
Far-right school board candidates: “We’ll be back”, by Ben Jealous
Last August, I wrote that getting “back to school” this year would also mean getting back to fighting far-right attacks on education. The threats included increased efforts to ban books, and the far-right’s efforts to take over local school boards. So how

How I found my voice as a Black student, by Etana Williams
I was excitedly talking with my friends about our high school plans when one of my eighth-grade teachers stopped me in the hallway and asked which school I got into.

Ho-ho-hold on ... the holiday scammers are out there, by Charles Taylor
As the holiday shopping season winds down, there’s still time to pick up a few bargains online – and time to get fleeced.

Argentina soccer team abandons parade amid swarms of people
A parade to celebrate the Argentine World Cup champions was abruptly cut short Tuesday as millions of people poured onto thoroughfares, highways and overpasses in a chaotic attempt to catch a glimpse of the national team that won one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.

French federation to go after abusers of World Cup players
The French soccer federation wants to go after social media users who targeted some of the national team’s players with racist comments following France’s loss to Argentina in the World Cup final.

From retrieving balls to scoring points — Robert Osborne is VUU’s star attraction
It sounds like some make believe Hollywood movie title – “The ball boy becomes the star.” Only in this case, it’s fact, not fiction.

Jackson State loses to NCCU in Celebration Bowl
Jackson State University received the most media attention, by far, but North Carolina Central scored the most points, thanks to some overtime drama.

VSU Trojans heading to Virgin Islands for HBCU classic
Virginia State University’s basketball players may want to pack their swim fins with their sneakers for their next trip.

NSU eyes third straight MEAC title
Dana Tate found good fortune in Las Vegas without going anywhere near a card table or slot machine.

VUU’s Jada Byers reaps many honors
During the regular season, Virginia Union’s Jada Byers racked up record totals for rushing yards and touchdowns.

Chris Paul earns college degree
The Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul graduated from Winston-Salem State University on Friday, Dec. 16, at Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex. Paul earned a bachelor’s in mass communications, according to ESPN. Paul originally attended Wake Forest, where he starred as a basketball player from 2003 to 2005 before entering the NBA draft as a sophomore.

Cherished Holiday Memories
Holiday memories are created by family — whether it is the family in which we are born or the family we create through church, work or social interactions.

After winning 2 court cases, Henrico tenant may face a third
‘I pay my rent like clockwork every month. I don’t know why they won’t let me alone.’
Donald J. Garrett is a rare figure among the sea of Richmond-area residents being hauled into court for eviction proceedings.

Woman seeks to visit deceased son’s daughter as holidays near
All that 69-year-old Richmonder Yolanda D. Fox wants for Christmas is to see her granddaughter, Mariah.

Richmond architect wins national award for diversifying profession
AIA Virginia Board Chairman Robert L. Easter will have an unexpected honor to reflect on when he ends his term this week.

George Wythe considers colors and history for new school
About two dozen people attended the third community meeting on a recent rainy Tuesday night at George Wythe High School to hear about three color palette considerations for the interior of the building and suggestions for displaying memorabilia.

Richmond entrepreneur releases P.O.W.E.R.
Local artists represent RVA on two compilation albums
A dream inspired Richmond entrepreneur Cecil “Cee”Miller to reach into his own pocket and fund an opportunity for new musical talent, including seven local RVA artists, a chance to further their dreams.

Personality: James V. Duty
Spotlight on board president of Friends Association for Children
Following the end of the Civil War and slavery, the Friends Asylum for Colored Orphans formed in 1871 to aid Central Virginia children and families in need. Today that organization is known as the Friends Association for Children.

Richmond jail staffing shortage blamed for rise in injured deputies, inmates
In the past four weeks at the Richmond City Justice Center, one deputy had his shoulder dislocated after he was thrown to the ground while trying to stop two prisoners from assaulting another inmate. Another deputy was head-butted by an inmate after refusing to provide the inmate with another prisoner’s food tray, according to information provided to the Free Press. In addition, the Free Press has learned another inmate was stabbed during this period, apparently the fourth this year. And early Monday, the jail reported to Richmond Police the third death of an inmate this year, though the identification was not released. For the second time since late October, an inmate who was transported to the John Marshall Courts Building was found to be carrying a concealed blade, according to information provided to the newspaper.