Easter on Parade, Gun Violence Prevention, and a Correction
Cheers RVA!
Today will be partly cloudy and breezy, with a high of 86 and a low of 62. The weekend is expected to be mostly sunny and warm.
the juice:
CORRECTION: Yesterday’s newsletter stated the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority voted to transfer Gilpin Court to the Richmond Development Corporation; in fact housing officials voted 5-4 to reject the plan, which would have essentially “privatized” the city’s largest housing project, according to Samuel Parker at the RTD.
While RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith has reiterated the RDC is a nonprofit, an attorney for the RRHA Mike Syme said at a previous meeting the transfer was a “de facto private development.”
the ask:
I’d like to ask for your help to grow this newsletter:
The best way to help is to ask a friend or colleague to subscribe. Or you can simply reply to this email with their address and I can add them. Currently the majority (~72%) of subscribers read this newsletter everyday, so if you enjoy it, a friend may as well.
If you’d like to further support this newsletter, consider making a donation. Even just a couple dollars is meaningful and lets me know you appreciate the effort.
the pulp:
Local nonprofits are at risk of major funding cuts in the mayor’s budget proposal, according to Victoria Ifatusin at the Richmonder. Mayor Avula has expressed tough decisions will need to be made as inflation, negotiated salary increases and the water crisis has put pressure on the budget process. About 40 nonprofits and organizations could potentially have funding scaled back or discontinued.
The Mayor has launched a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention aimed at coordinating various programs at the city, state, and federal levels to help high-risk individuals, including victims of gun violence and young adults who have been involved in the criminal justice system, according to WTVR.
Another protest of the #50501 Movement is scheduled for Saturday at noon at Capitol Square, via RVAMag. The ‘Freedom Rising’ protest aims to “amplify the ongoing push for democratic rights, immigrant rights, and social justice.”
Easter on Parade takes place on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on Monument Avenue between Davis and North Allen. The free event, which had faced possible cancellation due to a lack of sponsorship, will feature a parade of people, pets, porch concerts, and family festivities.
the dive:
Henrico Schools are considering a “bell-to-bell” ban on cellphones at school for Middle and High school students, according to Liana Hardy at the Citizen.
Currently students are only required to put their phones away during class, but can use them between classes and at lunch.
Hardy reports:
According to an online survey, 80% of secondary teachers indicated that HCPS’ current phone policy had improved instruction, but about 60% said they encountered phone-related issues either daily or weekly. Teachers surveyed emphasized the importance of consistent implementation, according to HCPS leaders, and how properly enforcing the policy promotes respect for authority and a positive school culture.
The change in policy would align with current guidelines from the Virginia Department of Education regarding phones in schools.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
Have a fresh day RVA!
Thanks for reading. If you enjoy this newsletter, tell a friend, or donate.