Richmond police provide Monroe Park shooting update
It’s been three weeks since the shooting in Monroe Park after Huguenot High Schools graduation that killed a graduate, Shawn D. Jackson, his stepfather Renzo Smith and injured five others. Since then, official information about the investigation has been scarce, with the Richmond Police Department canceling a planned in-person briefing last Friday and releasing information in statements instead, after a consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.
A pet cause
Infections temporarily close two local animal shelters
Henrico Police Animal Shelter temporarily closed its doors to the public on June 22 after seeing a rise in infections that could lead to canine influenza.
VUU elects new board members
Virginia Union University Board of Trustees announced that it has elected new members to serve as trustees of the University:
Maggie Walker site names new superintendent
Scott Teodorski is the new superintendent for Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.
Hampton University to benefit from new philanthropic initiative
Hampton University was awarded $750,000 as part of an inaugural $10 million plus venture capital fund, The Historic Fund. The new fund aims to bolster the endowments of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), as well as highlight their importance and the role they play in promoting equity and inclusion in higher education, according to a news release issued by the university.
July 4 Holiday Closings
In observance of the Fourth of July holiday on Tuesday, July 4, please note the following:
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Lawsuit claims Virginia’s felony disenfranchisement violates Reconstruction-era federal law
People who have been disqualified from voting in Virginia because of their criminal records filed a lawsuit Monday against Gov. Glenn Youngkin and state elections officials challenging the state’s automatic disenfranchisement of people with felony convictions.
Health Equity Fund adds groups to combat disparities
Six new community partners, $644,000 in grant money and a continuing effort to bring greater equity to Richmond’s marginalized communities were the focus Tuesday afternoon at Richmond City Hall, as city leaders announced the latest groups and projects that will be part of the Health Equity Fund.
City Council again honors Richmond Free Press founders
City Council has approved a fresh honor for the founders of the Richmond Free Press.
Conducting the future: Burrs holds the baton at UR, Petersburg
Naima Burrs grew up surrounded by music. The Richmond native’s mother is renowned soprano Lisa Edwards-Burrs. Her father, Stacy L. Burrs, is a former CEO of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center, a former director of Venture Richmond and a jazz aficionado.
LA’s Burke remembered in Pride Month
Glenn Burke left his mark in baseball, and not just because he was the Major Leagues’ first openly gay player.
VCU’s Project Gabriel hosts second round of community forums
A Virginia Commonwealth University commission has announced two public forums as it moves to carry out a 2021 state law requiring the school to set up a scholarship program for descendents of enslaved people and to memorialize those enslaved who helped develop the campus.
Personality: Kristin DuMont
Spotlight on co-leader of Richmond Moms Demand Action
Kristin DuMont became involved with Richmond Moms Demand Action, a local volunteer group committed to ending gun violence in the community, in 2017. She says the work of reaching out to local and state officials did not come naturally to her.
Supreme Court rejects GOP argument in North Carolina case that could have transformed U.S. elections
The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that state courts can curtail the actions of their legislatures when it comes to federal redistricting and elections, rejecting arguments by North Carolina Republicans that could have dramatically altered races for Congress and president in that state and beyond.
A demand for justice
Ben Crump petitions DOJ to investigate Irvo Otieno’s death
Civil rights attorney Benjamin L. Crump and co-counsel Mark J. Krudys are requesting that the United States Department of Justice open a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the death of Irvo N. Otieno.
3 City Hall unions in place
A major share of City Hall’s 4,000 employees have selected their union bargaining agents who will take the lead in contract talks with the city on wages, benefits, health insurance, holiday pay, working conditions and other issues.
Jokic in conversation for greatest center
History books will show the Denver Nuggets are the 2023 NBA champions. Let there be no doubt about that. But what about the Nuggets’ Rocky Mountain-sized center, Nikola Jokic? What will his place be on the all-time list of great centers?
Six key points from the scathing report on Minneapolis Police after George Floyd’s killing
The Justice Department on June 16 issued a scathing assessment of Minneapolis Police, alleging that racial discrimination and excessive force went unchecked before George Floyd’s killing because of inadequate oversight and an unwieldy process for investigating complaints.
Empathy for families with ‘difficult days ahead’
To the Richmond community: My condolences and empathy to families as they face the difficult days ahead without their loved ones.
