Sept. 11 Newsletter: A day of remembrance

Weather: Cooler weather moves in. High of 84 with a chance of rain.

On this date in 2001, National Guard members in Richmond are called into emergency duty as news spread of the attack on the Pentagon and World Trade Center.

A quarter century later, Richmonders remember 9/11

Twenty-five years ago today, the world as many Americans knew it changed. 

The terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, ushered in two wars, new government powers and a sense that no longer was the United States an untouchable beacon of safety. 

Almost 3,000 people died in the events of that day. Thousands more have since been lost to health-related illnesses incurred as a result of the attacks. 

“You have not been forgotten, and I have not forgotten,” pledged Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Stanley Meador in a memorial event held at Dominion Energy’s Richmond headquarters yesterday. Read more here.

Richmond School Board approves selling naming rights inside buildings, but not for entire schools

Under a newly adopted policy, interested corporations and individuals can ask for rooms or other areas in schools to be named in exchange for philanthropic contributions that cover unfunded school priorities.

The policy sets out a process of due diligence when opportunities arise, including a “morals and termination clause” that will allow the district to remove problematic names later. Read more here.

ALSO IN EDUCATION: Three proposed redistricting maps would send Cosby, Midlothian High School students to Chesterfield's new West Ridge

Downtown’s new homeless outreach workers have been there themselves

People who work in homeless services often observe that by the time someone is sleeping on the street, dozens of systems have already failed them. That experience can make it hard to accept help, they say.

Leon Dangerfield sees his job as rebuilding trust, however long it takes.

"The main reason why I do what I do is because in my situation, nobody showed up for me. Nobody,” he said. “And it made me distrust a lot of the way the system worked." Read more here.

This article is the first in a monthly series examining regional issues, and spotlighting people working to make a difference. The series is presented by VCU.

With 9 months until legal marijuana sales, a lottery drawing may determine who can set up shop in Richmond

Lottery players buy their ticket in the hopes of a large financial windfall, and the state will be offering up a huge prize early next year: The right to one of 350 new marijuana dispensaries that will be allowed across Virginia.

With legal sales set to start on July 1, 2027, the state’s Cannabis Control Authority is putting the final touches on how those licenses will be awarded. They expect more than 350 qualified applicants, which will trigger a random drawing. Read more here.

In other news

• Council votes to intervene in Dominion-NextEra merger review
  • “This is being brought forward because of our city’s absolute, unequivocal interest in the outcome of this proceeding,” said Council President Cynthia Newbille.
• Collegiate shakes off blip, rolls to 41-21 victory over STAB
  • The Cougars used a fake punt to help regain momentum.
• Corn now growing where train derailment left grain seed in Kanawha Canal (8News)
  • “It wouldn’t hurt ... to chew on it,” an expert said. “Nothing about it would taste good, that’s for sure.”
• Byrd Theatre faces boycott calls over "Harry Potter" and RIFF (Axios Richmond)
  • The online criticism has turned into real-world fallout for the historic nonprofit theater, with nearly 20 Carytown businesses withdrawing from one of its annual events.
• Henrico Schools makes facilities leadership changes amid HVAC concerns (CBS 6)
  • The third-party mechanical facilities assessment found the division only replaces some equipment upon failure, which results in many systems operating beyond their useful life.

The editor's desk

Excited to start our new monthly series featuring deep-dive reporting into regional issues. Let us know what you'd like us to explore for the series.

Michael Phillips, founder
mphillips@richmonder.org

Sent this by a friend? Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.

Do you enjoy The Richmonder? Join us as a donor and we'll send you a hat or mug!