Jennifer Baires

At heated council meeting, debate over Teach for America, public speakers’ rights

During a heated meeting on Tuesday night, Richmond council members tackled two items that drew out many members of the public: the teachers’ union’s concerns about Teach for America members employed in Richmond and the formation of the city’s first business improvement district. But the most heated exchange of the night came when council members Corky Booze and Jovanka Beckles got into a dust-up over Booze’s request for a legal opinion regarding his concerns about the possible civil rights violations of public speakers during past meetings.

Richmond runner takes on the country’s oldest 100-mile run

Jeff Pflueger, a Richmond resident, is racing in the United States’ oldest, and most renowned, 100 mile trail run—the Western States Endurance Race. Trail runs like this are meant to test the mettle of an athlete, and WSER does the job well. In the canyons daytime temperatures often soar over 100°F and at mile 78 the course crosses the American River, within spitting distance of a class six rapid.