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Comments cause temperatures to rise at city School Board meeting
The Richmond School Board, like many public bodies in Virginia, has long barred speakers during its public comment period from engaging in “personal attacks of any individual” or expressing criticism of an administrator, a staff member, a principal or a teacher by name.
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Increase financial access
Our nation has made great progress in the advancement of minorities. However, the current election cycle serves as a reminder of how far we have to go. National, state and local political races are prompting many to ask the simple question, “Will our next elected officials create more opportunity for Richmond’s African-American community or stifle the progress that already has been made?”
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Black social workers group hosts symposium April 22
The Richmond Association of Black Social Workers will present its spring 2016 education symposium, “I Am My People’s Keeper: Progressive Strategies in Dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline,” from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Sixth Baptist Church, 400 S. Addison St.
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Bus trip to D.C. science festival April 16
A bus trip is being organized from Richmond to the 4th USA Science and Engineering Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington this Saturday, April 16.
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Russell Wilson’s mother to speak at Women’s Day
She’s the mother of Richmond hometown hero Russell Wilson, star quarterback of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. And Tammy Wilson is going to be keynote speaker at the Women’s Day service 11 a.m. Sunday, April 17, at Third Street Bethel AME Church, 614 N. Third St., in Jackson Ward. Mrs. Wilson is expected to talk about her faith and her s
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Oliver Singleton, president of the MBL, dies
For more than 13 years, Oliver Rodney “Rod” Hunt Singleton played a critical role in providing more opportunities to minority-owned businesses as the president and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Business League in Jackson Ward.
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Marching for dollars
City Council takes first steps to give more to RPS
Before dozens of students, parents and teachers began pleading, berating and challenging Richmond City Council to beef up funding for city schools, the nine members of the governing body had already taken the first step. In a 9-0 vote Monday night, in front of a packed council chamber of school supporters, the council approved an ordinance requiring the city administration to give to the schools real estate tax money collected from surplus property previously owned by the school system.
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Council to CAO: Create plan to aid businesses impacted by BRT
Restaurants and other businesses along Broad Street could receive financial help to survive the expected 15 months of construction of the GRTC’s Bus Rapid Transit system.
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NFL quarterback Russell Wilson gets hometown welcome
Seattle Seahawks All-Pro quarterback Russell Wilson scored a touchdown with a hometown crowd of 4,500 people at the Richmond Forum, where he was the special guest and speaker Saturday night at the Altria Theatre.
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Coalition hosts conflict resolution workshop April 9
Three Richmond area crime prevention groups are presenting a Citywide Violence Prevention Conflict Resolution Workshop. The workshop will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Royal Manchester Event Center inside the Richmond Christian Center, 1173 Wall St., in South Side.
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Another Barbara Johns?
Open High students plan citywide walkout to protest lack of funding
Imagine all 5,600 high school students in Richmond walking out to protest the physical conditions of their buildings. Then imagine them overflowing the Richmond City Council chambers a few hours later to bring their concerns to the nine-member governing body.
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Governor vetoes bills ahead of April 10 deadline
Richmond and other localities can still, if they choose, require employers with government contracts to pay workers a “living wage” that is well above the current $7.25 an hour federal minimum wage. However, the state will not be creating an experimental, independent school system where students in kindergarten through 12th grade could take all of their classes on a home computer or laptop.
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Richmond Public Schools undergoes staff changes
Richmond Public Schools’ leadership team is undergoing a major makeover. Ralph Westbay, who helped craft the school system’s current budget plan as the assistant superintendent for financial services, is retiring May 1.
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April 7 opener
Flying Squirrels bringing their AA game
As the Richmond Flying Squirrels leave spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., later this week and fly to Richmond on Sunday to prepare for their new Eastern League baseball season, their roster will include two players who are former first round draft picks, a third flame-throwing closer who consistently throws 100 mph fastballs and a new manager who spent the past three seasons at the helm of the Diablos Rojos in the Mexican League, leading the team to the 2014 league championship.
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Smithsonian’s new African-American museum focus of forum
Throngs of visitors are expected to view exhibits chronicling the enslavement and emancipation of hundreds of thousands of Africans and African-Americans in the United States when the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opens this fall on the National Mall in Washington. And they will see displays about President Obama’s historic election and leadership as the nation’s first African-American president.
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Twins lend voices, expertise to healthy heart education
Fraternal twins Kimberly Ketter and Shaun Rivers share a deep faith and a desire to help others. And they aspire to live life to its fullest.
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Southern Women’s Show celebrates 25 years in RVA April 15-17
Henrico County native and American Idol finalist Rayvon Owen is to perform at the 25th Annual Southern Women’s Show, which will be held Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17, at the Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., in Henrico County.
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Rev. Jeremiah Wright to speak March 31 at East End church
The Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright is scheduled to speak at Faith Community Baptist Church in the East End at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31.
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Obama promotes democracy during historic visit to Cuba
Capping his remarkable visit to Cuba, President Obama on Tuesday declared an end to the “last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas” and openly urged the Cuban people to pursue a more democratic future for this communist nation 90 miles from the Florida coast.
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‘Virtual school’ in Va.?
Advocates say it would boost educational choices; critics say it would strip students and money from public schools
Thousands of public school students in Virginia could have the option of taking all of their classes on a home computer in what is known as a “virtual school” — instead of making the daily trek to a building with bells and defined class times. Gov. Terry McAuliffe is mulling whether to sign House Bill 8, a largely Republican-backed piece of legislation that would allow Virginia to join Florida, Ohio and 28 other states in providing 12 years of public education in what enthusiasts describe as a “classroom without walls.”
