Looking back on the last year, it’s clear why Charlottesville was named the No. 2 most exciting city in Virginia (actually, we’d make the case for No. 1). Our town was propelled into the national spotlight for high-profile events such as Martese Johnson’s altercation with ABC agents and Jesse Matthew receiving three life sentences in one of three cases against him. But it wasn’t all bad: Dozens of musicians headlined countless sold-out shows around town, the Downtown Mall welcomed a new movie theater and new restaurants and breweries dominated the food scene. This was one for the books.
Related stories
January Exhibitions
Friday 1/30/26 through Tuesday 3/20/26 Ruffin Gallery at the University of Virginia presents its annual Ruffin Distinguished Artist-in-Residence exhibition “We Dream of Life,” a collaboration reflecting friendship, shared dreams, and explorations of the natural world by New Mexico-based artist Paula Wilson and California-based artist iris yirei hu. Within a monumental installation incorporating painting, collage, and […]
C-VILLE Writers | December 31, 2025
January Exhibitions
Friday 1/30/26 through Tuesday 3/20/26 Ruffin Gallery at the University of Virginia presents its annual Ruffin Distinguished Artist-in-Residence exhibition “We Dream of Life,” a collaboration reflecting friendship, shared dreams, and explorations of the natural world by New Mexico-based artist Paula Wilson and California-based artist iris yirei hu. Within a monumental installation incorporating painting, collage, and […]
C-VILLE Writers | December 31, 2025
Virginia Attorney General agrees to DOJ call for end to Virginia Dream Act
Outgoing Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice December 29, committing to end the Virginia Dream Act. The legislation, passed in 2020, allows eligible immigrant students attending Virginia high schools to access in-state university tuition regardless of legal status. To qualify for the Virginia Dream Act, students must […]
Catie Ratliff | January 7, 2026
Virginia Attorney General agrees to DOJ call for end to Virginia Dream Act
Outgoing Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice December 29, committing to end the Virginia Dream Act. The legislation, passed in 2020, allows eligible immigrant students attending Virginia high schools to access in-state university tuition regardless of legal status. To qualify for the Virginia Dream Act, students must […]
Catie Ratliff | January 7, 2026
From Perriello to Warner, political candidates and leaders react to Democrats’ plans to remake Virginia’s Congressional districts
As President Trump pushes Republican-led states to redraw their Congressional districts for their party’s benefit in this year’s midterm elections, Virginia’s General Assembly plans to respond in kind. Democrats, who hold a majority in both the state House and Senate, are moving forward with a plan that amends Virginia’s constitution to allow mid-decade redistricting. Depending […]
Nathan Alderman | January 7, 2026
From Perriello to Warner, political candidates and leaders react to Democrats’ plans to remake Virginia’s Congressional districts
As President Trump pushes Republican-led states to redraw their Congressional districts for their party’s benefit in this year’s midterm elections, Virginia’s General Assembly plans to respond in kind. Democrats, who hold a majority in both the state House and Senate, are moving forward with a plan that amends Virginia’s constitution to allow mid-decade redistricting. Depending […]
Nathan Alderman | January 7, 2026