidence that the program has not worked, which studies have shown is the case in virtually every locality offering to pay people to turn in their guns.
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.
Dominion, Library of Virginia honor ‘extraordinary people during challenging times’
A Roanoke pastor and civil rights leader, the first Black woman nuclear engineer at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and the first Black NASCAR race winner were among the six African-Americans honored during the 11th annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” awards program June 15 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa. The annual awards ceremony recognizes the determination and perseverance displayed by extraordinary people during challenging times, according to the event sponsors.
Swansboro Elementary names auditorium for music teacher
For Wallesa Diane Coleman Jones, teaching elementary schoolchildren to appreciate music has been a labor of love.
No more drama
The collective sigh of relief sweeping through the newly redrawn state 13th Senate District on Tuesday was palpable.
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.
Empathy for families with ‘difficult days ahead’
To the Richmond community: My condolences and empathy to families as they face the difficult days ahead without their loved ones.
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.
Pride Month marred by anti-LGBTQ+ bills, by Marc H. Morial
“We are powerful because we have survived, and that is what it is all about—survival and growth.” — Audre Lorde
Jokic in conversation for greatest center
History books will show the Denver Nuggets are the 2023 NBA champions. Let there be no doubt about that. But what about the Nuggets’ Rocky Mountain-sized center, Nikola Jokic? What will his place be on the all-time list of great centers?
Track star Wilson going pro
Britton Wilson has decided to run for cash instead of medals and ribbons.
‘Spike’ originator dies at 82
Homer Jones, famous for his long receptions and spiking the ball after a touchdown, died Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in his hometown of Pittsburg, Texas. Mr. Jones was 82 and had been suffering from lung cancer. Out of HBCU Texas Southern University in Houston, he was big (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and fast (doubled as college sprinter) and was a defensive back’s nightmare. Playing mostly with the New York Giants in the 1960s, Mr. Jones caught
Fourth Baptist receives historic preservation grant
Fourth Baptist Church in Richmond’s East End has been awarded a $150,000 grant to support preservation of the education wing as the church prepares to mark the 164th anniversary of its founding.
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.
Similarities in Dandridge, Arraez are hard to miss
Much of the baseball buzz this spring has centered around Luis Arraez’ quest to hit a next-to-impossible .400-plus.
Better late than never for Miller
Breshauna Miller got off to a slow start but had a fantastic finish to her Huguenot High School track career.
Staging the future
Council bets on showbiz
Betting on entertainment as a key element of future job and economic growth, City Council, as expected, put two high-profile projects on the fast track Monday night—a proposed $560 million casino-resort for the South Side and a $30 million amphitheater for the Downtown riverfront.
