No going back
We are pleased with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling expanding the legal right of same-sex couples to marry nationwide. Virginia has allowed gay couples to marry since October, thanks to a ruling from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This new decision from the nation’s highest court, which was met with jubilation, eliminates the checkerboard approach to gay marriage that called into question the legal rights of gay couples just moving from state to state. The ruling also eliminates any guesswork about whether a same-sex partner can be covered under family health insurance or receive survivor’s benefits or a pension.
Nation’s victory
Pundits across the nation are hailing the past few days as “the best week ever” for President Obama. That’s in large measure because of landmark rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the federal Affordable Care Act and legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.
Fireworks schedule
This year’s July 4th holiday marks the 239th anniversary of America’s signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.
VCU’s Graham trying his luck in NBA Summer League
Treveon Graham hopes for a change in his basketball luck in the mecca for gambling, Las Vegas. After not getting picked in last week’s NBA Draft, the former Virginia Commonwealth University star has signed to play for San Antonio in the Samsung NBA Summer League at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
Charles City native a first at state’s executive mansion
Kaci M. Easley is carrying on a proud family tradition of public service. Her late maternal grandmother, Iona W. Adkins, served as clerk of Charles City County Circuit Court from 1967 to 1988. She was the first African-American woman to be elected clerk of a court of record since Reconstruction. The Virginia House of Delegates honored her in a resolution shortly after her death in 2004.
2-day gospel music festival next weekend
Dozens of gospel artists from across the nation are scheduled to perform at The East Coast Gospel Music Summer Fest. It’s billed as “one of the biggest gospel music weekends on the East Coast.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses district conventions start July 3 at Coliseum
The annual district conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses are coming to Richmond beginning this weekend, officials have announced.
New Episcopal Church leader has Richmond link
The first African-American to be elected as the U.S. Episcopal Church’s presiding bishop has ties to Richmond. The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, 62, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, was elected the church’s 27th presiding bishop last Saturday at the denomination’s general conference in Salt Lake City.
Personality: Suzanne D. Hall
Spotlight on Thomas Jefferson Award winner from PRSA Richmond Chapter
Suzanne D. Hall proudly calls it a “pinnacle moment” — winning the Thomas Jefferson Award in Public Relations from the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
9 inducted into Petersburg High Sports Hall of Fame
Petersburg High School has inducted its first Sports Hall of Fame class. The inaugural induction ceremony was held at a reception and banquet in mid-June at Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Petersburg.
VSU football team includes area freshmen
Departed Virginia State University football Coach Latrell Scott, who is now at Norfolk State University, has left his successor with a tough act to follow.
Williams sisters advance at Wimbledon
LONDON Superstar sisters Serena and Venus Williams are one win away from facing off against each other in the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London.
De Grasse racing toward ‘world’s fastest man’ title
When the throne for “world’s fastest man” eventually has a vacancy, Andre De Grasse seems primed to fill the seat. Since 2008, the “world’s fastest” title has been held by Usaian Bolt of Jamaica, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in 100- and 200-meter races.
BET Awards brings out top stars
Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs took a tumble, Janet Jackson made an emotional appearance and the BET TV network paid tribute Sunday to campaigners across the United States demanding better police accountability after a troubled year. Combs fell through a hole in the stage at the BET Awards show during a 20th anniversary celebration of his Bad Boy record label that reunited hip-hop artists including Lil’ Kim, Faith Evans and 112 in a celebration joined by Pharrell Williams. Diddy quickly got up and carried on with the performance, appearing unhurt.
New Virginia laws effective July 1
Hundreds of new laws took effect Wednesday in Virginia. Here are a few highlights: Social media: Employers cannot ask employees or prospective employees for the username and passwords of their social media accounts.
Regional computer programming school proposed
Ten school districts, including Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico, are embarking on a bold educational experiment aimed at overhauling career training for area high school students, particularly those struggling in traditional classes. The first step: Creation of a regional school that would give students the skills to become computer programmers and open doors to careers in engineering, computer science and other technology fields, according to a grant application the alliance of schools submitted to the state Department of Education.
‘Future Centers’ to help students with life after high school
Students in at least three of the city’s five comprehensive high schools will have new centers in their buildings this fall designed to help connect them to college and career opportunities.
Scott co-leader of bipartisan effort to curb federal prison spending
From Virginia to California, states are pushing change to cut their ballooning prison costs that collectively approach $60 billion. Instead of automatically locking up people, 32 states have put in place reforms during the past five years that have reduced the numbers of people imprisoned without increasing crime rates. The efforts have saved at least $4 billion. That includes reserving prison cells for the most serous offenders and doing more to divert lower-level offenders to supervised support programs outside prison.
Go further
‘I don’t think God wants us to stop’ at removing the Confederate flag, President Obama tells mourners at Rev. Pinckney’s funeral in S.C.
‘I don’t think God wants us to stop’ at removing the Confederate flag, President Obama tells mourners at Rev. Pinckney’s funeral in S.C.
