News

Potential local impacts of recent SCOTUS decisions

Beyond the literal heat wave sweeping the United States, a swath of hot-button Supreme Court decisions has sent an already tumultuous political landscape into overdrive. To bring this national news to the local level, here are some of the Charlottesville-area implications of recent SCOTUS rulings on abortion access, federal regulations, homelessness, and presidential immunity: Food […]

Catie Ratliff | July 10, 2024

News

Abortion access in Virginia two years post-Dobbs

Two years after the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion in Virginia remains protected up to 26 weeks and six days into pregnancy (with some exceptions for maternal health). In Charlottesville, organizations are working to uphold and expand existing protections around reproductive healthcare in the commonwealth and across the country. Despite stringent restrictions […]

Catie Ratliff | July 3, 2024

News

Election results for the VA-5 Republican primary still aren’t certified

More than a week after election day, the results of the Republican primary in Virginia’s 5th district remain up in the air. After a campaign riddled with barbs between incumbent Bob Good and state Senator John McGuire, election day saw a razor-thin margin between the two ultra-conservatives. Things in the 5th district have been ramping […]

Catie Ratliff | June 26, 2024

News

UVA swimmers dominate at Olympic trials

The University of Virginia will be well represented in the pool at the 2024 Olympics this summer. Several current and former Hoos will swim for Team USA, along with Cavalier commit and Western Albemarle High School student Thomas Heilman. Even before the competition, the pressure was on for former UVA swimmer and Olympian Kate Douglass, […]

Catie Ratliff | June 26, 2024

News

The local LGBTQ+ community is thriving in unexpected places

Charlottesville doesn’t have a gay bar, but the local LGBTQ+ community is thriving in less traditional spaces. With the closure of Club 216 in 2012, Escafé in 2018, and Impulse in 2020, Charlottes­ville’s Queer nightlife and drag scene has become increasingly transient, with pop-up events at various restaurants and businesses in the area. The fate […]

Catie Ratliff | June 19, 2024

News

UVA withholds degrees from students arrested at encampment

The University of Virginia is withholding degrees from four graduating students who were arrested at the encampment for Gaza on May 4, pending trials by the University Judiciary Committee. Eleven students face UJC trials in connection with the protest, with proceedings seemingly in limbo while students are away for the summer. While UVA asserts it […]

Catie Ratliff | June 18, 2024

News

Office politics

Few people get into politics for the salaries, but for local and state representatives this rings especially true. Whether they’re on city council, serving in the House of Delegates, or a longtime member of the state Senate, most of Charlottesville’s legislators have a second job. To find out more about compensation for elected officials, C-VILLE […]

Catie Ratliff | June 5, 2024

News

Making the cut

Members of the University of Virginia Swimming and Diving team are set to make a splash at the United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis June 15 to 23. Any Cavaliers who make the Olympic roster will join UVA Head Coach Todd DeSorbo in Paris, where he will lead the U.S. women’s team. Since taking over […]

Catie Ratliff | May 29, 2024

News

Public space

As the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Downtown Mall approaches in 2026, the city of Charlottesville is looking to make some improvements. The Downtown Mall Action Plan presented to city council outlines stakeholders’ priorities and suggested next steps, with a focus on the Mall as a public space. “The goal was not to […]

Catie Ratliff | May 29, 2024

News

Budging the budget

After months of debate, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a compromise budget passed by the state legislature during a special session on May 13. The new budget passed with broad bipartisan support, with vote totals coming in at 94-6 in the House of Delegates and 39-1 in the state Senate. Most of Democrats’ priorities from the […]

Catie Ratliff | May 22, 2024