House OKs debt ceiling bill to avoid default, sends Biden-McCarthy deal to Senate
Veering away from a default crisis, the House approved a debt ceiling and budget cuts package late Wednesday, as President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy assembled a bipartisan coalition of centrist Democrats and Republicans against fierce conservative blowback and progressive dissent.
Festival of the Arts
The 66th edition of Richmond’s Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park will launch Saturday, June 10, with a six-hour showcase of music, dance, food and culture of immigrants who now live in the Richmond area.
Denver reaches Finals ... finally
Nuggets face the Heat in best-of-seven June 1
Denver is known as “The Mile High City” and its giddy basketball fans are starting to feel like they’re walking on clouds.
Servant leader Gregory A. Cummings dies at 67
Former MEGA Mentors president assisted thousands of area youths
Gregory A. Cummings, a role model for Chesterfield County and Petersburg youths, was memorialized Tuesday at Second Baptist Church in South Side Richmond. He died Saturday, May 20, 2023, at age 67.
Personality: Brandy W. Stoney
Spotlight on Robinson Theater Community Arts Center board president
The Robinson Theater Community Arts Center is a Church Hill institution that opened in 1937 as the first theater for African-Americans in the area. After closing in the 1980s, it reopened as an event space for children and adults in 2009. For Brandy W. Stoney, the current president of the Robinson Center board, the building is “now like home to me,” and an East End legacy that she enjoys helping to guide and sustain.
Virginia Career Works hosts job fair May 31
Former Tyson workers, immigrant communities encouraged to attend
Virginia Career Works-Capital Region will host a job and resource fair Wednesday, May 31, that is open to all job seekers, but largely tailored to former employees of the closed Tyson plant in Glen Allen and members of immigrant communities, the organization has announced.
Alphas trailblazers — again
When Tyler Parker, a member of the Henrico County Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, was informed by the Virginia Board of Historic Resources on Sept. 15, 2022, that its application for a “Trailblazers of a New Era” highway marker was approved, he knew the organization’s next steps.
Exhibition opens at BHMCCV
A new art exhibition showcasing the works of Virginia-born and Virginia–based artists has opened at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
When vigilantism becomes a campaign stunt, by Clarence Page
On his way to see whether his expected presidential bid can play in Peoria, Fla., Gov. Ron DeSantis upstaged himself with a news making tweet.
Jim Brown and social activism, by David W. Marshall
Since most players in professional basketball and football are Black, it should come as no surprise that many high-profile Black athletes have become role models to young admirers who are also Black. Athletes such as football legend Jim Brown reached the professional ranks by overcoming tremendous odds with determination, perseverance, and commitment.
In remembrance
The Memorial Day holiday is once more upon us and with it arrives ceremonies and programs that honor the military men and women who died while defending the United States.
Flawed football great
Some of us are too young to remember when Jim Brown ruled the gridiron from 1957 to 1965 as a powerful fullback for the Cleveland Browns.
Memorial Day 2023 holiday closings
In observance of Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, please note the following:
Chesterfield’s Memorial Day event to unveil Tomb of the Unknown Soldier replica
During a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 29, Chesterfield County will include the unveiling of a replica of the iconic Tomb of the Unknown Solider and present a live re-enactment of the changing of the guard by the Chesterfield County Sheriff Honor Guard. The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. on the Historic 1917 Courthouse Green.
Petersburg city pool opens Memorial Day weekend
Petersburg’s public swimming pool located at 1216 Farmer St. will open for the season on May 27, it has been announced. The pool will remain open through May 29, from 12 to 6 p.m. each day for the holiday weekend.
City pools to open early
City Hall will open five outdoor swimming pools for the Memorial Day holiday.
VSU names two women students as co-valedictorians
Joy Watson and Blaise Davenport both earn a perfect 4.0 GPA
Joy Watson and Blaise Davenport have been recognized by Virginia State University as Class of 2023 co-valedictorians. The announcement marks the first time in VSU’s history that two women, both STEM majors, have received this academic honor. They were recognized as part of the 2023 Commencement Ceremony on May 13, 2023.
River guide book inspires ballet performance
Author John Bryan knew it was time to update his first book about the James River, a guide to enjoying “America’s best urban waterway,” published back in 1997. So he started working on an update a few years ago that takes into account the changes to the water, the city and the kinds of people who come to enjoy it. But he didn’t know the new book, “The James River in Richmond: Your New Guide to Enjoying America’s Best Urban Waterway,” would inspire a performance by the Latin Ballet of Virginia.
Tennis greats’ donations to help save VIA records
Tennis legends Billie Jean King and Ilana S. Koss have donated essential funds to computerize the paper athletic records of Black high schools in Virginia.
Virginia Department of Veterans Services to host Memorial Day ceremonies
Memorial Day will be commemorated at four special ceremonies hosted by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) on Monday, May 29. The events are free and open to the public.
