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Nov. 26 Newsletter: Mayoral memo

Weather: Warm today, as temperatures get to 70, but windy and cold tomorrow.

On this date in 1719, Hanover County is created by carving out a portion of New Kent County.

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.

Avula calls Council member’s criticism of CAO ‘wholly inappropriate’

It's not budget season yet, but the maneuvering has already begun at City Hall.

Mayor Danny Avula told City Council member Sarah Abubaker it was “wholly inappropriate” of her to criticize the city's CAO for saying he would refuse to follow an informal budgetary directive from the city’s legislative body to offer a second proposed budget built around a lower tax rate.

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Avula has said he supports the idea in theory, but won’t support tax relief until he’s sure it won’t jeopardize the city’s budget.

Read more, and see the two memos, here.

Speciality schools provide unique experiences for Richmond students

Richmond students have the option of six specialty high schools, three of which are run by RPS.

Today, Katharine DeRosa takes a look at what makes all six special, chatting with students and administrators at each. Read more here.

Plans for GRTC transfer station offer glimpse into new City Center plan

Before leaving office, former Mayor Levar Stoney had hoped to award a development contract for 10 blocks surrounding the Coliseum, known as City Center.

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Mayor Danny Avula plans to offer up the parcels piece-by-piece, giving the city greater control over what is built.

Developers have been asked to offer proposals for a mixed-used building that would sit on top of the GRTC's bus transfer station. Read more here.

High school football report: Huguenot the latest local power to take on Varina

This week's region title games include a rematch of one of the area's all-time legendary showdowns, between Hermitage and Highland Springs, and a home game for undefeated Armstrong on Friday night, which takes on a Tidewater powerhouse. 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

Getting a chuckle out of the article on how Richmond's traffic is getting worse. It may be statistically true, but we're still a long ways from Northern Virginia.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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