> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Aug. 26 Newsletter: Mold at Obama Elementary - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/aug-26-newsletter-mold-at-obama-elementary/ - Published: 2026-08-26T10:00:18.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-26T10:00:18.000Z - Description: Chesterfield wants to use data center taxes to lower the car tax rate. Plus, changes at Richmond airport, and a new film re-imagines the Thalhimer sit-in. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter **Weather:** The heat returns with a high of 89. **On this date** in 2002, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover and Richmond all institute mandatory water restrictions amid a worsening three-year drought. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/Copy-of-vcu-Richmonder-0129-0205-021225-900x150px.jpg)](https://www.vcu.edu/uncommon/?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) **Today's newsletter sponsored by** [**Virginia Commonwealth University**](https://www.vcu.edu/uncommon/?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting)**.** As a top 20% global university, Virginia Commonwealth University is an unparalleled powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. VCU attacks challenges as opportunities. It's truly a university unlike any you’ve ever seen. --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/image-33.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/im-frustrated-parents-confront-kamras-over-mold-at-barack-obama-elementary/) ### The latest on Obama Elementary The Richmonder first reported on Monday that mold [**was discovered on computers and music equipment**](https://www.richmonder.org/mold-found-on-laptops-music-equipment-at-barack-obama-elementary-as-school-prepares-to-reopen/) at the Northside school. That led to a pause in efforts to reopen the school to teachers and students. - Superintendent Jason Kamras [**offered to prepare Clark Springs school**](https://www.richmonder.org/im-frustrated-parents-confront-kamras-over-mold-at-barack-obama-elementary/) at a Monday town hall, but after feedback decided to wait for Obama to reopen. - It appears next Wednesday is the earliest date that students will return to the building. - Beginning tomorrow, programming will be available for students at the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center. The outbreak happens as the district is lobbying for voters to approve a 1% increase to the sales tax to fund school improvements this November. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/im-frustrated-parents-confront-kamras-over-mold-at-barack-obama-elementary/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/IMG_2574--1-.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/chesterfield-proposes-using-data-center-revenue-to-lower-car-taxes/) ### Chesterfield proposes using data center revenue to lower car taxes The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors votes tonight on a proposal to use tax money collected from data centers to reduce the car tax rate, a move the county says would give residents a direct financial benefit from the increasingly unpopular facilities. 🏡 Neighboring Henrico County has earmarked its data center taxes for affordable housing. Richmond doesn’t have data centers inside city limits. Chesterfield said that if the proposal is approved, the county would have the lowest car tax rate of any major locality in Virginia. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/chesterfield-proposes-using-data-center-revenue-to-lower-car-taxes/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/image-34.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-airport-will-connect-rental-car-center-to-terminal/) ### Richmond airport will connect Rental Car Center to terminal The construction project, which was estimated last year at $25 milllion, will also build a small park with room for a food truck near the rental car area. Rental car agencies will relocate their kiosks from their current area in the center of the main building to the area next to the rental car garage. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-airport-will-connect-rental-car-center-to-terminal/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/image-35.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/virginia-union-students-reenact-1960-lunch-counter-protest-in-new-docudrama/) ### Virginia Union students reenact 1960 lunch counter protest in new docudrama “Richmond 34: The Silent Victory” recreates a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement. On February 22, 1960, 34 Virginia Union University students were arrested during a peaceful sit-in at the segregated "whites-only" lunch counter inside Thalhimers department store. The film re-imagines the scenes using current VUU students. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/virginia-union-students-reenact-1960-lunch-counter-protest-in-new-docudrama/) --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/07/Richmonder-25-standard-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-meet-the-2026-honorees/) An annual series celebrating the people who make us proud to be Richmonders. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/image-36.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-shawntee-wynn-stands-by-victims-of-domestic-violence/) ### Shawntee Wynn stands by victims of domestic violence For 18 years, Wynn supported victims in her role with the YWCA. After being hired as a counselor, she became a director and then a senior director, in charge of her own team and helping craft the organization’s programs. Sometimes, she helped women through grueling moments and never heard from them again. Other times, she developed long-term relationships with those she served. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-shawntee-wynn-stands-by-victims-of-domestic-violence/) 🥳 Save the date! We're throwing a party for our Richmonder 25 honorees on Friday, Sept. 25 at The Hippodrome. [****Ticket info is here**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-event-and-ticket-info/)****, or buy a table and invite your friends!** --- ### Today's sponsor: [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/260514_136_aj_ar900.jpg)](https://news.vcu.edu/article/she-shines-the-light--and-leads-the-way--on-the-national-challenge-of-gambling-addiction?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) ### **VCU researcher Carolyn Hawley shines the light – and leads the way – on the national challenge of gambling addiction** Carolyn Hawley, Ph.D., professor in Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions and director of the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health, helped create one of the nation’s first comprehensive systems for treatment, recovery and prevention of gambling addiction. [**Read more**](https://news.vcu.edu/article/she-shines-the-light--and-leads-the-way--on-the-national-challenge-of-gambling-addiction?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) about how Carolyn Hawley is creating a lifeline for countless people grappling with gambling addiction – and establishing a framework that has allowed Virginia to emerge as a national model for gambling health infrastructure. --- ### In other news - [**Amtrak service to D.C. will stop in Alexandria for 9 days in October**](https://www.richmonder.org/amtrak-service-to-d-c-will-stop-in-alexandria-for-9-days-in-october/) - Trains running north from Richmond will stop to allow track replacement work at the First Street Tunnel near Union Station. - [**Majority votes to reverse controversial Chimbo Playground pétanque project**](https://www.chlookout.com/p/majority-votes-to-reverse-controversial-chimbo-playground-pe-tanque-project) (Church Hill Lookout) - DPR “will remove the new pétanque courts and engage an on-call design firm to work with ... the community on a site-wide planning effort.” - [**Four years after Dobbs, Richmond’s abortion funds are running shor**t](https://rvamag.com/community/four-years-after-dobbs-richmonds-abortion-funds-are-running-short.html) (RVA Mag) - "Financial support has declined while demand remains high. Public attention has shifted elsewhere.” - [**Several people injured after crash at GRTC’s Downtown Transfer Station in Richmond**](https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/grtc-downtown-transfer-station-incident-aug-25/) (8News) - A GRTC bus at the Downtown Transfer Station skipped over a median, collided into a covered bench, and then collided into a second bus. --- ### The editor's desk Axios's decision to leave Little Caesars out of [**its pizza bracket**](https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/24/richmond-pizza-bracket-best-local-restaurants-voting) is personal. Hot and Ready got me through college. (But the correct answer is Zorch. Or maybe Pizza Bones.) *Michael Phillips, founder* *mphillips@richmonder.org* --- Sent this by a friend? [**Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/sign-up-for-the-richmonders-free-newsletter/) Do you enjoy The Richmonder? 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