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Dec. 3 Newsletter: Armstrong High will be renamed

Weather: High of 40 as cold weather continues. Light snow flurries appear possible on Friday morning.

On this date in 1991, a “microburst” of wind flattens homes in the Highland Springs neighborhood.

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.

Richmond’s Armstrong High will be renamed in 2027 after surprise vote

In an unexpected turn of events, the Richmond School Board unanimously voted Tuesday night to rename Armstrong High School to Armstrong-Kennedy High School, effective July 2027. 

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Unlike previous renaming votes, this one wasn't driven by controversy — Samuel Armstrong was a Union general during the Civil War.

Richmond’s East End previously had two high schools. In 2004 they consolidated into the Kennedy High building, but kept Armstrong's name. Kennedy alumni have lobbied since for the renaming.

“I think a yes vote pushes back against the censorship of our history,” one Board member said. Read more on the vote here.

Also at the School Board meeting: Shonda Harris-Muhammed (6th District) announced she will be leaving the Board to become the superintendent of a different Virginia school division. Read more here.

There are 500 trout in Shields Lake. You can eat them — if you can catch them.

On Monday morning, staffers with Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources flung roughly 500 brown and rainbow trout into Byrd Park’s Shields Lake, the first of five restockings that will take place over the next few months. 

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“We just want to make sure that everyone has got access to these fish and these opportunities,” the state's hatchery superintendent said. 

For over a century, the state has been stocking Shields Lake with fish of various kinds for Richmonders to enjoy catching. Read more here.

Finance news from City Hall

Reporter Graham Moomaw is on top of the latest developments, including:

Contemporary dance company still going strong after two decades

Starr Foster Dance tries to keep the cost to the audience down, and is offering a pay-what-you-can option for Saturday's performances at Firehouse Theatre thanks to donations. Read more here.

Today's sponsor:

VCU plays an unparalleled role in training Virginia’s health care workforce

Virginia faces a severe shortage of health care professionals, with nearly half its neighborhoods lacking adequate primary care. VCU is uniquely positioned to help, as the state’s only academic health sciences center training students in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and public health. But these programs are expensive to sustain—requiring specialized faculty, clinical placements, and advanced equipment. Despite financial strain, VCU continues investing in this vital pipeline. Its commitment is essential to expanding access and strengthening Virginia’s health care system for future generations. Read more.

In other news

The editor's desk

Thanks to everybody who participated in Giving Tuesday yesterday! We added more than 25 new donors in addition to our existing supporters. We've still got a little ways to go to reach our match goal of $18,000 from the Institute for Nonprofit News, so you've still got time to take advantage of the offer!

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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