News

GOP megabill could cost Virginia billions in lost clean energy projects

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act that narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 22 includes provisions that could jeopardize billions of dollars in Virginia green energy projects.  Charlottesville-headquartered Southern Environmental Law Center reports federal agencies have put more than $5 billion into 350 clean energy projects in the commonwealth since the passage […]

Catie Ratliff | June 4, 2025

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Mind on the money

Charlottesville City Council delayed its anticipated June 2 vote on a multimillion dollar surplus allocation, rescheduling the vote to allow for a second public hearing. City Manager Sam Sanders announced the allocation will total $8.69 million, down from the $12 million previously discussed. The reduction was partially prompted by recent federal government action, namely the […]

Catie Ratliff | June 4, 2025

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The right (of) way?

Charlottesville Police arrested local pedestrian activist Kevin Cox on May 21, four days after he used spray chalk to create a makeshift crosswalk at the intersection of Elliott Avenue and Second Street SE. Calls for a permanent marked crossing at the intersection picked up last October following the death of Mamawa Simai, who died after […]

Catie Ratliff | May 28, 2025

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Alamo Drafthouse tells patrons to move their wheelchairs—an hour after they purchased tickets

Accessibility advocate India Sims and her friend Cynthia Pettus left Alamo Drafthouse midscreening on May 25 after they were told their wheelchairs’ location violated the fire code. Sims, a lifelong Charlottesville-area resident, has previously seen films at Alamo without issue. “I’ve been there multiple times to see things,” she says. “My chair was always around; […]

Catie Ratliff | May 27, 2025

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Mifepristone case is back in Charlottesville court

Access to mifepristone was once again on the local docket, with representatives from the Center for Reproductive Rights and the Food and Drug Administration presenting oral arguments on May 19 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Charlottesville. The suit, filed by Whole Woman’s Health Alliance in May 2023, challenges […]

Catie Ratliff | May 21, 2025

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Albemarle County supervisors adopt FY 2026 budget

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted a $644 million FY26 budget on May 7. The budget is balanced with a 4-cent increase to the real property tax rate, and a restoration of the pre-pandemic personal property tax rate. New rates go into effect on July 1, for an overall real property tax rate of […]

Catie Ratliff | May 14, 2025

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DOE takes former FEI site away from CCS, awards it to UVA

The U.S. Department of Education rescinded its recommendation that Charlottesville City Schools acquire the site of the former Federal Executive Institute. In a May 9 email to CCS, the DOE said it will instead recommend the U.S. General Services Administration move forward with the University of Virginia’s bid for the property. “Upon further review of […]

Catie Ratliff | May 13, 2025

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Nomination contests kick off for Virginia’s 2025 General Election

It’s primary season in Virginia, and here’s what is—and notably isn’t—on the ballot June 17. Virginia and New Jersey’s off-year elections are historically treated as bellwethers, taking the temperature of public opinion one year after presidential elections. Despite the hoopla, there’s no gubernatorial primary in Virginia this June, with Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome […]

Catie Ratliff | May 7, 2025

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Charlottesville City School Board approves rezoning

The Charlottesville City School Board has officially rezoned its elementary schools for the first time in more than 50 years. While the months-long process was the source of heated debate earlier this year, the new school zones were adopted unanimously at the May 1 board meeting. Neighborhoods affected by the redistricting include the area west […]

Catie Ratliff | May 7, 2025