Wakanda forever: ‘Black Panther’ poised for Oscar win
The box office smash “Black Panther” just made history as the first superhero film to be nominated for an Academy Award, the top award in the movie world. The film, directed and co-written by Ryan Coogler, is one of the eight movies, including “Green Book” and Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,” that will compete for best picture honors at the 91st Academy Awards to be broadcast Sunday, Feb. 24, it was announced this week.
Sen. Harris enters presidential contest
She’s running! U.S. Sen. Kamala D. Harris announced Monday that she is seeking the 2020 Democratic nomination for president. She adds her name to a growing list of women who want to call the White House home.
Groups using Super Bowl spotlight to push against Confederate statues
A coalition of civil rights groups in Atlanta is using this year’s Super Bowl to help kick off a renewed “war on the Confederacy,” in a fight to remove Confederate monuments around the nation.
True Hero
We hope our readers will pause within the coming days to reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an authentic advocate for human rights, justice and peace. His work on behalf of African-Americans, the poor, everyday workers, the neglected and the ignored pricked the conscience of the nation and helped America to start to live up to the ideals of freedom and equality as written in the U.S. Constitution.
‘The Art of Freedom’ exhibit to open at Black History Museum
“The Art of Freedom,” a new exhibit opening Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, will feature more than 60 works by African-American artists expressing their meaning of freedom.
24th Annual Freedom Classic Festival this weekend
The 24th Annual Freedom Classic Festival gets underway this week with family-friendly activities celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
NFL Conference finals players always have had flair
For Sunday’s NFL Conference finals, expect a steady diet of orchestrated end zone celebrations and other zany sideshows, minus the fear of penalty. It wasn’t always that way.
John E. Wilson, oldest living Harlem Globetrotter, dies in Chester
John E. Wilson, who was the oldest living Harlem Globetrotter, has died at age 91. Known as “Jumpin’ Johnny” for his uncanny leaping ability, Mr. Wilson died Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, at his home in Chester, where he was living with his son, John Wilson Jr., an assistant athletic director at Virginia State University.
MJBL players headed to Bahamas
Some local teenagers won’t have to wait until warm weather to play baseball. The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League is sending a team to Nassau, Bahamas, for games next week.
VUU, VSU revving up for Freedom Classic matchup Saturday
Virginia Union University’s basketball season has been given a jumpstart. When the Panthers trek to Ettrick on Saturday to play Virginia State University in the Freedom Classic, VUU will have new vroom under the hood.
Sophomore Roosevelt Wheeler is John Marshall High’s tall secret weapon
Young basketball players and teams generally are taught to work the ball inside for a higher percentage of shots close to the basket. That strategy is likely to backfire against Richmond’s John Marshall High School. Facing the Justices, the closer to the basket the opponents get, the higher the degree of difficulty becomes.
Hundreds turn out for equal rights
Hundreds of social justice advocates, community members and students marched for women’s rights last Saturday in Richmond.
Scooter legislation advances in City Council
Electric scooters are headed to Richmond, but this time legally. After two months of talks and review, Richmond City Council appears poised to approve legislation that would authorize scooter companies such as Bird and Lime to begin offering rental service.
Southside Hardware closing doors for last time Saturday
Southside Hardware was long a place to find the unusual, from replacement wicks for kerosene heaters to the special keys needed to operate radiators, antique radios and baby buggies.
Cityscape: Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
Workers are moving forward to create a $33 million apartment complex on a 2½-acre block in Jackson Ward, despite recent weather challenges.
Local man refunded stormwater fees
Are property owners in Richmond getting billed for stormwater fees they do not owe? Ronald Sizemore thinks it could be happening.
Natural gas price to rise in Richmond
Cook or heat with natural gas? Beginning with the February bill, Richmond customers will pay a bit extra for the fuel. Richmond Gas Works, the city’s gas utility, has announced customers will be charged an extra penny for every 10 cubic feet of natural gas used. Ten cubic feet is the equivalent of 75 gallons of gasoline.
VCU to hold spring commencement at Convention Center
Virginia Commonwealth University announced Wednesday that it will hold its spring graduation at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, the replacement site for the now closed Richmond Coliseum.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday
In observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 21, please note the following:
Official: City has fallen short on lead abatement efforts, contractor training
City Hall has confirmed a Free Press report that it has failed to hire a qualified trainer to offer mandatory classes for small contractors seeking to compete to remove poisonous lead paint from Richmond residences.
