
Casino contenders now down to 2; Bally’s out
Just two contenders are left in the competition to build a casino-resort in Richmond, and one already has corralled the support of a majority of City Council.

National standards needed for police behavior, by Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
Even as former police officer Derek Chauvin is on trial in Minneapolis for the murder of George Floyd, police 10 miles away fatally shot an African-American man, Daunte Wright, after pulling him over for an alleged traffic violation. That triggered protests that led to confrontations with police, despite Mr. Wright’s family pleading for non-violence.

‘Bridgerton’ heartthrob leaves show, breaks hearts
News that “Bridgerton” heartthrob Regé-Jean Page would not be returning to the Netflix hit show for season 2 set the internet aflame recently.

’Emancipation’ project leaves Georgia over voter suppression laws
Will Smith and director Antoine Fuqua have pulled production of their runaway slave drama “Emancipation” from Georgia over the state’s recently enacted law restricting voting access.

Rapper DMX dies at 50
DMX, the iconic hip-hop artist behind the songs “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” and “Party Up (Up in Here)” whose distinctively gruff voice and thoughtful messages in his rhymes made him one of rap’s biggest stars, has died, according to a family statement Friday, April 9, 2021. He was 50.

DeAndrea Neal, VSU Hall of Famer and former offensive line coach, dies at 53
DeAndrea Neal, a member of the Virginia State University Sports Hall of Fame, died Friday, April 9, 2021.

Ray Felix was first Black NBA Rookie of the Year
As star newcomers go, Ray Felix was a trailblazer in 1954 when he became the first African-American to be named NBA Rookie of the Year.

Who will be NBA Rookie of the Year?
LaMelo Ball did everything and more that could have been expected of him — everything, that is, but stay healthy.

George Wythe athlete Talik Bryant excels despite season without basketball
Talik Bryant has earned a spot on the “A Team” at Rich- mond’s George Wythe High School.

Land conservancy to acquire 5.2 acres on riverfront for parkland
Instead of private condos or offices, a major piece of Dock Street property that nestles the James River is on its way to becoming parkland everyone can use.

Timeline outlined for disposal of city-owned Confederate statues
Richmond City Council could vote to dispose of the city’s collection of Confederate statues at the Monday, June 14, meeting, according to a tentative plan for action.

City police, firefighters seek $8.9M for simpler, more competitive pay plan
The Richmond Fire Department is so short of trained manpower that it plans to impose mandatory overtime later this month to ensure adequate coverage for fires and medical emergencies, firefighters told Richmond City Council on Monday night.

School Board taking control of new building construction
The Richmond School Board is taking back control of the design, development and construction of new schools, potentially blocking a City Hall plan to fast-track design and development of a replacement building for worn-out George Wythe High School.

Mustang Club revs engines to mark classic car’s 57th birthday, service award
Thomas Victory and the Victory 7 Mustang Club are celebrating a birthday on April 17 — the 57th birthday of the Ford Mustang.

Jackie Robinson opened MLB’s doors to people of color 74 years ago on April 15
If Jackie Robinson had done anything wrong in1947, it might have set back the movement for racial equality many years. Instead, he did everything right.

Restoration work at John Jasper Monument
From left, Daniel Castro, Wilson Zelaya and Jose Hernandez complete work last Friday on a new foundation for the John Jasper Monument at Woodland Cemetery on Magnolia Road in East Highland Park. Rev. Jasper, who was born into slavery in Fluvanna County, founded Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Jackson Ward after his own emancipation following the Civil War.

Andrea Peyton Sharpe, bookkeeper, dies at 73
Brothers Jerry F. “Jay” Sharpe Jr. and Devron N. Sharpe run very different businesses in the Richmond area. But the one person each trusted to keep their books was their mother, Andrea Peyton Sharpe.