
Richmond Ambulance Authority again receives accreditation
The Richmond Ambulance Authority continues to rank as one of the top emergency service agencies in the nation. The national Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services made that finding in renewing the Richmond authority’s accreditation for another three years.
Unveil the camouflage to combat bullying
Bullying is plantational authoritarianism. Someone posted on social media an adolescent male sobbing because of bullying incidents. Bullies are not those actually committing the conflicts, but those who have the authority to resolve the discords and don’t — or won’t — because of the camaraderie affiliation, causing continuing hostilities.
Dr. Lucas’ record should have been scrutinized
Re “VUU president accused of fraud,” Free Press Feb. 1-3 edition: I am a Virginia Union University alumnus and your article is not only embarrassing, but again indicative of extremely negligent administrative oversight on the part of the VUU Board of Trustees.

Dr. King’s legacy exploited
It is incredibly sad to watch how the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life and legacy inspired and changed the lives of millions, is being used to hawk trucks. The ad during the recent Super Bowl for Dodge Ram Trucks used words from one of his most inspiring speeches, “The Drum Major Instinct,” which he delivered on Feb. 4, 1968.

Hustling backward in Richmond
Richmond City Council voted 7-2 on Monday night to increase the meals tax 1.5 percent, expecting annual revenue of $9 million. This will be leveraged to borrow $150 million over five years and earmarked for renovating and building new schools for Richmond Public Schools.
No deal
We understand the need for compromise, but we believe Democratic Gov. Ralph S. Northam caved to the Republicans when he struck a deal last week with GOP House Speaker Kirk Cox.
Meals tax redux
We applaud the Richmond City Council for approving the city meals tax hike. We heard the anguish — and the urgency — from people on both sides of the meals tax debate who spoke at Monday night’s City Council meeting. In the end, what unifies us all is the universal support for Richmond Public Schools and the 24,000 youngsters who attend them.

7 African-Americans honored for ‘2018 Strong Men & Strong Women in Virginia History’
Seven outstanding African-American leaders were celebrated during the sixth annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” awards program Feb. 7 at a Downtown hotel.

Martin Luther King III to speak Feb.18 at VCU
Martin Luther King III, son of the slain civil rights leader and Coretta Scott King, will speak 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Commonwealth Ballroom in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

Hip-hop panel Feb.19 at UR
Richmond-based hip-hop artist Mad Skillz and music producer Hank Shocklee, who has produced albums for Public Enemy, LL Cool J, EPMD and others, will be featured at a University of Richmond panel on hip-hop.

VUU rebounding in view of TV cameras
The Aspire TV cameras may have served as a wake-up call for Virginia Union University’s slumbering basketball Panthers.

Alexis Johnson leading a repeat for Lady Panthers
You might say Alexis Johnson has become the “Lady Walker Part Two” story for Virginia Union University basketball.

DaVaughn Kelsie lights it up for Shaw Univ.
DaVaughn Kelsie is Shaw University’s spark from the arc. The Richmond native leads CIAA basketball in filling the cup from behind the 3-point arc.

Smothering defense propels VSU against VUU and in CIAA
Virginia State University and the University of Virginia share more than just school colors. Wearing orange and blue, the University of Virginia has featured a smothering defense in rocketing to the top rank in college hoops.

Justin Tillman leads Rams to overtime win over Dayton
Virginia Commonwealth University basketball Coach Mike Rhoades says the Rams’ motto this season is “it takes what it takes.”

African dance company eyeing former Jackson Ward church building
Could the vacant former Sharon Baptist Church in Jackson Ward become a performing arts center for an African dance company and other arts groups?

Dr. Grace E. Harris, whose leadership helped transform VCU, dies at 84
Grace Edmondson Harris was rejected when she first sought admission to what is now Virginia Commonwealth University because she was African-American.

Battinto L. Batts Sr., former director of cooperative education at VSU, dies at 70
Battinto Leroy “Tunky” Batts Sr. helped hundreds of Virginia State University students graduate and find their career paths.

Flags at half-staff in memory, honor of Dr. Walker
Virginia’s state flag will be flown at half-staff over the Capitol and throughout the commonwealth in honor of the late civil rights icon Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker.

Personality: Rashad J. Seaborne
Spotlight on ‘Strong Men & Strong Women’ student essay winner
African-American teens are avid learners, like to learn and are America’s future. We all just have to be good human beings and know how to respect and treat others