May 8 Newsletter: Jewels and gems

Weather: Cool and pleasant, with a high of 72.

On this date in 1978, two Amtrak routes through Richmond are cut as lawmakers express their unease with a $496.5 million subsidy for the train service. Even larger cuts were made the following year.

Branch Museum pays tribute to golden era of Best Products

The exhibit feels particularly poignant at the moment, serving as a fitting tribute to Frances Lewis and Eddie Slipek, who each died while it was being planned.

Open until June 21, visitors can see drawings, models, photographs, sketches and printed materials of Best Products architecture. Read more here.

New VMFA exhibit showcases wealth and vision of ancient Indian dynasty

India’s Great Mughals: Art, Power and Opulence opens this weekend at the VMFA. The art comes from the era of the Mughal Empire, a powerful and wealthy Islamic state that spanned from the early 1500s to mid 1800s ruling India. Read more here.

Driver in Bill Martin's death charged with three misdemeanors

The driver who hit and killed Valentine museum director Bill Martin was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday, and has been charged with three misdemeanors.

Harry McCray, a 38-year-old from Moseley, has been charged with failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, careless driving and infliction of death on a vulnerable road user and driving while license is suspended or revoked.

All three charges are Class 1 misdemeanors, each of which can be punished by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Read more here.

Richmond Free Press donates 34-year archive to city library ahead of building sale

The collection, which documents decades of life in Richmond from the perspective of the city’s Black community, will be preserved and made accessible to the public.

Publisher Jean Boone said even as they turn out the lights, she does so with her head held high.

“Be happy we documented what we did, pushed for change, wrote, showed up every week,” she said. “It’s OK to rest. It’s OK to stop. It’s OK to tie a bow around this.” Read more here.

Longtime Richmond musician, media producer reflects on the attention his AI video is getting

When the City of Richmond posted a public-service video two weeks ago that was generated with artificial intelligence technology (AI), the comment section filled up quickly with negative feedback.

But while the public was sharing its thoughts, the video’s creator, a Richmonder with a long history in music, media and art, was working through his own opinions on the new and controversial technology.

“To be honest, I’m still wrestling with it too,” he said in a Wednesday phone conversation, comparing AI to the early days of rap and hip-hop. Read more here.

Richmonder will be first Black woman to drive in a national NASCAR series

Dystany Spurlock will race at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR truck series this afternoon. Spurlock raced coming out of school, but took a mid-career break and worked as a flight attendant and a truck driver before re-entering the sport. Read more here.

Also in sports: St. Christopher's wins back-and-forth baseball thriller against Collegiate

The Richmonder 25 is back!

We're looking for 25 people who make us proud to be Richmonders! Send us your nominations for under-the-radar community heroes today! Learn more here.

In other news

• Community groups question Richmond police’s use of Flock Safety cameras (VPM)
  • RPD told VPM that its annual contract for the system expires on June 30 and has not yet been renewed.
• Woman shot and killed by police officer at South Richmond apartment complex (CBS 6)
  • Police heard gunshots when they arrived on the scene.
• Soaring costs of fuel, imported power to hit Dominion customers (Times-Dispatch)
  • The average monthly bill is set to jump $21.79 next year, but Dominion is asking for permission to finance that increase over an extended period, through bonds.

The editor's desk

We're pleased to welcome reporter Ned Oliver, who will be contributing to The Richmonder this summer. Drop him a note and say hi!

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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