Senate passes major criminal justice reform package
The U.S. Senate voted 87-12 Tuesday to usher in the most substantial change to the 1990s tough-on-crime sentencing laws that have ballooned the federal prison population and created a criminal justice system that is seen as costly and unfair.
Groundbreaking: RPS and city officials celebrate the start of construction of 3 new city schools
It was a day for smiles, celebration and looking to the future Wednesday as Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras and elected city and School Board officials broke ground for three new city schools.
Probe finds Trump illegally used foundation as ‘a checkbook’ for his campaign, business
President Trump’s charitable foundation reached a deal Tuesday to go out of business, even as the president continues to fight allegations he misused its assets to resolve business disputes and boost his run for the White House.
Bump stocks banned
The Trump administration on Tuesday banned the high-power gun attachments of the type used in last year’s Las Vegas shooting massacre of 58 people, giving the owners of “bump stocks” 90 days to turn in or destroy the devices and …
Critics assail Trump panel recommendations that would strip students of civil rights while not boosting student safety
The Trump administration on Tuesday moved to roll back an Obama-era policy that was meant to curb racial disparities in school discipline but that critics say left schools afraid to take action against potentially dangerous students.
Closure pending as Bennett College loses accreditation
After two years of probation, Bennett College, one of just two historically black private women’s colleges in the country, has lost its accreditation, threatening the 145-year-old school’s survival.
City Council approves commission to review $1.4B Coliseum project
City Councilwoman Kim B. Gray scored a signal victory in securing an 8-1 vote Monday in support of her plan to create a commission of citizen experts to review the $1.4 billion plan to replace the Richmond Coliseum and redevelop …
VUU spokesperson blasts claims by doctoral student as ‘false, ill-advised, arbitrary and capricious’
Virginia Union University is pushing back against a student-written letter and online petition calling for an investigation and the removal of VUU President Hakim J. Lucas and Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chair of the VUU Board of Trustees.
Cheryl Burke sworn in to hold School Board seat through 2020
Retired elementary school principal Cheryl L. Burke was sworn in Tuesday as the official 7th District representative on the Richmond School Board. Mrs. Burke, 65, who was appointed by the board in 2017 to fill the seat on an interim …
RRHA working again to settle heating problems
Tina Shaw has gotten most of what she wanted for Christmas — working heat in her two-bedroom apartment in the Creighton Court public housing community.
Holiday closings
In observance of Christmas Day, Tuesday Dec. 25, please note the following:
Dominion seeks $300M from customers for coal plant upgrades
Dominion Energy wants customers to pay more than $300 million, which would cover the cost of upgrading three coal-burning power plants, plus some extra money.
Council to seek new chief of staff
Richmond City Council will be seeking a new chief of staff after quietly accepting on Monday the resignation of Lou Brown Ali, who has held the post since 2011 after serving as the city clerk.
Bridging RVA to serve Christmas dinner
Christmas Day dinner for all. That’s what Bridging RVA is promising on Tuesday, Dec. 25. Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Congregation Beth Ahabah, 1121 W. Franklin St. in The Fan, it has been announced.
Petition drive continues for Put Schools First
Put Schools First is still collecting signatures to get a proposed change to the City Charter on a future Richmond ballot to allow voters to decide whether to pump more tax dollars into school construction and limit financing for the …
