Richmond to host national speech, debate tournament
The National Speech & Debate Association has selected the Richmond region as the host of its 2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament, an event that is expected to attract 10,000 student contestants and visitors to the area.
VSU to host presidential debate
Virginia State University will be one of the three universities to host a presidential debate in 2024, the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced Monday.
Thanksgiving holiday schedule
In observance of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23, please note the following closings:
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Jimmy Carter during his one term as U.S. president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, has died at the age of 96. The Carter Center said she died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, after living with dementia and suffering many months
Hanover County bans books in schools
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Wicked” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” are among the 75 books Hanover County school administrators directed teachers and librarians to remove from their schools last Friday, according to various news reports.
Moments in time
Several articles in the Nov. 16, 2023, edition of the Richmond Free Press chronicled the discovery of more than 140 badly decaying boxes containing personal documents, artifacts and archival materials that belonged to the late civil rights attorney and Virginia State Delegate Roland J. “Duke” Ealey. The documents were found several years ago by James “Jim” Vigeant and Sasha Finch while restoring their Clay Street home in Richmond’s Historic Jackson Ward.
Texas Rangers’ Tony Beasley lives stone’s throw from Richmond
It may come as a surprise to area baseball fans that one of the Texas Rangers’ coaches resides just a half hour north of Richmond.
Personality: Tara Michele Sample
Spotlight on ThisAbility’s founder who builds awareness, acceptance for people with disabilities
For more than a decade, Tara Michele Sample has provided a space for children and adults living with disabilities.
250 years later, ‘Amazing Grace’ has filled churches, concerts, even commercials
James Walvin, a former Church of England choirboy and professor of history at the University of York, doesn’t remember encountering “Amazing Grace,” in song or in his hymnal. It wasn’t until he traveled to the United States to research the history of slavery that he came upon the hymn introduced by John Newton, a former slave trader, in 1773.
Federal appeals court deals a blow to Voting Rights Act, ruling that private plaintiffs can’t sue
A divided federal appeals court on Monday ruled that private individuals and groups such as the NAACP do not have the ability to sue under a key section of the federal Voting Rights Act, a decision that contradicts decades of precedent and could further erode protections under the landmark 1965 law.
The spirit of giving
Meadowbridge market offers free groceries to local residents
Dark and silent most days, the Meadowbridge Community Market comes alive on Saturdays.
New state NAACP president chastises Democrats for selecting Scott Surovell instead of Mamie Locke for leadership role
The Rev. Cozy E. Bailey Sr. used his first public statement as the new state NAACP president to tongue-lash the Democratic Caucus in the state Senate for failing to elect Hampton Democratic Sen. Mamie E. Locke as the next majority leader.
Casino vote aftermath
Stoney, Spanberger declare bids for governor; Paul Goldman proposes charter change
Mayor Levar M. Stoney is brushing himself off after Richmond voters for the second time rejected the $562 million casino-resort plan he fully backed and gearing up to run for governor in 2025. Separately, Paul Goldman, who led both successful no casino campaigns, is now focusing on securing public support for a change to the City Charter or constitution that would require the mayor and the City Council to put the city’s children first when it comes to spending tax dollars.
Wanda L. Moore-Skinner, who helped provide resources for those in need, dies at age 68
For 37 years, Wanda Louise Moore-Skinner quietly provided assistance to financially desperate individuals and families.
Journalist, educator, public relations specialist Sylvina R. Poole dies
Veteran Richmond journalist, educator and entrepreneur Sylvina Renee Poole has died. Ms. Poole, 59, succumbed to illness Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023.
Dennis T. Clark is new librarian of Virginia
Dennis T. Clark has been appointed to serve as the 10th librarian of Virginia.
‘The Marvels’ melts down at the box office, marking a new low for the Universe
Since 2008’s “Iron Man,” the Marvel machine has been one of the most unstoppable forces
Fourth-seed VUU takes on Kutztown University
Virginia Union University’s 10th football victory was much like its first nine. The Panthers flexed their muscles and showed total domination. Moving on to this Saturday, an 11th win might be harder to dig their claws into.
Former Phoenix Suns player Walter Davis dies
Walter Davis, among the greatest players in the University of North Carolina and Phoenix Suns history, died Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, of natural causes in Charlotte. He was 69.
