Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026

In Richmond, competing ‘No Kings’ protests reveal divided leadership, complicated movement

April 1, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor Richmond had not one, but two anti-Trump protests on Saturday, as ideological and strategic disagreements between organizers led them to hold separate demonstrations. In downtown Kanawha Plaza, 50501 Virginia held a diverse rally alongside a coalition of progressive community organizers that turned into a march through some of the city’s busiest streets.  A mile away in Monroe Park, RVA Indivisible held a “No Kings Freedom Fest” with music, canvassing by local Democratic parties and high-profile speakers such as Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi.  The different approaches by the two Richmond organizations, which previously worked together, revealed a rift that has been festering for months — reflecting national disagreements on how to best dissent against the unprecedented second Trump administration.  Third ‘No Kings’ smaller than last Richmond protest A number of demonstrators said they were confused about which protest they were supposed to attend. The crowds at both Kanawha Plaza and Monroe Park — even if combined — were smaller than the first two major “No Kings” protests in Richmond.  A June 2025 march attracted an estimated 10,000 people, and an October 2025 march reached 20,000. On Saturday, only 3,000 people showed up to Kanawha Plaza, and 5,500

Virginia lawmakers pass legislation to ban face coverings for law enforcement

April 1, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Virginia’s legislature passed two bills this session prohibiting law enforcement from wearing facial coverings while engaged in official duties. Senate Bill 352, patroned by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, and House Bill 1482, patroned by Del. Charlie Schmidt, D-Richmond, subject violating officials to “disciplinary action, including dismissal, demotion, suspension, transfer, or decertification” and create a class 1 misdemeanor for violators. “If you have to commit certain things and you have to hide your identity, you know what you’re doing is wrong, and I think that’s what we’re gonna try to stop,” Salim said. The Senate version applies an exception to law enforcement officers under agencies who have adopted and established a written policy for the individual. Both bills exempt law-enforcement officers assigned to a special weapons and tactics team required to cover their faces while engaged in official duties, as well as sunglasses and facial coverings protecting against disease, infection and exposure to toxic substances. “Other localities came and said, ‘We have law enforcement who are on motorcycles who have to wear a helmet with a shield on. How do you wanna handle that?’ Well, we said they can still

We need to make Richmond a more cyclist-friendly city

April 1, 2026

Katie Meeker, Opinions & Humor Editor When attempting to navigate the odyssey that is Richmond traffic, there is nothing more enraging than getting stuck behind a cyclist. As someone who frequently drives in the city, I am very familiar with this frustration. However, as someone who is also often the very cyclist holding up traffic, I am more concerned with how dangerous this anger — and road-sharing in general — can be. Richmond has a huge cyclist community, with infamous biking clubs such as the Broad Street Bullies and bike shops such as RamBikes and Outpost Richmond contributing to a thriving, accessible culture. Beyond these more involved cyclists, there is also a large population of both VCU students and regular Richmonders who use bikes to commute to school and work. However, like most American urban centers, there is a suboptimal amount of infrastructure in Richmond specifically dedicated to protecting this population. Bike lanes are limited to only a few major roads — and no, the bus lane on Broad Street doesn’t count as one — leaving cyclists to decide whether to tempt death via automobile collision or get heckled riding on sidewalks.  Compared to other cities, Richmond ranks pretty low

LETTER: We will not be silenced

April 1, 2026

Ericka Kopp, candidate for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District  This letter was submitted by Ericka Kopp, a 2014 VCU forensic science alumna and Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. The Revolutionary War began with the “shot heard ‘round the world” on April 19, 1775. In 1776, the U.S. declared independence from British monarchical rule. The war officially ended in 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. From that point forward, the future was to be lived under no king’s rule. On Saturday, March 28, “No Kings 3” gave us an outlet. Maybe you marched in the streets or stood with us in protest. I spent the day meeting people at the heart of VCU campus, listening to what they hoped the event would spark.  I don’t believe we’ve met. Hi, I’m Ericka Kopp (‘14). I’m running for Congress this year in Virginia’s 1st District. As a congressional candidate, I’d like to hear your top issues with the government or with Virginia. Do you know who your congressional representative is? It’s okay if we don’t know, but we should now, right? My family has called Virginia home for decades. We’ve watched the region shift in countless ways. The most

Swords, guilds and what else to expect at RVA’s Ren Faire

April 1, 2026

Rachel Nicholas, Staff Writer With less than a month until opening weekend, Richmond’s Ren Faire has quickly transformed from a niche idea into one of the city’s most anticipated events of the year.  Virago Alley, the host of Richmond’s first Ren Faire, has been hosting small events leading up to the big one.  First, in February with a showing of  “The Princess Bride,” at the Byrd Theatre, complete with sword fighting and a costume contest. As well as a Lunar New Year Celebration, different beer launchings with local breweries and “Gauntlets, Guilds, and a Goblet of Mead Exhibition Opening,” on April 10 at HI-RES gallery.  Set for April 18–19 at Dorey Park, the Richmond Ren Faire is designed as a “grassroots celebration created by and for Richmond,” blending history, performance and community-driven storytelling, according to viragoalley.org. At its core, the Ren Faire is not just knights and castles, but reimagining the Renaissance through a broader, more inclusive lens. Drawing inspiration from the Silk Road, organizers aim to highlight global exchange and the contributions of everyday artisans and tradespeople. One of the defining features of the Faire is its guild system. Guilds function as immersive and  interactive groups that represent different

Students bring colorful ‘Taste of Sudan’ event to campus 

April 1, 2026

Fakeha Naeem, Contributing Writer  VCU’s Sudanese Student Association hosted “Taste of Sudan,” on Saturday from 2-8 p.m. at the VCU Commons Ballroom. The yearly event has gained popularity with approximately 300-500 people in attendance this year. SSA started preparing for the event a year in advance — booking the venue, planning performances, food, skits, dance and finding the volunteers who help bring it all together each year. It all culminates into a day of celebrating the culture and traditions of Sudan. Some attendees are local, like Aseel Packry, others came from Texas and New York, and some having flown all the way from Canada.  The festival started with a patriotic song “Azza fi Hawak,” sung by the board members who wore white to represent the unity of all regions of Sudan — the East, West, North and Central. They followed it with traditional poetry delivered by Mohammad Ibrahim. “The poetry represents what it means to be a Sudanese and how proud we are to be one,” said Aya Hamid, SSA vice president and fourth-year student.  The event highlights the fashion of Sudanese weddings, the prominent colors being red and gold. Jirtig, a traditional wedding thobe in red and traditional Sudanese

PRESS BOX: Is it time for VCU to move on from the A-10?

April 1, 2026

Hayden Braun, Staff Writer For the first time in 10 years, the Rams won an NCAA Tournament game. While the run was short-lived, ending in a second-round loss to the University of Illinois, it was still a relatively successful excursion into March Madness and put VCU back in the national spotlight. However, that success brings back a familiar question surrounding the program: is VCU outgrowing the Atlantic 10 Conference? VCU is one of the most consistent teams in the A-10 over the past decade. The Rams have won the A-10 regular season title five times — three of those shared — and also won the conference tournament four times. The Rams are currently coming off back-to-back seasons winning both the regular season and tournament titles. Despite that sustained success across two different head coaches, postseason success has been limited. No A-10 team since the 2013–2014 Dayton Flyers have advanced past the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  VCU has been stuck in a cycle of good, and sometimes great, regular seasons followed by early tournament exits, often needing to win the conference tournament just to secure a bid. This reality the Rams are in has led to a rather interesting

VCU guard Nyk Lewis to return for another season

April 1, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor  Alexis Washington, Assistant Sports Editor  First-year guard Nyk Lewis announced his intention to return to VCU for his sophomore season after a monumental first season.  Joe Tipton of On3 reported that Lewis and his agency agreed to a deal with the Rams. Lewis is represented by Momentous Sports Partners, a full-service agency focused on contracts and NIL marketing for college athletes, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch. Lewis’ early announcement signifies the culture head coach Phil Martelli Jr. has cultivated in his opening season.  “Very thankful for everything VCU has done to help develop me as a man on and off the court,” Lewis said in an Instagram post. “Thankful for the fans and the community for unforgettable memories and experiences, it’s time to build on last year, let’s run it back.” A large number of fans have expressed that the key points of a successful offseason would be retaining at least two of the three underclassmen guards — including second-years Brandon Jennings and Terrence Hill Jr.  Getting Lewis back so early into the offseason is a great step in the right direction for VCU as the transfer portal does not officially open until April 7. 

APRIL 1 RECAP: How every VCU team did this week

April 1, 2026

Jenny Allen, Staff Writer Baseball vs. Norfolk State University VCU hosted Norfolk State for a midweek matchup but was unable to secure a win. VCU held on to a 2-0 lead through four innings but Norfolk State was able to record three runs in the fifth inning. Despite the Rams ability to carry on their double-digit hits streak to six games, the Spartans scored two late runs in the top of the eighth securing their 5-3 win.   Baseball vs. St. Bonaventure University — Weekend Series  VCU swept St. Bonaventure in its Atlantic 10 series to extend its record to 16-11 overall and 8-1 in the A-10.  The Rams won on Friday, 4-2. This game marked the Rams fourth-straight weekend with a victory and the fifth game allowing only one earned run in. The game remained at zero, until the fifth inning put the Rams up by three after a two-run home run. The Bonnies finally got on the board in the sixth, cutting VCU’s lead down to one. However, a late run gave VCU the two run win. VCU elevated its second win to 13-3, claiming its third consecutive A-10 weekend series win. The Rams scored first in the first

Women’s tennis outclasses University of Richmond

March 27, 2026

Marcus Leary, Contributing Writer  VCU defeated the University of Richmond Spiders 4-1, losing just one singles match to their cross-town rival. The win advances the Rams 9-8 overall and 3-0 in the Atlantic 10. VCU head coach Rifanty Kahfiani said she would be “lying” if this matchup did not mean anything, but it is also the same as every other game. “It’s right across the road and they’re a good team. It has a little bit more something to it,” Kahfiani said. “We just keep telling our players to focus on what we can control. Focusing on practice and fighting from beginning to end.” VCU second-year Sara Alba and first-year Viktoria Lackova finished their match first, dominating Richmond first-year Beatriz Guerra and fourth-year Elizabeth Novak 6-1. VCU second-years Andrea Magallanes and Sofia Jane Thorne beat Richmond third-years Lainey O’Neil and Lucy Webber 6-4. This win gave VCU the edge on doubles, earning the Rams their first point of the afternoon.  The Black and Gold extended their lead when third-year Isa Andrade beat Novak in two sets. Winning 6-1 in the first and 6-0 in the second.  While Andrade took care of business on court two, the Spiders did the same

PRESS BOX: Could Kyler Murray return to baseball?

March 25, 2026

Hayden Braun, Staff Writer Kyler Murray is no stranger to crossroads. Once the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL and the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, Murray chose a career in football over baseball.  After being released by the Arizona Cardinals, Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings — however, he again finds himself at a crossroad. If things don’t work out in the NFL, a return to baseball could still be on the table. During his time in Arizona, Murray showed flashes of elite production but struggled to sustain long-term success. He threw for over 20,000 yards and 121 touchdowns while adding more than 3,000 rushing yards across seven seasons, according to ESPN.  Murray’s best season came in 2021, when the Cardinals opened the year 7–1 and looked like legitimate Super Bowl contenders.  However, the team collapsed down the stretch, losing five of its final seven games before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams. Murray struggled in that loss, throwing for just 137 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 34–11 defeat.  Murray’s time in Arizona never met expectations despite his talent, as injuries

In Richmond, competing ‘No Kings’ protests reveal divided leadership, complicated movement

April 1, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor Richmond had not one, but two anti-Trump protests on Saturday, as ideological and strategic disagreements between organizers led them to hold separate demonstrations. In downtown Kanawha Plaza, 50501 Virginia held a diverse rally alongside a coalition of progressive community organizers that turned into a march through some of the city’s busiest streets.  A mile away in Monroe Park, RVA Indivisible held a “No Kings Freedom Fest” with music, canvassing by local Democratic parties and high-profile speakers such as Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi.  The different approaches by the two Richmond organizations, which previously worked together, revealed a rift that has been festering for months — reflecting national disagreements on how to best dissent against the unprecedented second Trump administration.  Third ‘No Kings’ smaller than last Richmond protest A number of demonstrators said they were confused about which protest they were supposed to attend. The crowds at both Kanawha Plaza and Monroe Park — even if combined — were smaller than the first two major “No Kings” protests in Richmond.  A June 2025 march attracted an estimated 10,000 people, and an October 2025 march reached 20,000. On Saturday, only 3,000 people showed up to Kanawha Plaza, and 5,500

Virginia lawmakers pass legislation to ban face coverings for law enforcement

April 1, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Virginia’s legislature passed two bills this session prohibiting law enforcement from wearing facial coverings while engaged in official duties. Senate Bill 352, patroned by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, and House Bill 1482, patroned by Del. Charlie Schmidt, D-Richmond, subject violating officials to “disciplinary action, including dismissal, demotion, suspension, transfer, or decertification” and create a class 1 misdemeanor for violators. “If you have to commit certain things and you have to hide your identity, you know what you’re doing is wrong, and I think that’s what we’re gonna try to stop,” Salim said. The Senate version applies an exception to law enforcement officers under agencies who have adopted and established a written policy for the individual. Both bills exempt law-enforcement officers assigned to a special weapons and tactics team required to cover their faces while engaged in official duties, as well as sunglasses and facial coverings protecting against disease, infection and exposure to toxic substances. “Other localities came and said, ‘We have law enforcement who are on motorcycles who have to wear a helmet with a shield on. How do you wanna handle that?’ Well, we said they can still

Opinion

We need to make Richmond a more cyclist-friendly city

April 1, 2026

Katie Meeker, Opinions & Humor Editor When attempting to navigate the odyssey that is Richmond traffic, there is nothing more enraging than getting stuck behind a cyclist. As someone who frequently drives in the city, I am very familiar with this frustration. However, as someone who is also often the very cyclist holding up traffic, I am more concerned with how dangerous this anger — and road-sharing in general — can be. Richmond has a huge cyclist community, with infamous biking clubs such as the Broad Street Bullies and bike shops such as RamBikes and Outpost Richmond contributing to a thriving, accessible culture. Beyond these more involved cyclists, there is also a large population of both VCU students and regular Richmonders who use bikes to commute to school and work. However, like most American urban centers, there is a suboptimal amount of infrastructure in Richmond specifically dedicated to protecting this population. Bike lanes are limited to only a few major roads — and no, the bus lane on Broad Street doesn’t count as one — leaving cyclists to decide whether to tempt death via automobile collision or get heckled riding on sidewalks.  Compared to other cities, Richmond ranks pretty low

LETTER: We will not be silenced

April 1, 2026

Ericka Kopp, candidate for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District  This letter was submitted by Ericka Kopp, a 2014 VCU forensic science alumna and Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. The Revolutionary War began with the “shot heard ‘round the world” on April 19, 1775. In 1776, the U.S. declared independence from British monarchical rule. The war officially ended in 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. From that point forward, the future was to be lived under no king’s rule. On Saturday, March 28, “No Kings 3” gave us an outlet. Maybe you marched in the streets or stood with us in protest. I spent the day meeting people at the heart of VCU campus, listening to what they hoped the event would spark.  I don’t believe we’ve met. Hi, I’m Ericka Kopp (‘14). I’m running for Congress this year in Virginia’s 1st District. As a congressional candidate, I’d like to hear your top issues with the government or with Virginia. Do you know who your congressional representative is? It’s okay if we don’t know, but we should now, right? My family has called Virginia home for decades. We’ve watched the region shift in countless ways. The most

The Rundown

Spectrum

Swords, guilds and what else to expect at RVA’s Ren Faire

April 1, 2026

Rachel Nicholas, Staff Writer With less than a month until opening weekend, Richmond’s Ren Faire has quickly transformed from a niche idea into one of the city’s most anticipated events of the year.  Virago Alley, the host of Richmond’s first Ren Faire, has been hosting small events leading up to the big one.  First, in February with a showing of  “The Princess Bride,” at the Byrd Theatre, complete with sword fighting and a costume contest. As well as a Lunar New Year Celebration, different beer launchings with local breweries and “Gauntlets, Guilds, and a Goblet of Mead Exhibition Opening,” on April 10 at HI-RES gallery.  Set for April 18–19 at Dorey Park, the Richmond Ren Faire is designed as a “grassroots celebration created by and for Richmond,” blending history, performance and community-driven storytelling, according to viragoalley.org. At its core, the Ren Faire is not just knights and castles, but reimagining the Renaissance through a broader, more inclusive lens. Drawing inspiration from the Silk Road, organizers aim to highlight global exchange and the contributions of everyday artisans and tradespeople. One of the defining features of the Faire is its guild system. Guilds function as immersive and  interactive groups that represent different

Students bring colorful ‘Taste of Sudan’ event to campus 

April 1, 2026

Fakeha Naeem, Contributing Writer  VCU’s Sudanese Student Association hosted “Taste of Sudan,” on Saturday from 2-8 p.m. at the VCU Commons Ballroom. The yearly event has gained popularity with approximately 300-500 people in attendance this year. SSA started preparing for the event a year in advance — booking the venue, planning performances, food, skits, dance and finding the volunteers who help bring it all together each year. It all culminates into a day of celebrating the culture and traditions of Sudan. Some attendees are local, like Aseel Packry, others came from Texas and New York, and some having flown all the way from Canada.  The festival started with a patriotic song “Azza fi Hawak,” sung by the board members who wore white to represent the unity of all regions of Sudan — the East, West, North and Central. They followed it with traditional poetry delivered by Mohammad Ibrahim. “The poetry represents what it means to be a Sudanese and how proud we are to be one,” said Aya Hamid, SSA vice president and fourth-year student.  The event highlights the fashion of Sudanese weddings, the prominent colors being red and gold. Jirtig, a traditional wedding thobe in red and traditional Sudanese

Sports

PRESS BOX: Is it time for VCU to move on from the A-10?

April 1, 2026

Hayden Braun, Staff Writer For the first time in 10 years, the Rams won an NCAA Tournament game. While the run was short-lived, ending in a second-round loss to the University of Illinois, it was still a relatively successful excursion into March Madness and put VCU back in the national spotlight. However, that success brings back a familiar question surrounding the program: is VCU outgrowing the Atlantic 10 Conference? VCU is one of the most consistent teams in the A-10 over the past decade. The Rams have won the A-10 regular season title five times — three of those shared — and also won the conference tournament four times. The Rams are currently coming off back-to-back seasons winning both the regular season and tournament titles. Despite that sustained success across two different head coaches, postseason success has been limited. No A-10 team since the 2013–2014 Dayton Flyers have advanced past the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  VCU has been stuck in a cycle of good, and sometimes great, regular seasons followed by early tournament exits, often needing to win the conference tournament just to secure a bid. This reality the Rams are in has led to a rather interesting

VCU guard Nyk Lewis to return for another season

April 1, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor  Alexis Washington, Assistant Sports Editor  First-year guard Nyk Lewis announced his intention to return to VCU for his sophomore season after a monumental first season.  Joe Tipton of On3 reported that Lewis and his agency agreed to a deal with the Rams. Lewis is represented by Momentous Sports Partners, a full-service agency focused on contracts and NIL marketing for college athletes, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch. Lewis’ early announcement signifies the culture head coach Phil Martelli Jr. has cultivated in his opening season.  “Very thankful for everything VCU has done to help develop me as a man on and off the court,” Lewis said in an Instagram post. “Thankful for the fans and the community for unforgettable memories and experiences, it’s time to build on last year, let’s run it back.” A large number of fans have expressed that the key points of a successful offseason would be retaining at least two of the three underclassmen guards — including second-years Brandon Jennings and Terrence Hill Jr.  Getting Lewis back so early into the offseason is a great step in the right direction for VCU as the transfer portal does not officially open until April 7. 

APRIL 1 RECAP: How every VCU team did this week

April 1, 2026

Jenny Allen, Staff Writer Baseball vs. Norfolk State University VCU hosted Norfolk State for a midweek matchup but was unable to secure a win. VCU held on to a 2-0 lead through four innings but Norfolk State was able to record three runs in the fifth inning. Despite the Rams ability to carry on their double-digit hits streak to six games, the Spartans scored two late runs in the top of the eighth securing their 5-3 win.   Baseball vs. St. Bonaventure University — Weekend Series  VCU swept St. Bonaventure in its Atlantic 10 series to extend its record to 16-11 overall and 8-1 in the A-10.  The Rams won on Friday, 4-2. This game marked the Rams fourth-straight weekend with a victory and the fifth game allowing only one earned run in. The game remained at zero, until the fifth inning put the Rams up by three after a two-run home run. The Bonnies finally got on the board in the sixth, cutting VCU’s lead down to one. However, a late run gave VCU the two run win. VCU elevated its second win to 13-3, claiming its third consecutive A-10 weekend series win. The Rams scored first in the first

Women’s tennis outclasses University of Richmond

March 27, 2026

Marcus Leary, Contributing Writer  VCU defeated the University of Richmond Spiders 4-1, losing just one singles match to their cross-town rival. The win advances the Rams 9-8 overall and 3-0 in the Atlantic 10. VCU head coach Rifanty Kahfiani said she would be “lying” if this matchup did not mean anything, but it is also the same as every other game. “It’s right across the road and they’re a good team. It has a little bit more something to it,” Kahfiani said. “We just keep telling our players to focus on what we can control. Focusing on practice and fighting from beginning to end.” VCU second-year Sara Alba and first-year Viktoria Lackova finished their match first, dominating Richmond first-year Beatriz Guerra and fourth-year Elizabeth Novak 6-1. VCU second-years Andrea Magallanes and Sofia Jane Thorne beat Richmond third-years Lainey O’Neil and Lucy Webber 6-4. This win gave VCU the edge on doubles, earning the Rams their first point of the afternoon.  The Black and Gold extended their lead when third-year Isa Andrade beat Novak in two sets. Winning 6-1 in the first and 6-0 in the second.  While Andrade took care of business on court two, the Spiders did the same

PRESS BOX: Could Kyler Murray return to baseball?

March 25, 2026

Hayden Braun, Staff Writer Kyler Murray is no stranger to crossroads. Once the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL and the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, Murray chose a career in football over baseball.  After being released by the Arizona Cardinals, Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings — however, he again finds himself at a crossroad. If things don’t work out in the NFL, a return to baseball could still be on the table. During his time in Arizona, Murray showed flashes of elite production but struggled to sustain long-term success. He threw for over 20,000 yards and 121 touchdowns while adding more than 3,000 rushing yards across seven seasons, according to ESPN.  Murray’s best season came in 2021, when the Cardinals opened the year 7–1 and looked like legitimate Super Bowl contenders.  However, the team collapsed down the stretch, losing five of its final seven games before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams. Murray struggled in that loss, throwing for just 137 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 34–11 defeat.  Murray’s time in Arizona never met expectations despite his talent, as injuries

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