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‘Bobby Jones Gospel’ signing off the air

For more than 34 years, people have watched “Bobby Jones Gospel” on the BET network for their Sunday morning inspiration. The show, led by the 76-year-old Grammy Award winner, features stirring performances and in-depth interviews. It has served as a springboard to fame for some of today’s leading gospel artists, including Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Smokie Norful, Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin.

The lion’s tale

The lion’s tale “Until the lion tells the story of the hunt, the tale will always glorify the hunter.” We evoke this African proverb in reflecting on last weekend’s wonderful events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the liberation of Richmond and its significance in bringing the Civil War to a close. We believe the events were planned with good intentions, and that they brought an overall feeling of uplift and joy while recalling this important period in our nation’s history.

Decision removes guns from domestic abusers convicted of misdemeanors

The U.S. Supreme Court expanded protection for victims of domestic violence Monday by ruling that every misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence triggers the loss of gun ownership rights. The justices, in a 6-2 ruling issued amid fierce debate about reducing firearms violence in America, rejected arguments that a federal gun ownership prohibition should apply only to knowing or intentional conduct, but not to impulsive or reckless conduct.

‘Date with Dad’ celebrates 10th anniversary this weekend

When Kai Banks began working for Girls for a Change through AmeriCorps five years ago, she said she was only one year into recovering from a difficult marriage.

Supporters urge school name change to Marsh

A small, but vocal contingent asked the Richmond School Board to rename George Mason Elementary School after noted civil rights attorney Henry L. Marsh III during a public hearing Monday night.

Shockoe Bottom's slave history to be subject of symposium Dec. 7

Fans of African-American history will be offered an all-day feast of information about Shockoe Bottom on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St.

Rep. Karen Bass new CBC chair

In January, the most ethnically and culturally diverse Congress in United States history will be seated. Among the historic “firsts,” the Congressional Black Caucus will exceed 50 members for the first time in its 47-year history and Rep. Karen Bass of California has been elected its chair.

Groups using Super Bowl spotlight to push against Confederate statues

A coalition of civil rights groups in Atlanta is using this year’s Super Bowl to help kick off a renewed “war on the Confederacy,” in a fight to remove Confederate monuments around the nation.

‘We could only hope to live up to the words on the Reconciliation Statue’

In the bright sunlight, Richmond’s Reconciliation Statue, unveiled a decade ago by then-Gov. Tim Kaine and seen as an apology for this country’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, cast an appropriate shadow upon our sorrow. Hundreds of us gathered Sunday at the statue. We wanted to send a living sympathy card to the City of Charlottesville, where violence had caused the death of three people and the injury of 19 others. And we wanted to condemn the racism and bigotry that caused this violence.

Vexed

Editorials

Our spirit is vexed by President Trump, whose words and actions seem to undermine the U.S. Constitution, the safety and security of our nation and the ideals we stand for. Where to begin?

Personality: Donald S. ‘Don’ Richards

Spotlight on vice chair of Autism Society of Central Virginia

After decades in broadcasting, Donald S. “Don” Richards is gearing up for a new chapter of community advocacy.

Personality: Harrison Nathaniel Roday

Spotlight on Bridging Virginia’s founder and board chair

Harrison Nathaniel Roday learned the power of outside financial support when helping to invest in and run industrial manufacturing businesses 10 years ago in New York. He also learned that obtaining such support often is elusive for marginalized business owners.

Challenging times

Threat of COVID-19 shuts down schools, businesses and non-essential services across Richmond and the state as the number of cases and death toll rise

Virginia is gearing up for a months-long undertaking to stop the threat of coronavirus as each day brings more news of new cases, deaths and measures from local and state authorities to combat the spread.