Anniversary of immigration reform raises questions about America’s refuge role by Wayne Dawkins
Sixty years ago, on Oct. 3, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Hart- Celler Immigration Reform Act into law. LBJ’s signature ended 40 years of race-based National Origins policy that favored bringing white northern European immigrants to the U.S. and restricted immigrants from less-desirable parts of Europe, along with additional roadblocks for people from Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Eviction story highlights urgent need for housing reform By Andréa Wilson
I thought I knew a lot about displacement, housing insecurity and homelessness. Then I experienced it for real.
Chicago’s streets move to America’s historic rhythms by Ben Jealous
I started out this year, 2025, in Chicago, honored to give the Martin Luther King Jr. Day address at the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s big gathering.
We won’t forget
In the years after a devastating terror attack killed 2,977 Americans on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, annual remembrances and memorials sprang up that kept the tragedy and trauma front of mind for at least a day or so.
Chicago braces as Trump threatens immigration raids
As President Donald Trump threatens to expand immigration raids and deploy the National Guard, Chicago has become the latest flashpoint in a broader national struggle over how far the federal government can push local authorities to cooperate with its immigration agenda.
Dominion proposes new rates for residents, data centers
Dominion Energy and the Virginia State Corporation Commission last week began a multiday hearing to evaluate a proposed energy rate increase for homeowners.
VCU, Reynolds launch program to smooth transfer process
Virginia Commonwealth University and Reynolds Community College have launched a dual-admission program designed to give community college students additional support as they transfer to VCU.
Democrats retake Connolly’s seat in special election
Democrat James Walkinshaw decisively won a special election Tuesday to replace former U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, narrowing Republicans’ majority in the House of Representatives to six seats.
Wilder Symposium to spotlight Virginia’s impact on national politics
Virginia voters will help set the tone for national politics this fall when the state holds one of only two gubernatorial elections in the country.
Federal judge says restoring Stonewall Jackson name at school violates students’ rights
A federal judge in the U.S. Western District Court ruled Tuesday that the Shenandoah County School Board’s decision to restore the name Stonewall Jackson High School violated a group of students’ First Amendment rights by compelling them to promote a positive image of the Confederate general.
City pays $5.8M to man wrongfully convicted
The City of Richmond has authorized a $5.8 million payment to a man who spent decades in prison after being wrongfully convicted in 1976 for murder and sexual assault.
Residents press RRHA on housing, displacement in Gilpin talks
Housing concerns and fears of displacement dominated a Saturday meeting between Gilpin Court residents and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, where community members pressed officials on redevelopment plans for the neighborhood.
Former Richmond theologian to preach at SBC, West End
The Rev. Steve Parker of Atlanta, a former minister at St. Peter Baptist Church in Glen Allen, will return to Richmond as the Men’s Day speaker for Second Baptist Church (West End) at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7.
Gilpin Court residents confront RRHA over redevelopment plan
A packed meeting at Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church last week underscored growing unease over plans to transfer Gilpin Court to a nonprofit, as frustrated attendees walked out after clashes between residents and housing officials over the neighborhood’s future.
After debate, council advances plan to pay wrongfully convicted man
The Richmond City Council gave initial approval Tuesday for Richmond to pay $5.8 million in restitution to Marvin Grimm, a man who was wrongfully incarcerated for more than four decades after being linked to the death of a local boy in 1975.
Virginia nursing homes challenge Youngkin veto in court
Nearly 200 nursing homes in Virginia announced Wednesday that they are suing Gov. Glenn Youngkin over a veto he executed earlier this year that would have helped support staffing efforts at the facilities, which are facing a critical shortage.
Earle-Sears faces questions over past anti-gay rights positions
Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears expressed strong opposition to a series of LGBTQ+ rights in a candidate questionnaire completed when she unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2004.
Richmond hires Morrison as intergovernmental affairs director
The city of Richmond has named Ruth Morrison as its new director of intergovernmental affairs, officials announced Thursday.
Faith leaders march on Wall Street to denounce anti-DEI campaign
On Thursday, Aug. 28, Black faith leaders, activists and protesters descended on Manhattan’s financial district to denounce efforts by the Trump administration and some private companies to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, known as DEI.
