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Free Press staff report

Stories by Free Press

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Gov.-elect Spanberger appoints secretary of labor

Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has announced the appointment of Jessica K. Looman as Virginia’s next secretary of labor, selecting a longtime labor official with experience in federal and state government.

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Moon to lead Virginia’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts

After four years in which Virginia’s diversity office was renamed and redirected under Republican leadership, Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has moved to restore a broader equity focus with the appointment of Sesha Joi Moon as the state’s next chief diversity officer and director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

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Spanberger family to open Virginia Executive Mansion for inaugural weekend

Virginians will have a chance to tour the Executive Mansion and meet the new first family during inaugural weekend, the Spanberger Inaugural Committee announced Monday.

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Richmond seeks public input on intersection safety improvements

The Richmond Department of Public Works announced Dec. 22 the launch of two public surveys aimed at improving safety at intersections across the city, where the vast majority of fatal and serious injury crashes occur.

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DeSean Jackson, others honored with HBCU Superlative Awards

As the HBCU college football season winds down, BOXTOROW, a media outlet covering HBCU sports, has recognized the top performers with its annual HBCU Superlative Awards. The awards are voted on by media members who cover HBCU football.

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Downtown ballpark, statewide games lead Richmond’s 2026 sports lineup

Richmond will open a new downtown ballpark and host relocated statewide games while the region welcomes back professional golf and NASCAR among a packed calendar of sporting events in 2026.

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Richmond, Henrico health officials warn against gunfire on New Year’s Eve

Richmond and Henrico health officials are reminding residents to celebrate New Year’s Eve safely by avoiding celebratory gunfire and keeping firearms securely stored.

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Johnson claims ACC Player of the Week after record game

Virginia junior guard Kymora Johnson earned Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week honors for her scorching performance during games played Dec. 15-21, the league office announced.

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El Paso running back named first Hispanic High School Football Player of Year

El Dorado High School senior running back Ryan Estrada has been named the inaugural Hispanic High School Football Player of the Year, the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame announced Monday.

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‘King James’ follows two friends through a decade of basketball devotion

Richmond Shakespeare will present “King James,” a comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Rajiv Joseph, running Jan. 15 through Feb. 1 at Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Theatre Gym.

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Hoops standout gives back with clinic, toy drive

Top 100 nationally ranked basketball player Timani Harris returned home Saturday to host a free basketball clinic and toy drive for local youth.

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Gov.-elect Spanberger appoints longtime public administrator to lead state operations

Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed Traci J. Deshazor as Virginia’s next secretary of administration, naming a longtime public administrator with experience in local, state and federal government.

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A woman’s holiday tradition inspires

At 90, Dolores W. Whitaker still ushers in the holiday season one wreath at a time.

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Recycle your Christmas tree for free

Residents in Central Virginia can recycle their real Christmas trees at no cost through programs offered by localities in partnership with the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority.

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Mendoza earns top Hispanic football award

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was named the inaugural Hispanic Football Hall of Fame College Player of the Year on Dec. 18, an honor recognizing the nation’s most outstanding Hispanic college football player.

Evelyn Harris, acclaimed singer and educator, dies at 75

Evelyn Maria Harris, an acclaimed singer, composer, producer and devoted educator whose powerful voice and generous spirit enriched the world of vocal music for more than five decades, died Dec. 16. She was 75.

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Rashad Robinson launches monthly series ‘Freedom Table’ on NewsOne

NewsOne has launched a new monthly series, “Freedom Table,” hosted by social justice leader Rashad Robinson.

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VUU coach honored with Triad of Excellence Award

Franck Charles ’16 has turned Virginia Union University’s Track & Field and Cross Country programs into a model of excellence both on and off the track, earning him the Triad of Excellence Award from the John W. Barco Alumni Chapter.

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VSU announces Hall and Wall of Fame Class of 2026

Virginia State University Athletics recently announced the Hall of Fame and Wall of Fame Class of 2026, recognizing former student-athletes, coaches, teams and supporters who made significant contributions to Trojan Athletics.

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Midtown64 development set to bring retail, apartments and hotel to Henrico

Greenberg Gibbons last week broke ground on Midtown64, a $500-plus million, 46-acre mixed-use development at the Interstate 64/Broad Street junction in Henrico County.

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Local organization bringing holiday support to inmates

Christmas can be a time of isolation for people behind bars, and organizations are working to provide support during the holiday season.

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Georgia dominates VCU in 4 Tha Culture opener

The University of Georgia Bulldogs delivered a commanding performance against VCU on Thursday night, cruising to a 72-53 victory at the Henrico Sports & Events Center as part of the 4 Tha Culture Holiday Hoops Classic.

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Olympian Chaunté Lowe to speak at wellness luncheon

Chaunté Lowe, four-time U.S. Olympian and American high jump record holder, will be the keynote speaker at the 31st annual Women and Wellness Luncheon hosted by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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Virginia Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026

Virginia’s top athletes, coaches and sports leaders will be celebrated in the spring as the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame unveiled its Class of 2026.

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NY pastor pleads guilty to tax evasion in church embezzlement case

Paul Mitchell, 60, the lead pastor of a Brooklyn church and president of an affiliated daycare, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to tax evasion in federal court.

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Woodfin to sponsor fan area at CarMax Park

Woodfin-Your Home Team and the Richmond Flying Squirrels will continue their partnership as the local HVAC and plumbing company has been announced as a founding partner of CarMax Park, according to the teams.

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Capital City Kwanzaa Festival returns Dec. 27

The Elegba Folklore Society will present the 2025 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival on Saturday, Dec. 27 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center’s Exhibit Hall B.

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High school star Timani Harris to host basketball clinic, toy drive

Richmond native and ESPN Top 100 nationally ranked athlete Timani Harris, who currently plays high school basketball for DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, will host a free basketball clinic and toy drive in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond on Saturday, Dec. 20.

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Hampton hires Malone to lead football program

Hampton University named Van Malone as its 23rd head football coach last week, tapping a veteran assistant with 23 years of college coaching experience to lead the Pirates’ storied program.

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Richmond fire officials urge safety after fatal house fire

The Richmond Fire Department is urging residents to prioritize fire safety ahead of the holidays after a weekend house fire killed two people.

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Casino holding job fair downtown

Live! Casino Virginia will hold a job fair Thursday, Dec. 18 in downtown Richmond as it prepares for the opening of its temporary gaming facility in Petersburg.

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Virginia Legislative Black Caucus announces new leadership team

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus has announced its executive leadership team for the 2026-28 term, naming Del. Luke Torian as chair.

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Spanberger inaugural committee unveils weekend event schedule

Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s inaugural committee has released the schedule for the Commonwealth’s upcoming inauguration weekend, set for Jan. 16-18.

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VUU’s Allen, SCSU’s Lunz named HBCU GO Football Players of the Year

Curtis Allen of Virginia Union University and Michael Lunz II of South Carolina State University were named the 2025 HBCU GO Football Players of the Year, recognizing the top offensive and defensive performers in historically Black college and university football.

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Seminary partnership receives $10M for leadership program

Union Presbyterian Seminary has received a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch Seminary Extended: Strengthening Pastoral Leadership, a collaborative initiative with Eastern Mennonite Seminary and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

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Lego partners with Children’s Museum for holiday charity campaign

Community members built more than 150 Lego brick hearts in Chesterfield County on Dec. 12, part of the toy company’s campaign to encourage people to share their creations online and help children in need.

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Petersburg’s stars shine, John Marshall dominates in ‘Battle’ wins

Division I talent was on full display Saturday night as nationally ranked Petersburg and city rival John Marshall delivered commanding victories in “The Battle 2025” doubleheader at Virginia State University’s Multipurpose Center.

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Student-athletes honored at Maxie Awards banquet

Richmond’s student-athletes were celebrated Dec. 3 during the third annual Maxie Awards banquet at the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center.

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VUU track and field posts standout results at indoor opener

Virginia Union University’s track and field teams opened the indoor season with a surge of early success, highlighted by multiple school records, event wins and breakout performances across two meets.

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VMFA returns 41 ancient terracotta fragments

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has deaccessioned and returned 41 ancient polychrome terracotta reliefs after an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit determined they had been looted.

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Trooper breaks window to pull driver from burning Tesla

A Virginia state trooper, along with several Good Samaritans, helped rescue a Maryland man from a burning Tesla early Friday.

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Applications open for Richmond Poet Laureate position

With less than a year remaining in the city’s current Poet Laureate term, Richmond officials have opened applications for the next poet to serve in the role.

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Kickers sign fullback Mujeeb Murana

The Richmond Kickers have signed fullback Mujeeb Murana, pending league and federation approval.

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Kamala Harris to appear in Richmond to discuss ‘107 Days’

Former Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Richmond on Feb. 2 for a conversation inspired by her bestselling book, “107 Days.”

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School Board seeks interim 6th district representative

The 6th District seat on the Richmond School Board will soon have a new occupant, at least temporarily, as the board begins the search to fill the vacancy left by Shonda Harris-Muhammed’s resignation effective Dec. 31.

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Chamber outlines decadelong business strategy

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce unveiled its long-term economic strategy, Blueprint Virginia 2035, during the 2025 Virginia Economic Summit and Forum on International Trade, presenting the plan to Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger.

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Fritz Sassine named director of Division of Legislative Automated Systems

Fritz Sassine has been named director of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems at Capitol Square in Richmond, the Virginia General Assembly announced.

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Library of Virginia plans major renovation of downtown building

The Library of Virginia is planning a major renovation of its downtown Richmond building at 800 E. Broad St., reimagining more than 112,000 square feet on the first and second floors to improve accessibility, flexibility and community engagement.

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‘Nutcracker’ continues holiday run at Carpenter Theatre

Richmond Ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” is being presented at the Carpenter Theatre through Dec. 23, marking the company’s continuation of a signature holiday tradition.

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Downtown Ashland launches ‘The Great Raccoon Hunt’

Downtown Ashland has turned a local raccoon’s viral fame into a holiday scavenger hunt.

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