
Crystal Dunn’s defense helps U.S. team to World Cup victory
Crystal Dunn won her shining soccer reputation scoring goals. She also won a gold medal preventing them. The quick, savvy left back was like a 5-foot-1 human obstacle course on defense in helping the U.S. Women’s National Team win the FIFA Women’s World Cup last Sunday in Lyon, France.

History of VCU’s Franklin Street Gym still remembered as building closes
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Franklin Street Gymnasium has a date with the wrecking ball.

Veterans Administration revises policy on religious displays
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision permitting a cross to remain on a public highway, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has revised its policies on religious symbols in displays at VA facilities.

A.M.E. Church installs Right Rev. Adam J. Richardson as senior bishop
The Right Rev. Adam Jefferson Richardson Jr. of Florida was installed as senior bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church during its annual Council of Bishops and General Board Meeting Worship Service on June 26 in Birmingham, Ala.

Baby Archie is christened
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the 2-month-old son of Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, was christened last Saturday in a small, private ceremony at Windsor Castle.

William F. Brown, co-creator of ‘The Wiz,’ dies at 91
William F. Brown, an author and illustrator who was best known for writing the book of the Tony Award-winning 1975 musical “The Wiz,” died Sunday, June 23, 2019, at a hospital in Norwalk, Conn. He was 91.

Personality: Rev. Lacette R. Cross
Spotlight on a founder of Black Pride RVA
The return of Black Pride RVA, Virginia’s first Black Pride festival, is almost here. And for the Rev. Lacette R. Cross, a founder of the festival and co-organizer of this year’s event, the anticipation comes with mixed emotions.

KKK holds recruitment rally in Hanover
About a dozen people wearing white Klan robes and waving Confederate flags held a recruitment rally last Saturday outside the Hanover County courthouse.

Councilwoman Robertson working to create jobs bus
Richmond Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson is hoping to build on the job and career fair she sponsored June 29 at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, which attracted 121 job seekers.

Main pool at Randolph closed, awaiting repair
Randolph Pool in the near West End, one of seven outdoor pools the city operates, has been out of commission for nearly three weeks, leaving swimmers frustrated, including neighborhood children seeking to cool off.

VCU goes tobacco free
Public streets and sidewalks now are virtually the last refuge for smokers on the Virginia Commonwealth University campus.

Problems with paths, grass persist at Monroe Park
Add Monroe Park to the list of troubled projects for the city Department Public Works.

Public hearings slated on zoning change for VUU-Chamberlayne corridor plan
The need to reshape a central corridor for one of North Side’s neighborhoods is the driving force behind a redevelopment plan coming before Richmond City Council this month.

Taylor to vie for Democratic nomination for city commonwealth’s attorney
Newly appointed Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette W. McEachin will have at least one challenger in her bid to replace her predecessor, Michael N. Herring, who is now in private legal practice.

Lawsuit refiled seeking Agelasto’s immediate removal from City Council
The legal fight to immediately remove 5th District City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto from office continues, but he apparently will not receive any taxpayer money for his defense.

VSU student gets inspiration from Hollywood internship
It all started with an app, specifically, a presentation for the app “Sellow” by Virginia State University junior Jaelon Hodges at The Pitch 2019, an entrepreneurial competition in North Carolina held by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund in May.

2018: A record year for exonerations by The Innocence Project
The Innocence Project reported that a record nine clients were exonerated and released from prison in 2018 for crimes they didn’t commit.

Couple trying to save James Weldon Johnson cabin
A New Jersey couple is working to preserve a crumbling hilltop cabin in western Massachusetts where noted African-American author, educator and songwriter James Weldon Johnson wrote one of his most famous works.

Misfire: Special General Assembly session called Tuesday to deal with gun violence collapses in GOP ploy; showdown expected in November elections
Gun control is likely to be a red-hot campaign issue for Virginia’s fall elections in the wake of a special General Assembly session that misfired Tuesday.