Hemp: Virginia’s new big cash crop?
At first glance, it looks like a stoner’s paradise: Acres of plants that resemble marijuana. But this crop is hemp, a relative of cannabis that has commercial uses ranging from textiles and animal feed to health products.
Nation’s top teacher celebrated in whirlwind of appearances
If the nation’s president won’t honor you publicly as National Teacher of the Year, at least your state senators and district’s congressman will.
Judge Damon J. Keith, civil rights and judicial icon, dies at 96
U.S. Appeals Court Judge Damon J. Keith, who decided many of the nation’s most important school desegregation, employment discrimination and government surveillance cases during his more than 50 years on the federal bench, died Sunday, April 28, 2019, at his home in Detroit surrounded by family.
Balancing act
Richmond City Council designs a new budget that places a 50 cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes, increases funding for schools and expands bus service while giving city employees a 3 percent raise
An exhausted City Council completed work Monday on a new 2019-20 spending plan for Richmond that calls for a 3.6 percent, or $26 million, increase in city spending and is balanced with the imposition of the city’s first tax on cigarettes — a 50 cent levy on each pack effective July 1— and a hike in utility rates.
The Market @ 25th opens Monday with fanfare and high expectations
A new grocery store reflecting Church Hill’s history and contribution to Richmond is set to open next week in the East End’s food desert.
Northam, appeasement, atonement and black voters
In recent days, some Democrats in Virginia have seemingly adopted the principal that electoral expediency trumps zero tolerance for racism. Unfortunately, they received an eye-opening reminder that this strategy will be met by resistance from many of the very people whose votes will be essential for any Democratic victory in November.
Trump and death of democracy
Democracy is defined as government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Who are the people who support our contemporary status quo? And how, in marginalizing the will of the people, is democracy destroyed?
Barr, truth and the Mueller report
The much-anticipated and long-awaited Mueller report has been handled in an unbelievable way. We first received four pages about a 22-month study that told us nothing truthfully. U.S. Attorney General William Barr led us to believe everybody had been “picking on the poor innocent president.”
Thank you and goodbye
City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto has done the right thing by announcing he is stepping down from his seat representing the 5th District.
Congratulations, Mr. Robinson
Congratulations to Richmond’s own Rodney A. Robinson, who was named 2019 National Teacher of the Year! We believe Mr. Robinson, who successfully teaches students at the Virgie Binford Education Center in the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, has a story to tell and tips to share with teachers across this nation.
Tribute to Al Drummond, first African-American basketball player at University of Virginia
There was something missing from the University of Virginia’s recent basketball celebration. Sadly, Al Drummond wasn’t present to enjoy the Cavaliers’ first NCAA basketball championship.
VUU golf team clinches CIAA title
After a lengthy snooze, the Virginia Union University golf team has emerged from hibernation. The Panthers displayed considerable talent and depth April 18 and 19 in winning its first CIAA golf championship since 1971. That was four years before Tiger Woods was born and at a time when African-Americans were barred from playing on many private courses.
NFL draft may hold some surprises
Kyler Murray was barely a blip on the draft radar starting the 2018 season. Now he’s a favorite to be picked No. 1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals. Few athletes have shifted gears so dramatically as the multitalented Oklahoma Sooners quarterback.
Flying Squirrels second baseman Jalen Miller, 22, already in Baseball Hall of Fame
Jalen Miller achieved one of baseball’s rarest feats a season ago when he hit for the cycle — a single, double, triple and homer in the same game. It was a shining neon sign of coming attractions for the now 22-year-old second baseman with the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
Baltimore cemetery offers Easter sunrise dramatization of the resurrection
Just before he started practicing his exit from a replica of Jesus’ tomb, Andre Roberson admitted that, at first, playing the key role in a cemetery’s dramatization of the resurrection was just “something to do.”
Fund drive for 3 burned African-American churches tops goal
A crowdfunding drive to help rebuild three African-American churches gutted by arsons in Louisiana has surpassed its original $1.8 million goal.
Barbara McDaniel Wolfe-Harris, longtime educator, dies at 90
L. Barbara McDaniel Wolfe-Harris was a creative force in the classroom during her 29 years as a Richmond elementary schoolteacher. Her son, Troy G. Wolfe, said his mother used photography, art, dance and visual aids to boost learning among the second- and third-graders she taught.
VUU hosts ‘Jazz on the Lawn Concert’ April 27
Virginia Union University is hosting a “Jazz on the Lawn Concert” at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 27, on the lawn by the Belgian Building on the campus, 1500 N. Lombardy St.
48th Annual Arts in the Park next weekend
Richmond’s 48th Annual “Arts in the Park” arts and craft show will be held next weekend at the Carillon in Byrd Park. More than 450 artists will feature their work at the event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
Fitness Warriors application deadline May 4
Applications are being accepted through May 4 for the eighth class of Fitness Warriors, a program designed to train group fitness instructors who will then lead free weekly fitness courses in the community.
