Dec. 18 Newsletter: Going nuclear
Weather: High of 60, late night rain possible.
On this date in 1973, Richmond’s worst snowstorm in years leads schools to cancel classes until after the Christmas break.
Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU. Virginia Commonwealth University is a powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. We attack challenges as opportunities to do what others can’t or won’t. VCU is truly unlike any university you’ve ever seen.
Is Richmond giving out too many honorary street names? City Council debates cutting back.
Over the past four years, City Council has provided honorary street names to 56 people with ties to Richmond and its neighborhoods, a massive increase over past years.
- Each sign costs $700 to produce.
Council is now weighing cutting back on the number of Richmonders who receive the designation.
Read more, and see a list of all honorary street names, here.
Energy startup to build nuclear fusion plant in Chesterfield
A group that started at MIT announced plans to build a nuclear fusion plant in Chesterfield, which has never been done on a commercial scale.
The company told the New York Times it will demonstrate the feasibility of its technology at a test site in 2027. The Chesterfield site wouldn't generate power until the 2030s.
Read more, including what the company says about safety, here.
State housing authority asks court to appoint receiver for troubled Model Tobacco apartments in South Richmond
Former Detroit Lions player Christopher Harrison led a group that renovated the apartments in 2020 using roughly $20 million in state and federal tax credits.
Now, the state's housing authority says he's stopped paying the bills on a $34 million state loan.
- Harrison was indicted on embezzlement charges in October. He is pleading not guilty.
The receiving group would operate the property ahead of a foreclosure sale or other arrangements for the property.
Read more on the lawsuit here.
Also today in The Richmonder:
Graham Moomaw
Sean Sublette
Today's sponsor:
VCU surpasses $500 million in sponsored funding
Virginia Commonwealth University is marking a milestone achievement in its renowned research enterprise. Highlighting ongoing and dramatic growth, VCU has surpassed the $500 million mark in sponsored funding for the first time.
“For the sixth year in a row, VCU has again broken its own record for sponsored funding, continuing its rise as one of the nation’s top 50 public research universities,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. VCU's research impacts lives by addressing local, national and global challenges. Read more.
In other news...
- Richmond residents and Patriot Front members settle over Arthur Ashe mural vandalism (8 News)
- Richmond won't choose Coliseum developer until after Stoney departs (Times-Dispatch)
- Still searching for new title sponsor, Richmond’s PGA tourney may form a foursome (BizSense)
The editor's desk
What to make of Tuesday's announcement about a nuclear fusion power plant coming to Chesterfield?
If the plant goes operational and is successful, it's a site that could have a historic marker some day as the starting point for the future of energy.
On the other hand, we'll be holding our breath for a while waiting to see if the technology comes through — and while the group has the best intentions and some brilliant minds, that's never a guarantee of success.
As data centers continue to proliferate across the state, it's clear that our energy needs are only going to skyrocket. Whether this is the answer, only time will tell.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
