As a new Virginia resident, I signed up for home delivery of the local newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch. I was still receiving national news from a digital subscription to my former newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, but I wanted a local paper to learn about the concerns, activities, policies and politics of my new city and state. I also enjoy holding and reading a physical newspaper.

Some days later, I picked up a copy of the Richmond Free Press from a local business. Although written primarily by and for the Black community, it has everything any Richmond resident might be looking for in a local paper. Richmonders of all stripes should and do take note.

The articles and commentary are well-written and give readers essential information, like for example, when and where to vote or news of the legislation our dear governor has been obstructing which would have automatically restored the vote to ex-felons — those that have served their time or have been exonerated.

Every Virginia resident should be receiving local news and voter information, not just those who happen upon the information. It appears that someone in the governor’s office doesn’t want us informed.

Meanwhile, more than two months later, and despite three separate and time-consuming calls to the Richmond Times-Dispatch — they clearly save money by outsourcing their customer service, to, I’m guessing here, somewhere far, far offshore — I have yet to receive a newspaper.

On the other hand, when I called the Richmond Free Press and asked if I could have the paper delivered, they started mailing it to me, postage free!

This is an enterprise that takes its mission to inform the public seriously. Although the Richmond Free Press is free, it needs and deserves the community’s support. It certainly has mine!

New Richmond resident,

Susanna D. Wilson