
Appeals court ruling keeps Biden student debt plan on hold
President Biden’s plan to forgive student loan debt for millions of borrowers was handed another legal loss Monday when a federal ap- peals court panel agreed to a preliminary injunction halting the program while an appeal plays out.

The history behind ‘parents’ rights’ in schools
The movement for “parents’ rights” saw many of its candidates come up short in this year’s midterm elections. But if history is any guide, the cause is sure to live on — in one form or another.

Elon Musk trying to figure out Twitter, by Clarence Page
After closing his $44 billion deal to purchase Twitter, Elon Musk still seemed to be trying to figure out what he had bought.

Election reflections and red puddles, by Julianne Malveaux
To let the pollsters tell it, Democrats were going to get a “drubbing” or a “shellacking” just like the one President Obama experienced in 2010 when Dems lost 63 Congressional seats and six Senate seats. In contrast, Democrats seem to have gained one Senate seat, and the Georgia runoff may push the number up to two.

Wins, losses and deja vu
We continue to note Black success in the November elections, which includes the election of two Republicans from majority-white districts.

Fifth Street Baptist, Richmond Convention Center free Thanksgiving meal sites
Two free Thanksgiving dinners are being prepared for the Richmond community.

Free van service helps public housing residents get to work
Myra Griffin has found the biggest problem placing people in jobs is transportation.

Matthews, Omega Psi Phi and Armstrong-Walker honored
Joseph E. “Joey” Matthews received City Council’s recog- nition award Monday night for his volunteer efforts to collect and distribute food, clothes and household items to people in Richmond.

VCU receives $4M to address lack of diversity and equity in health sciences
Virginia Commonwealth University’s five health science schools are committing $4 million to enroll and train more minority students in an effort to increase the diversity, equity and inclusivity of health care in Virginia and beyond.

New law hopes to quiet loud music, noise
Artist and composer Paul Rucker long has been frustrated by the loud music that blasts into his Downtown residence from nearby clubs. He is among those thrilled that City Council on Monday unanimously approved a major overhaul of the city’s noise ordinance that will allow police officers armed with sound meters to start issuing costly tickets to businesses and residents that are disturbingly loud.

Some restrictions eased at Lawrenceville prison; concerns remain
Since late August, incarcerated men at Virginia’s privately-owned Lawrenceville Correctional Center experienced increased restrictions and punishments. What started with the end of outdoor activities and the cancellation of visitations from friends and family without warning grew to include stringent cleanliness checks and disproportionate punishments, according to inmates and their loved ones.

Armstrong-Walker legacy group announces events
The Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project has several events scheduled the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Walk-up monkeypox vaccines available
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are now offering walk-up monkeypox vaccination clinics for residents who qualify.

Artist Paul Rucker awarded $2M from the Mellon Foundation and Art for Justice Fund
The Mellon Foundation and Art for Justice Fund have awarded multimedia visual artist, composer and musician Paul Rucker $2 million to create Cary Forward — a multidisciplinary arts space, interpretive center, artist/re- searcher residency and archival lending library, according to an announcement by Virginia Commonwealth University.

‘Black Panther’ sequel scores 2nd biggest debut of 2022
The Marvel “Black Panther” sequel earned $180 million in ticket sales from more than 4,396 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, according to estimates from The Walt Disney Co. on Sunday, making it the second biggest opening of the year behind “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Overseas, it brought in an additional $150 million from 50 territories, bringing its worldwide total to $330 million.

City reportedly has a $70M general fund surplus
Richmond’s treasury is bulging with unspent dollars, according to two members of City Council.

Wes Carmack helped launch VCU’s postseason era
When Wes Carmack first took the floor for VCU in January 1977, Rams fans’ initial reaction was “Who’s He?” Second reaction was more like “wow, that new kid can really ball.”

Juliette Stephens Hamilton, retired nurse, dies at age 104
“Live one day at a time and enjoy that one.” Juliette Stephens Hamilton, one of Richmond’s oldest residents, called that the secret to a long and healthy life.

Personality: Haley M. McLaren
Spotlight on board president of 1708 Gallery
By leading one of the oldest artist-run galleries in the nation, Haley M. McLaren is helping to illuminate Richmond’s independent art scene.