Friday, May 26
Changes in meat, dairy industries?
Last Sunday, animal rights activists celebrated the end of the 146-year-old Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus after years of effectively exposing them for animal abuse. Can the meat and dairy industries be far behind?
Wanted: RPS leader who thinks outside the box
Re “Common concerns emerge in forum on superintendent search,” May 18-20 edition:
Crimes without punishment
Once again, a white police officer has killed a person of color with impunity.
Memorial Day
In memory
Basquiat work sells for record $110.5M
A little-seen painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat that sold for $19,000 in 1984 soared to an astounding $110.5 million at Sotheby’s auction of contemporary art last week.
2017 Festival of Arts at Dogwood Dell kicks off with Memorial Day concert
The Festival of Arts will launch its 61st season of public entertainment with a Memorial Day concert at Dogwood Dell amphitheatre in Byrd Park.
Jordan Peele’s film success continues
Jordan Peele, the comedian turned filmmaker who wrote, produced and directed the blockbuster film, “Get Out,” is following up with a provocative original thriller set for release in March 2019.
VUU Lady Panthers sign N.C. twins
Virginia Union University women’s basketball has added what it hopes will spell double trouble for the Lady Panthers’ opponents.
Baseball opens door to first African player
Gift Ngoepe has opened Major League Baseball’s door to Africans. On April 26, Ngoepe, who is from South Africa, became the first player from the African continent to play in the big leagues.
Frank Mason III hopes to become next small man in NBA
The NBA is something of a real-life Brobdingnag, that fictional land of giants in the novel “Gulliver’s Travels.” How else to describe a population with more men taller than 6-foot-9 than under 6 feet?
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge shattering height records, TVs in the major leagues
Aaron Judge is large and in charge. The New York Yankees rookie right fielder has head-turning size, with talent to match. He also stands above the crowd with his “Wow!” factor.
Ebenezer marks its 160th
Ebenezer Baptist Church will host a series of public events this week to mark its 160th anniversary as a beacon of faith in Jackson Ward, it has been announced.
Trump’s views on Islam ‘continue to evolve’
President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia this week has begun to soften his attitudes about Islam, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Monday after a two-day summit in which the president was treated to extraordinary Arab hospitality. “I think the president’s views — like, we hope, the American people’s views — are going to continue to evolve,” Mr. Tillerson said on the flight from Riyadh to Tel Aviv.
President’s family gets special dispensation to fly on Sabbath
When it comes to Jewish observance, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump may be in a class by themselves.
Callista Gingrich to be nominated as ambassador to the Vatican
Callista Gingrich, the wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, is expected to be nominated by President Trump as the next ambassador to the Vatican.
Personality: Dayal Baxani
Dayal Baxani began to build his relationship with Neighborhood Housing Services of Richmond the same way he builds many of the relationships that have maintained his family’s business, 707 Fine Clothing, for nearly 40 years — word of mouth.
City quietly pumps $833,569 more into Monroe Park renovation
The renovation of Monroe Park is a prime example of why Richmond City Council is becoming more aggressive in overseeing city spending.
Memorial Day celebration May 29 at Virginia War Memorial
The 61st Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony will be held 10 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St.
Mother-son youth outreach expands with plans for summer camp
William Duron Carter has a passion for assisting young people.
School culture change needed with new superintendent
Richmond Public Schools needs a new leader with a new plan because what has been done in the past is not working. That was the general sentiment of parents, teachers, staff and RPS supporters who gathered Tuesday at John Marshall High School to discuss the ideal qualities and expectations for the city’s next schools superintendent.
Blind George Wythe H.S. student transferred after bullying claims
Already under a federal investigation for allegedly engaging in heavy-handed and disparate student discipline, Richmond Public Schools is facing new allegations of ignoring bullying of students with physical and mental disabilities.
Cornell Brooks out as head of national NAACP
“We’ll continue to move forward, we’ll continue to organize and we’ll continue to seek to recruit young people to carry on the work, ” said James E. “J.J.” Minor III president of the Richmond Branch NAACP.
Trump’s budget plan raises hackles, skepticism with deep cuts to social programs
Angry Democrats and skeptical Republicans are fighting back against attempts by administrative officials to defend President Trump’s proposed $4.1 trillion budget that slashes safety net programs for the poor, targeting food stamps, Medicaid and student loan forgiveness, while relying on rosy projections about the nation’s economic growth to balance the budget within 10 years.
School choice to be expanded by feds
The Trump administration is proposing “the most ambitious expansion” of school choice in American history, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced Monday while giving few details on how the program would work.
Hometown welcome
Basketball star Frank Mason III returns to Petersburg, fan honors
Frank Mason III left Petersburg High School in 2012 with stars in his eyes but with no guarantees of success. What has followed since for the young basketball player is anything but typical. The 23-year-old son of Sharon Harrison and Frank Mason Jr. returned home last weekend, having dramatically reached the stars — even dancing among them.
GRTC announces new rewards program for riders
People who ride the bus now can get discounts on the price of a meal at area restaurants, as well as savings at other merchants and attractions.
Richmond schools receive federal art grant
Three Richmond schools will be beneficiaries of the Turnaround Arts Program, a national program the provides equitable access to arts education.
Saturday, May 20
Slavery was a choice
Isaac Winston lived in the Greenwood section of Hanover County in the early part of the 18th century. After his parents died, he was willed a great deal of land and black people who were being forced to do slave work. He disagreed with the repugnant “institution” and decided to free his captured minions. He also gave them up to 160 acres of land each.
‘Afraid of the wolf in the closet’
It should not be surprising to decent, honest, thinking people what we hear in the news from the White House. We have a president who does not regard the truth, does not respect other people, does not know his business sense does not
Kudos to Bethune-Cookman grads
I could not be more proud of the students at Bethune-Cookman University than if I had raised them myself. Responding to the university’s very late selection of U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos (hereafter referred to as DeVoid, as she is devoid of good sense, history, literacy and even courtesy) for the commencement speaker, graduating seniors chose to turn their back on a woman who described HBCUs as “pioneers of school choice.”
Voter suppression is the real culprit
After President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey because of, as the president admitted, the “Russian thing,” he struck a new blow to American democracy. The president created a commission on “election integrity,” stemming from his fantastical claims of voter fraud in the 2016 election.
Get ready to vote
On Tuesday, June 13, Virginia voters will go to the polls to choose a candidate to run on the Democratic or Republican tickets for governor and lieutenant governor.
Grave equity
We praise Gov. Terry McAuliffe for righting a longstanding disparity in the state that had Virginia taxpayer dollars going to support the maintenance of Confederate gravesites, while those of African-Americans from that era are ignored. On Wednesday, Gov. McAuliffe signed into law a bill that will help change that.
Let the questions begin
The nation moved one step closer to learning the truth about President Trump and his connections to the Russians with the appointment Wednesday of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special prosecutor in the unfolding investigation. Truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth is what we need right now following a week of bombshells involving the man in the White House.
‘Know who you are rolling with,’ VSU graduates are told
Virginia State University graduates were told in no uncertain terms during commencement last Saturday to “Get Out.” These words came from a fired up Jeff Johnson, a media and messaging strategist who delivered the keynote address at the ceremony held in the university’s Multi-Purpose Center.
‘We all fail. The key is what you do that next day,’ Gov. McAuliffe tells VUU grads
Gov. Terry McAuliffe stressed the importance of taking chances and embracing setbacks as he addressed Virginia Union University’s Class of 2017 during commencement on Saturday.
‘People just want to be listened to,’ Sen. Kaine tells VCU grads
The graduating class of Virginia Commonwealth University received a message aimed at the head as well as the heart during Saturday’s commencement exercises.
‘Cause other people to want to learn,’ Hampton U grads told
Love learning, help others and do your best.
Friday, May 19
Virginia Beach woman wins Miss USA crown, stirs controversy
Miss District of Columbia USA Kara McCullough was named Miss USA 2017 during the annual pageant held Sunday in Las Vegas. Little did the 25-year-old scientist from Virginia Beach know that after triumphing over 50 other contestants, her crown would come with controversy. Her first days as Miss USA have been spent trying to put out the flames that her words ignited.
Age has no hold on Roughriders’ Herb Jones
Don’t let the high mileage fool you. Herb Jones has plenty of tread left. Jones is a top reason the Richmond Roughriders have run roughshod over the competition during the team’s first season in the Arena Pro Football league.
Huguenot to get new basketball coach
Ksaan Brown, activities director at Richmond’s Armstrong High School, has accepted the position of head boys basketball coach at Huguenot High School, starting with the 2017-18 season.
VUU golf team finishes 4th in Florida championship
Led by sophomore Allan Day, the Virginia Union University golf team finished fourth in the 31st Annual PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championships in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
VCU basketball roster changes with new coach
Virginia Commonwealth University’s so-called basketball offseason has been anything but “off” in terms of news. There has been a steady flow of traffic — both arriving and departing — at the Atlantic 10 Conference university in Richmond.
Gardens sprouting from the work of area churches
At Second Baptist Church in South Side, volunteer gardeners are preparing to produce a cornucopia of vegetables and herbs on a quarter-acre garden plot next to the sanctuary on Broad Rock Boulevard.
Missing from church on Mother’s Day: Women wishing to be moms
Religion News Service For years, Mother’s Day worship services were simply too much for Candace Wohl.
Personality: Dr. Staci E. Carr
Spotlight on president of Autism Society Central Virginia
Dr. Staci E. Carr is passionate about helping individuals and families living with autism spectrum disorder. She says that from a young age, she knew she wanted to help people. As a psychology student in 1994, she began working with a 9-year-old girl diagnosed with autism and was driven to learn more about the subject.
Hilbert to mayor: Don’t veto City Council budget
Money allocated to fix potholes or plow streets cannot be used for picking up trash unless Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney secures approval to shift the funds from Richmond City Council.
Family medical history prompts man to enter ‘Man of the Year’ campaign
Dwight Taylor knows the pain of losing a loved one to cancer and the triumph of celebrating a loved one beating the disease.
Dominion Riverrock slated this weekend
Dominion Riverrock returns this weekend with a fresh sampling of fun, games, live music and athletic competitions on the riverfront.
Senior fair May 23 at Hotchkiss Community Center
Yes, there is a free lunch, according to Richmond City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson.
Plans unveiled for Obama Presidential Center
Former President Obama unveiled plans for his future presidential center, painting a picture of a buzzing hub for youth and community programs on the South Side of Chicago where he raised his family and launched his political career. The former chief executive fielded questions from residents at a May 3 forum near the site on the shores of Lake Michigan, delving into nitty-gritty details of traffic patterns, green space and job creation, while avoiding any mention of his successor in the White House.
Charlottesville roils with protests over Confederate statue
Protests reminiscent of Ku Klux Klan rallies are rattling Charlottesville over the city’s plans to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from a park in downtown.
U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeal of N.C. laws targeting African-American voters
In a victory for African-American and other nonwhite voters in North Carolina, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to lift the racist label that a federal appeals court in Richmond pinned on the state.
Rev. Barber to head national poor people’s campaign
Although he insists that he’s “really not leaving,” the Rev. William J. Barber II, the nationally known activist and president of the North Carolina State Conference NAACP, said he will be “transitioning” from the state presidency next month to join a national “poor people’s campaign” to address issues of poverty and social inequality.
Russian roulette
Feds pull out big gun to oversee Trump investigation
Did President Trump fire FBI Director James Comey for refusing to shut down a criminal investigation against the president’s crony, retired Gen. Michael T. Flynn, who briefly served as national security adviser?
Friday, May 12
Changes at 2 North Side funeral homes
They may deal with death, but two venerable, African-American-owned funeral homes in North Side are getting new life. The former W.S. Watkins & Son Funeral Home at 2700 North Ave. has new owners who vow to rebuild the 84-year-old business.
U.S. cultural ambassador to speak at St. Philip’s Women’s Day program
Humanitarian and activist Yewande Austin, president of the Global Institute for Diversity and Change, will be the Women’s Day speaker at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, May 21, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 2900 Hanes Ave. Ms. Austin is an honorary U.S. cultural ambassador to the African nation of Malawi.
Where is money coming from to pay Bedden’s severance?
Re “Payout for Bedden,” May 4-6 edition:
What’s in a street name?
When land developers plan housing projects, business parks, health care complexes, school campuses or recreational areas, the streets, and often buildings, are named. Who would want to move to a street with a vulgar or ugly name, like Vulgar Parkway or Pneumonia Avenue? Wouldn’t that also affect property values?
GOP celebration premature
After months of “repeal and replace” rhetoric, Congress has passed a pitiful little bill designed to eliminate the Affordable Care Act.
Communities of color and the environment
The Trump administration has made it clear that it plans to limit environmental protections and reverse course on the stronger regulations achieved under President Obama out of concern for the bottom lines of corporate America. Mainstream media has covered President Trump’s decision to prioritize private profits over public health and the well-being of our environment.
Democracy in action
Democracy: A government of, by and for the people.
A rat in Washington
We smell a rat in Washington, and it reeks worse than the swamp that President Trump says he wants to drain. In fact, the smell is emanating from the White House, where President Trump on Tuesday fired FBI Director James Comey, the man investigating the president’s ties to the Russian government and its efforts to sabotage the 2016 national election.
BET co-founder tells grads they’re part of a redefining
Entrepreneur, philanthropist and BET co-founder Sheila C. Johnson lauded University of Richmond graduates for contributing to an era of reshaping.
Richmond NAACP to host membership meet-and-greet
The Richmond Branch NAACP is seeking to pump up its membership as it marks a century of civil rights work in the city. The branch has scheduled a meet-and-greet next week for people interested in joining.
20th annual Asian-American celebration set for May 20
The culture and heritage of 16 nations will be on display in Richmond at the 20th Annual Asian-American Celebration. The free event, featuring food, music and dancing, will take place 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Downtown.
Basketball star Frank Mason III to be honored with special events
Frank Mason III’s legion of basketball fans will get a chance to see their hero up close and personal in Petersburg and Richmond.
Richmonder signs free agent contract with Buffalo Bills
Nigel Williams has a foot in the door with the NFL Buffalo Bills. The next step is to get all the way in. He will have the opportunity to impress first-year Coach Sean McDermott when the Bills open their Official Training Activities on May 18 in Orchard Park, N.Y.
VUU’s Stanback gets free agent contract with Green Bay
William Stanback is hoping his next football touchdown comes at the NFL Green Bay Packers’ historic Lambeau Field. After rushing for 1,299 yards and 15 touchdowns last season for Virginia Union University, Stanback has signed a three-year, make-good, free agent contract with the legendary Wisconsin franchise.
VUU’s Justin Hunter combines physics with track
Virginia Union University’s Justin Hunter excels with body and mind.
College star who broke color barrier dies at 85
Solly Walker was front and center in the desegregation of NCAA college basketball. The South Carolina native, who broke the color barrier on the team at St. John’s University in 1950, died Tuesday, May 2, 2017, in New York at age 85.
Personality: Annie Giles
Spotlight on longtime volunteer, advocate for Whitcomb Court
For roughly five decades, Annie Giles has worked to make Whitcomb Court a better place to live and raise children. She has volunteered her time to a range of efforts, including registering people to vote, feeding the hungry and fighting crime.
Party loyalty becomes debate issue for Dems
The two men seeking to capture the Democratic gubernatorial nomination traded political barbs over their party bona fides during a debate Tuesday night in Henrico County.
Support builds for more fiscal controls over Mayor Stoney
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney is doing all he can to avoid the fiscal handcuffs that City Council is poised to slap on him.
RPS announces public forum dates for superintendent search
The Richmond School Board is holding several community forums to receive public feedback on the qualifications and attributes they want in the school system’s next superintendent.
REAL House to help former inmates on road to recovery
Michael J. “Mike” Tillem is helping to solve one of the most vexing problems facing addicts who are released from prison — a place to stay where they can continue their recovery.
Crusade for Voters to host candidates forum May 16
Richmond voters are being offered a chance to take a closer look at local candidates competing in the Tuesday, June 13, primary election.
VUU graduation moves
With rain in the forecast, Virginia Union University announced it is moving its weekend graduation ceremony from the school’s Hovey Field to St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County.
Federal appeals court hears arguments in Richmond on Trump’s Muslim ban
The challenge to President Trump’s revised travel ban moved to Richmond on Monday, where nearly 200 protesters opposed to the U.S. ban on travelers from six Muslim-majority nations held signs, chanted and listened to an array of religious leaders outside the federal courthouse in Downtown as legal arguments started inside.
Trump to Comey: ‘You’re fired’
President Trump, who previously was full of praise for FBI Director James Comey, fired him on Tuesday, stunning Washington and the nation.
Tuesday, May 9
Finally — City Council ready to vote on new budget May 15
Veteran Richmond police officers and firefighters are in line for major raises after July 1 in a bid to slow their departure to surrounding localities that pay more.
New program to create jobs, new homes and opportunity
Buy vacant lots in depressed sections of Richmond. Then have small, black-owned construction firms fill the lots with modern, affordable homes that can sell quickly while creating jobs for nearby residents.
Friday, May 5
‘Virginians are too sensitive or touchy to appreciate the meaning’ of the Lee monument
Re: “Charlottesville City Council votes to sell Lee statue,” April 20-22 edition: I’m a Canadian, and as a Canadian I feel I must first apologize to your readers for daring to comment on an issue affecting only Virginians and not Ontarians per se.
Trump creating turmoil
The person that we, the American people, are supposed to trust and call president is putting the United States in turmoil. President Trump has been given too much power and his supporters think that anything that comes out of his mouth is right.
World with Ivanka riding shotgun
Now we all know Ivanka Trump is riding shotgun on President Trump’s stagecoach ride through history. She is now the point person to scout out first the slings and arrows of what President Trump wants to get done on the world stage.
Breaking bad with the CFPB
Since its inception, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has faced an unrelenting onslaught of attacks. From lawmakers, to lobbyists and business organizations, many still maintain that the marketplace should regulate itself and government should just get out of the way.
No fear of shrill conservatives
The shrill conservative Ann Coulter has made headlines because the University of California, Berkeley, wouldn’t let her speak at the end of April. She was invited by college Republicans, but her appearance threatened to incite violence as activists on the left and on the right prepared to either protest or support her appearance.
Stay on it
What normally would seem like a simple stretch of time has been an exhausting eternity under the regime of President Donald Trump.
Commencement season begins at area colleges, universities
The time of cramming for final exams, pulling all-nighters to finish papers and rushing to complete presentations and projects is over.
Moonlight, Rudolph and Black Lives Matter: Poet Nikki Giovanni takes on range of subjects at VUU talk
The Black Lives Matter movement is benefiting white women, the movie “Moonlight” was a showcase of crazy, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a story that has a not-so-sweet, enduring side to it.
RVA East End Festival set for Friday, Saturday at Chimborazo
RVA East End Festival, a two-day celebration featuring the art and musical talents of public school students in Richmond’s East End, will be held Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, at Chimborazo Park, 3201 E. Broad St.
Power couple to give free dance lessons at Black History Museum
Kym and Kyle Grinnage are out to revive The Hustle, a once popular dance style that faded after the 1970s. On Friday night, the Richmond couple will teach the basics of the dance without charge at 6:30 p.m. May 5 at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St.
Benefit May 6 for Earl Fleming
“A Night of Elegance” to benefit Earl Fleming, a well known Richmond makeup artist, drag performer and LGBTQ community advocate, will be held Saturday, May 6, at Liquid Studios, 9200 Stony Point Parkway in South Side.
State marker to note Highland Park history
For more than 50 years, Highland Park has been a predominately African-American neighborhood. But this weekend, memories of an earlier era will be revived when a new history marker is unveiled at Ann Hardy Plaza, 3301 Carolina Ave.
Mount Olive Baptist Church walk to symbolize 150-year history
When members of Mount Olive Baptist Church make the 8/10th of a mile walk from Hungary Road Baptist Church to their sanctuary in Henrico County this Saturday, it will symbolize an important journey in the church’s 150-year history.
More help requested at Evergreen, East End cemeteries
More help, please. That’s the plea from Marvin Harris, founder and president of the nonprofit Evergreen Restoration Foundation that is dedicated to improving the historic 60-acre Evergreen Cemetery on the border between Richmond and Henrico County in the East End.
Personality: Dr. Pamela Hamilton-Stubbs
Spotlight on volunteer chair of Henrico NAACP’s Health Committee
Dr. Pamela Hamilton-Stubbs specializes in integrative sleep medicine, the medical practice of investigating problems and resolutions for sleep issues. She is a frequent presenter who has authored numerous publications on the subject.
Former Henrico student signs with Arizona Cardinals
Former Henrico student signs with Arizona Cardinals
Washington signs Alabama players in NFL draft
When you need a hammer and nails, you go to the hardware store. When you need milk and bread, you head to the grocery. When you’re an NFL team desperate for defensive help, a wise place to shop is the University of Alabama. Clearly, that was Washington’s plan in last week’s NFL Draft held in Philadelphia.
Pitcher fireballing across bag at The Diamond
Getting caught speeding on the highway might get you a ticket and a court date. By contrast, showing off high speeds on the pitcher’s mound in baseball might earn you a ticket all the way to the major leagues.
Richmond Roughriders ready to give Florida team a workout
It’s been easy so far — perhaps too easy, for the first-season Richmond Roughriders. That could change soon.
Honeymoon over?
Plans afoot to limit mayor’s spending decisions
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s honeymoon with Richmond City Council appears to be coming to an end. Asserting that the council needs greater control over spending, two of the newest members, Kim B. Gray, 2nd District, and Kristen N. Larson, 4th District, are planning to introduce legislation that would slap fiscal handcuffs on the mayor and his administration.
Free Press photographer selected for prestigious journalism fellowship
Richmond Free Press photographer Regina H. Boone has been named a 2017-18 Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow at the University of Michigan.
Bank business turns ugly for local man
Every two weeks like clockwork, Jeffrey Perry has deposited his paycheck at the Wells Fargo bank branch in Mechanicsville located a few blocks from his workplace.
RPS employee shot in building slated for closure
Delays in closing the A.V. Norrell school buildings in North Side may have helped put Richmond Public Schools staff who work there in harm’s way Monday.
Hearing set for May 8 in Wilder-Morrissey lawsuit
The legal fight between former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder and former Delegate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey could come to a head next week.
City collection event for old electronics, paints May 6
Need to get rid of broken computers, outdated cell phones or other unused electronic equipment? What about spray cans or bags of pesticides or cans of old paint?
Payout for Bedden
Richmond Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden will receive $294,571.81 in severance pay when he departs on June 30. Dr. Bedden was not present at Monday night’s Richmond School Board meeting when the board voted 7-1, with one abstention, to approve his final payout.
Tuesday, May 2
Alley blitz underway to fill potholes
Some of the worst alleys in the city are about to get a facelift. The Richmond Department of Public Works this week unleashed a new alley blitz to redo 1,300 alleys from Church Hill to Walmsley Boulevard in South Side and Highland Park in North Side to the Museum District in the West End.
Richmond company to add 66 new jobs
Richmond just got more good news on the job front — the prospect of 66 new jobs.
Grace Street development plan on hold
Plans to develop nearly a block of city property on East Grace Street into an $86 million office, hotel and residential complex are headed back to the drawing board after Mayor Levar M. Stoney withdrew legislation on the project. Bob Englander of CathFord Consulting, who proposed the project, said
