Reynolds student earns New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship
Sidney King, a student at Reynolds Community College, was recently named Virginia’s recipient of the New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship. King was selected from more than 2,100 applicants across 1,300 community colleges nationwide.
Maude Trevvett principal wins 2025 REB Leadership Award
During a recent school event, Arainau “Rainy” Neal was named the recipient of the 2025 REB Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership, marking a milestone in her career at Maude Trevvett Elementary.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending Saturday, March 22, COVID-19 accounted for .9% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, with overall respiratory illness rates low and trending down compared to previous data. No COVID-19-related deaths were reported during this period at press time.
City’s first tiny forest takes root at Fonticello Park
Richmond’s first tiny forest was planted at Fonticello Park on March 15, an effort led by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Richmond Parks and Recreation with the help of about 25 volunteers.
IRS-certified students offer tax assistance at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
The University of Richmond is offering free tax preparation services for the 14th consecutive year, as part of the United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg’s Tax Assistance Program.
Bagby to lead Virginia Democrats into pivotal election year
A three-way race for one of the state’s most important political positions ended last weekend with Sen. Lamont Bagby becoming the new chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia.
Richmond 34 event rescheduled for March 28 at VUU
The postponed Richmond 34 event will take place this Friday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center at Virginia Union University.
Henrico Education Foundation CEO to exit
Henrico Education Foundation CEO Damon Jiggetts will step down this spring to become president and CEO of Access College Foundation in Norfolk.
Rapper Styles P to perform at Ember Music Hall
Styles P, hip-hop artist and member of The Lox, will perform at Ember Music Hall on Saturday, March 29. Styles P will be joined by Technician The DJ, with Richmond’s DJ Hypeee providing additional music throughout the night. Cannondeck will open the show.
City sends property tax rebate checks with incorrect names
A mix-up with property tax rebate checks sent this week has left some Richmond residents with incorrect names printed on their checks. The city confirmed no personal information was compromised and is working to correct the error.
Packed church watches as Avula pledges support for RISC’s proposals
Mayor Danny Avula made several key commitments to Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities on Tuesday evening, pledging to explore a Gun Violence Reduction Strategy and allocate millions in funding for affordable housing and mobile home repairs. The agreements were made during RISC’s annual Nehemiah Action meeting at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County attended by more than 2,000 group members, according to RISC.
‘Detroit ’67,’ a family drama set against a backdrop of social unrest
It started with a police raid on an unlicensed bar in Detroit. It ended with 43 dead, 1,189 injured and more than 400 buildings destroyed. Alternately called the 1967 Detroit Riot, the Detroit Uprising, the Detroit Rebellion and the 12th Street Riot, this five-day conflict primarily pitted African American residents against the Detroit Police Department. Many longstanding factors, including police brutality, housing segregation and unemployment, contributed to the riot.
Personality: Leyla McCalla
Spotlight on University of Richmond artist in residence
The daughter of Haitian immigrants, Leyla McCalla uses folk traditions and African rhythms to bridge the past and present, exploring the experiences of the Black diaspora. Her blend of folk music, showcasing her mastery of the cello, banjo and guitar, led to her role as artist in residence at the University of Richmond three years ago.
Gov. ducks protest, unleashes veto wave
Youngkin avoids rally during Patrick Henry reenactment
As Gov. Glenn Youngkin attended a reenactment of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech Sunday at St. John’s Church, more than 500 protesters gathered outside, calling attention to what they described as modern-day threats to democracy.
Youngkin rejects key progressive reforms
In the final year of his tenure, Gov. Glenn Youngkin carried out his duty to sign, veto and amend hundreds of bills handed to him by the Democratic-controlled legislature for the last time Monday, rejecting a proposal to raise the minimum wage incrementally to $15 per hour, a multi-year attempt to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board and several voter registration and election measures.
¡FridaFest! at VMFA to honor Frida Kahlo and her Mexican heritage
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will bring Frida Kahlo’s legacy to life April 5, with a community celebration. From 1 to 7 p.m., ¡FridaFest! will mark the opening of the museum’s “Frida: Beyond the Myth” exhibition, offering visitors an experience filled with music, art, food and culture.
Preserving our natural wonders is a cause worth fighting for, by Ben Jealous
Dorothy Gibbs chanted “Save our parks” from her wheelchair while holding a sign that read, “97 years old, still fighting for public lands!”
Trump’s free speech hypocrisy, by Clarence Page
President Donald Trump and the GOP have called themselves the party of free speech. But since taking office, the president has been tightening up his definition of freedom like a hangman’s noose.
Remembering Dr. King
In this April 3, 2008 editorial from the Richmond Free Press archives, our late publisher and founder Raymond Boone reflects on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Boone, who championed civil rights through his journalism, draws parallels between Dr. King’s activism and the ongoing fight for justice in our communities.
5th Baptist Church hosts 5th Annual MLK Memorial Luncheon and Awards Program
On the day after the 57th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, the community will come together to recognize individuals who continue his fight for justice and progress at the 5th Annual MLK Memorial Luncheon and Awards Program, hosted by Living the Dream, Inc. The event will take place 2 p.m., April 5 at 5th Baptist Church.
