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Free Press staff report

Stories by Free Press

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Two local teachers to explore Africa, London and Quebec through REB grant

Two Henrico County teachers will soon take their lessons far beyond the classroom — one to Africa, the other to London and Quebec.

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Poet to discuss new book on Black Appalachian cooking

Poet and author Crystal Wilkinson will discuss her new book, “Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks,” Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Library of Virginia.

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VUU tops VSU to clinch spot in CIAA title game

Virginia Union University secured its place in the CIAA Championship Game with a 14-3 win over rival Virginia State University on Saturday afternoon at Hovey Field.

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RMTA executive chosen to guide global transportation leaders

Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Joi Taylor Dean was elected president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association for 2026.

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First Baptist Church of Ashland to host Caregiver Expo

Caregivers, families and community members are invited to Hanover County’s fourth annual Caregiver Expo on Monday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Ashland, 800 Thompson St.

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Segal to lead Richmond Fire and Emergency Services with focus on reform

Interim Fire Chief Jeffrey Segal has been appointed as the permanent head of Richmond Fire and Emergency Services, city officials announced this week.

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Chief of Chickahominy Tribe to speak at VCU about Native sovereignty

Stephen R. Adkins, chief of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, will speak at Virginia Commonwealth University about the journey of Virginia’s Native nations toward federal recognition and sovereignty.

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Local influencer rallies support for Jamaica hometown

Shanisse Palmer, a Richmond-based family lifestyle influencer, is using her platform to aid her hometown in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa left it in ruins.

T.D. Jakes launches weekly podcast exploring life, purpose and culture

Bishop T.D. Jakes is launching a new weekly podcast, “NXT Chapter with T.D. Jakes,” aimed at helping listeners navigate life transitions and explore their purpose.

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City pauses utility disconnections, late fees due to federal shutdown

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is temporarily pausing disconnections of gas and water services for nonpayment and suspending late fees for November to help residents affected by the federal government shutdown, according to a city news release.

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Virginia practitioners can now access accredited medical cannabis training

As more Virginians turn to medical cannabis for relief, health care practitioners are being asked increasingly about its benefits, risks and potential drug interactions, but many lack formal training.

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AJGA junior golf championship coming to Chesterfield

The American Junior Golf Association will bring one of the nation’s top youth golf tournaments to Chesterfield County beginning in 2026.

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Ceremony at Virginia War Memorial to honor Commonwealth’s veterans

The Virginia War Memorial will host the 69th annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 on the memorial’s grounds at 621 S. Belvidere St.

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Plans for Shockoe Project memorial, plaza advance

The City of Richmond’s Planning Commission on Monday, Nov. 3 approved conceptual plans for a memorial to the Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground and finalized designs for Reconciliation Plaza improvements, two key components of The Shockoe Project.

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Chesterfield School Board announces interim Clover Hill representative

The Chesterfield County School Board appointed Jenna Darby as the interim representative for the Clover Hill District, effective Jan. 1, following the announced resignation of Dorothy Heffron, who is stepping down after controversy over a social media post. Her resignation is effective Dec. 31.

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Flying Squirrels help strike out hunger, generate $10,000 for Feed More

Virginia Credit Union’s partnership with the Richmond Flying Squirrels has generated a $10,000 donation to Feed More, supporting food security initiatives across Central Virginia.

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Brookland Park Fest returning with food, music and family activities

Brookland Park Fest returns to the neighborhood on Nov. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. along Brookland Park Boulevard between Fendall and North avenues.

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‘A Distinct Society’ to premiere at Firehouse Theatre

Firehouse Theatre will stage the Virginia premiere of “A Distinct Society,” a play written and directed by acclaimed playwright Kareem Fahmy, opening Nov. 14 on the Carol Piersol Stage at 1609 W. Broad St.

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Equipment failure delays Richmond utility bills for about 5,000 customers

An equipment malfunction has forced the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to delay billing for roughly 5,000 customers on the city’s South Side. The department discovered the issue Oct. 17 and paused billing to avoid issuing inaccurate statements.

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Celebration honors Lesane’s 70th birthday, retirement

More than 100 family members, friends and former colleagues gathered Saturday, Oct. 25 at The Westin Hotel to celebrate the 70th birthday and retirement of the Rev. Warren J. Lesane Jr.

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VUU holds third annual E. Lee Coble Golf Tournament

Virginia Union University hosted its third annual E. Lee Coble Golf Tournament on Monday at Lakeside Park Club, with 17 foursomes competing in men’s and women’s divisions.

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Board of Supervisors to appoint LeQuan Hylton as interim supervisor

In the wake of the death of five-term Dale District Supervisor James M. “Jim” Holland, members of the Chesterfield board plan to appoint LeQuan Hylton as interim supervisor for the district.

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NAACP Virginia State Conference names new leadership

The NAACP Virginia State Conference has elected new officers for the 2025-27 term during its 90th annual convention Oct. 24-26 in Richmond.

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7-year-old brain cancer survivor receives custom hairpiece

Myla, a 7-year-old brain cancer survivor, received a custom hairpiece Saturday at Bombshell Wigs Galore, marking a milestone in her recovery and offering a boost to her confidence.

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Region unites to keep food on tables amid SNAP disruption

Feed More’s headquarters in Richmond serves as the hub for Central Virginia’s food distribution network.

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Virginia Humanities names new class of HBCU Scholars Fellows

Virginia Humanities has announced seven new recipients of its HBCU Scholars Fellowships, bringing together a diverse group of educators, writers and researchers from historically Black colleges and universities in Virginia and North Carolina.

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VSU extends president’s contract through 2032

Virginia State University recently extended the contract of President Makola M. Abdullah through 2032, securing long-term leadership for the historically Black university.

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High school students to host TEDxRVA Youth

Richmond’s next generation of thinkers and creators will take center stage Saturday, Nov. 8, when high school students host the 13th annual TEDxRVA Youth at Collegiate School’s Hershey Center for the Arts. The free event runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

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Clergy, veterans take coordinated prayer action to Capitol

Dozens of Virginians, including clergy and community leaders, staged a “pray-in” outside the Richmond offices of U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner on Monday, Oct. 20, to urge continued health care subsidies and protest recent federal budget policies.

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City opens funding for affordable housing projects

The City of Richmond announced a new round of funding through its Affordable Housing Trust Fund, making more than $13 million available to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing.

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Ndiaye repeats as A-10 Defensive Player of the Week

Senior defender Moussa Ndiaye has been named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight time, the conference announced Monday, after leading the VCU men’s soccer team to its second consecutive shutout.

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Kickers close season with Henny Derby win over Madison

The Richmond Kickers ended their USL League One season on a high note Saturday night, defeating Forward Madison 5-1 in the third and final leg of the Henny Derby at City Stadium.

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Richmond Health Equity Fund awards $135,000 to community organizations

The Richmond Health Equity Fund is providing $135,000 in continued funding to community organizations that address health disparities across the city. The grants will support programs focused on health care access, chronic disease, food security, maternal and child health, and mental and behavioral health.

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Goochland students bring global cuisine to Friday night football

Friday night football at Goochland High School now comes with a side of cultural education, thanks to two students who turned a Spanish class assignment into a thriving food business.

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Shalom Farms to host annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 29

Shalom Farms will hold its fourth annual Harvest Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. at its Northside Farm, 1311 Westwood Ave.

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Theater community honors standout productions at 17th annual Artsies

Richmond Triangle Players and Firehouse Theatre dominated the 17th annual Richmond Theatre Community Circle Awards, or Artsies, with Firehouse taking home 13 awards and the Triangle/ Firehouse co-production of “A Strange Loop” earning six honors, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical.

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Richmond-area seniors and Hanover residents offered help to stay warm

As fall temperatures dip, seniors and low-income residents across the Richmond area are being offered ways to stay warm this winter, from free weatherization kits to financial assistance for heating bills.

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Maggie Walker Community Land Trust appoints new board member

The Maggie Walker Community Land Trust recently named Derrick Billie to its board of directors.

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ICA names new leaders in curatorial and exhibitions

The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University has promoted two longtime staff members to leadership roles designed to strengthen the museum’s exhibitions and programming.

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Richmond police officers, firefighters to face off in charity boxing event

Richmond police officers and firefighters will step into the ring for a charity boxing event on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at River City Roll.

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Interfaith initiative aims to increase voter turnout

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is relaunching its annual “Interfaith Souls to the Polls” initiative to encourage early voting across the state in the final two weekends before the 2025 election.

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Leaders, mentors to speak at men’s summit at VUU

The Men’s Master Summit will host its fall 2025 gathering on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Virginia Union University’s Living and Learning Center.

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Kickers fall 2-0 to AV Alta FC

The Richmond Kickers (7-17-5) came up short in their first visit to USL League One newcomer AV Alta FC, falling 2-0 despite creating several scoring chances.

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First training class graduates from workforce development program

Richmond residents graduated Friday from a community-based workforce development program created through a partnership between the City of Richmond, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) and Kirila Construction Services (KCS).

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‘Banana Ball’ brings Negro Leagues tribute to Richmond’s new CarMax Park

A modern spin on showtime baseball with deep roots in Black baseball history is coming to Richmond next spring.

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ChildSavers launches perinatal mental health program in Richmond

ChildSavers is offering virtual and in-person therapy for pregnant and postpartum individuals through a new pilot program, It Takes a Village, in partnership with the Virginia Health Care Foundation.

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Chesterfield Supervisor Jim Holland dies at 73 after cancer battle

James M. “Jim” Holland, a five-term Dale District supervisor and one of Chesterfield County’s longest-serving public officials, died Tuesday at his home after a battle with cancer. He was 73.

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Roland Martin to lead VSU voter engagement event

Journalist and political commentator Roland Martin will visit Virginia State University on Thursday, Oct. 16 as part of Trojan Voter Week.

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Explore the power of poison at the Science Museum of Virginia

Visitors at the Science Museum of Virginia are stepping into a world where danger meets fascination.

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InLight celebrates future North stars with ‘Super!Giant!Jump!Star!’

“InLight 2025: Super!Giant!Jump!Star!” the grand premiere of artist George Ferrandi’s multidisciplinary project “Jump!Star!” will be held Friday and Saturday at Abner Clay Park. The free public event runs from 7 to 11 p.m. both nights at 200 W. Clay St.

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