Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending Saturday, Feb. 15, COVID-19 accounted for 1.3% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, with overall respiratory illness rates trending down but still high compared to previous data. No COVID-19-related deaths were reported during this period at press time. As of the most recent sample collection week on Sunday, Feb. 2, COVID-19 wastewater levels in Richmond were below detection, and levels in Henrico County had plateaued.
McClellan celebrates Women’s History Month with awards program
U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, 4th District, recently launched her second annual Women of Excellence Awards program to celebrate Women’s History Month and honor the outstanding contributions of women in Virginia’s 4th District.
The shop stop
A text message has been making the rounds in recent days — maybe you’ve received it or a version of it. It calls for a one-day boycott of corporations like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy, which have recently cut back or eliminated their diversity programs.
VUU to play SIAC champion Miles College in opener
The Virginia Union University football team, the defending CIAA champions, will kick off the 2025 season with an appearance in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic on Sunday, Aug. 31, in Canton, Ohio.
Reader commends the Free Press
I want to congratulate the Richmond Free Press on the Jan 30 - Feb 5, 2025 edition. Every article was so interesting and informative, especially the editorial page; I read it twice.
CIAA to celebrate 50th anniversary of women’s basketball tournament in 2025
The CIAA marks the 50th anniversary of its Women’s Basketball Tournament at the 2025 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, set for Feb. 25 through March 1 at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
Virginia golfer among finalists for Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Virginia golfer Amanda Sambach has earned a spot in the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, joining an elite field of top players from around the globe.
FXA Sports, 804 Softball team up to enhance local leagues
Coed softball players in the local area will soon have more opportunities to take the field. FXA Sports, a leading provider of adult recreational sports leagues in Virginia, has merged with 804 Softball to expand league offerings in the region.
HGTV stars headline Richmond Home + Garden Show
The Richmond Home + Garden Show will feature HGTV stars Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb, co-hosts of “Unsellable Houses,” from Feb. 28 to March 2, at the Richmond Raceway Complex. The twin sisters will share their home and design expertise with attendees on Feb. 28 and March 1, offering advice on budget-friendly home improvements and real estate insights.
“Be the Match”
Family’s urgent search for bone marrow donor to save 4-year-old son
Zion Ortiz was a week old when he was diagnosed with hemoglobin SS, a form of sickle cell disease. Eight months later, he suffered a stroke, leading to complications such as a diagnosis of a rare disease callaed moyamoya, two surgeries, a 21-day hospital stay and two additional stroke-like episodes in later years.
Second minister accuses T.D. Jakes of sexual misconduct in defamation suit
The Rev. Richard Edwin Youngblood, the brother of a minister who has accused Bishop T.D. Jakes of sexual misconduct, has made his own accusation involving Jakes, claiming the Texas megachurch leader climbed into bed with him on a church business trip.
Love Stories 2025
The Richmond Free Press presents its annual Valentine’s Day feature sharing the love stories of three Richmond area couples.
Shavonda and Errol were leaders dedicated to serving the community, but not each other. Despite crossing paths often in their community, they never exchanged words.
RVA Sports Awards honors athletes/community leaders
The Richmond region’s top athletes and sports leaders were recognized Saturday night at the RVA Sports Awards, an annual event hosted by the Richmond Region Tourism Foundation.
RPS chief talent officer on leave amid workplace complaints
Richmond Public Schools Chief Talent Officer Maggie Clemmons was placed on administrative leave recently after complaints were received from Talent Department’s employees for discrimination and creating a hostile work environment.
Blood drive to honor Richmond firefighter battling leukemia
The Richmond community is coming together once again to support one of its own. The third annual blood drive honoring Jonathan Clarke, a longtime firefighter battling leukemia, will take place Feb. 18-19 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Azalea Flea Market closure marks end of an era
On a windy Sunday afternoon, over a hundred cars pulled into the vast parking lot off Wilkinson Road. Young parents walking with their children, shoes crunching on the gravel with each step, as vendors invited everyone to approach their array of goods: fruit and vegetables, clothes, jewelry, shoes, home appliances and other items.
Rally highlights youth activism
Last week, when news spread that a protest was set for the grounds of the State Capitol, a number of people voiced their concern of its legitimacy.
How government failed Black Americans, by Julianne Malveaux
I can’t remember when I met Olivia Hooker, a Tulsa Massacre survivor and the first African American woman to serve in the Coast Guard. She wanted to serve as a Navy WAVE – or Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services – but they weren’t accepting African Americans. I remember aspects of our first meeting vividly.
Enjoy Black History Month—while you can, by Clarence Page
Back when a public backlash began to rise up mostly among white parents against “critical race theory,” I joked as to whether Black History Month might be next. I don’t joke about that anymore.
This Black librarian rewrote the rules of power, gender and passing
“Just because I am a librarian doesn’t mean I have to dress like one.” With this breezy pronouncement, Belle da Costa Greene handily differentiated herself from most librarians.
