Story
Study may help reverse shut out of Black businesses from city contracts
City Hall spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year to buy goods and services and pay for construction and renovation of its buildings, pipelines and other infrastructure. But only a tiny fraction of that money is spent with Black- and minority-owned companies.
Story
‘Toothless’
Critics assail Mayor Stoney’s proposal to give a new civilian review board only limited authority in handling complaints against city police
Richmond could soon have its first civilian board to review serious complaints against police officers.
Story
Fascination with Teslas prompt second-grader with autism to write book
“Uziah Wants a Tesla.” That is the title and focus of the new book by 8-year-old author Uziah Smith-Bashir of Henrico.
Story
Dr. Melissa Viray steers local health departments through changing state COVID-19 policy
In the midst of shifts in Virginia’s COVID-19 policies, Dr. Melissa A. Viray is looking to continue the evolution and expansion of Richmond and Henrico County’s public health response as the new acting director of the Richmond and Henrico health districts.
Story
Story
City seeks court order authorizing 2nd casino referendum
City Hall is rushing to secure a Richmond Circuit Court order to authorize a second casino referendum in November before the General Assembly can block it through budget language, the Free Press has learned.
Story
NSU going to NCAA ‘Big Dance’ for second consecutive year
Start the music. Norfolk State University’s history at the NCAA Big Dance is relatively short, but most exciting and filled with big-name dance partners.And it’s the same snappy beat this year.
Story
Smollett’s sideshow mocks real tragedies, by Clarence Page
True to his profession, actor Jussie Smollett reacted to his sentence of jail time for his hate-crime hoax, with the passion of a courtroom drama.
Story
Mayor’s $836M proposed budget includes major pay hikes for public safety workers
Soaring property values and a continuing boom in new development in Richmond have given City Hall the money to propose major pay increases for police officers, firefighters and other city employees.
Story
Holding on to their faith: Strengthening Black families living with dementia
When Dr. Fayron Epps was growing up in New Orleans, worship services weren’t limited to Sundays.
Story
Story
Volunteers to help RRHA families late with rent to file for state relief
Next week, scores of volunteers will be going door to door in public housing communities seeking to help 1,700 families avoid eviction because their rent is past due.
Story
Youngkin rolls back diversity, inclusion efforts in education, calling them ‘divisive concepts’
Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s administration has rescinded a series of policies, memos and other resources related to diversity, equity and inclusion that it characterized as “discriminatory and divisive concepts” in the state’s public education system.
Story
Efforts advance for state, federal funding for historic Black cemeteries
The General Assembly, with bipartisan support, is preparing to beef up its efforts to financially support volunteers and organizations seeking to restore long-neglected Black cemeteries and to support efforts to preserve Black historical sites.
Story
Story
Faster legal sales of marijuana snuffed out; Black advocates cheer
The rush to start legal retail sales of marijuana next September has been snuffed out.
Story
Personality: Kathryn B. ‘Katie’ Ricard
Spotlight on president of the William Fox Elementary PTA
Kathryn Baum “Katie” Ricard is looking to turn an outpouring of support in the wake of an unexpected, catastrophic event into an opportunity for education in Richmond — and a fulcrum for community unity.
Story
Parade of champions
John Marshall teams headed to quarterfinals
They come at you in waves— so tall, so talented, so tenacious and so many.
Story
Richmond Planet license plate, with its symbol of Black empowerment, may be ready to go July 1
A tribute to Black empowerment will be on display on a Virginia license plate for the first time.
