August 13 Newsletter: Lawyer ads everywhere
Weather: Scattered showers, high of 84.
On this date in 1970, Bruce Springsteen's band Steel Mill, which saw Richmond as a second home, advertises a show for the following night on top of the 7th and Marshall parking deck. (audio)
Today's newsletter sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University: 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.
You can’t avoid Morgan & Morgan’s multi-million-dollar ad blitz. It’s shaking up Richmond’s legal scene.
The nation's largest personal injury law firm descended on Richmond in a big-time way this summer.
Other law firms find it harder to cut through the noise when Morgan & Morgan arrives in a market (they're already GRTC's biggest advertiser). Take a look at how they do it, and what it means for the local competition.
Police explain why no charges were filed over one victim's death in Huguenot graduation shooting
Two unnamed juveniles who fired guns during the 2023 shooting outside of a graduation ceremony for Huguenot High School won’t be charged for any injuries they potentially caused after officials concluded they acted in “defense of others,” according to Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards.
Edwards presented what he described as a "final review" of the shooting on Tuesday, including extensive efforts to retrieve one of the weapons from the James River, though unsuccessfully. Read more here.
In other city news:
Richmond could use money from delinquent property fund to pay wrongfully convicted man: The fund currently contains about $9.12 million. Richmond's CAO is advising against using the rainy-day fund, noting that it could hurt the city's credit rating.
Affordable housing program makes grants for new, existing projects: The city announced $9 million in grants from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund, though questions remain about how revenue should flow into the fund in future years.
Lisa Hearl is one of Richmond's most prolific volunteers
When she first moved to Richmond, she spent her Saturdays volunteering at the Stuart Circle Hospital, where she logged more than 10,000 hours before the hospital moved.
Now retired, she makes time for the Virginia Home, Cristo Rey Richmond High School, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and others, in addition to her unofficial neighborhood role checking on elderly friends. Read more here.
Today's sponsor:
VCU awarded $2.3 million grant to support Pell-eligible students
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has awarded Virginia Commonwealth University a more than $2.3 million grant to provide financial and career support to Pell Grant-eligible freshman students, beginning this semester.
Funding is part of a state initiative to provide educational and career aid to undergraduates in the federal program. The grant will enable VCU to make direct aid available to help cover the costs of Pell-eligible students’ education and connect them more readily to VCU’s career support resources earlier in their degree program. Read more here.
In other news
- Richmond public media better poised amid federal funding cuts (Axios)
- A recent spectrum sale of $182 million has left VPM better able to navigate the current climate than other public media stations.
- Roseshire plans fall opening in Henrico’s Near West End (Henrico Citizen)
- The spinoff of Rosie's will have 175 slots-like historical horse racing machines.
- In remembrance: Adam Turck, Actor, 1990-2025 (Style Weekly)
- After being shot while attempting to assist in a domestic dispute, Turck died late last week.
The editor's desk
Finally made it to the amphitheater for last week's Mumford & Sons show. It's a beautiful venue, and while the food and drink prices are indeed crazy, we've got plenty of nearby restaurants solving that problem nicely.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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