Thursday, February 12
Richmond native’s new book examines role of Black Church
The Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, a native of Richmond who began his ministry at Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church and St. James Baptist Church, explores the Black Church’s role in sustaining communities through adversity i n hi s new book, “ N e v e r Lost: The Black Church as God’s Ark of the Covenant.”
Second Baptist hosts Richmond filmmaker’s exhibit
Richmond native Cameron C. Harris is bringing his photography home for Black History Month, showcasing images that explore connections between diverse geographies.
Council requests proposals for increased contract cleaner pay, reduced tax rate analysis
Richmond City Council has asked Mayor Danny Avula to add about $1.1 million for contracted janitorial workers to his budget proposal for the 2026-27 fiscal year and to estimate how a lower real estate tax rate would affect 2028’s budget.
Ending our 34-year run
The Richmond Free Press will cease publication this week, a bittersweet conclusion to a landmark publication that has served the Richmond community for 34 years.
Moody Middle student Taran Shivkumar wins Henrico spelling bee
After two years of near misses, Moody Middle School eighth grader Taran Shivkumar captured the 2026 Henrico County Public Schools Divisionwide Spelling Bee at J.R. Tucker High School on Feb. 5.
City launches pilot program to cut energy costs at Whitcomb Court
Sometimes a little fix can go a long way.
House advances bill to count work while incarcerated toward court fees
A Virginia House bill that would allow work done while incarcerated to count toward court fines and costs is headed to the Senate with some bipartisan support.
Centenarian rejects McGuire’s Black History Month honor of her
Edith Younger Edmunds was at home in Halifax County, the same place she has lived for a century, when her daughter walked into the room on Friday with unexpected news.
Free at last
It is a bitter irony that the final weeks of the Richmond Free Press have also been among its most technologically significant.
Black History Month honors love as well as struggle by Ben Jealous
We keep Black History Month on one shelf and Valentine’s Day on another. One is supposed to be about pain and struggle; the other, about flowers and pastel sugary hearts.
Cost of normalized hate from the highest office by Barbara Reynolds
There are moments in American history when cruelty is not accidental — it is strategic.
Black workers bear the brunt of economic uncertainty by Julianne Malveaux
Labor economists like me mark our calendars for the first Friday of each month, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases The Employment Situation.
Public walls carry public responsibility
As a former member of the City of Richmond Public Art Commission, a former president of the Richmond Crusade for Voters, and someone who has engaged in dialogue with muralists across the country, we are keenly aware of how public art shapes urban communities — for better or for worse.
Seahawks prove defense can still dominate in the NFL
Undeterred by rules favoring the offense and quarterbacks bringing more athleticism than ever to the field, the Seattle Seahawks verified that defense can still dominate the NFL in 2026.
Personality: Tina T. Murphy
Spotlight on the Central Region Independent Living Consultant for Project LIFE
Growing up with six siblings in a modest single-parent household, Tina T. Murphy understood the importance of family support. Many youth exiting the foster care system do not have that safety net.
Reverend accepts House speaker’s challenge to debate immigration theology
Longtime activist and anti-poverty advocate the Rev. William Barber II is challenging House Speaker Mike Johnson to a theological debate over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, responding to Johnson’s open-ended offer this week to debate “anybody any time they want to.”
King Salim Khalfani, longtime Virginia NAACP leader and activist, dies at 66
King Salim Khalfani, a civil rights activist who served as executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP from 1998 to 2014, died Monday, Feb. 9. He was 66.
VPM names Ed Brown as chief financial officer
VPM has named Ed Brown as its new chief financial officer, filling a key leadership role as the public media organization prepares for a transition to a new headquarters in downtown Richmond.
UofR, VSU students
University of Richmond students are again offering free tax preparation services to eligible residents this tax season, marking the university’s 15th consecutive year participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Crutcher receives national award
Ronald A. Crutcher, president emeritus and a university professor at the University of Richmond, has received the American Association of Colleges and Universities President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Education.
VCU’s Harris named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week
VCU freshman Aubree Harris was named the Atlantic 10 women’s track and field Rookie of the Week on Tuesday.
Squirrels debut female mascot uniform
The Richmond Flying Squirrels on Feb. 4 unveiled a uniform featuring Nutasha, their female mascot, making it Minor League Baseball’s first on-field uniform portraying a female mascot character.
Broncos’ Nik Bonitto named first Hispanic Professional Football Player of the Year
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto has been named the inaugural recipient of the 2025 Hispanic Professional Football Player of the Year Award, the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame announced.
ICA screens ‘Thomasine & Bushrod’ for Black History Month
The Institute of Contemporary Art will screen Gordon Parks Jr.’s “Thomasine & Bushrod” on Feb. 17 as part of Exposure: Nu West, a curated film series examining how Black filmmakers have reimagined the American West. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the screening beginning at 6:30 p.m.
VUU production marks centennial of National Negro History Week
Music and spoken word will frame a century of African American history when Virginia Union University presents a Black History Month musical production on its campus.
‘Shalom, Sankofa’ celebration bridges Jewish, Black traditions
The Weinstein JCC and the Mishpacha Rising Collective will host “Shalom, Sankofa,” Virginia’s first Black Jewish cultural celebration, at the Weinstein JCC from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Wednesday, February 11
RPS employees criticize proposed cuts, paused raises
Superintendent Jason Kamras supports Richmond teachers’ concerns but says budget constraints force tough choices, following Monday’s staff protest.
Monday, February 9
Chesterfield students, employees walk out over immigration enforcement
Defying administrators’ orders, Chesterfield students and employees walked out Friday to protest federal immigration enforcement.
Thursday, February 5
Dueling ordinances on housing trust fund head to City Council
Members of the Organizational Development Standing Committee voted 6-1 Monday to forward two ordinances to next week’s City Council meeting without recommendations, both seeking to revamp Richmond’s approach to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Educators, community voice concerns over proposed RPS budget
More than a dozen speakers called on Richmond Public Schools’ board Tuesday to reject budget cuts they say would burden students and frontline workers, as the district grapples with a funding shortfall for the 2027 fiscal year.
Gun policy debate returns in Virginia legislature
A bill that would regulate high-powered firearms has reported out of a House committee, with renewed debate over what it could mean for gun owners and public safety across the state.
Spanberger ends ICE agreement involving Virginia State Police and corrections officers
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has formally ended an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that had allowed Virginia State Police troopers and Virginia Department of Corrections officers to assist ICE.
Bill to bolster school AI safety education advances to Senate
Lawmakers want to strengthen internet safety education in public schools with the addition of artificial intelligence risk management.
Parting shots
During the recent inauguration of the commonwealth’s first woman governor, former Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin turned his back on his successor, Abigail Spanberger, and walked up stairs that led out of the ceremony.
Black History Month a reminder of the power of coming together by Ben Jealous
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has emerged as a clarion voice for American democracy in turbulent times.
Info war rages amid Trump’s immigration chaos by Clarence Page
There’s something uncomfortably familiar about President Donald Trump’s jackboot approach to the immigration debate.
The First Amendment and Black journalists by Julianne Malveaux
Don Lemon knew he was going to be arrested.
Richmond wins at VCU in annual SupportHER game, O’Boyle out as coach
Ally Sweeney scored a career-high 27 points and Maggie Doogan recorded a double-double as Richmond defeated Virginia Commonwealth 77-65 in an Atlantic 10 women’s basketball matchup Sunday afternoon at the Siegel Center.
Sam Hairston’s influence reaches from Negro Leagues to modern MLB
Before Major League Baseball opened its doors to Black athletes, before integration became policy rather than resistance and long before baseball families became celebrated storylines, there was Sam Hairston, a Negro Leagues standout and Triple Crown winner whose influence helped shape America’s pastime for more than 70 years.
Remembering Augustus Tolton, the nation’s first Black Catholic priest
Born into slavery, he’s now a candidate for sainthood
The first publicly recognized Black priest in the U.S., Augustus Tolton, may not be a household name.
Personality: Viola Baskerville
Spotlight on president of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
Viola Baskerville, a retired local and state official, is now on the front lines of helping African Americans in Richmond overcome the unique challenges of reconnecting with their roots.
Frank S. Royal Sr., Richmond medical leader and VUU board chair, dies at 86
Frank S. Royal Sr., a physician and civic leader who spent decades serving Richmond’s African American community and medical institutions, died peacefully in his sleep Monday at age 86.
Buddhist monks’ trek for peace draws crowds, halts traffic
Nineteen Buddhist monks reached Richmond on Tuesday, drawing thousands to City Hall on the 100th day of their 2,300-mile trek across America for peace.
Richmond expressways going cashless
Drivers cruising down the Powhite Parkway soon won’t see toll booths ahead. Instead, overhead gantries will silently scan E-ZPass transponders or license plates as vehicles glide through, marking the start of All Electronic Tolling across Richmond’s expressway system in early 2026.
Clinicians, caregivers to address gaps in memory screening
The Wisdom Watch Alliance initiative is betting that the best way to screen for memory loss is to ask the people who know their neighbors best.
Virginia State earns Fulbright Scholar recognition
Virginia State University has been named a Fulbright Scholar Top Producing Institution by the U.S. Department of State, the first time in the university’s history it has received the distinction.
Virginia Union, MTX Group announce AI-driven education partnership
Virginia Union University and MTX Group announced a partnership aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into student learning and workforce preparation during a news conference in the Living and Learning Center on campus on Tuesday afternoon.
General Assembly considering measure that threatens state funding for VMI
Another bill would dissolve VMI’s board and transfer governance to Virginia State University
Five years after an investigation found a “racist and sexist culture” at Virginia Military Institute, state Democrats are moving ahead with a plan that could eventually cut off public funding for the country’s oldest state-sponsored military college.
Panthers lean on defense, Gardner in shorthanded CIAA road game
Despite playing shorthanded, Virginia Union’s men showed defensive consistency Saturday afternoon in a CIAA road game against Lincoln University (Pa.).
Cam Newton to host Super Bowl Soulful Celebration on BET
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton will host the 27th annual Super Bowl Soulful Celebration, airing Saturday, Feb. 7, on BET, bringing together music, faith and football during Super Bowl LX week.
Advertising expert to decode Super Bowl commercials
A Virginia Commonwealth University advertising professor will break down the psychology and strategy behind Super Bowl commercials at a public talk on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Union Seminary adopting hybrid model
Union Presbyterian Seminary announced Tuesday it will shift to a hybrid learning format this fall, allowing students to complete graduate programs largely online with quarterly visits to campus.
NBCI partners seek $500,000 for prostate cancer awareness film
The National Black Church Initiative has teamed up with the American Clinical Health Disparities Commission and Black Pearl Media Works to raise $500,000 for a short film aimed at increasing awareness about prostate cancer among Black men.
Peter Paul RVA to host hands-on Black History Expo on Feb. 25
A Richmond nonprofit will celebrate Black excellence through science, innovation and creativity with a free community expo this month.
Virginia artists shine at Grammys
Virginia artists posted a range of honors at the Grammy Awards, highlighting the state’s influence across music genres.
