
Police Chief Gerald Smith issues statement on weekend gun violence
The Richmond Police Department worked throughout the weekend following up on numerous leads and investi-

Calling out global anti-Blackness, by Julianne Malveaux
In Los Angeles, City Council President Nury Martinez resigned both her council presidency and later her seat after someone leaked vile racist sentiments that she shared with members of a Latinx cabal that included other council members, Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo.

Alabama’s defense of racially-gerrymandered districts defies logic, by Marc H. Morial
In its zeal to defend the racially discriminatory congressional districts state legislators created to dilute the political participation of their Black constituents, Alabama is making a mockery of the Constitution.

Halloween, Hype and Herschel
Halloween is just around the corner but many among us have been up to the same old tricks all year long, particularly in terms of politics.

Ye to buy conservative social media platform Parler
The rapper formerly known as Kanye West is offering to buy right-wing friendly social network Parler shortly after getting locked out of Twitter and Instagram for antisemitic posts.

Missy Elliott gets Portsmouth street named in her honor
Portsmouth native and hip-hop star Missy Elliott returned to her alma mater, Manor High School, Monday afternoon for the dedication ceremony of “Missy Elliott Boulevard.”

Journalist, educator launches VCU social justice lecture series
When Linda Villarosa’s ground- breaking book, “Body & Soul” was published in 1994, it was the first and only self-help book specifically written to address Black women’s health concerns.

Expansion program designed to attract nurses in senior living industry
A new partnership is opening the doors for students interested in nursing careers in community colleges across Virginia.

How will race impact pardons for marijuana possession?
President Biden has signed an executive order pardoning thousands of Americans who have been federally convicted for a “simple” marijuana possession charge prior to Oct. 6.

Suspension lifted for VSU’s cheerleading squad
The Woo Woos, Virginia State University’s cheerleading squad, was temporarily suspended from Trojans football games as the result of a complaint that veterans were hazing new members, the Free Press has learned. However, the suspension already has been lifted as the Woo Woos are now shown as participating when the Trojans are scheduled to travel to Elizabeth City State University for a game at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.

Gilpin Court community to undergo major change
The city’s housing authority has begun a search for a master developer to transform Gilpin Court.

Masks now optional for RPS students
Students attending Richmond Public Schools are no longer required to wear masks after the School Board voted to eliminate the mandate at Monday night’s meeting.

What’s in a name?
Efforts to rename the Lee Bridge rise again, bounded by slave-holding ties
Instead of a slavery-defending general, a key bridge over the James River could soon bear the name of a plantation where enslaved people labored.

Study shows Richmond and Petersburg can each support a casino
Richmond and Petersburg could both support casinos.

‘Votercade’ stops in RVA
The #10MillionMoreBlackVoters and the Arc of Voter Justice Bus Tour made its way through Richmond with an initial stop on the campus of Virginia Union University on Oct. 17.

Fans, and others, can’t help ignore Jackson State’s winning ways
Jackson State is having perhaps its greatest football season on the field and at the ticket booth, but how good is Coach Deion Sanders’ third edition of the Tigers?

Operation Bold Blue Line
Youngkin plans to reduce homicides, shootings with more police, higher pay
What’s the solution to the spate of shootings and violence that appears to be on the upswing in Richmond and across the state?

Anthony J. ‘Tony’ Binga Jr., 60, dies
Richmonder’s talent for building relationships helped broaden health insurer’s reach
Anthony J. “Tony” Binga Jr., a friendly, outgoing man who played a key role in naming and expanding Virginia Premier, a Richmond-based managed health insurance operation, has died.