Booted out
After days of protests and videos of police tear-gassing and pepper-spraying peaceful crowds, Richmond Police Chief Will Smith was asked to resign Tuesday by Mayor Levar M. Stoney
A year ago, new Richmond Police Chief Will Smith was extolled as the best thing since sliced bread when it came to leading 754 sworn officers in the fight against crime.
State Supreme Court halts evictions through June 29
At least 1,349 households in Richmond and hundreds more around the state have a three-week reprieve from eviction proceedings as the state prepares to roll out a rent relief program.
Falwell apologies for tweet with racist photo
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. apologized Monday for a tweet that included a racist photo that appeared on Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s medical school yearbook page decades ago.
Former NFL star defensive back Ken Riley dies
The sports world is morning the loss of former NFL and Florida A&M University great Ken Riley.
Chris Beaty, former Indiana University football standout, killed during protests in Indianapolis
Former Indiana University football standout Chris Beaty was shot and killed Saturday, May 30, 2020, during protests in his hometown of Indianapolis over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Ministers join call for citizen review board
Faith leaders from 35 churches, synagogues and mosques serving Richmond issued a petition Tuesday calling for city political leaders to create a civilian oversight board for the Richmond Police Department.
Alton H. Belsches Sr., retired police lieutenant, dies at 87
Alton Henry Belsches Sr. joined the Richmond Police Department in 1960 as sit-ins and demonstrations against racial segregation in Richmond were taking off.
Bonnie Pointer, who prompted creation of The Pointer Sisters, dies at 69
Bonnie Pointer, who in 1969 convinced three of her church-singing siblings to form The Pointer Sisters, which would become one of the biggest acts of the next two decades, died Monday, June 8, 2020.
Legendary debate coach, Dr. Thomas F. Freeman Sr., dies at 100
Richmond native Thomas Franklin Freeman Sr. transformed historically black Texas Southern University into a national powerhouse in debate.
Class of 2020 inspired by four-hour virtual ceremony headlined by the Obamas and Beyoncé
Former President Obama said in a commencement speech Sunday that the nationwide protests following the recent deaths of unarmed black women and men, including George Floyd in Minneapolis, were fueled from “decades worth of anguish, frustration, over unequal treatment and a failure to perform police practices.”
Michael Jordan donating $100M to racial equality and social justice organizations
Basketball legend Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand are giving $100 million to organizations dedicated to promoting racial equality and social justice.
Internet radio stations flourish locally from the comfort of home
Homes in South Richmond have quietly been turned into radio stations that broadcast music and other offerings to thousands of listeners.
Company uses flowers to send message during local protests
A local floral design company adorned the monuments of Maggie L. Walker and Arthur Ashe Jr. in a show of solidarity with local Black Lives Matter protesters and to make a positive statement about two highly regarded hometown heroes and trailblazers.
Readers react to racism, police violence, protests and Confederate statues coming down
The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis is more than a reminder of white supremacy’s perpetrated racism.
Where do we go from here?, by Charlene Crowell
The nationwide protests against the heinous killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman is reminiscent of the 1960s era of turmoil and voices that fervently called for social and economic justice. Today’s turbulent times make it appear that history is repeating itself.
It’s about time
It’s about time. That was our first reaction to Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s announcement last week that he is ordering the statue of Confederate traitor Robert E. Lee to be removed from Monument Avenue.
Jason Nelson of John Marshall High hoops hones in on college pick
And the envelope please ... John Marshall High School basketball standout Jason Nelson has narrowed his list of college options to two.
Front-runners line up for NBA Rookie of the Year
An athlete need not come from a college powerhouse to create a big splash in the NBA.
804 Coaches for Change holds initial rally at Ashe statue
An energetic group called 804 Coaches for Change has its foot on the gas pedal with no thoughts of slowing down anytime soon.
Personality: Dr. Kimberly Williams Sanford
Spotlight on volunteer board chair of the American Red Cross Capital Chapter
With 2 million positive cases of COVID-19 in the United States and a hurricane season that started on June 1, the American Red Cross, the nation’s premier emergency response organization, likely will have its hands full into 2021.
