Dec. 15 Newsletter: Tent casino
Weather: Look out for a bitterly cold wind, as temperatures stay below freezing most of the day.
On this date in in 2005, Richmond International Airport begins hiring part-time security screeners for the first time to bolster staffing.
What is a 'tent casino'? Petersburg prepares for temporary facility to open
The new "Live! Casino Virginia" in Petersburg won't open for at least another year, but gamblers will have an option starting in January.
The 75,000-square-foot temporary casino — also known as a “tent casino” due to its modular, semi-permanent structure — will feature more than 900 slot machines, 30 live action game tables, and a signature bar and restaurant.
Read more, and take a look inside, here.
More than 60 area schools are ‘off track’ according to new state accountability metrics
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin released his new school accountability system last week, which replaces the yes-or-no school accreditation process with a numerical ranking.
- The biggest changes are in the counties. Chesterfield's 64 schools were all previously fully accredited, but in the new system 13 are “off track” and 14 “need intensive support.”
- In Henrico, 24 schools are “off track” and 14 “need intensive support.”
School officials in Richmond note that with a new administration taking over in January, these changes could be further modified in the months and years to come. Read more here.
Richmond's library book supplier is going out of business, but RPL has a plan
The Baker & Taylor company served more than 5,000 libraries, selling books that were already bound, catalogued and ready for library use.
While digital books are becoming more popular, the library is restricted in its offerings because publishers are able to limit the number of downloads offered per purchase, whereas a physical book is the library's to own. Read more here.
Former RPS employee sues division for age discrimination, state civil rights investigation backs her case
A former Richmond Public Schools central office employee filed a lawsuit against the division and School Board earlier this month for discriminating against her age.
- A state investigation did not find that Cappiello was discriminated against because of her age (57). However, it allowed the lawsuit because one of the employees who replaced Cappiello was “substantially younger” at age 45.
The lawsuit noted that the employee alleged she was given "a blank PIP form" to fill out, and was demoted just nine business days after the PIP form was implemented, making it hard to tell whether any progress had occurred. Read more here.
In other news
- Charlie Schmidt edges Michelle Mosby by 151 votes in firehouse primary for Virginia House of Delegates seat
- Child, woman dead after fire breaks out inside Richmond home (12 On Your Side)
- Shamin Hotels breaks ground on $160M Hilton at Springline development in Chesterfield (Richmond BizSense)
The editor's desk
Had a great time being festive yesterday at The Valentine, and plan to have an equally great time today not going outdoors at all if possible.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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