News

A seat on the Albemarle County School Board is up for grabs in upcoming special election

It’s election season, but the presidential and congressional races aren’t the only contests on the ballot November 5. Albemarle County is holding a special election for now-Delegate Katrina Callsen’s remaining year as the Rio District’s school board representative. The district, which spans from just north of the city into Earlysville, includes Agnor, Broadus Wood, and […]

Catie Ratliff | September 25, 2024

News

IX Art Park Foundation reports financial turnaround

One year after announcing a major restructuring of staffing and offerings due to a budget shortfall, the IX Art Park Foundation has found its footing financially, according to a September 3 press release. With the stabilization, the nonprofit hopes to bring back some offerings in the upcoming months, but it still needs community support. “We […]

Catie Ratliff | September 11, 2024

News

Big changes in the works at Dairy Market

A new parking policy is coming to Dairy Market, following years of pushback from patrons and vendors about paying for parking. Inside the food hall, things are also changing, with several businesses and attractions arriving at the Grady Avenue spot after a wave of restaurant closures. While Citizen Burger Stand, 434th Street, and South and […]

Catie Ratliff | September 4, 2024

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Charlottesville City Council increases salaries and considers ranked-choice voting

At its August 19 meeting, Charlottesville City Council delved into a number of hot-button local issues, including council salaries and ranked-choice voting. Under new legislation from the Virginia General Assembly, city governments can now vote to increase salaries, with pay limits determined by locality population size. A proposed salary ordinance would increase councilors’ annual pay […]

Catie Ratliff | August 21, 2024

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Draft congressional budget bills allocate millions for local projects and organizations

After a tumultuous budget cycle that led to the ouster of former speaker Kevin McCarthy last year, Congress is diving back into budget negotiations for Fiscal Year 2025. Draft bills passed by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee include more than $3 million in appropriations for local projects supporting Charlottesville and Albemarle County efforts around affordable […]

Catie Ratliff | August 21, 2024

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New CHS Principal Justin Malone on the 2024-25 school year

Charlottesville High School is kicking off the 2024-25 school year with a new principal, Justin Malone. Since starting on July 1, Malone has worked to get CHS ready for students to return. “I was ordered a new desk when I came on board and then went on vacation,” says Malone. “When I came back, not […]

Catie Ratliff | August 14, 2024

News

City Council to consider ranked-choice voting ordinance

Charlottesville City Council will formally consider a draft ranked-choice voting ordinance at its August 19 meeting. If approved, Charlottesville would become the second locality in Virginia to adopt ranked-choice voting, and the new voting system will be used on a trial basis in the city’s 2025 election. Under a ranked-choice system, voters can rank candidates […]

Catie Ratliff | August 14, 2024

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Political coverage of Charlottesville seven years after A12

Since August 11 and 12, 2017, Charlottesville has become a national political talking point. With the seven-year anniversary of A12 just around the corner, discussion of Charlottesville continues to be deployed by both national media and political campaigns, especially in the 2024 presidential election. “We are living through a battle for the soul of this […]

Catie Ratliff | August 7, 2024

News

Charlottesville City Council discusses housing and salaries

Charlottesville City Council had a jam-packed meeting on August 5, covering everything from affordable housing efforts to potential salary increases for councilors. Earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation, introduced by Charlottesville-area Del. Katrina Callsen, which allows city councils to increase compensation for their members. Currently, Charlottesville city councilors receive a salary of […]

Catie Ratliff | August 7, 2024