Mayor on hook for school modernization plan with charter change signing
Backed by a unanimous legislature, Gov. Ralph S. Northam has signed a new charter measure for Richmond that will require Mayor Levar M. Stoney to come up with a fully funded plan for modernizing every city school without a tax increase or explain why he cannot.
J.E.B. Stuart Elementary headed for a new name
The Richmond School Board signaled its intent to rename J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School, is named for a Confederate cavalry leader.
Confederate flag replaced at Riverview Cemetery
A Confederate flag flying in Riverview Cemetery in Richmond’s West End has been replaced with a new banner — the Christian flag, a white banner with a red cross centered in a small, blue square in the flag’s top left corner.
From hoops to music, Cornell Jones still playing to win
Cornell Jones may have lost the hops that made him such an exciting basketball performer, but his distinctive soulful voice remains a Richmond treasure.
Medicaid expansion, state budget talks continue
Virginia’s budget impasse remained unresolved Wednesday as the Virginia House and Senate adjourned about 90 minutes into the special session called by Gov. Ralph S. Northam without taking any action.
Chief Durham to host Third Precinct town hall April 12
Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham will host a town hall meeting with residents of the Third Precinct area from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave.
Henry L. Marsh III talk, book signing April 17
Former state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, whose work as an attorney put him on the front lines of the legal wars for civil rights, will talk about his new book, “The Memoirs of Hon. Henry L. Marsh III: Civil Rights Champion, Public Servant, Lawyer,” 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at the Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St.
Howard University students end 9-day sit-in
The occupation of a Howard University administration building in Washington by students making demands to school officials has ended.
Evicted
Richmond ranks No.2 nationally in displacing people from their homes and apartments by eviction
Marcel Slag has been fighting evictions for 28 years as a lawyer with Central Virginia Legal Aid and its now independent Justice Center.
104-year-old city real estate firm sold
Brothers Jeffrey Finn and John S. Finn Jr. are breathing new life into the oldest African-American-owned real estate company in continuous operation in Richmond.
Hours, enforcement increase for city meters
Drivers can now park longer at Downtown street meters, but the city also plans to increase enforcement.
City natural gas price going down
Richmond residents who cook and heat with natural gas will get a price break on its cost next month because of a sharp jump in production.
Armstrong High time capsule takes alumni, students back in history
Armstrong High School’s storied past collided with its present last Saturday as a legion of several hundred Wildcats, mostly from the Armstrong High School Alumni Coalition, gathered to witness the opening of a 1952 time capsule.
Personality: Jalia L. Hardy
Spotlight on state winner of VML’s ‘If I Were Mayor’ essay contest
If Jalia Hardy were mayor of Richmond, she would focus on the city’s economy as well as youths and educational programs. She would listen to ideas and suggestions from citizens and create a nonprofit organization that would give care packages of food and toiletries to the homeless.
Trauma-informed care focus of FACTS in Va.
On March 11, Oprah Winfrey presented a story on “60 Minutes” on “Childhood Trauma’s Long-Term Effect,” uncovering how trauma affects a child’s brain and can lead to physical, mental and social health problems throughout a child’s life. The special also highlighted trauma-informed efforts.
Young people able to understand what leaders don’t
Re “ ‘Our ballots will stop bullets:’ Thousands take to streets in Richmond, D.C. and across the nation to demand gun control and school safety,” Free Press March 29-31 edition:
Coretta Scott King wanted secrets about her husband’s death exposed
Efforts must be increased to break down the wall of secrecy surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Gun control debate ignores black lives
Students from across the country walked out of class on March 14 at 10 a.m. to protest gun violence and demand new legislation. The students left classes for 17 minutes to commemorate the 17 lives lost in the Parkland, Fla., high school shooting. Some even left for 18 minutes to acknowledge a young black girl who was killed in an accidental shooting in Birmingham, Ala.
More work to do 50 years later
The 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination comes amid a fierce struggle for the soul of America. We will celebrate the progress th
The lessons
Memories of the life and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are flooding back this week as the national media and groups across the nation remember the young Baptist minister who died 50 years ago on April 4, 1968. Before the 39-year-old Dr. King was gunned down by an assassin’s bullet in Memphis, Tenn., he inspired a nation by his nonviolent movement for change and his thoughtful, yet simple eloquence calling for the basic rights of freedom, dignity and equality for African-Americans and oppressed people everywhere.
