It is a sad day in Richmond, as one of our core institutions, the Richmond Free Press, is closing its doors. For more than three decades, this Black-owned newspaper has been a beacon. In a city with a history as complex and painful as ours, the Free Press did more than report the news. It reinvigorated the Black press, asked hard questions of the city’s leaders, and amplified voices often pushed to the margins.  

Black-owned media plays a vital role in strengthening democracy and community trust. At the height of segregation, publications such as John Mitchell Jr.’s Richmond Planet made sure Richmond’s whole  story was told. The Free Press carried on that important legacy. It made sure the fullness of Richmond’s story was part of the public record--not just the comfortable chapters. And in the former capital of the Confederacy, this was no small feat. 

Through its award-winning journalism – recognized by the Virginia Press Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, and others – the Free Press preserved history, while pushing us towards a brighter, more just, more equal future.

Many of the advancements we have seen in and around Richmond – in public awareness, in civic consciousness, in conversations about race and equality - did not happen in isolation. They happened because institutions like the Free Press did the steady, disciplined work of publishing stories that others might overlook, documenting injustice, and elevating community voices.  

I am deeply grateful to the founders -- the devoted and trailblazing Boone family -- the editors, reporters, photographers, and staff, who poured their talent and heart into this work. You helped move our city forward. The closing of your doors should inspire us all to remain active and involved neighbors in our communities.  

Thank you for the impact you have had on our city. You will be missed.  

Proposed Ordinance was Introduced at February 9, 2026 Richmond City Council Meeting 

On February 9, Councilmember Ellen Robertson, Richmond Gateway 6th District, and Mayor Danny Avula announced their joint support for a new proposed Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund (RAHTF) Ordinance, which was introduced at the 2/9 Richmond City Council Formal Meeting. 

Both Councilmember Robertson and Mayor Avula agree that with high housing costs and the current affordable housing crisis throughout the city this action is greatly needed.  

This people-centered policy will make a real difference and help move Richmond forward in providing affordable housing opportunities for all. 

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund will help thousands of residents by creating and preserving housing that working families, seniors, and long-time Richmonders can afford. 

The proposed ordinance establishes a dedicated, fiscally responsible and predictable source of funding for the construction and preservation of affordable housing across Richmond. It strengthens accountability and transparency to ensure that funding allocated for affordable housing supports the goal of ending the city’s housing crisis.  

“The proposed ordinance reflects great collaboration among Richmond City Council members, housing advocates, and community partners, and represents a significant progress towards building thriving neighborhoods that meet the needs of a growing city,” says  Mayor Danny Avula.  

The Proposed ordinance will deliver affordable housing for Richmond residents and reflects a clear commitment to strengthen how the City funds, manages, and delivers these efforts. The proposed ordinance includes: 

1. Establishing a simple funding methodology to ensure predictable, reliable investment  in affordable housing 
2. Clarifying requirements  for Trust Fund revenues to be calculated and applied consistently 
3. Creating clear reporting and oversight to strengthen transparency and accountability  
4. Aligning policy and implementation to support housing production and preservation  

Shannon Paul to Lead Implementation of the Mayoral Action Plan, Advancing Efficiency, Responsiveness, and Performance Across City Departments  

Richmond, VA— Mayor Danny Avula today announced a significant step towards shaping Richmond city government into a model 21st-century public sector organization in naming the City’s first-ever Transformation Manager. The Transformation Manager is charged with driving the implementation of the Mayoral Action Plan and using it as a framework to identify ongoing challenges to improve customer service, efficiency, and performance across city government.  

Implementation of the MAP will be led by the City’s first Transformation Manager, Ms. Shannon Paul, appointed following a competitive search. Ms. Paul currently serves as Deputy Director of Financial and Administrative Services for the Department of Justice Services (DJS). In that role, she spent 11 months on part-time assignment to the Mayor’s Office to lead and support the development and initial implementation of the Mayoral Action Plan. In addition to her role with DJS, Ms. Paul, a Howard University graduate, has served in a variety of strategic and management roles in the City of Richmond since 2000, including in the Office of Budget & Strategic Planning. 

“Shannon Paul is the right person at the right time at this critical juncture for Richmond,” said  Mayor Danny Avula.  "She understands the organization's strengths and weaknesses from both strategic and operational perspectives, and she knows that effective city government can not only deliver services-- it can also change lives. Shannon played a crucial role in developing the Mayoral Action Plan and will now help ensure that a great plan translates into impactful action." 

Ms. Paul will lead these efforts in concert with contracted strategic support and internal staff, with specific service area expertise ranging from data, process improvement, and organizational problem-solving deployed to address issues as they are identified. The Transformation Manager will coordinate with executive leaders including Deputy Chief Administrative Officers and department Directors to report findings, issue recommendations, and provide progress reports on a regular basis to the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer.  

“Establishing the Transformation Manager is a clear step toward making Mayor Avula's vision of a well-functioning government a reality,” said  Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II . “Ms. Paul’s unique skillset, including Green Belt in Six Sigma process improvement methodology, coupled with a more than twenty-year track record of identifying issues and resolving them across the City, positions her to help lead the administration's march toward developing a world class municipal government.” 

The Transformation Manager will work across all city agencies, and report to the Chief Administrative Officer.  

“As a devoted city resident, Richmond Public Schools graduate, and someone who has spent her career in service to the city, I’m excited about this opportunity to help move the city forward and see it thrive,” said Shannon Paul. “Mayor Avula and his team came into office not only with inspiring goals but with a detailed vision and plan for achieving them. If we approach the Mayoral Action Plan with commitment, focus, and resolve, there’s no stopping Richmond, as an organization and a community. I’m honored to lead the Mayor’s transformation efforts and I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.” 

Key functions of the Transformation Manager will include: 

• Overseeing the new performance management system tied to the MAP which the City has established to collect, assess, and utilize high-quality data tied to specific MAP goals
• Using this data and other information to critically assess the City’s progress towards MAP goals, and make recommendations to the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer 
• Undertaking deep-dive problem-solving within departments to identify and implement significant process improvements in problem areas. 

Ms. Paul’s first day will be March 9, 2026.

Bonus rewards available during Love Shopping Local Week, February 11–18  

Richmond, VA  —  The City of Richmond Department of Economic Development is proud to introduce RVA Open Rewards, a customer rewards program designed to drive traffic to neighborhood businesses, strengthen the local economy, and reward residents for shopping local. 

The pilot program, hosted on the Bludot Open Rewards app, allows shoppers to earn rewards on every purchase at participating Richmond businesses, automatically and at no cost to consumers or business owners.

The RVA Open Rewards pilot is launching with businesses located across Brookland Park, Carytown, Downtown (including historic Monroe and Jackson Ward, City Center, and Arts District), Manchester, and Shockoe. The program makes it easy to support local businesses while keeping more dollars in Richmond’s neighborhoods.  

“Richmond’s small businesses are the backbone of our local economy,” said Mayor Danny Avula . “RVA Open Rewards gives residents a simple, meaningful way to invest in the places that make Richmond unique.” 

Participation in RVA Open Rewards is easy. Simply: 

1. Download the Open Rewards App and create an account
2. Shop as you normally would
3. Upload your receipts (or link a card)
4. Earn and redeem your rewards! 

There is no cost to consumers or businesses for participation. Richmond businesses in pilot corridors across retail, dining, and personal services are included, and additional businesses in these corridors are able to request participation via this interest form . 

“This initiative is about intentional economic development that supports our small businesses and strengthens our neighborhoods,” said project lead Allison Beatty, Economic Development, Commercial Corridor Policy & Engagement . "And with the inaugural Love Shopping Local Week, we’re doing just that: inviting our residents and visitors to enjoy Richmond's many incredible businesses.” 

Residents can learn more about the program by visiting RichmondEDA.com or by downloading the BluDot: Open Rewards app . 

Love Shopping Local Week 

To celebrate the launch of RVA Open Rewards, the City will host the inaugural Love Shopping Local Week from February 11–18 , encouraging residents to show extra love to Richmond’s neighborhood businesses. 

During this special promotion, RVA Open Rewards will offer an additional 1% cash back, increasing the standard reward from 5% to 6% at participating businesses, for a limited time. 

The City of Richmond will be closed Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day. All city offices, including City Hall, will be closed. We will return to our regular business hours on Tuesday, February 17.  Keep reading for impacts to City services. For the full list of 2026 observed holidays, please visit the City's Holiday Closures page.  

• There will be no trash collection or bulk and brush collection on Monday, February 16. All collections will be delayed by one day. Collections scheduled for pick-up on Monday will be picked up on Tuesday and so on through Friday, February 20.
• The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC) Landfill, located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be open on Saturday, February 14, and will be closed on Monday, February 16. ERRCC will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.
• Recycling services will operate as normal on Monday, February 16.
• All Richmond Public Libraries are closed on Monday, February 16, and will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.  
• RVA311 will be open Saturday, Saturday, February 14, and will be closed on February 16. The public will have 24/7 access to self-service via RVA311.com and mobile apps.
• Richmond Public Schools and offices are closed on February 16. They will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.
• All Department of Parks and Recreation offices and community centers are closed Monday, February 16.   
• The Department of Public Utilities Call Center is closed Monday, February 16. For utility emergencies, customers should call 804-646-4646 and press Option 1. For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.  
• Richmond Animal Care and Control will be closed on Monday, February 16. RACC will reopen by appointment only on Tuesday, February 17, and will have regular walk-in hours on Wednesday, February 18.