
VCU basketball roster changes with new coach
Virginia Commonwealth University’s so-called basketball offseason has been anything but “off” in terms of news. There has been a steady flow of traffic — both arriving and departing — at the Atlantic 10 Conference university in Richmond.

Gardens sprouting from the work of area churches
At Second Baptist Church in South Side, volunteer gardeners are preparing to produce a cornucopia of vegetables and herbs on a quarter-acre garden plot next to the sanctuary on Broad Rock Boulevard.

Missing from church on Mother’s Day: Women wishing to be moms
Religion News Service For years, Mother’s Day worship services were simply too much for Candace Wohl.

Personality: Dr. Staci E. Carr
Spotlight on president of Autism Society Central Virginia
Dr. Staci E. Carr is passionate about helping individuals and families living with autism spectrum disorder. She says that from a young age, she knew she wanted to help people. As a psychology student in 1994, she began working with a 9-year-old girl diagnosed with autism and was driven to learn more about the subject.

Hilbert to mayor: Don’t veto City Council budget
Money allocated to fix potholes or plow streets cannot be used for picking up trash unless Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney secures approval to shift the funds from Richmond City Council.

Family medical history prompts man to enter ‘Man of the Year’ campaign
Dwight Taylor knows the pain of losing a loved one to cancer and the triumph of celebrating a loved one beating the disease.

Dominion Riverrock slated this weekend
Dominion Riverrock returns this weekend with a fresh sampling of fun, games, live music and athletic competitions on the riverfront.

Senior fair May 23 at Hotchkiss Community Center
Yes, there is a free lunch, according to Richmond City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson.

Plans unveiled for Obama Presidential Center
Former President Obama unveiled plans for his future presidential center, painting a picture of a buzzing hub for youth and community programs on the South Side of Chicago where he raised his family and launched his political career. The former chief executive fielded questions from residents at a May 3 forum near the site on the shores of Lake Michigan, delving into nitty-gritty details of traffic patterns, green space and job creation, while avoiding any mention of his successor in the White House.

Charlottesville roils with protests over Confederate statue
Protests reminiscent of Ku Klux Klan rallies are rattling Charlottesville over the city’s plans to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from a park in downtown.

U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeal of N.C. laws targeting African-American voters
In a victory for African-American and other nonwhite voters in North Carolina, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to lift the racist label that a federal appeals court in Richmond pinned on the state.

Rev. Barber to head national poor people’s campaign
Although he insists that he’s “really not leaving,” the Rev. William J. Barber II, the nationally known activist and president of the North Carolina State Conference NAACP, said he will be “transitioning” from the state presidency next month to join a national “poor people’s campaign” to address issues of poverty and social inequality.

Russian roulette
Feds pull out big gun to oversee Trump investigation
Did President Trump fire FBI Director James Comey for refusing to shut down a criminal investigation against the president’s crony, retired Gen. Michael T. Flynn, who briefly served as national security adviser?

Changes at 2 North Side funeral homes
They may deal with death, but two venerable, African-American-owned funeral homes in North Side are getting new life. The former W.S. Watkins & Son Funeral Home at 2700 North Ave. has new owners who vow to rebuild the 84-year-old business.

U.S. cultural ambassador to speak at St. Philip’s Women’s Day program
Humanitarian and activist Yewande Austin, president of the Global Institute for Diversity and Change, will be the Women’s Day speaker at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, May 21, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 2900 Hanes Ave. Ms. Austin is an honorary U.S. cultural ambassador to the African nation of Malawi.
Where is money coming from to pay Bedden’s severance?
Re “Payout for Bedden,” May 4-6 edition:
What’s in a street name?
When land developers plan housing projects, business parks, health care complexes, school campuses or recreational areas, the streets, and often buildings, are named. Who would want to move to a street with a vulgar or ugly name, like Vulgar Parkway or Pneumonia Avenue? Wouldn’t that also affect property values?

GOP celebration premature
After months of “repeal and replace” rhetoric, Congress has passed a pitiful little bill designed to eliminate the Affordable Care Act.

Communities of color and the environment
The Trump administration has made it clear that it plans to limit environmental protections and reverse course on the stronger regulations achieved under President Obama out of concern for the bottom lines of corporate America. Mainstream media has covered President Trump’s decision to prioritize private profits over public health and the well-being of our environment.