Virginia lawmakers advance amendments on voting rights, marriage, reproductive freedoms
The House Privileges and Elections committee introduced three joint resolutions to amend the Virginia Constitution on Wednesday. These amendments addressed voting rights, marriage equality and reproductive rights.
Will Democrats learn from the loss?, by Clarence Page
In the aftermath of Vice President Kamala Harris’ decisive electoral loss to Donald Trump, my mind kept going back to a memorable and widely repeated gaffe by a man who was not on the ballot.
River Road Church welcomes Amanda Tyler for discussion on religious liberty
Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC), will present “How to End Christian Nationalism” on Sunday, Nov. 24, as part of River Road Church’s Distinguished Lecture Series. The event, scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 8000 River Road, will address the rising tide of Christian nationalism and offer an essential guide for Christians seeking ways to counter this ideology.
Lewis Ginter showcases Indian traditions
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden hosted a celebration of Diwali on Saturday, Oct. 26, drawing visitors to experience India’s festival of lights.
Proc Foundation’s Beautillion celebrates youth achievement
The Professionals Reaching Out to the Community Foundation (PROC) will host its 28th Annual Beautillion on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The event, themed “Young Men Built for Success … The Legacy Lives On,” will present four young men who have completed the foundation’s program.
Grant earns CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors
University of Richmond redshirt senior defensive end Jeremiah Grant was named the Coastal Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week after playing a pivotal role in Richmond’s 35-24 win over Towson on Nov. 2.
Virginia Union ties record with 91-0 victory over Bluefield State
Virginia Union University’s football team made history Saturday, Nov. 2, tying a 108-year-old record by defeating Bluefield State University 91-0 at Hovey Stadium. This impressive victory not only matched the largest margin of victory in school history but also equaled the 1916 team’s 91-0 win over Saint Paul’s College.
Keep fighting
The presidential election results left many of us shell-shocked. The polling didn’t predict this. Most of the pundits didn’t see it coming either. But here we are. Instead of building on the achievements and success of the Biden administration, we may be looking at a prolonged struggle to hold on to the rights and freedoms that we’ve been entitled to as Americans for years. We don’t want to go back, but now it appears that someone is about to take us for a ride. This won’t be the first time that a president has tried to reroute the pace of progress.
Richmond hires new leaders for Department of Finance
The City of Richmond has appointed Jamie Atkinson as the new director of revenue and Thomasena Gadson as deputy director of Finance. Both appointments aim to enhance leadership within the Department of Finance.
Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace open enrollment begins
Open enrollment on Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace began Friday, Nov. 1, offering Virginians the opportunity to enroll in new health insurance plans or make changes to existing ones without a qualifying life event.
Biden must act on environment, by Ben Jealous
Now in its final months, the Biden-Harris administration has a chance to cement its legacy on the environment. Congress returns for its so-called lame duck session on Nov. 12. The administration should pull out all the stops to work with Congress and use the powers of the presidency to get some more big things done.
Talk to explore lives of slaves and free persons in 1860
On Nov. 9, an online audience will explore the everyday lives of enslaved and free African Americans on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula, guided by a historical lens on housing and community resilience. Historian Douglas W. Sanford will present “Interpreting the Evidence for African American History: Virginia’s Slave Quarters and Free Blacks on the Middle Peninsula in 1860,” hosted by the Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society at 11 a.m.
Henrico teachers receive REB grants to pursue global learning, innovation
Six Henrico County Public Schools educators have received the 2024 REB Award for Teaching Excellence, earning grants of $10,000 to $15,000 to pursue transfor- mative learning experiences. The Community Foundation, which recognizes Richmond area teachers who stand out for their inspiring classroom work, awarded these grants to support hands-on study across a range of fields. A seventh HCPS teacher was honored as a finalist. This year’s awards celebrated 18 teachers regionally, with 14 finalists chosen from a pool of 85 nominees submitted by students, parents and colleagues. The HCPS recipients were surprised at their schools with announce- ments attended by division leaders, administrators, fellow educators and students. Among the winners, Glen Allen High School’s Ryan Conway will use his $14,900 grant to study teacher train- ing programs and advanced instructional methods in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, focusing on strategies tailored for Generation Alpha, the population born since 2010. Highland
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending Saturday, Nov. 6, COVID-19 accounted for .6% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, with overall respiratory illness trending down from previous data. No deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported within that timeframe at time of publication. Data on COVID-19 wastewater showed levels below detection in Richmond and Henrico County as of the most recent sample collection week on Sunday, Oct. 20.
Charges against deputies linked to Irvo Otieno’s death dropped
The final two cases against Henrico County Sheriff’s Deputies Brandon Rodgers and Kaiyell Sanders, charged in connection with Irvo Otieno’s death, have been dropped following the acquittal of another defendant in a related trial.
College athletes are getting paid and fans are starting to share the bill
At Tennessee, they are adding a “talent fee”to the price of sports tickets. At Arkansas, they will charge 3% more at the concession stands. At Michigan and Michigan State, athletic directors sent letters alerting boosters that winning is going to start costing more. And, in a first, Clemson is going to start adding an athletic surcharge to tuition bills.
Faith Forum bridges faith, environmental action
A two-day Faith Forum took place Oct. 16-17 in Richmond, bringing together spiritual leaders and environmental experts to equip religious communities with tools to address climate change.
Harris says nation must accept election results
“It is OK to feel sad and disappointed”
Faced with a sweeping rejection by American voters, Kamala Harris conceded the presidential election to Donald Trump on Wednesday and encouraged supporters to continue fighting for their vision of the country.
RPS School Board newcomers projected to win local elections
Five newcomers are poised to reshape Richmond Public Schools’ leadership as they hold commanding leads in Tuesday’s School Board election, though final results await mail-in and provisional ballot counts.
Personality: Carol Adams
Spotlight on founder of the Carol Adams Foundation
Carol Adams was accustomed to being woken at night by yelling and fighting from the next room—an almost nightly pattern. But on Dec. 30, 1980, that pattern took a darker turn. Instead of screams, she heard gunshots. Her mother was killed and her father served just 18 months of a seven-year prison sentence for the crime. That night, Adams and her sister were left to fend for themselves, but it did not break her spirit. Instead, it fueled her determination to make a difference.
