Catie Ratliff, Author at C-VILLE Weekly

Despite Virginia Supreme Court scrapping new map, Dems still favored to take the House

In a 4-3 ruling, the Supreme Court of Virginia sided with the Tazewell County Circuit Court on May 8, tossing out voter-approved maps ahead of the 2026 midterm election. With the decision, Charlottesville will remain in the 5th Congressional District. Both the majority opinion and dissent grapple with the definition of “election” as it pertains […]

Catie Ratliff | May 13, 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

Housing News

Service providers and city leaders say immediate action should be taken to address affordable housing and local unhoused population

At its May 4 meeting, Charlottesville City Council received an update on “The State of Homelessness” from a coalition of service providers. Led by continuum-of-care coordinator Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless, the conversation covered everything from the latest data on the local unhoused population to ambitious plans for shelter and housing programs. Every […]

Catie Ratliff | May 6, 2026

News

Congressional candidates figure out next steps after redistricting

On April 21, Virginia voters approved state Democrats’ bid to redraw congressional maps, with roughly 51.64 percent voting “yes” in the special election. While legal challenges to the constitutional amendment persist at press time, congressional candidates are turning their attention to the primaries. The Virginia Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the amendment on April […]

Catie Ratliff | April 29, 2026

Education News

Charlottesville School Board vote to rescind SRO model fails despite community concerns

At an April 16 work session, the Charlottesville City School Board opted to preserve its prior changes to the district’s school safety model, moving forward with the return of school resource officers at the start of the 2026-27 academic year. Dozens gathered outside Charlottesville High School ahead of the marathon five-hour-plus meeting, calling on the […]

Catie Ratliff | April 22, 2026

News

An April 20 post from Cville ICE Watch shows alleged agents dressed in tactical gear surrounding a vehicle

Masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in tactical gear detained a Charlottesville man in the immediate vicinity of a school bus stop around 8:30am on April 20. Video of the incident, recorded by students waiting for the bus and obtained by C-VILLE, shows the alleged ICE agents yelling at the man to exit his vehicle. […]

Catie Ratliff | April 22, 2026

Feature News

As Virginia moves toward full legalization of adult-use marijuana, we take a look at everything green

It’s official: Virginia’s (finally) opening its adult-use retail cannabis market in 2027, though the exact start date is still being hashed out. The Commonwealth may be late to the legalization party, but the state is the site of the earliest-known cannabis legislation in North America. In 1619, the first Virginia General Assembly not only encouraged, […]

Catie Ratliff | April 15, 2026

News

CCS reopens SRO discussion in light of community member concerns

In response to community concerns about the reintroduction of school resource officers—armed police patrolling schools—the Charlottesville City School Board will host a work session at Charlottesville High School on April 16 at 5pm. A coalition including students, community activists, the Legal Aid Justice Center, and the Charlottesville Education Association will hold a rally in opposition […]

Catie Ratliff | April 15, 2026

News

Spanberger vetoes eight bills in lead-up to legislative deadline

Democrats hold a majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, so it was no surprise that Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed most of the hundreds of bills that were sent to her desk this session. Still, the governor didn’t hesitate to veto and amend bills in the weeks and hours leading up to the April […]

Catie Ratliff | April 15, 2026

News

UVA WBB head coach ousted, several players reportedly enter transfer portal

The University of Virginia is once again searching for a new women’s basketball coach. Despite a historic season for the Cavs, former head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton was released from her contract—a year before its expiration—on April 4. The firing of Agugua-Hamilton, also known as Coach Mox, marks a dour end to an exciting season for […]

Catie Ratliff | April 8, 2026