Sept. 14 Newsletter: RPS viral video investigation
Weather: A beautiful week starts with a high of 83.
On this date in 1972, Gov. Linwood Holton announces plans to build the road ultimately known as Interstate 295, which bypasses Richmond to the east.
Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU Health
Investigation into RPS ‘bite’ video found employee had no teeth
Richmond Public Schools’ internal investigators found no evidence that an instructional assistant at Fairfield Court Elementary School bit the hand of a student while escorting her and another child back into the building in April, in an incident that received widespread attention.
- Security cameras showed the instructional assistant wiping sweat off her face with the hand that was holding the student’s hand.
- Additionally, “the accused instructional assistant has no teeth,” investigators wrote.
The video quickly went viral, garnering news reports and thousands of reactions, including from Superintendent Jason Kamras, who condemned the alleged act. Read more here.
VUU commits to preserve Richmond Community Hospital building amid community skepticism
Virginia Union University said it will put its commitment to preserve the Richmond Community Hospital building in writing, as school officials sought to address community concerns over their vision for housing around their campus.
The Planning Commission is set to consider VUU’s permit request for up to 100 new housing units during tomorrow night's meeting, though they also have the option to defer discussion for another month if they feel more time is needed. Read more here.
What happens if you skip jury duty in Richmond? We went to court to find out
On a recent Friday, a few dozen people who allegedly failed to show up for jury duty got a firsthand look at how Richmond’s courts work, whether they wanted to or not.
Dealing with a group of no-show jurors at once meant the court could handle it speedily, but the exercise also came with a slice of the monotony that leads many to groan at the thought of having to spend a day (or several) at the courthouse. Read more here.
High school football wrap-up: Trinity Episcopal makes statement in Week 3 victory
- The Titans scored a win for private schools as they defeated Hermitage. Read full coverage of that game here.
- Other Week 3 headlines included a rare tie between state powers Varina and Oscar Smith, Highland Springs pulling away at Dinwiddie after the Generals lost their quarterback to injury, and Douglas Freeman finally besting Hanover.
Read a full recap, including our players of the week, here.
Today's sponsor:
U.S. News & World Report names VCU Medical Center No. 1 hospital in Virginia
Virginia's best, and among the nation’s best. VCU Medical Center has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-2027.
U.S. News also recognized the medical center among the Top 50 in the nation for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery at No. 29, and orthopedics at No. 44. The publication also ranked VCU Medical Center No. 1 in the Richmond metro area for the 16th consecutive year. Read more here.
In other news
- Visitor spending in Richmond region hits $4.1 billion (Press release)
- Sports represents 77% of Richmond Region Tourism’s event bookings, with soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball and lacrosse representing the top sports types.
- Powhite Parkway extension construction set to begin this winter, Chesterfield officials say (CBS 6)
- The overall project would lengthen the Powhite about nine miles, to connect with Hull Street Road near Grange Hall Elementary School and the Richmond Metro Zoo.
- Henrico Schools officials outline new preventative maintenance plan to tackle ongoing HVAC issues (Henrico Citizen)
- The division is now enacting a more “proactive, data-informed” approach to HVAC maintenance, which involves a restructuring of the Department of Facilities leadership.
The editor's desk
Loved this 9/11 tribute story by 12 On Your Side's Madison McNamee, whose dad took the iconic photo of President George W. Bush being informed that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center.
Michael Phillips, founder
mphillips@richmonder.org
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