
S.C. church to donate $1.5M to massacre survivors, victims’ families
The South Carolina church where the pastor and eight parishioners were shot and killed in a racially motivated attack earlier this year is sharing about half of the money donated to it with survivors of the attack and the families of those killed.

Pope Francis spreads message of love, peace in Africa
Pope Francis wrapped up his six-day trip to Africa in the war-torn Central Africa Republic on Monday by warning that religious conflicts are spawning civil war, terrorism and suffering throughout the continent.
‘Tough times for many’ in early U.S. history
As a new resident of Virginia coming from the North, I am amazed at how the “PC” revisionists are defaming 200 years of history and tradition with bands of the Confederate flag. Their total lack of knowledge and perspective is incredible.
Feeling endangered by police
If black cops were killing white men and boys at the rate white cops are continuing to kill black men, boys and Americans of color in general in these United States, there would be a mighty roar emanating from the belly of this country. Yet, there is ominous silence.
Urge legislative support of Virginia Coastal Protection Act
The Clean Power Plan issued this summer by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides considerable flexibility to Virginia and other states to decide how to cut carbon pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants to help reduce global warming.
Problems with welcoming others with ‘open arms’
Re: Editorial “Let us express our gratitude by welcoming others,” President Obama’s 2015 Thanksgiving Proclamation, Nov. 25-28 edition: I read President Obama’s poignant message. We are a country that is about 98 percent immigrant. I believe all children should be taken care of.

Tips from rags to riches life
Omar Periu is truly a rags to riches story. He came to America at age 7 with his parents who were escaping Fidel Castro's regime. They came with nothing but the clothes on their backs. He has built an amazing business that has generated millions of dollars and also has been inspiring corporations and individuals for more than 20 years. He specializes in sales, negotiations and wealth building.

A ‘kill-and-cover-up’ police culture?
When public officials refuse to release a video that shows alleged misconduct by a police officer, you should only expect the worst. That’s particularly true in Chicago, where one “bad apple” too often has signaled a bushel of coverups and other problems underneath.
Drop a dime on a cop
The City of Chicago, situated on the windswept shores of Lake Michigan, is part of Cook County, Ill. Many of the locals call it “Crook County” because of its long and notorious history of corruption. A report last year by the University of Illinois, Chicago campus, listed about 150 county politicians and employees who had been convicted in recent years for wrongdoing.

Holiday events to light up Downtown
Richmond is getting into the holiday season with a host of events to bring cheer to families and individuals, including a holiday parade, Christmas tree lightings and an open house at the Executive Mansion. The festivities begin Thursday, Dec. 3, when Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Virginia’s First Family participate in the state’s official tree lighting ceremony from 5:30 to 6 p.m. on the South Portico of the State Capitol.

60 years after Rosa Parks’ arrest launched modern civil rights era, ‘our work isn’t finished’
MONTGOMERY, ALA. While Rosa Parks became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated Alabama bus, the 60th anniversary of her arrest also highlighted lesser-known pioneers of the bus boycott she sparked. Mrs. Parks made history by taking a stand alongside other desegregation pioneers like Claudette Colvin, a black teenager arrested nine months earlier in Montgomery, Ala., for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger, said Fred D. Gray, a lawyer who represented both women.

Santa with Soul visits Dec. 5 at Black History Museum
Santa with Soul is making his annual visit to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Jackson Ward to ask wide-eyed children their holiday wishes and to spread good cheer.

Holiday dance production Dec. 6 at the Altria Theater
The Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is presenting “Home for the Holidays — The Night Before” at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St.

How to get a letter from Santa
Do you want to provide a child with a letter from Santa Claus? Here’s how the U.S. Postal Service will help you get it done, complete with a North Pole postmark.

Personality: James A. McCain
Spotlight on Richmond Firefighter of the Year
James A. McCain says being a firefighter with the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services is a dream come true. “I wanted to become a physical therapist when I graduated from Hampton University in 2003,” he recalls. “But I had a dream one day that I was a firefighter. It was so vivid and so real,” he adds. “I took that as a calling that I was supposed to become a firefighter.”

‘Battle of I-95 South
VUU Panthers versus VSU Trojans at Ashe Center on Sunday
Tavon Mealy has become the prince of the paint at Virginia Union University. Despite being vertically challenged at a more guard-like 6-foot-3, the undersized big man has a knack for ruling the painted boards in the shadow of the backboard.

VUU’s Joe Taylor to be inducted into MEAC Hall of Fame
Virginia Union University Athletic Director Joe Taylor soon will add another feather to his cap. The highly successful former football coach will be inducted into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame on March 10.

Dave Roberts first black manager for L.A. Dodgers
Richmond’s legion of NBA fans will again have local favorites to follow on both sides of the country this season. Former Virginia Commonwealth University marksman Troy Daniels, who holds the Atlantic 10 record for the most three-pointers in a season, is beginning his fourth NBA season and his second with the Charlotte Hornets.

Local favorites hitting NBA boards this season
Richmond’s legion of NBA fans will again have local favorites to follow on both sides of the country this season. Former Virginia Commonwealth University marksman Troy Daniels, who holds the Atlantic 10 record for the most three-pointers in a season, is beginning his fourth NBA season and his second with the Charlotte Hornets. Meanwhile, former Hanover High School/Benedictine/University of North Carolina standout Ed Davis will commence his fifth NBA season overall and first season with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Police chief out amid protests of teen’s murder in Chicago
Chicago’s police chief was ousted on Tuesday following days of unrest over video footage showing the police shooting of a black teenager and the subsequent filing of murder charges against a white police officer in the young man’s death. The white officer, Jason Van Dyke, was charged Nov. 24 with first-degree murder in the killing of Laquan McDonald, 17, who was shot 16 times. The video of the killing was released on the day the former officer was charged.