Story
50 Cent out of dollars?
Rapper and actor 50 Cent filed for federal bankruptcy protection Monday, days after a jury ordered him to pay $5 million in an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit.
Story
Kind acts commemorate pastor’s 10th anniversary
“Don’t Go to Church, Be the Church.” That was the theme of a day of community service by members at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Jackson Ward on July 5.
Story
View online how tax dollars are spent
Want to know how the city is spending your tax dollars? Jump on your computer and go to this website — www.data.richmondgov.com.
Story
Good Samaritan Ministries opens summer camp
Pastor Michael D. McClary has spent nearly 30 years helping alcoholics and drug users in Richmond follow the Christian road to recovery that transformed him from an addict to a minister. The 65-year-old minister has undertaken the effort as the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Good Samaritan Ministries on South Side.
Story
Real innovation?
Last week, we published articles about two promising programs involving Richmond Public Schools. First, Mayor Dwight C. Jones shone a spotlight on the “Future Centers” that are to be opened at three of Richmond’s high schools.
Story
A just outcome
Here’s good news: A big hotel in Charlotte, N.C., that ripped off people attending the 2015 CIAA basketball tournament in the spring is being forced to return its ill-gotten gains.
Story
Federal recognition for Pamunkeys brings tribe closer to nationhood
Defeated in battles with the English invaders who took their land, the Pamunkey Indians have been on a reservation and under the thumb of Virginia’s government for more than 350 years — long before there was a state. Now the dwindling descendants of Pocahontas, Powhatan and other members of the tribe that met the first English settlers to Jamestown in 1607 are one step closer to gaining their independence — and separation from Virginia.
Story
Shop for Success set for July 18
Dress for Success Central Virginia is holding its signature shopping event for the public Saturday, July 18, at its boutique in the basement of Boulevard United Methodist Church, 321 N. Boulevard, it has been announced. It is called “Shop for Success.”
Story
Musical homegoing for Maggie Ingram
The Ingramettes delivered a powerful farewell to Mother Maggie Ingram at her homegoing service Thursday, July 2, at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County.
Story
Economic clout can create change
There’s a lesson to be learned from the Confederate flag quickly and unexpectedly falling into disfavor following the murder of nine Bible-studying African-Americans, including the pastor, at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C. The lesson is that the economic clout of African-Americans and their progressive allies can be used to pressure businesses to do the right thing, which in turn can keep the far right wing in check.
Story
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.
Story
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.
Story
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.
Story
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.
Story
Dr. Reavis to retire as seminary president
Fifteen years ago, Dr. Ralph Reavis Sr. went to Lynchburg to save his alma mater, Virginia University of Lynchburg. Now the former Richmond pastor is preparing to step down as president of the historically black Baptist college and seminary that he believes has been restored to full health — with more than 10 times the enrollment than when he started. “When I got here, there were only 32 students on campus,” Dr. Reavis said. Today, more than 400 students are taking courses on the campus, online or in a satellite program on the Northern Neck in Eastern Virginia.
Story
First steps
From the horrific massacre last week in a South Carolina church, the nation is witnessing a historic sea change in attitude regarding the chief symbol of racial hatred that has helped divide this country for so long — the Confederate flag. The flag was used on Civil War battlefields during the bloody four-year fight to keep black people enslaved.
Story
50-year reunion
Student civil rights workers recall efforts
The Charleston, S.C., church shooting is an ugly reminder that “racist violence is not a ghost,” said Bruce Smith 71, of Woodbridge, a volunteer lobbyist for AARP.
Story
Shooting survivor carries own message of forgiveness
A Henrico County man who survived being shot eight times in 2004 — and later forgave the shooter — said he was moved to tears as family members of the nine victims of the Charleston, S.C., church massacre appeared last Friday in a Charleston courtroom and told Dylann Roof, the racist gunman, they forgave him.
Story
Forums deliver security tips to church leaders
Richmond area faith leaders and congregation members are on heightened alert following the mass killing of nine worshippers at a historic Charleston, S.C., church last week and a frightening incident that followed at a church in South Richmond.
Story
Board asks to throw out schools lawsuit
The Richmond School Board is seeking to dispel a legal cloud hanging over the collective heads of its nine members.
