> ## 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. # Nov. 11 Newsletter: RPS plans tax spending - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/nov-11-newsletter-rps-plans-tax-spending/ - Published: 2026-11-11T11:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-11T11:00:01.000Z - Description: Is Richmond better off if the Dominion merger goes through? Council debated but did not come to a conclusion. Plus, you'll be able to park a little closer to some stop signs. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter **Weather:** One last day of warmth before an extended cooldown. High of 70. **On this date** in 1998, Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley approves of a $200 billion national settlement between tobacco companies and states. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/10/Copy-of-vcu-Richmonder-0108-0115-012225-900x150px.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/2026/11/image-12.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/interview-jason-kamras-shares-next-steps-as-rps-prepares-for-850-million-sales-tax-infusion/) ### Interview: Jason Kamras shares next steps as RPS prepares for $850 million sales tax infusion After conducting a listening tour in all nine districts, Superintendent Jason Kamras said he and the school board will now discuss how to use the new sales tax revenue. 👷 “In the spring we’ll discuss and ultimately decide how we’ll modernize the schools,” Kamras said. “Will we rebuild them? Will we renovate them? Would we consider potentially a consolidation? Whatever the case may be, that would be Phase 2.” Kamras said that if a new Woodville Elementary gets built, it would "make sense" to consolidate it with nearby Fairfield Court Elementary. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/interview-jason-kamras-shares-next-steps-as-rps-prepares-for-850-million-sales-tax-infusion/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/11/image-13.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/monopoly-concerns-vs-downtown-development-richmond-officials-still-debating-citys-stance-on-proposed-dominion-nextera-merger/) ### Monopoly concerns vs. downtown development: Richmond officials still debating city’s stance on proposed Dominion-NextEra merger Several Richmond City Council members don’t love the idea of Dominion Energy merging with Florida-based NextEra Energy. A bigger energy company with more concentrated power, they worry, can’t be good for customers who are already struggling to afford higher electricity bills. But for years, officials have talked about downtown Richmond needing some new life. And Dominion has promised a new office tower if the merger goes through. Debating how to weigh in on Monday, Council chose a middle path of sorts, opting to delay the matter until next month. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/monopoly-concerns-vs-downtown-development-richmond-officials-still-debating-citys-stance-on-proposed-dominion-nextera-merger/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/11/IMG_1786--1-.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-is-changing-its-rules-for-parking-near-stop-signs/) ### Richmond is changing its rules for parking near stop signs Richmond is getting rid of a rule that prohibits drivers from parking within 30 feet of any stop sign in an effort to make parking rules clearer and more in line with the statewide standard. 🛑 Instead, the city will switch to the state’s approach, which prohibits parking within 20 feet of the intersection of curb lines. The issue became a flashpoint earlier this year when the city launched a parking enforcement blitz known as “Keep Corners Clear.” [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-is-changing-its-rules-for-parking-near-stop-signs/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/11/image-8.png) ### Analyst: Richmond voters chose grassroots organizing over political clout in 6th district school board race Being part of the political “establishment” is dangerous ground in 2026, and nowhere was that more clear last week than the 6th District school board race in Richmond. Jackie McDonnough's anti-establishment message resonated with a significant portion of the public, longtime political analyst Bob Holsworth said. It is also the message of the Richmond chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which endorsed McDonnough. Having that backing may have also played a role in her win, Holsworth said, adding that Holton’s campaign was “out organized by the DSA” despite the money Holton raised. [**Read more here.** ](https://www.richmonder.org/analyst-richmond-voters-chose-grassroots-organizing-over-political-clout-in-6th-district-school-board-race/) --- ### Today's sponsor: [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/10/260928_0010_dh900.jpg)](https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcus-teacher-residency-program-leads-the-way-for-teacher-preparation-in-richmond-and-across-virginia?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) ### **VCU teacher residency program leads the way for preparing educators** Since 2011, Virginia Commonwealth University’s RTR Teacher Residency program has trained 450-plus educators for high-needs schools in Richmond and across Virginia in 29 districts. Residents are paired with veteran mentors for hands-on classroom experiences while earning their VCU degree, gaining the real-world skills to succeed from day one. In exchange, graduates commit to teaching three years in partner school districts. Now a national model for teacher residency programs, RTR is strengthening public education and creating a sustainable pipeline of dedicated educators throughout Richmond and beyond. [**Read more.**](https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcus-teacher-residency-program-leads-the-way-for-teacher-preparation-in-richmond-and-across-virginia?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/11/image--1--1-1.png) ### In joint statement, Squirrels owner and Thalhimer developer say they ‘regret’ incident at CarMax Park The joint statement, released by Lou DiBella and Jason Guillot, doesn’t include any direct apologies and makes no mention of money changing hands as part of the settlement, It does, however, say DiBella made no physical threats. Though the defamation case appears to be over, Navigators Baseball, the parent company of the Flying Squirrels, has a second lawsuit pending against city officials in Richmond Circuit Court. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/in-joint-statement-squirrels-owner-and-thalhimer-developer-say-they-regret-incident-at-carmax-park/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/11/image-9-1.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/high-school-football-fog-clears-to-reveal-playoffs-picture/) ### High school football: Fog clears to reveal playoffs picture Stadiums became “fog bowls” last week, causing one game (Varina-Patrick Henry) to be called in the third quarter and most others to be concluded under a secretive veil. Now that the fog has cleared, the playoff bracket is set. In this week's game of the week, Thomas Jefferson visits Armstrong in an all-city showdown. TeeJay has lost four straight, but defeated Armstrong earlier this season in a heat-delayed game. [**Read a preview of every game here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/high-school-football-fog-clears-to-reveal-playoffs-picture/) --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/10/section-public-notices.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/legal-notice-information/) Last week, The Richmonder was certified as a Newspaper of Record in Chesterfield County. This means we are now authorized to run public notices in Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond. [**Get more details here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/legal-notice-information/) --- ### In other news - [**Chesterfield’s school board pulls release valve at a crowded Curtis Elementary, redistricts students to Bellwood and Wells**](https://www.richmonder.org/chesterfields-school-board-pulls-release-valve-at-a-crowded-curtis-elementary-redistricts-students-to-bellwood-and-wells/) - Four Bermuda District elementary schools — Bensley, Bellwood, Curtis and Wells — are the latest to be impacted in Chesterfield’s redistricting to fit future development. - [**Diamond District surveys Richmonders about "signature sculpture" project**](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7XJRXL2)(Diamond District) - Artist Mickael Broth has not yet begun designing the piece and wants to hear from the community before he develops a concept. - [**Capital Run Club founder dies in crash**](https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/11/09/capital-run-club-founder-dies-crash/) (12 On Your Side) - Jack Oppenheim, 27, was one of two people who died in a crash on Interstate 64 on Sunday morning. - [**Henrico County reducing speed limits on 54 roads**](https://www.henricocitizen.com/henrico-county-reducing-speed-limits-on-54-roads/) (Henrico Citizen) - Roads on which the speed limit is being reduced to 25 mph primarily serve residential neighborhoods. - [**Savers opens massive new thrift store in Chesterfield**](https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/11/10/savers-thrift-store-midlothian-opening) (Axios Richmond) - The national for-profit retailer is a thrifter's paradise, known for its selection of designer pieces, vintage finds and home decor. --- ### The editor's desk Saw "You Can See Everything" and now I'm pestering everybody at the office until they see it because it's all I want to talk about. *Michael Phillips, founder* *mphillips@richmonder.org* --- Sent this by a friend? 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