Joy, faith and the fight to keep towns alive by Ben Jealous
This week’s column was supposed to be a celebration. A celebration of a wonderful little toy store in a joyful Midwestern town.
We need homes with roots, not just roofs by Sheri Shannon and Kami Blatt
Across Virginia, housing costs are rising faster than paychecks. Too many residents face impossible choices between rent and groceries or between staying rooted in their communities and finding somewhere they can afford to live.
Hard to hide Trump White House dysfunction by Clarence Page
Will someone please tell President Trump that he’s not running against Joe Biden anymore?
Yes, Virginia, there is still a Santa Claus by Bill Press
If there’s one thing never- Trumpers need this holiday season — and, remember, we are the majority of Americans! — it’s a bit of good cheer. Here it is.
Shonda Harris-Muhammed named interim superintendent amid Southampton investigation into lost grant funding
Just two months before she announced her resignation from the Richmond School Board, Shonda Harris-Muhammed (6th District) was named in a recent investigation into the district where she works full time. Last week, she was named acting superintendent of that district.
Regulators to consider appeal against Dominion Energy natural gas plant
Opponents say the controversial facility in Chesterfield will harm communities
The State Corporation Commission suspended its approval of the Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center — a planned Dominion Energy Virginia natural gas plant that has drawn significant opposition from Central Virginia residents and environmental groups.
Richmond launches crackdown on vape and smoke shops
A multi-agency Richmond task force has shut down 18 vape and smoke shops following inspections that uncovered widespread safety violations, illegal drugs, firearms and illicit cash, city officials said Friday at a City Hall press conference on Operation Vaporize.
A Golden return to the stage
Blues guitarist celebrates survival, community with birthday performance
After a year of grueling medical treatments that derailed his rising music career, Richmond blues guitarist Justin Golden stepped onto the stage at the Camel on Saturday afternoon to launch his monthly residency — not as a comeback, but as a defiant next chapter in an ongoing battle with Stage 4 cancer.
Casino holding job fair downtown
Live! Casino Virginia will hold a job fair Thursday, Dec. 18 in downtown Richmond as it prepares for the opening of its temporary gaming facility in Petersburg.
NY pastor pleads guilty to tax evasion in church embezzlement case
Paul Mitchell, 60, the lead pastor of a Brooklyn church and president of an affiliated daycare, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to tax evasion in federal court.
Seminary partnership receives $10M for leadership program
Union Presbyterian Seminary has received a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch Seminary Extended: Strengthening Pastoral Leadership, a collaborative initiative with Eastern Mennonite Seminary and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Woodfin to sponsor fan area at CarMax Park
Woodfin-Your Home Team and the Richmond Flying Squirrels will continue their partnership as the local HVAC and plumbing company has been announced as a founding partner of CarMax Park, according to the teams.
VUU’s Allen, SCSU’s Lunz named HBCU GO Football Players of the Year
Curtis Allen of Virginia Union University and Michael Lunz II of South Carolina State University were named the 2025 HBCU GO Football Players of the Year, recognizing the top offensive and defensive performers in historically Black college and university football.
High school star Timani Harris to host basketball clinic, toy drive
Richmond native and ESPN Top 100 nationally ranked athlete Timani Harris, who currently plays high school basketball for DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, will host a free basketball clinic and toy drive in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Lego partners with Children’s Museum for holiday charity campaign
Community members built more than 150 Lego brick hearts in Chesterfield County on Dec. 12, part of the toy company’s campaign to encourage people to share their creations online and help children in need.
Holiday events
Dec. 18 Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings at The Byrd Theatre, 8:45 p.m. Seasonal string-quartet concert of Christmas classics performed by candlelight.
Capital City Kwanzaa Festival returns Dec. 27
The Elegba Folklore Society will present the 2025 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival on Saturday, Dec. 27 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center’s Exhibit Hall B.
Petersburg’s yes, Richmond’s no
This week, job seekers will line up at a Downtown Richmond hotel for work tied to a casino that will not be built in Richmond.
Spanberger inaugural committee unveils weekend event schedule
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s inaugural committee has released the schedule for the Commonwealth’s upcoming inauguration weekend, set for Jan. 16-18.
