Rev. Craig A. Matthews, longtime artistic director of the Richmond Boys Choir, dies at 63
The 18-member Richmond Boys Choir is celebrating the life of their caring and talented artistic director, the Rev. Craig Alexander Matthews.
4th Circuit strikes down abortion disclosure law
For the second time in six years, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond has thrown out a Baltimore city ordinance requiring pro-life pregnancy centers to post notices in their waiting rooms that they do not offer abortion or birth control services.
Sterling K. Brown makes history with Golden Globe Award
Actor Sterling K. Brown made history Sunday night when he won the Golden Globe trophy for best actor in a dramatic television series, “This Is Us.”
Finalists interviewed for city schools top job
Richmond soon could have a new public schools superintendent. The Richmond School Board interviewed finalists last Friday — although the names were not disclosed — and continued discussions Monday during a closed session.
NASA names Hampton center for Katherine Johnson
Katherine G. Johnson, the pioneering Virginia woman whose key role in America’s early space missions was portrayed in the Oscar-nominated film “Hidden Figures,” has received a new honor. NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton dedicated a new building last Friday named for Mrs. Johnson.
Former astronaut Mae Jemison celebrates silver anniversary of historic space flight
Twenty-five years ago, astronaut Mae Jemison was the first woman of color to travel into space. The Alabama native who was raised in Chicago entered Stanford University at age 16, earning a degree in chemical engineering before going to Cornell University Medical School. She worked as a medical officer in the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone before joining NASA and the space program in 1987.
School Board member resigns
The Richmond School Board now has eight members following the unexpected resignation of Nadine Marsh-Carter. Ms. Marsh-Carter, who represented the 7th District that includes Church Hill, East End and Fulton, submitted her resignation in a letter the board received on Tuesday.
Adele, Beyoncé sparkle at Grammy Awards
Singer-songwriter Adele flubbed on a tribute Sunday night to the late George Michael at the 59th Grammy Music Awards, but she still walked away as the belle of the televised awards program. The London-born singer took home five awards Sunday night, including album, record and song of the year.
Trump inaugural address
Text of President Trump’s inaugural address Friday, Jan. 20, as prepared for delivery.
Smokey Robinson receives Gershwin Prize
An emotional and humbled Smokey Robinson received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song last week at a soul-stirring concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington.
Study shows some children don’t visit doctors despite having insurance
A majority of Richmond children from low-income families apparently are not getting annual checkups from doctors, even though the children have health insurance through Medicaid or other programs that would cover the cost. The result: Many youngsters are dogged by obesity or other treatable physical and mental health problems that are never dealt with, disrupting their education and well-being.
Voices for the Vote Rally slated for Saturday in Petersburg
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, along with several partner organizations, is hosting rallies across the state this weekend to speak out against voter suppression and to assist people to register to vote. The Central Virginia Voices for the Vote Rally will be held 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4, on Pocahontas Island in Petersburg.
First African-American student to attend Va. Tech finally gets degree
More than 60 years after Irving Linwood Peddrew III of Hampton broke the color barrier to become the first African-American student to attend Virginia Tech in rural Blacksburg, he finally received his degree. Mr. Peddrew, now 80, was awarded an honorary bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering during the university’s commencement Friday, May 13, at Lane Stadium.
Richmond School Board shelves school closings
Armstrong High School will not be closed. Nor will four Richmond elementary schools — Cary, Overby-Sheppard, Southampton and Swansboro. And there will be no merger of two alternative schools.
Dance, Warner to speak at fall commencements
State Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance of Petersburg and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner will be the featured speakers at fall commencements at area universities.
N.C. Moral Monday leader urges local NAACP to mobilize
“This is no time for foolishness,” said the Rev. William J. Barber II in an energizing message at the Richmond Branch NAACP’s Freedom Fund Awards Gala last Saturday.
Crusade for Voters announces endorsements
Democrat Daniel Gecker has secured the endorsement of the Richmond Crusade for Voters in the hotly contested four-way race in the 10th Senate District, which includes a big chunk of the city. The Crusade announced Wednesday that it’s throwing its support behind Mr. Gecker, a member of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, in the Nov. 3 general election.
Petersburg to host memorial for hometown basketball legend Moses Malone
Petersburg is planning a tribute service for its most celebrated hometown sports hero, the late basketball great Moses Malone. The memorial program will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Petersburg High School’s gymnasium, 3101 Johnson Road. Mr. Malone, 60, died Sept. 13 of heart failure in Norfolk. His funeral was held Sept. 19 in Houston, where he lived at the time of his death.
Back-to-school success tips
For thousands of public school students across the region, summer’s almost over. School officially starts Tuesday, Sept. 8.
2 fundraisers split by race
Segregation appears to be rearing its head in an unlikely place — in two fundraisers a trio of progressive women’s groups are hosting for female Democrats seeking office in Central Virginia. Intentionally or not, the first fundraiser, to be held this weekend, will feature four white candidates and the other, set for next month, will be for three African-American candidates.
Sources: Upset GRTC drivers slow bus service
GRTC drivers, angry over a delay in receiving a pay raise, began an unsanctioned work action this week. According to sources, drivers have been refusing to work overtime while some have called in sick or failed to show up. The result is that buses have been parked rather than going out on routes, creating disruption for riders trying to get to work, make other appointments or return home.
Study: Teachers quicker to label black students as ‘troublemakers’
A new study suggests that racial stereotyping by teachers could be a root cause for harsher discipline imposed on black students. Two Stanford University psychologists, Dr. Jennifer L. Eberhardt and doctoral candidate Jason Okonofua, conducted the study to determine if hidden bias could explain government data showing that misbehaving black students are three times more likely to be suspended or expelled from public schools than their misbehaving white peers. The psychologists’ research found that teachers are quicker to label black students as troublemakers and to consider more severe penalties for them, compared with white students who misbehave.
Dr. Bedden leaving?
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden may be on his way out. The Free Press has learned that he is competing for a higher paying superintendent’s job in a larger school district outside of Virginia.
NAACP Image Award has Richmond connection
Hundreds of African-American students are becoming doctors, nurses, dentists and medical researchers, thanks to university alliances Dr. Louis W. Sullivan created in Richmond and elsewhere. That is just one of the achievements of the pioneering 81-year-old physician, educator and health advocate whose autobiography, “Breaking Ground: My Life in Medicine,” was just named the winner of the 2015 NAACP Image Award for nonfiction.
Fast food workers must perform community service
Community service, but no jail time for protesting low wages.
Veteran journalist leads Free Press news operations
Meet the new managing editor of the Richmond Free Press.
Virginia Shelton, 108, was known for her fun-loving spirit
Known as “She She” or “Aunt Sis” to her family and friends, Mrs. Shelton impressed everyone with her vivacity, grace and dignity.
V.W. Henley, 85, former president of Consolidated Bank
Vernard William Henley presided over the highs and lows of Consolidated Bank & Trust Co. in Richmond, once the oldest independent black-owned bank in America.
Two back-to-school shoe giveaways scheduled
There will be two options for families who cannot afford new shoes for their students, thanks to area churches.
High court halts gay marriage in Virginia
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in to keep the first same-sex marriages from happening in the Old Dominion.
Henrico Hitters win Black World Series
The Henrico Hitters are the champions of the 2014 Black World Series.
Second back-to-school event to offer free student supplies
Richmond students who still need school supplies will have another opportunity this weekend to get them without charge.
RPS facing $1 million city bill for stormwater
Amid all of its other problems, the Richmond School Board is now facing a $1 million charge for stormwater control.
McAuliffe ignores name controversy
Gov. Terry McAuliffe did his best Robert Griffin III imitation in dodging the controversy over the Washington football team’s racist nickname.
Governor steps up focus on children
Gov. Terry McAuliffe is forming a new “Children’s Cabinet’’ to focus on improving conditions for youths in Virginia.
Control of state Senate at stake in Tuesday vote
Voters in southwest Virginia will cast ballots Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the state Senate.
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