
VSU shuts down appearance by controversial pyschologist
A controversial figure who promotes black unity, but who also has labeled the gay rights movement a conspiracy to reduce the black population, has been barred from speaking at Virginia State University.

Altria to add 200 jobs in area
Richmond is expected to gain at least 200 jobs as a result of tobacco giant Altria Group’s decision to close factories in Illinois and Pennsylvania that produce Black & Mild cigars, Skoal chewing tobacco and other tobacco products.

Public hearing on city bike trail plan Nov. 22
The city’s Department of Public Works will host a public forum from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, to seek public feedback on the city’s Bicycle Master Plan.

Richmond plans to hire new auditing firm
Richmond is preparing to hire a new auditing firm as part of its effort to get the year-end audit of its finances done in a more timely fashion.

Stoney to be city’s youngest mayor
Levar Stoney will be the next mayor of Richmond. Belying earlier polls that portrayed him as an also-ran in the contest, Mr. Stoney swept to a surprising outright victory in Tuesday’s election by capturing five of the nine City Council districts — the magic number.
Richmond’s African-American history is national history
Re: Op-ed column, “Save sacred ground for the future,” Oct. 20-22 edition:
Throwing money at problem in city schools not the solution
Re: “City school officials: Test scores to get worse before they get better,” Oct. 20-22 edition:

Standing with Native Americans
When my brothers were younger, a common playtime activity was the game of “Cowboys and Indians.” Fueled by the Hollywood theatrical Western genre, it was played in fields and playgrounds all across the nation. No one wanted to be the Indian and suffer the routine fate of dying under brutal circumstance.

The Obama legacy
“May you live in interesting times.” This adage, attributed tenuously to the Chinese, bespeaks a preference for order over change. We now live in interesting times and Americans are hungering for change. Yet, surprisingly, President Obama enjoys increasing popularity as he heads into the final days of his presidency.
A national nightmare
We awakened to a nightmare Wednesday morning with news that Republican Donald Trump, the racist, sexist, misogynistic, xenophobic, anti-black, anti-Latino, anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, vulgar candidate for president, actually won. His election initially caused global turmoil, with financial markets in the U.S. and abroad reeling. Dow stock futures nosedived 800 points Tuesday night before recovering.
Fresh face at City Hall
We congratulate Richmond’s next mayor, Levar Stoney, the former state secretary of the commonwealth who was instrumental in helping shepherd Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s effort to restore the voting rights to felons in Virginia who had served their time.

VCU’s Wilder School to honor 6 at Nov. 30 luncheon
The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University will host its 12th Annual Excellence in Virginia Government Awards during a luncheon ceremony noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Richmond Marriott in Downtown.

Petersburg strains to keep operating with shrunken workforce
During her eight-month stint as Petersburg’s interim city manager, Dironna Moore Belton had a simple solution to handling the bills the city had no money to pay.

39th Annual Richmond Marathon runs on Saturday
The 39th Annual Anthem Richmond Marathon is Saturday, Nov. 12. The race could boil down to this: Benjamin Zywicki vs. the East Africans.

VSU topples VUU Panthers 48-21
Virginia State University zoomed across the finish line of the 2016 football season as if powered by rocket fuel. By contrast, Virginia Union University appeared to be running on fumes as it sputtered to the end.

VSU in last-minute matchup Saturday against Tuskegee
It doesn’t get much better than this. If Virginia State University’s basketball forecast were any brighter, you’d need a visor and wrap-around shades to read this preview.

VSU beats NSU in double-overtime exhibition game
It was just an exhibition game, but Virginia State University, an NCAA Division II team, flexed its muscles against Norfolk State University, a Division I team, on Saturday, Nov. 5, in Ettrick.

Trojans picked to dominate CIAA basketball
It doesn’t get much better than this. If Virginia State University’s basketball forecast were any brighter, you’d need a visor and wrap-around shades to read this preview.

VUU hoping for hoops wins
Virginia Union University ranks with the nation’s most improved basketball programs over the last two years. And there are signs the upswing will continue.