Catie Ratliff, Author at C-VILLE Weekly

News

Trump administration offers increased access to federal funds for policy commitments from UVA

The University of Virginia received a letter from the U.S. Department of Education October 1, calling on the school to sign an agreement in exchange for increased access to federal funds. The letter, and attached “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” was sent to nine universities, which, in addition to UVA, included Brown, Dartmouth, […]

Catie Ratliff | October 8, 2025

News

UVA football team stuns No. 8 FSU

In a nail-biting upset, the University of Virginia football team defeated Florida State 46-38 in double overtime September 26. The victory propelled the Hoos into the AP’s Top 25 college football poll for the first time since 2019. Prior to kickoff, the then-undefeated Seminoles were ranked No. 8 by theAP, and were favored to win […]

Catie Ratliff | September 30, 2025

News

SCOTUS Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on the importance of education access

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson spoke at the University of Virginia on September 18. The conversation, organized by UVA Law’s Education Rights Institute, explored Jackson’s life and the perspectives she brings to the United States’ highest court. Tickets to the free event in Old Cabell Hall went quickly, and were available on a first-come, […]

Catie Ratliff | September 24, 2025

News

A rundown of Albemarle’s contested elections

This is the first article in C-VILLE’s 2025 election series, which will cover local and statewide races in the lead-up to Election Day, November 4. Early voting is underway and, among a sea of uncontested races, three in Albemarle County have two candidates on the ballot: the Samuel Miller District Board of Supervisors, the Rio […]

Catie Ratliff | September 24, 2025

News

The cost of abortion access is higher than ever for Blue Ridge Abortion Fund

In the three years since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision that ended federal abortion protections, the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund has spent more money than in the previous 33 years, combined. Founded as a pickle-jar fundraiser by the local chapter of the National Organization for Women at the Albemarle County Fair in 1989, […]

Catie Ratliff | September 17, 2025

News

Virginia updates COVID-19 vaccine prescription requirements ahead of CDC meeting

As of September 10, Virginians 18 years and older with at least one underlying condition, and everyone over 65 years old, can obtain a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription. The statewide order comes as health officials grapple with regulations ahead of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s September 18-19 meeting. The existing CDC […]

Catie Ratliff | September 17, 2025

News

Area leaders commemorate 66th anniversary of CCS integration

On September 8, Del. Katrina Callsen presented Charles Alexander, one of the Charlottesville Twelve that integrated city schools, with a resolution from the Virginia General Assembly. The ceremony was held at the Albemarle County Office Building on the 66th anniversary of the integration of Charlottesville’s public schools. Alexander was one of nine students who integrated […]

Catie Ratliff | September 10, 2025

News

Downtown Mall vacancies, foot traffic, and a debate over homelessness collide

The Downtown Mall is at the center of Charlottesville’s most recent controversy, a “camping ordinance” that would criminalize sleeping or storing personal belongings on public property. While a strong coalition opposing the ordinance showed up at the September 2 City Council meeting, some business owners claimed the draft proposal was a step toward strengthening Charlottesville’s […]

Catie Ratliff | September 10, 2025

News

Out and proud

Despite a nationwide decrease in corporate support for Pride events, local celebrations will feature more vendors than ever before, according to Nick Hutchins, president of Charlottesville Pride. Nearly 80 vendors will be at the 2025 event—which kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday, September 6, at the Ting Pavilion. “This festival … has just seen such […]

Catie Ratliff | September 3, 2025

Feature News

How aggressive immigration policy undermines due process rights in Charlottesville, and the entire country

In late April, three plainclothes federal agents swept into Albemarle County General District Court, and carried out some of the Trump administration’s earliest-known local courthouse detentions. There, in front of stunned witnesses, agents detained Teodoro Dominguez-Rodriguez and Pablo Aparicio-Marcelino, who had each appeared in court while facing separate criminal charges. The sudden arrests—and the failed […]

Catie Ratliff | August 27, 2025