For decades, Virginia has had controversial right-to-work laws, which ban employers from requiring union membership. Though supporters of the laws claim they protect the rights of workers and attract businesses, others say they weaken unions, keep wages low, and benefit corporations—Virginia has one of the lowest unionization rates in the country. But under the Democratic […]
Elation, joy, frustration, heartache—for community activist Don Gathers, watching the removal of Charlottesville’s Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson statues stirred up a wide range of emotions. “This moment is truly surreal. In spite of everything, I wasn’t sure if we would actually get to this point,” he said on Saturday morning, shortly after […]
One hundred years after being erected on West Main Street, the University of Virginia’s George Rogers Clark statue has finally been taken down. On Sunday morning, the day after the city took down three other statues, crews began removing UVA’s racist monument at 7:30am. Members of the Monacan Indian Nation and other North American Indigenous […]
From the very beginning of his campaign, 5th District Representative Bob Good has identified himself as a Trump-loving, Bible-thumping hardcore conservative. He opposes LGBTQ+ equality and abortion rights. He is hard on immigration and asylum seekers. He loves guns and police. Good is now six months into his two-year term. Thus far, the votes he’s […]
It’s no secret that Charlottesville has an ongoing affordable housing crisis, in part due to the city’s long racist history of segregation, redlining, and racial covenants. Behind a huge push from local activists, the city has set aside millions of dollars in recent years to build more affordable housing units. And after releasing an affordable […]
Get your bongs, blunts, and bowls ready—starting July 1, everyone 21 and over can legally possess and use marijuana recreationally in Virginia. Adults will be able to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to four marijuana plants at home, as long as they keep them out of public view and away […]
Over the past month, Charlottesville’s Historic Resources Committee has met virtually with more than a dozen descendants of enslaved laborers, seeking their thoughts and ideas on how to best pay tribute to the thousands of people bought and sold in Court Square. Now, the committee plans to establish a formal timeline for the highly anticipated […]
In April, the United States began offering the coronavirus vaccine to anyone age 16 and older, and right away millions of people lined up outside stadiums, schools, and other mass vaccination centers, relieved to finally get the life-saving shot. But now, nearly two months later, vaccination rates have plummeted across the U.S. The country is […]
After over a year of empty stages, music lovers finally have something to look forward to. Last month, Governor Ralph Northam lifted all social distancing and capacity restrictions, meaning live music will soon be back at several Charlottesville venues. On June 18, the newly renamed Ting Pavilion will reopen with the return of Fridays After […]
Earlier this month, Jennifer McArtor went online to enroll her kids in Mountain View Elementary’s after-school program for the upcoming school year, only to find out she could not register her rising fifth grader. Through another parent, she was surprised to learn that her daughter might be transferred to Walton Middle School, 10 minutes down […]