
Initiative to get schools on Nov. ballot collects 6,619 signatures in one day
During the June 13 primary election, more than 6,600 Richmond voters signed petitions to put the issue of Richmond’s deteriorating schools on the city ballot in November, the Free Press has learned.

Superintendent search firm to be announced Monday
The Richmond School Board will approve a search firm to help with its search for a new schools superintendent during a special board meeting on Monday, June 26.

It’s a boy and a girl for Beyoncé, Jay Z
Leave it to a proud grandpa to spill the beans about the birth of his grandchildren. That’s what happened Sunday when Mathew Knowles turned to Twitter to say his celebrity superstar daughter Beyoncé now was the mother of twins.

Black Lives Matter wins international peace prize award
Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from NorthStarNewsToday.com

African-American officers described as heroes in ballpark shooting
One of the U.S. Capitol Police officers injured while defending members of Congress during a shooting last week at an Alexandria baseball field is a gregarious gym-goer and hard worker who adores his mother, his friends said. The other is a high-achieving former college athlete who a former boss said “exudes confidence and dedication.”

Bill Cosby’s case ends in mistrial, but civil suits waiting
Entertainer Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial ended in a mistrial last Saturday, but his legal problems persist as he faces assault and defamation claims in civil lawsuits, where the bar for evidence is lower than in criminal cases.

Improvement plan
Richmond School Board hears details after flunking Va. Dept. of Education review
The Richmond School Board has its work cut out for it to get the city’s public school system fully accredited. The Virginia Department of Education, which outlined chronic problems within Richmond Public Schools in a recent report, shared plans for getting the school system back on track at Monday night’s School Board meeting.

Activist claims no signs banning interstate hitchhiking invalidates his arrest
The Virginia Department of Transportation appears to be flouting a state law. That law, section 46.2-808 of the state code, requires the agency to post signs on entryways to the interstates stating that pedestrians, horseback riders, farm tractors, cyclists and mopeds are banned from using high-speed, controlled-access highways.

Councilwoman Gray crafting new plan on severance pay
Remember the $166,000 in severance packages former Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones awarded to four members of his staff as his term ended last December and the $77,000 City Council awarded to three outgoing employees? Remember the vows of incoming council members to reform the way the city handles severance and end-of-service pay for departing employees?

18-story apartment tower planned for Belvidere, Grace streets
Richmond is losing another gas station on the edge of Downtown, but is set to gain a $100 million apartment tower in exchange.

Overby-Sheppard Elementary School set for 6-month overhaul
A North Side elementary school is about to get a $4 million overhaul — complementing the housing developments that have begun reshaping the Highland Park community.

A.V. Norrell to stay open
The A.V. Norrell Elementary School building in North Side, which was slated for closure, likely is going to fill up again with more school employees.

Irving beats longtime Richmond sheriff in major upset
By every measure, Antionette V. Irving seemed to have no shot of winning her third attempt to unseat Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr.

McQuinn wins primary, clearing way for 5th term in House
Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn is on her way to a fifth term in the House of Delegates.

Armstead to take on former City Council president in treasurer’s race
The daughter of former Richmond City Councilman Chuck Richardson is now the Democratic Party nominee for city treasurer.
Hurricanes: Plan for worst, hope for best
I was born in New Orleans in 1949 and moved to Arabi, La., in 1960. During my lifetime, I have experienced every hurricane and tropical storm that ever hit the New Orleans region.
Kudos to governor, mayor on dedication to climate issues
I am glad to see Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney doing their part to ensure that people are provided with clean energy, a clean environment and green jobs that will boost the economy.
Who is President Trump eager to please?
There is much one could say or write about President Trump, and not a lot of it would be good.

Brown decision’s negative side
May 17 was the 63rd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision declaring that legally sanctioned and enforced school segregation is a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

On courtesy, race and 45’s defenders
Courtesy flew out of the window in Washington parlance a long time ago.