New amphitheater must answer to climate and culture
A few weeks ago, a Richmond Free Press letter writer questioned the need for a new amphitheater in the city. In case you weren’t aware, the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront is a 7,500-capacity outdoor Downtown concert venue set to open in June.
How Bloody Sunday shocked America into action, by Marc H. Morial
“At times history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point that is man’s unending search for freedom. So it was at Lexington and Concord. So it was a century ago at Appomattox. So it was last week in Selma, Ala.” — President Lyndon Johnson
When grandstanding falls flat, by Clarence Page
My advice to congressional Democrats: If you’re going to embrace performative politics, be sure you give a good performance.
Pentagon purge targets Tuskegee Airmen photos in DEI crackdown, by Ben Jealous
My grandfather’s first cousin was Lt. Col. Howard Lee Baugh. Cousin Howard was part of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, the first unit of the Tuskegee Airmen. This month marks the 84th anniversary of the activation of the squadron at Chanute Field in Rantoul, Ill., about 120 miles southwest of Chicago.
Former rivals partner to bring racing back to Southside Speedway
Friday night racing is set to return to the Richmond area as Southside Speedway prepares for a revival under new leadership.
Hanover County neighbors raise concerns over proposed landfill expansion
Neighbors from Brown Grove, a historically African American community in Hanover County, attended a town hall meeting March 10 to express their concerns over the proposed expansion of the Ashcake Road Landfill. Jeff S. Stoneman, a member of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors representing the Beaverdam District, hosted the meeting at the Hanover County Administration Building for constituents to share their concerns.
Personality: CiNease Freeman
Spotlight on the 2024 Ambassador for Fight Colorectal Cancer
CiNease Freeman, who was young and had no family history of the disease, ignored the symptoms of rectal cancer for two years. But at 28, she could no longer overlook the condition, which typically affects men around age 62 and 63 for women, according to the American Cancer Society. Two years later, Freeman is celebrating both her 30th birthday and being two years cancer-free.
Concert honors Sister Rosetta Tharpe at Hippodrome
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a former Barton Heights resident often called the “mother of rock & roll,” helped shape modern music with her pioneering guitar work and gospel-infused rock style. Her influence can be heard in the music of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix. During the height of her career, Tharpe made Richmond her home, and now a group of musicians are coming together to honor her legacy.
City’s vacuum leaf collection program ends March 14
Piles of leaves still lingering in Richmond yards may not be going anywhere soon unless residents act fast. The city’s vacuum leaf collection program is wrapping up for the season, with the last day to request service set for March 14.
‘Prides of March’ protest headed to State Capitol
Protesters will take to the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol on Saturday, March 15, as Virginia 50501 hosts a “die-in” to advocate for transgender rights and gender equity.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending Saturday, March 8, COVID-19 accounted for 1.1% 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.
Citizens group calls for halt to Fall Line Trail
The Fall Line Trail will be a major construction project and a permanent addition to the city. It should be built only after thorough study and consideration of the cost, safety, environmental, traffic and neighborhood impacts.
VSU names alumna Tiffani-Dawn Sykes new athletic director
Virginia State University recently named Tiffani-Dawn Sykes as its new associate vice president for intercollegiate athletics, bringing a former Trojan student-athlete back to her alma mater.
New bill relaxes physician requirements for boxing, wrestling events
The General Assembly passed a bill making it easier for a physician to serve ringside at certain sporting events, and extending the period a promoter has to declare any earnings. Before the bill passed, physicians who examine boxers, martial artists or wrestlers before they enter the ring must have held a medical license in Virginia for at least five years.
Outdoor Festivals signal the changing seasons in Richmond
As sure as the temperatures begin to rise, Richmond’s festival season begins, signaling the arrival of spring. The city’s streets and parks become gathering places for food, music and celebration as locals shake off the winter chill and welcome the outdoors again.
Celebrity guests and activities highlight expanded GalaxyCon
The line between fantasy and reality blurs later this month when superheroes, villains and beloved characters from across the entertainment universe converge on Richmond for the city’s largest pop culture event. GalaxyCon returns to Richmond March 27-30 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center for a four-day pop culture celebration.
Smith qualifies for NCAA Indoor Nationals
Virginia Union University freshman Antonio Smith has qualified for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Nationals. Smith will compete Friday, March 14, at Fall Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis.
Marching Forth
Protest challenges Trump policies
Hundreds gathered in Capitol Square on Tuesday for the “March 4th Democracy,” protest march, a show of resistance aimed against the Trump administration’s policies that threaten reproductive rights.
Personality: Bernette Hardy-Keyes
Spotlight on Richmond area president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women
Bernette Hardy-Keyes saw an opportunity when a stranger knocked on her door, inviting her to help charter the National Coalition of 100 Black Women -Richmond Metropolitan Area Chapter (NCBW-RMAC). She had been searching for a community service organization to join, and a neighbor, aware of her work with the local homeowners association, recommended her.
Olympic champions, amateurs flock to Kenya for world-class training
As dawn breaks over the sleepy town of Iten, its dusty tracks come alive with packs of runners keeping rhythm, often followed by cheerful children headed to school. Some of the athletes are elite Kenyans. Others travel from farther afield.
