Mayor Stoney drops Va. governor bid, will run for lieutenant governor
Mayor Levar Stoney announced Tuesday he is dropping his bid for Virginia governor in 2025, avoiding a nomination contest with U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, and will run for lieutenant governor instead.
A historic HBCU first
Virginia State University lands presidential debate
When the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees enter the Multi-Purpose Center on the campus of Virginia State University on Oct. 1, history will be made. VSU will become the first HBCU to host a U.S. presidential debate.
President Biden signs $95B bill for war aid in Ukraine
Funds include $26B in aid for Israel, $1B in for Palestinians in Gaza
President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he was immediately rushing badly needed weaponry to Ukraine as he signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that also included assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other global hotspots.
Hospital Chaplain J.S. Park’s new book explores grief
“The biggest myth I see is that grief is a poison to get past”
“Everything happens for a reason” might be one of the least helpful things you can say to someone who just lost a loved one, according to veteran hospital Chaplain J.S. Park.
Delegate McQuinn to host annual Community Resource Day
Delegate Delores McQuinn of the 81st District will host her free annual Community Resource Day event on Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Bridge Baptist Church, 5807 Nine Mile Road.
Mandisa, Grammy-winning singer and ‘American Idol’ alum, dies at 47
Mandisa, a contemporary Christian singer who appeared on “American Idol” and won a Grammy for her 2013 album “Overcomer,” has died. She was 47.
Palpable relief doesn’t ease the pain
For anyone who owns a home or land, it has become common to receive a text or letter from a persistent real estate agent or investor offering to purchase their property. In most Black communities, where homeowners have labored long and hard to acquire a home for themselves or family members, the response to such predators is a polite — or not so polite — “no.”
Earth Day: A sense of wonder, by Bobby Whitescarver
My wife and I are cattle farmers in Virginia’s legendary Shenandoah Valley. Early in our marriage, Jeanne gave me a nickname: “Walk Slow, Stand Around.” Yep, that’s me. Sure, it’s funny. And it’s true. But I’m not lazy; I just wonder a lot.
Setting the stage
Virginia State University not only will host October’s presidential debate, but also will serve as a polling location during the general election.
Jackson Ward preservationist steeled by cultural bearings and designs
By tackling design and restoration projects no one else would touch, Zarina Fazaldin brings her love of art and historic preservation to the arts community in Richmond.
Embiid raises Uncle Sam’s hopes
Joel Embiid sports the colors red, white and blue for his NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers. So it’s fitting he’ll wear red, white and blue for the United States for the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
Summer Academy offers students lessons in leadership, public service
Richmond high school and college students can gain political skills and knowledge during the upcoming Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service. The academy runs from Sunday, June 23, to Saturday, July 6, and is organized by Policy Pathways Inc. The program will be hosted in partnership with the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Virginia universities announce graduation dates, speakers
College graduations start throughout Virginia in the next two weeks, with thousands of students receiving their diplomas and taking their hard-earned knowledge out into the world.
An American lament, by Dwight Cunningham
t’s tough being an American. It’s hard to know your worth when you’re Black, or Latino, Native American or Asian, Muslim, gay or whatever. Seems today’s patriotic ideal American isn’t any of “those people,” as the powerful spend considerable time and nefarious energy to exert dominance by any means possible.
Google fires more workers who protested its deal with Israel
Google recently fired at least 20 more workers in the aftermath of protests over technology the company is supplying the Israeli government amid the Gaza war, bringing the total number of terminated staff to more than 50, a group representing the workers said.
Who will be D.C.’s next QB?
Watch your step. Few revolving doors have spun as fast as the door leading to the Washington Commanders’ quarterback room.
Dale Farino appointed CEO of state ABC
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed Dale Farino as the new CEO of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC), effective April 29.
USDA updates rules for school meals that limit sugars
The nation’s school meals will get a makeover under new nutrition standards that limit added sugars for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture an- nounced Wednesday. The final rule also trims sodium in students’ meals, although not by the 30% first proposed in 2023. And it con- tinues to allow flavored milks — such as chocolate milk — with less sugar, rather than adopting an option that would have offered only unflavored milk to the youngest kids. The aim is to improve nutrition and align with U.S. dietary guidelines in the program that provides breakfasts to more than 15 million students and lunches to nearly 30 million students every day at a cost of about $22.6 billion per year. “All of this is designed to ensure that students have quality meals and that we meet parents’ expectations,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters. The limits on added sugars would be required in the 2025-2026 school year, starting with high-sugar foods such as cereal, yogurt and flavored milk. By the fall of 2027, added sugars in school meals would be limited to no more than 10% of the total calories per week for breakfasts and lunches, in addition to limits on sugar in specific products. New WIC rules include more money for fruits and veggies. They also expand food choices Officials had proposed to reduce sodium in school meals by as much as 30% over the next several years. But after receiving mixed public comments and a directive from Congress included in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill approved in March, the agency will reduce sodium levels allowed in breakfasts by 10% and in lunches by 15% by the 2027-2028 school year.
Herbs Galore descends on Maymont
Maymont’s Herbs Galore plant sale event on Saturday promises that herb lovers will find everything they need to freshen up their gardens. The fun occurs between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the Carriage House Lawn, 1700 Hampton St.
