VSU basketball signs 2
Virginia State University basketball coach Lonnie Blow Jr. has added two building blocks to an already strong foundation. Coming off its first CIAA championship since 1988, Coach Blow has announced signing 6-foot-8 junior college transfer Richard Granberry and 6-foot-6 incoming freshman Andrew Corum.
NSU basketball team to play in Costa Rica
Norfolk State University is getting a jump start on the 2016-17 basketball season.
Bradley helps AL to All-Star victory
Richmond was well represented at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 12 in San Diego. Jackie Bradley Jr., the starting left fielder, went 2-for-2, helping the American League to a 4-2 win over the National League.
Personality: Tyra Hayes Beaman
Spotlight on Fulbright and Rangel fellowships recipient
Long before Tyra Zuri Hayes Beaman graduated with honors from Spelman College in May 2016, she was working toward becoming a U.S. foreign service officer by studying abroad in Argentina, Uruguay, Haiti and South Africa.
After 26 years, Judge Roberts retiring from juvenile court
For 26 years, Judge Angela Edwards Roberts has been a presence in the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. Along with her colleagues, she has dealt with all the sad, messy issues involving individuals and families — ranging from cutody battles to stalking and domestic abuse to teens involved in bad behavior and criminal activity. She also has experienced the joy of helping create families through adoption. “The work we do is emotionally draining,” Judge Roberts said. “We see everything that goes wrong with society. People come to us when they
Va. Supreme Court hears felon voting rights restoration case
Did Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe have the power to issue a blanket order restoring the rights of more than 200,000 felons?
Third time a charm?
Black-owned business hopes to find success at NFL training camp
Herman Baskerville is optimistic about the start next Thursday of the 2016 summer training camp in Richmond for Washington’s professional football team.
Planning commission gives Walker statue final oK
Coming soon: The statue and memorial plaza honoring Richmond great Maggie L. Walker at a gateway to the historical African-American section of Downtown known as Jackson Ward.
Richmond Public schools seeking volunteers for cleanup projects
Volunteers are being sought to carry out projects to beautify city schools next week.
Baton Rouge works to heal after shootings
BATON ROUGE, LA. On the affluent south side of Baton Rouge, a clutch of plastic balloons bobs in front of the gas station where a former Marine shot and killed three police officers last Sunday. On the impoverished north
Police killings – and killings of police – a major issue at NAACP convention
An estimated 10,000 delegates from throughout the country converged on Cincinnati for the national NAACP’s 107th annual convention here that began last Saturday.
Hayden is new Librarian of Congress
The U. S. Senate has confirmed Dr. Carla D. Hayden as the 14th Librarian of Congress. The 74-18 vote for the nominee of President Obama for the key position came on July 13. Dr. Hayden is the first African-American and first woman to hold the position. Her appointment at the Library of Congress is for 10 years.
Say what?
Donald J. Trump wins Republican nomination after wife steals speech from Michelle Obama
CLEVELAND Donald J. Trump crossed the threshold of history the way he ran the Republican race: Soaked in drama, surrounded by back-stabbing, jeered by well-heeled critics as a no-hope ama- teur, cheered by a die-hard base and embraced at the finish line by his family.
City seeking developers for the Boulevard project
City Hall finally is ready to seek developers for its biggest economic development project — the redo of the 60-acre city property on North Boulevard where The Diamond baseball stadium and Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center now stand. Two months behind schedule, Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration expects to issue its request for qualifications (RFQ) this week seeking deep-pocket bidders interested in transforming the property over 20 years into apartments, condos, retail outlets and office space.
Hunt elected president in letter carriers union re-vote
Thelma J. Hunt is officially the first woman to lead one of the oldest union organizations in Richmond — the Old Dominion Branch 496 of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Gooden new state secretary of agriculture and forestry
Dr. Basil I. Gooden is well suited for his new job as Virginia’s secretary of agriculture and forestry. Dr. Gooden grew up raising beef cattle on his family’s farm in Buckingham County. He also was appointed by President Obama as Virginia director of rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in May 2014. In announcing Dr. Gooden’s appointment to the state cabinet position July 7, Gov. Terry McAuliffe praised him for his leadership and vision.
Va. Legislative Black Caucus member wins Dem nomination for state Senate
Chesapeake Delegate Lionell Spruill Sr. appears to be on his way to the state Senate. The 22-year General Assembly veteran easily won the Democratic Party nomination Saturday in a “firehouse” primary that was called to find a replacement for Sen. Kenneth C. Alexander, who left the General Assembly after winning the May election for mayor of Norfolk. He assumed the office July 1.
Maggie Walker statue is 80 years overdue
I write with renewed disquiet over what appears to be the stalling of the Maggie Walker statue at the corner of Broad and Adams streets in Downtown.
‘This is more than a gut check; it’s a soul check’
We look upon the tragic deaths in Minnesota, in Louisiana and in Dallas in recent days with sadness, anger, grief, confusion and certainly compassion, but it’s not nearly enough. This is more than a gut check; it’s a soul check. Our souls are being tested by the sobbing young man whose dad was shot and killed at point-blank range by one of two police officers who had him pinned to the ground.
‘Our anthem is tinged by a troubled history’
On July Fourth, I rose, removed my hat and placed my hand over my heart as the band played the national anthem in Dogwood Dell at the beginning of the annual patriotic celebration.
