
President Obama says world should resist cynicism over rise of power politics
In his highest profile speech since leaving office, former President Obama on Tuesday denounced the policies of President Trump without mentioning his name, taking aim at the “politics of fear, resentment, retrenchment,” and decrying leaders who are caught lying and “just double down and lie some more.”

Jones to revive effort for city control over Confederate statues
Richmond City Councilman Michael J. Jones is going to try again to get City Council support for removing state control of the Confederate statues that litter Richmond’s landscape.

Sacred Ground project wins $75,000 national grant for slavery memorial park
A group supporting development of a memorial park in Shockoe Bottom to recall the crucial role this area of Richmond played in the slave trade has won a $75,000 grant from a national trust to support its work.

New Fulton program helps youths develop skills for jobs, money
As a full-time city recreation specialist, Wyatt Kingston sees plenty of Richmond youths who need and want to make money to help their families.

Dr. Monroe E. Harris to lead VMFA board
Dr. Monroe E. Harris Jr., a Richmond oral and maxillofacial surgeon and avid collector of African and African-American art, has been elected president of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Board of Trustees.

Sen. Stanley, Mayor Stoney spar over to school maintenance
Maintenance of public school buildings is your responsibility, Mr. Mayor.

City Democratic Committee to hold reorganizing caucus July 20
The Virginia Democratic Party apparently is seeking to limit participation as it begins the process of reorganizing the Richmond City Democratic Committee.

Norfolk police hit 16M views in lip-synch challenge
A video of police officers in Virginia dancing and lip-synching to Bruno Mars’ hugely popular song “Uptown Funk” has become a smash hit on the internet.

Dominion Energy lobbying up tenfold
Dominion Energy is reporting a recent tenfold increase in spending aimed at influencing Virginia politicians. That spending came as the utility was pushing for a new law that could lead to higher electric bills.

Historic Resources officials make way for Intermediate Terminal building demolition
The state Department of Historic Resources has upheld City Hall’s view that a landmark warehouse in the city’s East End, once a major source of jobs for African-Americans, has no historical value and can be demolished to make way for the modern bistro and restaurant that Stone Brewing Co. wants to build.

GRTC learns good news, bad news
The start of the Pulse bus rapid transit system and the overhaul of bus routes appears to be a good news-bad news story for GRTC.

Parental leave expanded for city workers
City employees who have a new baby or who adopt will have longer to bond with the child.

Inmate search tool available
It just became a bit easier to find out if someone is locked up at the Richmond Justice Center.

Natalie Barnes now state long jump champ
Virginia’s high school long jump champion has deep Richmond roots. Natalie Barnes, a rising senior at Stone Bridge High in Ashburn, is the daughter of former Maggie Walker High and VCU basketball center Norman Barnes and Fran Barnes.

Davis trading nets in Portland for Brooklyn
Richmond’s current homegrown NBA talent is on the move again, leaving broken hearts behind. Much to the chagrin of former teammates, coaches, friends and fans in Portland, Ore., Ed Davis is headed for his fifth team, the Brooklyn Nets.

O’Quinn taking his talents to the Indiana Pacers
Kyle O’Quinn, the last player from an HBCU to be drafted into the NBA, is changing his low-post address.

Hampton’s big move to Big South
Breaking up is hard to do. In the midst of a conference transition, Hampton University’s 2018 football schedule bares slim resemblance to those from the previous 100-plus years.

Bacot says bye-bye to Trinity
The trend continues. Armando Bacot becomes the third top-tier basketball prospect to leave a Richmond school this year.

Maggie Walker birthday celebrations set for Saturday
The National Park Service and the City of Richmond are hosting celebrations Saturday, July 14, honoring the 154th birthday of Richmond icon and businesswoman Maggie L. Walker.

‘Souls Grown Deep’ exhibition highlights VMFA acquisition of African-American works
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts invites Richmond area residents to view 34 pieces of work by black artists and reflect on cultural contributions by African-Americans in a first-of-its-kind exhibition under the purview of Valerie Cassel Oliver.