News

UVA receives $43.4 million gift for community early childhood learning center

School’s out for the summer, but Charlottesville’s investment in education continues. In a June 5 statement, the University of Virginia announced a $43.4 million gift to its School of Education and Human Development to support the creation of a local early childhood learning center. The donation is the largest in the education school’s history. Official […]

Catie Ratliff | June 10, 2026

News Politics

Despite long list of openings, Charlottesville boards and commissions operating at normal vacancy rate

If you attended the June 1 Charlottesville City Council meeting, you may have been surprised when Councilor Michael Payne said, “there are a number of boards and commissions with vacancies,” and even more boards with terms expiring soon. City website data shows that Council appoints roughly 160 positions (excluding ex officio and city departmental appointments) […]

Catie Ratliff | June 10, 2026

Immigration News

How Charlottesville is supporting its immigrant neighbors under the Trump administration

Immigration has long been an expensive and confusing process in the United States, something made more stressful by the ongoing crackdown on pathways and people. At a difficult moment in immigration history, Charlottesville-based organizations have found routes to protect some of our community’s most vulnerable neighbors. Since launching as an independent nonprofit in January, Camino, […]

Catie Ratliff | June 3, 2026

Development News

ACPS announces changes to preschool and K-5 afterschool programs for 2026-27 school year

As students celebrate the start of summer break, Albemarle County Public Schools is already looking ahead to next year with updates to programming for its youngest learners. At the preschool level, early childhood special education programs currently housed at Stony Point Elementary will be moved to Baker-Butler Elementary. The change, per a May 26 release, […]

Catie Ratliff | June 3, 2026

News Politics

Virginia monitoring cases amid surge in measles infections

The Virginia Department of Health launched a statewide measles dashboard on May 21, prompted by a spike in cases. At press time, Virginia has recorded 40 measles cases in 2026—up from the five cases documented in 2025. Among the known infections, 17 are connected to an ongoing outbreak in Buckingham County, which the VDH confirmed […]

Catie Ratliff | May 27, 2026

News

Wave of vetoes from Gov. Spanberger tables Democratic priorities

Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed a slate of Democratic priorities on May 19, surprising the Democratically controlled Virginia General Assembly. Several bills carried and supported by local legislators, covering everything from Board of Visitors reform to immigration enforcement regulations, were among those struck down. The latest string of vetoes follows the legislature’s reconvened session, during which […]

Catie Ratliff | May 27, 2026

Health Care News

SCOTUS stays circuit court’s block of telehealth mifepristone access

The United States Supreme Court indefinitely extended telehealth access to the abortion medication mifepristone on May 14, pending further litigation in federal court. While the challenge to telehealth access comes from Louisiana, the case has already resulted in nationwide impacts—including states with abortion protections, like Virginia. Louisiana argues that a 2023 U.S. Food and Drug […]

Catie Ratliff | May 20, 2026

News

Despite holding a trifecta, Virginia Dems split on key legislative issues

In a surprise move, Gov. Abigail Spanberger struck down collective bargaining legislation passed by the Democratically controlled General Assembly on May 14. The governor sent the amended bill back to the legislature on April 13. The House of Delegates returned the bill as originally passed to the governor’s desk on April 23, forcing Spanberger to […]

Catie Ratliff | May 20, 2026

News

SPLC faces new legal scrutiny from Alabama attorney general’s office

Legal woes continue to mount for the Southern Poverty Law Center. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced a civil investigation into the nonprofit on May 11, four days after it pleaded not guilty on all counts filed by the Department of Justice. The DOJ alleges that SPLC engaged in wire fraud, false statements, and conspiracy […]

Catie Ratliff | May 13, 2026