Innocence petition for one of ‘Waverly Two’ denied
By George Copeland Jr.
Efforts to exonerate two men once acquitted of killing a Waverly police officer but still sentenced to life in prison hit a setback Tuesday, as the Virginia Court of Appeals denied an innocence petition filed by Terence Richardson, one of the men known as the “Waverly Two.”
Richardson, who was arrested and charged in 1998 alongside Ferrone Claiborne in the killing of Officer Allen Gibson.
Richardson and Claiborne pleaded guilty to lesser charges at their attorney’s recommendation to avoid the death penalty. After being sentenced in state court, the two faced a federal trial in 2001. They were acquitted of the murder but received life sentences for related drug charges and their earlier state pleas.
Richardson and Claiborne were released from prison in March and April after decades behind bars and years of work
to prove their innocence, aided by New York attorney Jarrett Adams. Their sentences were commuted by President Joe Biden.
The judges cited Richardson’s guilty plea in denying the petition, pointing to arguments from his federal sentencing that it amounted to a confession.
The judges also rejected the three claims and associated
evidence included in Richardson’s petition.
“For all of the foregoing reasons, because Richardson’s petition for a writ of actual innocence simply does not satisfy the requirements of the actual innocence statute, this Court cannot grant him the relief he has requested,” Judges Beales,
By George Copeland Jr.
across the stage at Virginia Union University’s spring commencement on Saturday morning at Hovey Field. Picot, a business student paralyzed in an accident last year, was among the 352 members of the VUU spring Class of 2025. The class includes 170 bachelor’s degrees, 168 master’s degrees and 15 doctoral candidates. The ceremony also marked VUU’s ongoing 160th anniversary celebration. Meanwhile, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, approximately 4,900 graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University were recognized, including over 3,100 undergraduate degrees, 980 master’s degrees, 365 first-professional degrees and about 300 doctoral degrees. More photos, B2.
City Council fires Inspector General James Osuna
It’s unclear why council dismissed Osuna after nearly six years in the role
By Dean Mirshahi VPM
Richmond’s inspector general, James Osuna, was fired Monday by City Council after nearly six years on the job.
Osuna’s office is overseen by council and acts as the City’s government watchdog, investigating claims of waste, fraud and abuse.
Reva Trammell, 8th District, said Osuna notified
Pamunkey Reservation
her of his firing after he met with other City Council members during Monday’s informal meeting.
The meeting went into closed session so the council could discuss and consider “the Performance of a Council Appointee,” according to the agenda.
Trammell didn’t share why Osuna was dismissed, telling VPM News in a text to contact Council President Cynthia Newbille: “Make her talk she is the president that’s her job.” Newbille’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
City Council released a general statement Tuesday that said it wouldn’t comment on personnel matters: “The Inspector General’s Office is of critical importance to the oversight work of City Council.
An Interim IG will manage the ongoing work while Council oversees the transition in leadership.”
VPM News called the IG’s office on Tuesday and left a message seeking comment from the inspector general but did not get a response.
A spokesperson for Mayor Danny Avula said the city’s administration doesn’t “comment on Council’s personnel actions.”
The local daily first reported the news. The newspaper reported Trammell said the decision came after a human resources complaint against Osuna — but she didn’t share details about it or say whether it led to his dismissal.
named among nation’s most endangered historic places
Free Press staff report
The Pamunkey Indian Reservation in King William County, home to one of the nation’s oldest Indigenous communities, has been named one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.
The designation, announced Wednesday by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, draws national attention to the environmental threats endangering the Pamunkey Tribe’s ancestral homeland.
The Pamunkey, a federally recognized sovereign nation, have lived on their current 1,600-acre peninsula along the Pamunkey River for more than 15,000 years. The land, never ceded, is considered the oldest existing reservation in the United States.
Now, that land is at risk.
Bordered by a sinking railroad embankment on one side and surrounded by marshland and river on the others, the reservation faces mounting pressure from sea level rise, land subsidence and increasingly intense storms. Scientific projections suggest much of the area could be underwater or unreachable within the next 75 years.
“Across the United States, compelling, meaningful historic sites are at risk, whether from natural disasters, underutilization, neglect, or lack of awareness,” said Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in announcing the annual list last week.
The National Trust cited the Tribe’s proactive efforts, includ-
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Ronaldo Lopez, VCU Rice Rivers Center
The Pamunkey Indian Reservation, home to one of the nation’s oldest Indigenous communities, has been named among the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The 1,600-acre peninsula along the Pamunkey River faces significant environmental threats, including sea level rise and land subsidence.
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Fourth District Council member Sarah Abubaker follows the discussion during a Richmond City Council meeting March 24 at City Hall.
Boone named president of Sentara
Martha Jefferson Hospital
Free Press staff report
Sentara Health has announced the appointment of Elwood Bernard “Bernie” Boone III as the next president of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville. Boone will assume the role on June 2.
Boone, a Richmond native, began his career as a summer camp counselor at the North Richmond YMCA. He has served as president of Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital since 2012 and brings more than 20 years of experience in health care leadership. His background includes a focus on improving operational performance, building high-performing teams, and expanding access to patient-centered services.
“Bernie is a thoughtful and experienced leader with a deep commitment to patient-centered care and community health,” said Jeff Joyner, Sentara’s senior vice president and president of the Acute Care Northwestern Market. “He is well-prepared to lead Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital into its next chapter.”
Boone was recently honored with the American College of Healthcare Executives Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award for Central Virginia and was named one of Virginia Business magazine’s 2025 Virginia Black Business Leader Awards recipients.
In a statement, Boone said his ties to the Piedmont region of Virginia make the new role especially meaningful.
“Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital has a long-standing reputation for clinical excellence and a deep, trusted bond with the community,” Boone said. “I’m honored to join this remarkable team and help write the next chapter in its legacy.”
City Council appoints RJ Warren as chief of staff
Free Press Staff report
Richmond City Council has named RJ Warren as its new chief of staff.
Warren, who has nearly 18 years of public service experience, was appointed by council resolution on May 12. He is set to begin his new role June 2. Warren currently serves as deputy city clerk in the Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk, a position he has held since 2019. Before that, he spent more than 11 years with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in various roles.
As chief of staff, Warren will support the City Council in its legislative duties, which include drafting and amending local laws, overseeing government policy and helping develop the city’s budget.
RJ Warren
A graduate of Roanoke College in Salem, Va., Warren also completed the Foundations of Management for the U.S. Courts Certification at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C.
City Council members also expressed appreciation to Matthew Slaats for serving as interim chief of staff during the recruitment process.
The Office of Council Chief of Staff is one of six council offices and among approximately 50 boards and commissions reporting to Richmond City Council.
Early voting
Early in-person voting for the June 17 primary election continues through Saturday, June 14. Richmond voters can cast their ballots at the Office of Elections, at 2134 W. Laburnum Ave. City Hall at 900 E. Broad St. and Hickory Hill Community Center at 3000 E. Belt Blvd. will open for early voting Monday, June 2. Voting hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with additional Saturday hours on June 7 and June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Henrico County residents can vote at the Henrico Western Government Center at 4305 E. Parham Road and the Eastern Government Center at 3820 Nine Mile Road from Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Varina Library at 1875 New Market Road will open a voting location starting Monday, June 2, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All locations also will be open Saturday, June 7, and June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Five mail drop boxes are accessible at the Administration Annex building at the Henrico Western Government Center, the Eastern Government Center, Deep Run Park Recreation Center at 9900 Ridgefield Pkwy., the Varina Library and the Tuckahoe Area Library at 1901 Starling Drive. Chesterfield County is hosting early voting at the Central Library at 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd. through Saturday, June 14, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, June 7, and June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Voters are asked to park on the side of the library, and can vote in the large meeting room across from the Cooperative Extension Office.
A drop box for mail-in ballots and curbside voting for those with disabilities or those age 65 and older also is available outside the entrance to the Cooperative Extension Office. Another drop box is available at the Office of the General Registrar at 9848 Lori Road from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday, May 2, to Friday, June 13, and Saturdays, June 7 and 14, and Monday, June 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
These options won’t be available Monday, May 26, as the Office of the General Registrar will be closed for Memorial Day.
Early voting in Hanover County began Friday, May 2, in the Wickham Building at the Hanover Courthouse Government Complex at 7497 County Complex Road from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday, June 7, and 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Curbside voting options available for handicapped and voters over the age of 65 are also available.
A ballot drop-off station will be on site at the Wickham Building from Friday, May 2, until Tuesday, June 17, at 7 p.m.
No excuse is needed to vote early in Virginia. Bring an acceptable form of ID or be prepared to sign an ID confirmation statement. Those interested must register to vote in this election by Tuesday, May 27, while applications to vote by mail must be submitted by Friday, June 6. For more information, visit elections.virginia.gov.
Cityscape
Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
Libbie Mill Midtown in Henrico County is a 90-acre mixed-use development built on the site of post-World War II housing, which was demolished in 2004. The project is one of the largest revitalization efforts in Henrico’s 400-year history and includes residential, retail and public spaces. The development continues to grow, with new residential and retail projects in the pipeline, such as Harp’s Landing and Wrighthaven Square Apartments.
Henrico sells homes through affordable housing trust fund
By Lyndon German VPM
As of April 22, three homes have been purchased through Henrico County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The program, launched in July 2024, aims to reduce the cost of a home for qualifying first-time home buyers.
During the program’s inaugural year, Henrico invested $60 million using annual tax revenue generated from the county’s growing data center industry. The county is also offering developers incentives like fee waivers and expedited planning reviews to reach its goal of reducing the price of 150 new homes each year.
So far, there are around 72 homes under construction according to the Partnership for Housing Affordability, a local housing nonprofit that administers the program and promotes participation among other housing nonprofits, private builders and developers.
Last summer, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D–Va., met with county officials and suggested that the program could serve as a model for other communities. Jovan Burton, PHA’s executive director, said he’s proud of the progress the program has made so far.
“I think the foundations that we’ve laid will have a very successful program,” Burton said. “We’re trying to fill a gap that is out there of buyers through a public-private partnership to create a product in the market that is not out there.”
Each potential development is reviewed by a committee made up of representatives from Henrico and PHA, which then outlines terms for each participating developer — including the number and sales price of the homes and the income range of the targeted buyers.
The program is designed for buyers who make between 60%
the Parkside Townes development site
and 120% of the area median income — or a household income from $61,300 to $122,650 for a family of three.
Once the criteria for prices and the number of units are set, the developer and lender work directly with a buyer to finalize a purchase.
“We don’t actually ever see the buyer,” Burton said. “That’s to ensure that this is as close to the traditional home buying process as if you were going out and purchasing a market home. Obviously, we have a role of promoting this program and ensuring that people understand transparency but we really are behind the scenes.”
Burton said the nonprofit’s primary role in the Henrico program is connecting with potential home builders and lenders, and identifying buyers through an online application process.
Eric Leabough, Henrico’s director of community revital-
Free Press staff report
In celebration of National Bike to Work Week, RVA Bikeshare is encouraging Richmond residents to leave their cars behind and hop on one of the program’s electric bikes. Through May 18, RVA Bikeshare will post a new promotional code each day on its social media accounts. The first 50 riders to redeem the daily code will unlock a free 45-minute ride. To participate, riders must be registered with the program. This promotion is part of RVA Bikeshare’s effort to promote eco-friendly commuting and provides a fun, healthy way for Richmonders to bike to work, run errands, or enjoy a leisurely ride around the city.
To access the daily promo code, follow RVA Bikeshare on social media platforms Instagram (@rvabike\_share) and X (@ rvabikeshare). RVA Bikeshare operates 20 self-service
ization, said if this program can increase the amount of housing the county has to offer, home prices will eventually fall.
“Housing is foundational,” Leabough said. “It’s the single biggest wealth building opportunity that people have, but when people are paying excessive amounts for housing, then that means they’re not able to pay for other things in their life that’s equally as important. This program is meant to break that cycle.”
The county’s inaugural participating developers — HHHunt and Mungo Homes — are set to build 30 units of affordable housing units in two communities: Parkside Townes and Discovery Ridge.
Other approved projects include 20 townhomes in a development planned by Center Creek Homes, and a 165-unit development by StyleCraft Homes that would include 25 affordable
townhomes has received conditional approval. The first set of home purchases were all at Discovery Ridge. Henrico’s trust is providing a total of $560,000 to facilitate the purchase of five homes which are market priced at $460,000. TheAffordable Housing Trust Fund would effectively allow a buyer to pay $338,000 for a home. Additional discounts from the builder can reduce the buyer’s cost to as little as $318,000. Shelby Carney, PHA’s special projects director, said the organization hopes to share the program’s success stories, so more people can see home ownership is within reach.
“Although we don’t get to see the buyers, we do get to hear the success stories,” Carney said. “Every buyer we’ve seen thus far has said without this program, the goal of moving into a brand-new home would not be possible.”
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Bernie Boone
Photo by Scott Elmquist
Jovan Burton, executive director of the Partnership for Housing Affordability, stands at
in Sandston.
By George Copeland Jr.
A national movement focused on uplifting and organizing Black communities is making its way to Richmond this weekend, with the “State of the People Power Tour” bringing two days of discussion, education and activism to the city.
The Power Tour began in Atlanta on April 26 and has since been brought to Newark, New Orleans, Birmingham and other locations across the country. Hundreds have attended each stop of the tour, and 11 stops are planned.
The Richmond stop will kick off Friday at 5 p.m. with a welcome reception and call to action at The Len, 15 N. 17th St., featuring the Virginia NAACP, the National Urban League, Color of Change and others discussing the state of Virginia’s Black community.
Saturday’s “Day of Power” will feature a rally, a resource fair and workshops focused on the economy, gun violence and more in Abner Clay Park and the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. All events are free.
According to Wes Bellamy, a Virginia State University professor and one of the lead organizers, the tour was inspired six weeks ago by national discussions on how to build collective
Free Press staff report
Richmond Region Tourism recognized key individuals and organizations for their contributions to the area’s hospitality industry during its 2025 Awards and Annual Meeting on May 7 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Over 400 community and business leaders attended the event, which featured a keynote address from Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore.
Jon Lugbill, executive director of Sports Backers, received the Jack Berry Tourism Impact Award. Lugbill was honored for in establishing Richmond as a destination for sports tourism through events such as Dominion Energy Riverrock and the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K.
“Tourism is a powerful economic engine in our region and a force for good,” said Katherine O’Donnell, president and CEO of Richmond Region Tourism.
The award for Attraction of the Year was presented to Kings Dominion, recognized for its commitment to family-friendly entertainment, such as Halloween Haunt and WinterFest. The Chairman’s Award went to Visitable, a nonprofit focused on improving accessibility in public spaces for people with disabilities.
Lee Ford, event manager at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, received the Customer Service Award for supporting large-scale conventions and events. The Event of the Year award was given
power to address the issues and inequalities affecting Black communities across America.
“I think that a lot of Black folk are just saying ‘We have to do something,’ and this is our something,” Bellamy said.
With multiple major elections later this year and what he sees as the state’s effect on the country at large, Bellamy advocated strongly
for Virginia to be part of the tour.
As a lead organizer, Bellamy’s efforts focus on ensuring the Virginia leg of the tour runs smoothly, including managing operations and communications. He also helps plan panels and coordinate transportation.
Shemicia Bowen, co-founder of the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, joined the tour
to the Tri-City Chili Peppers for their innovative “Cosmic Baseball” games, which featured glowin-the-dark baseball uniforms.
Quirk Hotel was named Hotel of the Year, recognized for its unique design, commitment to local art and high standard of hospitality. The MVP Sports Award was given to the Richmond Strikers, a youth soccer club known for hosting large tournaments.
Bryant & Stratton College was named Partner of the Year for its collaboration with tourism and hospitality sectors, especially in workforce development. The Restaurant of the Year award went to The Original Ronnie’s BBQ known for
its Southern cuisine.
executive director of the Henrico Sports & EntertainmentAuthority, received the Tourism Leadership Award for developing sports tourism assets such as the Henrico Sports & Events Center.
The event also raised funds for the Richmond Region Tourism Foundation, which supports workforce development, education, diversity and sports tourism. During the meeting, the Foundation awarded $1,000 scholarships to Shayma Reese and Sakorii Whiteman, students in the Hospitality Management program at Virginia State University.
as a local partner after Bellamy encouraged her to get involved. She sees the effort as an opportunity to address the systemic injustices and inequities Black people face across Virginia. “This is a call to action for people to come out this weekend, to take it beyond the weekend and come back and save our communities, save our families, and save our future,” Bowen said. For more information, visit stateoftheppl.com.
Launched
year as a community-driven initiative focused on drawing visitors to the Richmond region and inspiring locals to explore their own backyard. Nominations are now open and can be submitted through the BLK RVA website until Friday, May 23, at 11:59 p.m. Public voting will take place from June 23 at 12:01 a.m. to July 25 at 11:59 p.m. Finalists will be announced prior to the voting period.
Nomination categories include the Culinary Heritage Award for food and drink, the Cultural Enrichment Award for arts and entertainment, the Cultural Preservation Award for history, the Rising Community Award and the Rooted Community Award for community efforts.
“The BLK RVA Community Awards shine a spotlight on the incredible creativity, strength, and spirit of Richmond’s Black community,” said Tameka Jefferson, community relations and diversity program manager at Richmond Region Tourism. “It’s an honor to bring together visionary entrepreneurs and cultural trailblazers as we celebrate Black excellence and uplift those driving lasting change in our region.” For more information, see visitblkrva.com/ awards.
Dennis Bickmeier,
Courtesy Richmond Region Tourism/Michael Simon Photography
Winners of the 2025 Richmond Region Tourism Awards are recognized on stage at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on May 7 for their contributions to hospitality and events in the region.
Virginia Chamber of Commerce welcomes two new members
Free Press staff report
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce has announced the addition of two new members to its team: Carter T. Whitelow and Sarah Muse. Whitelow has joined as vice president of government relations and Muse is the new director of marketing and brand management.
“Carter’s deep knowledge of Virginia’s legislative landscape and proven advocacy experience will strengthen our government affairs efforts, while Sarah’s innovative approach to branding and stakeholder engagement will help us more effectively connect with the business community across the commonwealth,” said Virginia Chamber President and CEO Cathie J. Vick. Whitelow brings extensive experience in government relations and public affairs. Most recently, he served as government relations director at Commonwealth Strategy Group in Richmond. Previously, he held various government relations roles at Williams Mullen, a law firm and lobbying organization. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and earned an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
Muse joins the chamber from Transurban, where she played a key role in marketing and communications efforts since 2021. As director of marketing and brand management, she will lead efforts to elevate the chamber’s brand and expand its outreach to businesses and stakeholders. Muse earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently pursuing an MBA at William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business.
City Council approves $3B budget
“This budget reflects our community’s shared vision for building a stronger, more equitable Richmond,” Avula and Council President Cynthia Newbille said in a joint statement released after the meeting.
“With investments in Richmond Public Schools, housing affordability, and government efficiency, we continue to build on our city’s belief that every resident can thrive.”
The budget’s approval followed weeks of meetings in April, where council members and residents questioned its priorities and the development process. Those issues were raised again leading up to its approval.
“A budget is not just numbers, it’s a moral document,” said Dennis Holley, a deacon and member of Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities (RISC), during the public comment period.
“If this budget passes as is, you’re choosing to turn your backs on the very people you promised to lift up.”
As signs with messages such as “Healthy Homes Now” and “Follow the Law” were held
up in the audience, more members of RISC, New Virginia Majority and residents urged council members to vote against the budget.
Speakers shared stories of poor living conditions, criticisms of promises made by Avula before the budget’s introduction, and concerns about underfunded needs such as housing and a living wage for city-contracted workers during the 40-minute public comment period.
Council members also expressed reservations about the budget, with Kenya Gibson, 3rd District, and Sarah Abubaker, 4th District, voting against it.
“My vote today is not a rejection of the good in this budget, it is a rejection of the process and the system of this budget,” Abubaker said.
Council members who voted to approve the budget acknowledged not everything they wanted to address was included or fully supported, with some sharing Abubaker and Gibson’s concerns over the process.
“The city did make some modest concessions to the original budget. But as it stands now, this budget falls short,” Gibson said.
The budget will go into effect July 1 through June 30, 2026.
Innocence petition for one of the ‘Waverly Two’ denied
Continued from A1
O’Brien and Fulton wrote in their order.
“Consequently, we hold that Richardson is clearly not entitled to the writ, and we dismiss his petition.”
The Court of Appeals had previously rejected Richardson’s request for an evidentiary hearing, but the Virginia Supreme Court later ordered the hearing after arguments from Adams. Reached for comment, Adams said an appeal is in the works but declined to provide further details.
“This decision gives authorities a free pass to hide evidence from defendants,” Adams said of the denial.
City Council fires Inspector General James Osuna
The City Inspector General’s Office recently investigated an ex-top official in former Mayor Levar Stoney’s administration as well as the City’s former top two election administrators. The review of Richmond’s general registrar found a misuse of public funds and other issues, ultimately leading Keith Balmer to resign late last year.
Richmond residents and City employees report alleged misconduct for the Inspector General’s Office to look into; final investigative reports are published online.
Osuna’s office did not publish reports for nearly five years until media coverage of City rules requiring him to post them online for public review. Then, last September, Osuna released a batch of previously unpublished reports dating as far back as December 2020.
Pamunkey Reservation named among nation’s most endangered historic places
ing shoreline stabilization and creation of a Community Disaster Resilience Zone, but emphasized the need for greater support. The Tribe is seeking funding to expand its climate resilience work, preserve historic structures and document cultural traditions that may soon face displacement.
While relocation may be necessary in the future, tribal leaders are working to ensure the Pamunkey people’s connection to the land — and the culture grounded in it — is not lost.
The endangered list, now in its 38th year, highlights sites nationwide that face threats from neglect, development or climate change. Since its inception, it has helped preserve more than 350 historic places.
VDH faults Richmond over fluoride error at water plant
By George Copeland Jr.
A notice issued by the Virginia Depart
-
ment of Health Monday to Richmond officials raised further concerns around a brief, accidental increase in fluoride at the City’s wastewater treatment plant last month.
The notice of alleged violation stated there were no public health risks as a result of the temporary increase, which occurred after new fluoride pumps were installed at the plant on April 23, echoing a statement made by Richmond officials on April 28.
However, VDH and the Office of Drinking Water observed other problems after investigating the accident, and the notice includes multiple alleged violations of state law and regulations. This is the second no
tice of alleged violation VDH has issued to Richmond this year, and comes as officials continue to address issues related to the multi-day water crisis in January.
“ODW remains concerned that lessons that the City’s Department of Public Utilities should have learned since the January water crisis have not been adequately addressed,” the notice reads.
“Although communications and coordination with DPU Executive Management and City Administration has improved, more cultural changes are necessary to ensure transparency, communication, collaboration and trust in the drinking water system.”
State officials were first alerted to the incident days after it occurred on April 27 by a “third party,” according to the notice,
leading state officials to alert regional water partners about the incident.
An ODW investigation into the plant found that staff were unprepared to properly maintain the fluoride equipment, which had been damaged during the water crisis. In addition, the measuring equipment at the plant could only detect fluoride levels up to 2.0 mg/L, and workers lacked the training to measure higher concentrations. These issues appear to also have led to an underestimation of the accidental increase. Fluoride data from the water supply at Chesterfield County on April 25 showed a peak of 3.86 mg/L, below the 4.0 limit imposed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency but higher than the 2.67 DPU measured and reported.
VDH noted the work done by DPU to improve plant operations following the incident, and recommended better communication alongside further training, labeling and equipment installations to avoid similar accidents.
“DPU will continue to evaluate further enhancements,” the City of Richmond said in a statement after the notice was issued.
“The City appreciates the partnership and remains committed to working with VDH and regional partners to ensure it meets its mission to deliver safe and clean drinking water to the region.”
Sarah Muse
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Councilmember Kenya Gibson listens during a Richmond City Council meeting on March 3.
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press Wastewater Treatment Facility
Carter Whitelow
Courtesy Pamunkey Indian Tribe
The Pamunkey Indian Museum and Cultural Center opened in 1979 next door to the 1909 Schoolhouse on the reservation.
Virginia flood insurance cost ‘dramatically’ rising, as
is flood risk
Capital News Service
By Mekhi Wilson
Joshua Carroll owns Valley Auto Spa in Big Stone Gap, one of the many businesses and homes in Southwest Virginia impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The storm was Category 4 when it hit the Florida coast and blew north, causing at least $800 million in damages in seven states, according to a recent Federal Emergency Management Agency report.
“Before I knew it, it was about a foot deep,” Carroll said. “And then the foot turned into two, and two turned into three in some places,
and I got all of the stuff I could out before we had to leave.”
Carroll traveled to Asheville, N.C., to help victims after seeing social media posts about extensive flood damage. His first interaction was with an elderly couple whose generator was stolen, and the woman left without electricity for her oxygen supply, he said. He helped get her a new generator through a church.
“This place was decimated,” Carroll said.
The damage was so extreme in Asheville that Carroll shut down his business for a month to go help more affected victims.
Flood insurance is an important safety net, but only 3% of Virginia homeowners have it, according to the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation, or DCR. Federal changes to the evaluation parameters of flood insurance
could make it more expensive, and at a time when a growing number of housing units are at risk of flooding.
FEMA manages the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP, which supplies flood insurance to the public and businesses through a network of insurance providers. The agency began implementing a rating standard known as Risk Rating 2.0 in October 2021 and completed its implementation in April 2023. What Is Risk Rating?
The previous system relied on measurements of elevation within flood zones to determine rates, according to FEMA. The new rating uses a property’s structure, home value and location to determine rates. The new rate uses “industry best practices” and “cutting-edge technology” to better determine rates for flooding insurance, with FEMA saying it has decades more information to utilize.
The new rating intended to more appropriately spread the risk across purchasers of the policies, according to planning director Sarah Stewart with the regional planning commission Plan RVA. It factors in how a larger, very costly home may have a higher burden to pay than a smaller, less costly home.
“It was an attempt to better factor that in, to better share the risk across policies,” Stewart said.
Virginia residents can join the Community Rating System through NFIP to help reduce the cost burden on policyholders, according to Stewart.
Communities that implement flood protection policies beyond minimum NFIP participation requirements get “points” which can improve the rating and help with policy discounts. Examples of activities include citizen-education programs, preserving open space in the floodplain, requiring higher construction standards and enforcing stormwater regulations, according to DCR.
Criticisms of Risk Rating 2.0
Critics think the new rating failed to show how it would reduce premiums and it drove up prices.
“It didn’t sufficiently reward proactive protection,” Carroll said. “I watched it destabilize entire neighborhoods because everything became extremely unaffordable, even more unaffordable than it already was.”
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, along with other state attorneys general agree.
Miyares in 2023 joined Louisiana v. Mayorkas, a lawsuit that states FEMA is no longer living up to its promise of affordable insurance if states, local governments and citizens undertook “expensive flood mitigation projects.”
Policyholder premiums “are dramatically increasing,” by 1,000% in some areas, the lawsuit stated. Additionally, the new policy method disrupts the housing market and drives up prices.
The court dismissed the lawsuit in November last year, two months after Helene struck. The court acknowledged potential mitigation costs for states, but did not think there was enough evidence to prove the claim.
Virginia’s
“Everyone I spoke to seemed to have experienced a large increase in their flood insurance,” Carroll said.
The increase was sometimes up to 15% higher, which doesn’t help people who need insurance, Carroll said. Nor does a “one-sizefits-all” approach.
“There’s so much fine print, there’s nothing that’s just cut and dry anymore,” Carroll said.
“You’ll try to file a claim and they’ll be like, ‘on page 300, section four, sub code B, we can’t cover this.’” Cost of Flood Protection
Virginia residents will see a 45% increase in flood insurance rates with the new method, according to the insurance broker Policygenius. The average cost is $743 annually, and could rise to an average of $1,077.
After
“I had people come from my community and pressure wash the building out and in the blink of an eye, I was once again reminded how incredible the
is and the Appalachian people are,” Carroll said. Carroll has no regrets about the days spent helping others, working on logistics and collecting donation money.
“I just really wanted to continue to help and prepare for whatever disaster may come next,” he said.
On April 4, 2025, pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 5 e of the Code of Virginia (“Code”), Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed a petition (“Petition”) with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) for an annual update with respect to its coal combustion residuals (“CCR”) rate adjustment clause, designated Rider CCR, to recover costs incurred to comply with the requirements of Virginia Senate Bill 1355, codified as Code § 10.1-1402.03.
On October 26, 2021, by its Order Approving Rate Adjustment Clause in Case No. PUR-2021-00045 (“2021 Order”), the Commission approved the Company’s request for approval of Rider CCR, to recover costs associated with certain environmental projects involving CCR removal (collectively, “Projects”) at the Company’s Bremo Power Station, Chesterfield Power Station, Possum Point Power Station, and Chesapeake Energy Center (collectively, the “Power Stations”). On November 4, 2024, by its Final Order issued in Case No. PUR-2024-00029 (“2024 Rider CCR Proceeding”), the Commission approved the most recent annual update to Rider CCR.
Dominion states that it is filing this annual update to inform the Commission of the status of CCR removal at the Power Stations and to provide the proposed cost allocation, rate design, and accounting treatment for service rendered during a proposed rate year commencing January 1, 2026, and extending through December 31, 2026 (“Rate Year”) as related to proposed Rider CCR. The Company states that this would be an adjustment to the rate year approved for Rider CCR in the 2024 Rider CCR Proceeding of December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025, to better align with the Company’s current internal accounting methods for Rider CCR and to streamline reporting requirements. As the rate year for existing Rider CCR ends November 30, 2025, the Company requests to extend the currently-approved rate for one additional month through December 31, 2025, the date immediately preceding the start of the new proposed Rate Year for Rider CCR, with any revenue requirement impacts resulting from the change in rate year accounted for in the Rider CCR true-up for calendar year 2025.
The Company states that the two components of the revenue requirement proposed in this proceeding are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. The Company requests a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $223,193,090, and an Actual Cost TrueUp Factor revenue requirement of $(57,230,871). Thus, the Company requests a total revenue requirement for Rider CCR for the Rate Year of $165,962,219.
Dominion asserts that, consistent with the Company’s 2024 Rider CCR Proceeding, the Company continues to allocate Rider CCR costs on an energy basis using a Factor 3 nonbypassable allocation methodology, as approved by the Commission in the 2021 Order.
If the revised Rider CCR for the Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its revised Rider CCR on January 1, 2026, would increase the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.59.
Interested persons are encouraged to review the Company’s Petition, testimony and supporting exhibits for additional details concerning this matter.
TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Petition and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Petition and supporting documents.
The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on Dominion’s Petition. On September 18, 2025, at 10 a.m., the Hearing Examiner will hold a telephonic portion of the hearing, for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On or before September 11, 2025, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission: (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in two ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/case-information/
webcasting; or (ii) by calling (804) 371-9141 to register. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/case-information/webcasting
On September 18, 2025, at 10 a.m., or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, the Hearing Examiner will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence offered by the Company, respondents, and the Commission’s Staff on the Petition.
To promote administrative efficiency and timely service of filings upon participants, the Commission has directed the electronic filing of testimony and pleadings, unless they contain confidential information, and has required electronic service on parties to this proceeding.
Electronic copies of the public version of the Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company: Elaine S. Ryan, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or eryan@mcguirewoods.com Interested persons also may download unofficial copies from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/case-information
On or before September 11, 2025, any interested person may submit comments on the Petition electronically by following the instructions on the Commission’s website: https://www.scc.virginia.gov/case-information/submit-public-comments Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00063.
On or before July 10, 2025, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at: scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel, if available. A copy of the notice of participation as a respondent also must be served electronically on counsel for the Company, any other respondents, and the Commission’s Staff. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, 5 VAC 5-20-10 et seq (“Rules of Practice”), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00063.
On or before August 7, 2025, each respondent may file electronically with the Clerk of the Commission at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. All testimony and exhibits shall be served electronically on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with their filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, including, but not limited to: 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00063.
Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice.
The Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, and the public version of the Petition and other documents filed in this case may be viewed on the Commission’s website at: scc.virginia.gov/case-information NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE, DESIGNATED RIDER CCR, FOR THE RATE YEAR COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2026 CASE NO. PUR-2025-00063
Joshua Carroll
A flooded Valley Auto Spa sits in Big Stone Gap after Hurricane Helene passed through the area in 2018. It was one of many buildings affected by the storm.
Screenshot by Natalea Hillen
Joshua Carroll
Jason Miyares
Richmond Free Press
Cherry blossoms on North Side
Denied for dissent?
Several Virginia Commonwealth University students who did everything they needed to do to graduate were denied their degree for sitting on the wrong patch of grass on April 29. The students were part of an event, which VCU officials said was unauthorized, that marked the one-year anniversary of a prior pro-Palestinian protest on the campus.
The 2024 pro-Palestinian protest at VCU led to a clash between student demonstrators and law enforcement. It wasn’t a good look for a university that prides itself on promoting free expression and diversity of thought. While we can understand why the school might hesitate to certify an event that marks a moment of intolerance in its history, what’s harder to understand is why it refuses to give these students their diplomas.
Perhaps the university is sending a message, not just to the graduates whose degrees are being withheld while their conduct is investigated, but to any other students on campus who might dare to stand up and speak out. It seems it’s not about keeping order, as the students who are being punished for protesting, presumably won’t be on campus next semester, but silencing dissent. That’s a dangerous message for any public university to send.
Maybe the school is grandstanding to appeal to the current presidential administration, showing they’re ready to align with its efforts to reshape higher education into a place that values following rules over independent thought and silence over speaking out. Here’s a pro tip, VCU: Appeasement won’t curry favor with that crowd. It just makes you part of the problem.
In general, withholding an earned degree doesn’t seem fair. There are, of course, exceptions—such as students convicted of violent crimes, caught cheating, or with unpaid tuition bills. But for the most part, and especially in this case, it’s like refusing to give the winning trophy to a team after their victory, just because the referees want to review a play from the third quarter.
VCU, time has run out. The students met the requirements, played by the rules of the game and you shouldn’t hold back what they’ve rightfully earned. Give them their degrees.
Historic Reservations
Last week, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released its annual list of the most endangered historic places. This year’s list includes the Pamunkey Indian Reservation in King William County.
The oldest extant reservation in the country, the reservation is joined on the list by Hotel Casa Blanca, Idlewild, Mich., a historic Black resort community: Cedar Key, a chain of small islands off the coast of Florida: and the Terminal Island Japanese American Tuna Street Buildings, in Los Angeles, Calif. a former fishing village whose community was incarcerated during World War II, among other sites.
We hope highlighting the challenges that this land and the people that live on it face will bring about some changes. There is much work to be done.
As we have seen, getting put on a list doesn’t solve the problems that aging buildings and properties face. The former Community Hospital, once a cornerstone of Black medical care in the city, was added to Preservation Virginia’s 2024 list of Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places. Yet, after months of protests and promises, the old hospital sits neglected, its exterior marked by fading banners but little else to suggest a restoration is on the horizon.
Some of our oldest landmarks need our support and the National Trust has the right idea. We can’t let these places fade away, we need to keep fighting for their future.
Museum defies Trump’s crusade to rewrite history
“He can try to rewrite history, but we have the receipts. And as the Smithsonian’s exhibits magnificently illustrate, African Americans have survived — and overcome — much worse than the frothings of a puffed-up president who fancies himself a king.” —
Eugene Robinson
enslavement, segregation and discrimination — and the courageous resistance to them — are part of the history not only of the South, but of the North as well. And our Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem will tell those stories, whether Trump wants us to or not.
The history of enslavement, segregation and discrimination in the United States traditionally has been seen as a Southern story. As schoolchildren, we are taught that slavery was a Southern institution the North fought to end. Lynchings and Ku Klux Klan rallies, we were told, happened only in the South — as did the protests, marches, sit-ins and other acts of courageous resistance that finally brought an end to Jim Crow.
If Donald Trump had his way, even this incomplete history of civil rights would be wiped from the record.
But he will not have his way.
Contrary to the mystical view of an imagined past behind Trump’s ludicrously titled executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,”
Trump’s executive order was a naked declaration of war on all cultural institutions that illuminate uncomfortable chapters of our past, and a direct assault on the
nation’s flagship institution of its type, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
But the “Blacksonian,” as NMAAHC is colloquially known, is fighting back. And so are we.
The Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem will not only shine a light on the past — from the early African American presence in the North to the traditional civil rights era of the 1950s and ’60s and the Black Lives Matter movement — but also inspire social change in the present.
“As a museum focused on social justice, we hope to connect and communicate with the people, communities and initiatives that are interested or becoming inter-
ested in fighting for change,” said Jennifer Scott, museum director and chief curator. “The museum will be a place where one can see and feel the work of the many people who fought for justice in urban centers in the North and reflect on past civil rights efforts so that we can imagine and inspire new possibilities of collective action.”
The museum is part of the Urban League Empowerment Center, a $242 million, 414,000-square-foot complex that will house the National Urban League’s new headquarters, along with 170 units of affordable housing, below-market office space for nonprofits and community groups, and retail space.
The museum will serve as a resource where visitors can learn more about different grassroots movements, past and present; civil rights legislation and policies Americans have fought for; and contemporary initiatives and tools available to fight inequities and injustice.
We also will host public and educational programs that allow people to reflect on democratic ideals and engage with one another in public forums and conversations — especially through culture and the arts.
Trump’s executive order — which does not carry the force
Pope Leo XIV seems well loved — but for how long?
Once loyal Chicagoans got over the double shock of hearing that a local native, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected the 267th pope, some critically important, familiar questions came up:
Which par ish is he from?
Sox fan or Cubs fan?
And what bearing will his papacy have on the “Great Pizza Schism,” under which the local deepdish faithful have suffered the odium of thin-crust New Yorkers?
No problem. Pope Leo XIV, as he will be known, is very Chicago.
He was born at Mercy Hospital in the city’s Bronzeville neighborhood, making him the first American ever elected in a conclave in the church’s 2,000year history.
He was an altar boy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church on the South Side next to suburban Dolton, graduated from Villanova University and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1982.
It also is worth noting that at least one researcher, Jari C. Honora, a noted genealogist and historian who has done research for the TV show “Finding Your Roots” with historian Henry Louis Gates Jr., says the pope is partially descended from Creole people of color, although family members say they have not identified as such in recent generations.
“I hate to say it, but we feel, many of us, that our history was hidden from us,” Lolita Villavasso Cherrie, 79, a retired teacher and co-founder with Honora of
The Creole Genealogical and Historical Association, told The New York Times.
That would hardly be the first time such history has been “hidden” in our country’s racially turbulent past. In this internet age, many families, including mine, have uncovered mixed-race ancestry they did not know about.
Clarence Page
And Creoles are hardly new to the Chicago region, considering how the city’s first non-Indian settler, trader Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, was Haitian creole.
Yet, Pope Leo has not had to go back in history to find controversy.
Before his election as pope, he shared social media posts criticizing President Trump and Vice President Vance for their immigration stance.
One now-famous post from Feb. 3 referred to an article in the National Catholic Reporter titled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Which brings us back to the question of why it took the Vatican so long to get around to selecting an American pope.
I understand how many were concerned that an American pope would have a tendency to dominate proceedings too much, whatever that might mean, although the power of the pope is such that excessive dominance challenges the imagination.
But the more I have learned about Robert Prevost, the more I am reminded of what people in a lot of Chicago neighborhoods call a “reg’lar guy.”
That’s the sort of jolly person the Cambridge dictionary defines as “a normal man who is liked
and trusted.”
Pope Leo XIV sounds like a man who can be trusted, but he also is filling the shoes of a pontiff who was both widely loved and widely vilified for his perceived departure from traditional Catholic teaching on certain moral issues.
In carefully worded apostolic documents, Pope Francis softened the church’s attitudes toward divorced and remarried Catholics, same-sex couples and the validity of other faiths in God’s eyes. These positions, along with his personal modesty and steadfast advocacy for the poor and immigrants, endeared him to political progressives the world over but also inspired a significant conservative backlash, both in the church and without.
Among Francis’ most vociferous critics were “traditionalist” American Catholics. Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, was something of a figurehead of the backlash, noted for his MAGA-inflected vitriol (he once darkly alluded to the Vatican’s “deep state”). Strickland was investigated and asked to resign. When he refused, he was removed by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, led by then-Cardinal Robert Prevost.
Leo is a new pope, but he will face a host of old controversies. Some see him as Francis’ heir, while others see signs of doctrinal conservatism. Many will project their own political preoccupations on him, but his preoccupation will be with serving the nearly 1.4 billion Catholics around the world.
At the moment, Leo seems to have the sympathy of the world behind him. We’ll see how long that lasts.
The writer is a columnist with the Chicago Tribune.
of law — declares his administration’s desire that cultural and historical institutions reflect only the “uplifting” moments of American history. It’s part of an insidious campaign to erase systemic oppression from our collective memory and advance the myth that racial gaps are instead the result of “merit and hard work.”
But the truth will not so easily be subdued. We did not know, when we began planning the Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem, that the political climate of today would make our mission even more urgent. And we don’t know what the political climate will be when the museum opens its doors next year. But we do know this: We will never succumb to any effort to whitewash American history. The writer is the current president and CEO of the National Urban League.
Marc H. Morial
From Reconstruction to today, equity efforts meet familiar opposition
ministration’s actions.
The United States’ relationship with diversity, equity and inclusion is not anomalous—it is as American as discrimination itself. Since Donald Trump’s first term in office, DEI has become a central political focus of his administration, matching previous efforts in principle but exceeding them in aggression. But Trump is not the first to attack diversity or inclusion, nor is this the first time America has struggled with reconciliation in the pursuit of equality.
As Jim Crow laws fed on the racial segregation that followed the gradual end of slavery and the rise of white backlash, Congress established initiatives to stabilize the country and its economy after the loss of free labor. Among these was the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, commonly known as the Freedmen’s Bureau. It offered support to formerly enslaved people—providing jobs, housing, health care, clothing and other necessities—though white Americans also benefited from its programs.
The Freedmen’s Bureau was shut down in 1872, with support from President Andrew Johnson, following mounting pressure from white Southerners who claimed it discriminated against them. This was despite evidence to the contrary. Later movements—including Reconstruction, the civil rights movement, and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 under President Lyndon B. Johnson—sought to make the country more equitable by banning employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. While these were landmark achievements, they were not immune to backlash. Decades later, affirmative action policies that emerged from the civil rights era came under repeated legal and political attacks before being struck down in the summer of 2023. In Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina,
the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admissions were discriminatory—a decision echoing the flawed logic that led to the dissolution of the Freedmen’s Bureau.
While affirmative action has helped minority groups gain access to institutions of prestige— especially Black students—it was never exclusive to any one group. Its broader intent was to diversify college campuses and
workplaces and to curb admission discrimination against all nonwhite students. In fact, white women have historically been among the largest beneficiaries of affirmative action policies.
Under Trump’s renewed attack on DEI, schools and universities have become a prime target. His campaign promises have included eliminating the Department of Education, banning so-called “racial indoctrination” in K-12 schools, and removing Black history from curricula. Executive Order 14151, titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI
Programs,” seeks to abolish DEI practices and eliminate LGBTQ+ protections. In response, some schools have complied to avoid the freezing of federal funds.
In Virginia, school districts were warned that continued support for DEI could lead to loss of grants and funding. The Virginia Community College System passed a resolution ending its DEI programs. Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia followed suit. More recently, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, James Madison University and Christopher Newport University removed DEI references and resources, with Gov. Glenn Youngkin praising the move.
However, not all institutions have complied. Radford University, Longwood University and, most notably, Harvard University have resisted. In a letter to faculty, Harvard President Alan Garber wrote, “No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and
SICKLE CELL ASSOCIATION OF RICHMOND - OSCAR
would like to ask you to donate BLOOD to help sickle cell patients who need regular transfusions.
They need specific blood types that match their own to minimize the risks of repeated transfusions.
African American blood donations are best for these patients.
Please call the RED CROSS at 800-733-2767 or go to www.redcrossblood.org and make an appointment to donate.
of real property situated in the City of Richmond, Virginia, being formerly owned by Sarah M. Beard, and Estelle V. Miller and Magaline M. Miller and more particularly described as follows: ALL that certain land situate in The City of Richmond, Virginia, and more particularly described as follows: ALL those certain lots or parcels of land together with the dwelling thereon, known and designated as 2608 Porter Street (f/k/a 2608 Holland Street) lying and being in the City of Richmond, Virginia, and described as fronting 60 feet on the southern line of Porter Street (formerly known as Holland Street) between Clopton Street and 27th Street, if extended, and returning back between parallel lines 132 feet to an alley 15 feet wide and being Lots 14 & 15, Block No. 1 on the Plan of Hollands Addition. BEING the same real estate conveyed to Henry S. Johnson and Barbara J. Johnson, husband and wife, as tenants by the entirety with the right of survivorship as at common law, by Deed from Estelle V. Miller, now known as Estelle M. Brown, and Magaline M. Miller, dated June 23, 2000, and recorded June 30, 2000, in the Clerk’s Office, Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, Virginia, as Instrument Number 000015899. The said Henry Shannon Johnson, Sr. also known as Henry S. Johnson died May 31, 2013 and by operation of law title vested in his wife Barbara J. Johnson. AND BEING the same real estate conveyed to Sarah M. Beard, Norma M. Miller and Estelle V. Miller by deed from Alan N. Pettigrew, dated October 1, 1942 and recorded in the Clerk’s Office Circuit Court, City of Richmond, Virginia, in Deed Book 88A
page 226. Sarah M. Beard aka Sara Miller Beard Gand died intestate on November 2, 1959 without children and married to Albert W. Gant. The said Albert W. Gant aka Albert W. Gant Sr. died April 27, 1984 with his Will recorded in Will Book 7 page 183 left everything in equal shares to his two children Albert Wilson Gant Jr. and Bernice Gant Lee. The said Albert Wilson Gant Jr. died intestate on August 2, 1986 with a List of Heirs recorded in Will Book 95 page 611 listing his sister Bernice G. Lee and nieces Juliet Cynthia Gant and Claudine Robinson as his heirs at law. The said Bernice Gant Lee died testate on October 12, 1996 with her Will recorded as Will No. 97757 leaving real property to her husband James Lee for the term of his natural life, with remainder to Mingo Juan Lee. The said Nora Elizabeth Miller aka Nora M. Miller died testate on November 11, 1991 with her Will recorded in Will Book 22 page 897 where she left her estate in equal shares to her sister Magaline M. Miller and nephew Edward Lee Miller, share and share alike. Deed to Estelle V. Miller and Magaline M. Miller from Estelle V. Miller in her own right and as an heir to the estate of Sarah M. Beard and Magaline M. Miller, as heir to the estate of Sarah M. Beard and as Executrix and heir to the estate of Nora E. Miller, and as guardian for Edward Lee Miller, incompetent, dated September 2, 1992 and recorded September 8, 1992 in the Clerk’s Office, Circuit Court, City of Richmond, Virginia, in Deed Book 316 page 860. The heirs, descendants, devisees, assigns, and/or successors in title to Sarah M. Beard a/k/a, Sarah Miller; Beard Gant a/k/a Sarah Miller Mayo; James M. lee; Mingo Juan Lee; Claudine Robinson a/k/a Claudine Beane; Juliet C. Gant a/k/a Juliet C. Grant a/k/a Juliet Griffin; Nora E. Miller; Edward Lee Miller; Albert Wilson, Jr.; Magaline M. Miller; Estelle V. Miller; Bernice G. Lee; Junius Gant a/k/a Junius Wilson Gant, and Parties Unknown may have an interest in the property commonly known as 2608 Porter Street (formerly known as 2608 Holland Street), Richmond, Virginia, 23225, designated as Tax Map Parcel
inquiry they can pursue.”
President Barack Obama praised the stance, stating, “Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions — rejecting an unlawful and harmful attempt to stifle academic freedom while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.”
In retaliation, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard. The university responded by filing a lawsuit and co-signing a letter with more than 150 other college and university presidents condemning the ad-
Meanwhile, in Maryland, a federal judge recently blocked Trump’s DEI ban outlined in a “Dear Colleague” letter sent by the U.S. Department of Education — halting his administration’s plans to cut funds and programs, at least temporarily.
If history is any guide, dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion efforts cannot be credibly justified as a restoration of values like individual dignity, hard work or excellence, as Trump’s administration claims. Instead, it is likely to provoke more legal battles—many of which are already underway.
To the privileged, equity may feel like oppression —
but that doesn’t make it so. It means privilege is finally being checked. DEI and affirmative action programs are vital for the progress of a nation as diverse as the United States. Even DEI’s fiercest critics often benefit from inclusion initiatives. Yet America has a pattern of undermining progress whenever social programs are perceived to benefit Black Americans. Trump’s anti-DEI orders mirror troubling chapters of the past—chapters he appears determined to revive, even if it means repeating America’s mistakes. The writer is a communications strategist for the ACLU of Maryland.
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 1401 EAST BROAD STREET RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219
#S0000796009 in the City of Richmond, Virginia, formerly owned by Sarah M. Beard, and Estelle V. Miller and Magaline M. Miller, may have an interest in the property by deed, by inheritance, or by duly recorded liens. Affidavit having been made and filed that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the identities and/or locations of certain parties to be served, and that there are or may be persons whose names are unknown, interested in the subject matter of this suit; It is ORDERED that the heirs of Sarah M. Beard a/k/a, Sarah Miller; Beard Gant a/k/a Sarah Miller Mayo; James M. lee; Mingo Juan Lee; Claudine Robinson a/k/a Claudine Beane; Juliet C. Gant a/k/a Juliet C. Grant a/k/a Juliet Griffin; Nora E. Miller; Edward Lee Miller; Albert Wilson, Jr.; Magaline M. Miller; Estelle V. Miller; Bernice G. Lee; Junius Gant a/k/a Junius Wilson Gant, and Parties Unknown, if then living or if dead, their heirs, devisees, assigns, or successors in title, if any there be, and any unknown grantees or successors in interest to 2608 Porter Street (formerly known as 2608 Holland Street), Richmond, Virginia, 23225, designated as Tax Map Parcel #S0000796009 in the City of Richmond, Virginia, and other unknown heirs or parties who have an interest in the subject matter of this suit, who
Request for Qualifications
Request for Qualifications
Contract ID No. C00124241DB139
Contract ID No. C00 124241DB139
State Project No. 0011 -102 -783; U000 -102 -743
State Project No. 0011-102-783; U000-102-743
Intersection Improvement of US -11/Old Airport Road, US -11 East and West Widening City of Bristol, Virginia Design -Build Project
Intersection Improvement of US-11/Old Airport Road, US-11 East and West Widening City of Bristol, Virginia
Design-Build Project
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking Statements of Qualifications for the Intersection Improvement of US -11/Old Airport Road, US -11 East and West Widening Design-Build Project from qualified and experienced respondents with design and construction experience o f roadways and bridges The Project is located along Route 11 in Bristol, Virginia. The project includes widening of Route 11 to twolanes each direction, addition of turn lanes at four signalized intersections, and access management through addition of a raised median through the project limits. The four signalized intersections will also undergo improvements, including new signal poles and new signals to accommodate the new typical sections and number of lanes. The project also improves the geometry at the intersection of Old Airport Road and Route 11, by reducing the superelevation to meet current standards. Additionally, the project includes construction of new sidewalk, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals to improve pedestrian safety through project limits.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking Statements of Qualifications for the Intersection Improvement of US-11/Old Airport Road, US-11 East and West Widening Design-Build Project from qualified and experienced respondents with design and construction experience of roadways and bridges. The Project is located along Route 11 in Bristol, Virginia. The project includes widening of Route 11 to twolanes each direction, addition of turn lanes at four signalized intersections, and access management through addition of a raised median through the project limits. The four signalized intersections will also undergo improvements, including new signal poles and new signals to accommodate the new typical sections and number of lanes. The project also improves the geometry at the intersection of Old Airport Road and Route 11, by reducing the superelevation to meet current standards. Additionally, the project includes construction of new sidewalk, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals to improve pedestrian safety through project limits.
This work includes, among other things all work required to support the design and construction of: roadway; survey; structure and/or bridge; environ geotechnical; hydraulics; traffic control devices; transportation management plan; rightof-way; utilities; public involvement/relations; quality assurance and quality control; construction engineering and inspection; overall Project management.
This work includes, among other things all work required to support the design and construction of: roadway; survey; structure and/or bridge; environmental; geotechnical; hydraulics; traffic control devices; transportation management plan; rightof -way; utilities; public involvement/relations; quality assurance and quality control; construction engineering and inspection; overall Project management.
Questions/clarifications regarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be submitted to Joseph Clarke, P.E. (joseph.clarke@vdot.virginia.gov).
Q uestions/clarifications regarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be submitted to Joseph Clarke, P.E. (joseph.clarke@vdot.virginia.gov).
Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found at (bidexpress.com).
Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found at (bidexpress. com).
The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non-discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.
The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non -discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.
ABNER BAPTIST CHURCH Glen Allen, VA
Apply: www.abnerbaptistchurch.org/jobs
Contact: vivian.gordon@comcast.net
Opening: BASS GUITARIST 2nd, 3rd and 4 th Sundays (hours 9:30 AM -11:30 AM) Thursday evening rehearsals 6:30 pm
Part-Time Church Drummer
Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia is
seeking a self-motivated part-time drummer to play the drum-set in various worship services of the church.
This position will remain open until it is filled. Applicants may pick up an application from the church office or submit a resume in lieu of an application to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Avenue, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. Applications must be complete for consideration.
The e-mail address is mstyles@mobcva.org, and the fax number is (804) 262-2397. For more information, please call (804)-262-9614 ext. 227 A Criminal History Background & Sex Offender Check is required. Thank
Gravel Hill Baptist Church, located in South Richmond, Virginia is prayerfully seeking a bi-vocational pastor who will serve as the spiritual leader of the congregation, deliver inspiring sermons, provide comprehensive pastoral care, develop and implement church initiatives, and foster the spiritual growth and well-being of church members.
The successful
Apex Systems LLC seeks 1 Manager, Contracts Counsel to manage the Contracts Team; create, approve, & implement contract policies & processes; draft, analyze, revise, & negotiate complex contracts. Position requires: a JD w/ 2 yrs.’ exp as an in-house attorney (i) drafting, analyzing, revising, & negotiating complex business to business contracts & legal docs incl. agreements, SOWs, RFPs, employee contracts/agreements, & (ii) using DocuSign CLM reporting tools. Must be licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia or have the ability to practice in Virginia as an in-house corporate counsel registrant. Position in Glen Allen, VA. May work from various unanticipated locations. May work remotely from anywhere in the US. Applicants should apply to dschnitzer@apexsystems.com.
Nehemiah Bester
Buccaneers rookie Shilo Sanders earns early praise at camp
By Rob Maadi Associated Press
Shilo Sanders walked into his first news conference with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and immediately shook hands with each reporter.
Coach Prime’s son knows how to make a first impression on and off the field.
Like his dad, Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, Shilo displayed his engaging personality and commanded the interview room. He asked for beach recommendations and revealed that he plans to be the “snack guy” for the team’s safety group.
“Man, look at where we’re at,” Sanders said with a big smile. “Look at the whole coaching staff. It’s a really supportive coaching staff. Everybody wants to see everybody do good. Everybody on the team, we all want to see each other win. It’s a great environment to thrive in.”
Sanders, who signed with the Buccaneers after being passed up in the draft, impressed Coach Todd Bowles on the first day of rookie camp with his intelligence.
“Like the rest of the safeties, he’s very intelligent, he’s very loud,” Bowles said. “You can hear him (on the field), making calls and everything, so he has a good grasp of things Day 1. There was about three or four of them that did. He was one of them, but you have to make plays in pads. That’s what it comes down to — knowing what to do and then doing it consistently and constantly getting
The 25-year-old Sanders even helped younger teammates with some of the defen“He’s very smart,” rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish said. “He helped me a lot with the adjustments. I’m excited
While younger brother, Shedeur Sanders, drew most of the attention during the draft after slipping to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, Shilo didn’t get a call until hiring agent Drew Rosenhaus.
“They gave me a chance before anyone so I’m forever
grateful to the Buccaneers and I’m just gonna do everything in my power to help this team win,” Sanders said. “That’s all I want.”
Shilo played in the shadow of his quarterback brother while they were coached by their father at Jackson State and Colorado. He wasn’t expected to be a top-five pick like Shedeur but ended up in a favorable spot with the four-time defending NFC South champion Buccaneers, a team that needs help in the secondary.
“My take on being disappointed in lows is that it’s not a real low because you can’t change the past,” Sanders said. “I just trust God, and I always end up doing something great, so I just know it’s going to happen, and whatever is happening currently is to learn or grow from.”
Sanders missed three weeks last season at Colorado because of a broken forearm. He finished third on the Buffaloes with 67 total tackles, recovered two fumbles, including one he returned for a touchdown at Texas Tech. He had four forced fumbles, one recovery and a pick-6 his junior season.
The Buccaneers need more playmakers in the secondary.
“It’s just an ‘it’ thing. You either got it or you don’t,” Sanders said. “Throughout my whole career, I’ve always been a guy who gets the ball out any way, shape or form. Forced fumbles, picks, I’m gonna get the ball. That’s the whole point of playing defense. We wanna get the offense the ball.”
As for his baby brother in Cleveland, Shilo said about Shedeur: “He’s been missing me. He’s been calling me like 6 a.m. He wants some brotherly love. His big brother isn’t next to him in practice but we talk a lot.”
Richmond beats VCU, 6-3, for coach’s 600th career win
Free Press staff report
The University of Richmond baseball team defeated Virginia Commonwealth University, 6-3, on Saturday at The Diamond, marking Coach Mik Aoki’s 600th career victory across 24 seasons coaching five NCAA Division I programs. Richmond (31-17, 12-14 Atlantic 10) got off to a strong start, with Brady O’Brien contributing two doubles and a two-run home run. The Spiders will look for the series sweep against VCU (14-36, 7-19 A-10) Sunday at 1 p.m. at The Diamond. The game also will stream on ESPN+.
leading 18th of the season, to give Richmond a 4-2 lead. Whitley stole two bases in the game, bringing his season total to 32.
O’Brien put Richmond on the board early with a two-run double in the first inning, driving in Aaron Whitley and Jordan Jaffe. O’Brien later added a two-run homer in the third, his team-
VCU responded with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Richmond starter Esteban Rodriguez, but Rodriguez settled in for the win. He allowed three runs on five hits, two walks, and struck out three in seven innings. Richmond added to its lead with an RBI double from RJ Rickabaugh in the third and a two-out single from DJ Pacheco in the sixth.
VCU scored again in the fifth, but Rodriguez retired seven straight batters before Ryan Bilka came in to close out the game. Bilka, who earned his third save of the season, worked through four hits, a Richmond error, and one hit batter to seal the win.
Free
VSU on par with golf simulator from PGA
Virginia State University has unveiled a new golf simulator donated by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America.
A second simulator was awarded through the university’s participation in the White House HBCU Golf Consortium, a national initiative aimed at increasing diversity in the golf industry and exposing students to professional opportunities. The facility, located inside the VSU Fit-
Free Press staff report
ness/Wellness Center at Daniel Gymnasium, features two high-tech simulator bays and a putting green. It is open to students, faculty and staff.
“We are very excited about this new golf simulator and how it will benefit not only our student-athletes but the broader Virginia State University community,” said Rodney Hall, deputy chief of staff and a leader of the initiative. “It will allow us to introduce more students to the game of golf and spark interest in a global industry.”
The Richmond Flying Squirrels gave up three runs in the first inning and couldn’t recover, falling 4-2 to the Harrisburg Senators on Sunday afternoon at FNB Field.
loss marked the end of a tough road series for the Fly-
Squirrels (10-23), who dropped four of six games and were outscored 42-8 over the week by the Senators (17-16). Harrisburg jumped on Richmond starter Nick Sinacola (0-2) early with three straight singles in the opening frame. Joe Naranjo
Burrows, Blunt ace
the Northern and Southern Divisions, respectively.
2025 All-CIAA Women’s Tennis Team
drove in the first run, followed by a sacrifice fly from Cayden Wallace and an RBI single by Carlos De La Cruz. Sinacola stranded the bases loaded to end the inning and did not allow another run over the rest of his outing.
Senators starter Hyun-il Choi (2-0) dominated the Flying Squirrels lineup, tossing seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts. It was his second scoreless start of the series after blanking Richmond over five innings on Tuesday.
• Ekin Ozmen, Bluefield State University Adriana Torroba, Bluefield State University
• Raajitha Koganti, Bluefield State University
• Marija Ristanovic, Shaw University
Prerana Koirala, Shaw University Anja Antonijevic, Shaw University
• Semmie Moore, Winston-Salem State University
• Divija Manneni, Johnson C. Smith University Alexcie Burrows, Virginia State University Monica Castaldo, Livingstone College
• Reichel Freytes, Elizabeth City State University Nakari Blunt, Bowie State University Superlatives
• Player of the Year: Ekin Ozmen, Bluefield State
• Rookie of the Year: Nakari Blunt, Bowie State Coach of the Year: Tim Dunford, Bluefield State Division Champions
• Northern: Bluefield State University
Southern: Shaw University
The
ing
Aoki
Nakari Blunt
Alexcie Burrows
Press staff report
Personality: Joseph L. ‘Joe’ Massie
Spotlight on the honorary chair of the 14th Annual Jazz Inside Out
Youth enrichment and college-prep programs for underserved students helped shape Joe Massie, who was raised in Church Hill by a single mother.
As a first-generation college graduate, he knows firsthand the impact such programs can have.
“I didn’t realize the importance of the programs that were available to me as a kid,” he said. “It made such a difference in my life because it exposed me to so many different things.”
Though he had a full scholarship to the College of William & Mary, he chose Virginia Military Institute after visiting the campus and seeing successful men he aspired to emulate.
According to a Virginia Department of Education report, Richmond Public Schools had an on-time graduation rate of 78.1% in 2024. The report also found that just over half of those graduates enrolled in a two- or four-year college. That’s 10 to 15 points lower than statewide averages, which can fluctuate, according to the Virginia School Quality Profiles.
As the honorary chair of the 14th Annual Jazz Inside Out, a program that raises money for the Virginia Higher Education Fund, Massie is resolute in his mission to improve the lives of underserved youths.
“It’s an opportunity to give back,” he said. “ The kids are our future, and we must invest in them.” Massie aims to inspire and
support young people on their path to success. While Massie recognizes that a lot has changed since he was in school, he says some key things remain the same. He wants students to know that hard work and focus can go a long way and that they need faith.
“Determination is also important,” Massie said. “I want them to know that a setback is not the end. It’s part of the process, and it’s okay.”
Massie founded his own practice, Massie Law, drawn by the independence that running a small firm provides. He enjoys traveling to the Caribbean, but counts Charleston among his favorite destinations for its rich history and architecture. A student of antebellum history, he takes pride in what his ancestors were able to build there.
Meet the attorney who enjoys working out, bike riding in Bryant Park, neighborhood walks and this week’s Personality, Joe Massie:
Occupation: Attorney.
Date and place of birth: Oct. 7 in Richmond.
Where I live now: Northern Henrico.
Education: Richmond Public Schools, Virginia Military Institute and Wake Forest University.
Family: Wife, Mary; sons, Tavaris and Caleb; stepson, Malik.
What is the Virginia Higher Education Fund (VHEF) : It’s a nonprofit dedicated to increasing higher education opportunities for underserved high school students who have experienced obstacles such as poverty and homelessness.
VHEF provides college prep workshops, scholarships, dorm kits, books,and empowering mentoring activities for students in Richmond and other counties.
When founded: Rose M. Giles founded the Virginia Higher Education Fund in Henrico County in 2010. How I became involved
with VHEF: A friend introduced me to the organization.
Why VHEF is meaningful to me: My experience is the same as that of the students who participate in the program.
Why I accepted the position as honorary chair: I want to make a difference.
No. 1 goal as honorary chair: To raise money and awareness for the need for these types of organizations, campaign and champion the organization’s goals.
Details about the upcoming event: The event has a new venue. It will be at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Featured artists: Plunky & Oneness will headline the event, along with a performance by Ghanaian drummer Babs Mohammed.
Cost: $75 for covered seating and $65 for lawn seating.
What makes this a top pick: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is very picturesque and has charming indoor and outdoor spaces.
How the event will benefit scholarship recipients: All proceeds will provide college prep workshops and scholarships for high school seniors in
Richmond and other counties.
The focus in 2025 will be on single-mother households.
How many students will this help: Approximately 25 students will receive college prep workshops and scholarships. An additional 25 students from single-mother households will receive dorm kits that include comforters, pillows and other items.
VHEF partners: The Virginia Lottery, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 12 On your side, Dominion Medical Associates, Davis Brothers Construction Company, Spider Management, Family Life Services and many others.
How VHEF makes a difference in Richmond: VHEF bridges the gap between resources and needs for families, especially the organization’s target population, single-mother households. It provides financial support, life-changing, empowering workshops and mentoring.
How I start my day: Meditation, prayer and coffee.
Three words that describe me: Energetic, passionate and considerate.
Dream dinner party guest: Abraham Lincoln, because I’d like to know how he kept the faith and withstood the pressure.
Top three on my playlist: Fleetwood Mac, Toni Braxton and Aretha Franklin.
Something I love to do: I love being alone and watching Investigation Discovery on TV.
Inspirational quote: It is better to give than to receive.
The person who influenced me the most: My mother.
Inspirational book: “ The
Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Alex Haley.
Next goal: Continue to make a difference and be a force for good and touch as many lives as possible.
Free Press staff report
It’s where gravity, grit and groove collide. Richmond’s Dominion Energy Riverrock returns May 17-19 to turn Brown’s Island into a highoctane playground of trail runs, climbing walls, flying dogs and thumping basslines. Now in its 16th year, the free, three-day adrenaline fest draws over 100,000 fans annually—blending elite outdoor sport with live music in a setting where kayakers battle in polo scrums and boulderers scale walls to roaring crowds.
The festival begins Friday, May 17, at 5 p.m. with a range of events, including the Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs, the Belle Isle Blitz 5K, and the MTB Time Trial. The evening will culminate in a concert by the Sam Grisman Project at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, May 18, the schedule features a mix of sports and activities. Participants can take part in the Monsters of the James Fishing Tournament, the James River Scramble (10K), and MTB Enduro, while spectators can enjoy events such as the Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs, Kayak Boatercross and SUP Cross. The Cup of the East Kayak Polo tournament also will begin on Saturday. Eggy and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe will headline the evening’s music performances.
Sunday, May 19, will feature the Bust the Banks Half Marathon, an Adventure Race, and more outdoor activities, including the Downriver Paddle and another round of Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs. The festival will conclude with a performance by The Stews at 3:40 p.m.
Throughout the weekend, the festival also will feature Adventure Zones, where attendees can participate in free activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, slacklining, bouldering, and guided hikes. These zones are open to all ages and offer a hands-on experience for those looking to try something new.
from Athletic Brewing. Dominion Energy Riverrock attracts top athletes from across the country, particularly in the fan-favorite bouldering competitions, which include the Boulder Bash and Speed Comp.
Festival-goers also can expect a variety of food trucks serving regional favorites and beverages, including Hardywood Craft Beer, Bold Rock Hard Seltzer and non-alcoholic options
‘Phenomenal
Free Press staff report
Ami Brabson, a television and stage actress, will perform “Phenomenal Women, A Cabaret” in Richmond on Sunday, May 18. The show, which blends music and storytelling, centers on the theme “Your Voice is Your Power.”
The performance begins at 2:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church, and will be followed by an optional 30-minute discussion. Tickets are available for a suggested donation of $20 at the door, though attendees may contribute any amount.
Produced by Warriors Journey LLC, the cabaret will highlight women’s resilience and self-expression through personal narrative and live performance.
Brabson’s television credits include “Law & Order: SVU,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Wife” and “Bull.” She is a graduate of the Graduate Acting Program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
This year, nearly 45 athletes from 17 states are expected to compete. Yealiya Southern, the 2023 female Boulder Bash champion, will return to defend her title, while Joe Goodacre, the defending male Speed Comp champion, also will compete. For those interested in participating in the festival, online registration remains available throughout the weekend. Registered participants will receive a festival shirt and a drink ticket, with packet pickup available at the respective start areas for each event. A full schedule of events and additional festival details are available on the official Riverrock website at riverrockrva.com.
Asian American Celebration features music, dance and global cuisine
Asian American Celebration returns Saturday, May 17, with a full day of cultural performances, food and family-friendly activities at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Hosted by the Asian American Society of Central Virginia, the free event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Exhibit Halls C and D. Attendees can experience traditional dances, martial arts demonstrations, youth performances, and cultural exhibits representing a range
6 p.m. on the cultural stage. The event also includes a children’s activity area and booths from local organizations providing community resources. For more information, visit asocv.org/aac2025.
Ami Brabson
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Appomattox River Company and Waterfront RVA provided recreational kayaks for festival-goers to paddle the canal and Tredegar Boat
Ramp during last year’s Dominion Riverrock at Brown’s Island.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Yu Dance Arts performs “Happy Birdies” at last year’s Asian American Festival, at the Richmond Convention Center.
Press
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock received an honorary
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press Ariel Jones Sr. (right) and Brianna Galloway (left) graduated from the School of Arts & Sciences at Virginia Union University.
Bishop Knestout reflects on election of first American pope
Free Press staff report
Free Press staff report
Bishop Barry C. Knestout of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond recently offered reflections following the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope The election, which took place May 8, brought Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native, to the papacy as the 267th pope.
Knestout celebrated Mass on Friday, May 9, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, where he and others prayed for Leo and the future of the Church.
“Along with the faithful of the Diocese of Richmond, I rejoice in thanksgiving at the announcement of our new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV,” Knestout said. “Like many, my initial reaction was one of joyful astonishment.”
In his first remarks as pope, Leo said, “Peace
Virginia Interfaith Power & Light will host an open mic night in Richmond on Thursday, May 15, to honor both motherhood and the planet. The “Mother Earth Open Mic Night” will take place from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at
be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are, and all the peoples and all the earth: Peace be with you.”
As the Church observes the Jubilee Year of Hope, Knestout noted the significance of the pope’s message in a time of global conflict and uncertainty. “In a world full of conflict and anxieties which cause many to despair, the election of a new pope whose first words bestow the peace of Christ on the world is an occasion for renewed hope,” Knestout said.
The bishop also urged the faithful to pray for Leo’s leadership, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the pope begins his tenure.
Abi’s Books & Brews, 1212½ W. Cary St. The event will feature poetry, song and storytelling centered on themes of motherhood, environmental justice, and the sacred connection between people and the natural world.
Organizers describe the event as a space for reflection, celebration and community, and invite participants to explore questions about their relationship with nature and how to better care for the Earth.
Those interested in performing can email klassiter@vaipl.org to sign up in advance. Day-of sign-ups also will be accepted at the free event. For more information or to RSVP, visit bit.ly/meopenmic.
Courtesy Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Bishop Barry C. Knestout celebrates Mass at
Bethel