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Shorter services, less singing and no dinners for churches during pandemic reopening

For more than a quarter century, Dr. James L. Sailes knew that every Sunday morning around 10:30, he would be proudly walking the aisles of Antioch Baptist Church in Varina, greeting scores of his 500 or so members with handshakes and hugs.

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Episcopal bishop ‘outraged’ by Trump church photo op

The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington sharply criticized President Trump on Monday for staging a visit to the historic St. John’s Church across from the White House, where he held up a Bible after authorities had cleared the area of peaceful protesters using tear gas.

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Thousands of protesters hit the streets

A white Minneapolis police officer’s killing of 46-year-old George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nearly 9 minutes was the final straw.

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Business owners sweep up after vandalism

One of Richmond’s oldest family jewelry stores is recovering from late-night looting and vandalism last weekend by rogue elements attached to local protests of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

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City to open Friday at a ‘slow and steady pace’

Even with the coronavirus still causing sickness and death, Richmond is finally set to reopen, though gingerly and in a limited fashion, under what the state terms Phase One. It will be far from business as usual.

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Delegate Carroll Foy announces historic bid for governor

Democratic state Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy formally launched her bid for Virginia governor Wednesday, using email and social media to make an initial appeal to voters in the era of the coronavirus pandemic.

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City Council looks to ease zoning for homeless shelter locations

City Council this week took the first step toward lifting zoning restrictions that have largely limited homeless shelters to Downtown and low-income sections of the city.

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Campaign mounts to purchase Woodland Cemetery

Neglected Woodland Cemetery — the final resting place of Richmond-born tennis great and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr. and thousands of other African-Americans — soon could have new ownership if money can be raised.

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SNAP benefits now can be used for online grocery shopping

Food stamps now can be used to buy groceries online in Richmond and across the state.

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GRTC passengers must wear face masks beginning Friday

The rides will still be free, but GRTC will require passengers to wear face masks, or nose and mouth coverings, as of Friday, May 29, to board its regular buses, vans and Pulse rapid transit.

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City businesses ready to reopen, welcome customers next week

Renada Harris, owner of Silk Hair Studio on Broad Street near Virginia Commonwealth University spent last Thursday calling clients to cancel appointments made for Friday, May 15, the date businesses were to partially reopen under Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s executive order.

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Miss local baseball? You can still get the food

With the coronavirus pandemic, fans are missing baseball. And some are missing ballpark food.

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What happens when we return to ‘normal’? by Glenn Ellis

Where should we be focusing our attention as a community at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic?

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Answering the call

Volunteers with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps sometimes put their own health on the line to help during the COVID-19 pandemic

When Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s call went out for volunteers to help with COVID-19 efforts, Matilde Badillo responded.

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Ready to reopen

Va. businesses, churches and some restaurants are poised to open on Friday under state guidelines despite VLBC's opposition

Editor's Note: In a major change that took place after publication of the May 14-16 edition of the Free Press, businesses in the city of Richmond will not reopen on Friday, May 15. At the request of Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Gov. Ralph S. Northam issued a new executive order extending business closures in Richmond until at least Thursday, May 28. The order, released about 5:15 p.m. Thursday, May 14, also included Accomack County on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, which also requested to delay openings. In the Richmond area, businesses in Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties, however, can reopen Friday under Phase One of the governor’s guidelines. Government leaders in those three counties submitted a letter to Gov. Northam rejecting any delay in opening.

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GRTC provides more protective gear to drivers

It took nearly two months, but GRTC is ramping up virus protection for drivers who have kept the public transit system rolling during the pandemic.

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Public housing residents sheltered, temporarily, from eviction

Will there be a flood of eviction cases next month?

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Personality: Rahmah T. Johnson

Spotlight on Richmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year

A holistic approach to counseling is the key to success for Richmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year Rahmah T. Johnson.

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Black people and COVID-19, by Sa’ad El-Amin

As the United States is trying to reopen after a nearly total shutdown caused by COVID-19, one of the major questions is whether it is too early to re- open and, by doing so, whether there will be a second round of infections and deaths.

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Next steps

Gov. Northam moves to reopen Virginia on May 15

Movie theaters, barber shops and hair salons, restaurants and a host of other businesses deemed non-essential could begin to reopen Friday, May 15.