News

City and county schools hold firm on inclusionary policies despite federal pressure

Charlottesville City and Albemarle County Public Schools remain committed to their current curriculum, despite federal pressure to end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.  Opposition to DEI has emerged as a cornerstone of conservative policymaking, and has been frequently used as a justification for sweeping change by the Trump administration. Courts are weighing the legality of […]

Catie Ratliff | March 5, 2025

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UVA calls for lockdown twice in two days

Update: Nyeem Hill was taken into custody by VSP with the assistance of ACPD on March 5. He has been charged with eluding, obstruction, two felony counts of hit and run, a misdemeanor count of hit and run, reckless driving, disregarding a stop sign, and an inspection violation. The University of Virginia went into lockdown […]

Catie Ratliff | March 5, 2025

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UVA Board of Visitors voted to continue care for trans youth, but the future remains uncertain

The University of Virginia Board of Visitors voted February 21 to continue providing gender-affirming care for youth “in a manner compliant with existing law”—with some caveats. Trans rights and health care have been at the forefront of national political debate, with the Trump administration and conservative lawmakers stripping protections for LGBTQ+ Americans. For trans community […]

Catie Ratliff | February 26, 2025

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Former Charlottesville mayor Satyendra Huja dies at 83

Charlottesville is mourning the loss of its former two-term mayor Satyendra Huja, who died on February 14. He was 83 years old. A prolific figure in local government, Huja held numerous leadership positions during his more than three decades of work for the City of Charlottesville. One of his most notable projects was opening—and keeping […]

Catie Ratliff | February 26, 2025

News

Board of Visitors votes to continue gender-affirming care for youth at UVA Medical Center—for now

The University of Virginia Board of Visitors voted February 21 to continue providing gender-affirming care for youth “in a manner compliant with existing law”—with some caveats.  Under the resolution, providers can continue to treat current patients, but all “new patients seeking gender-affirming care of the nature described in the presidential executive order should be referred […]

Catie Ratliff | February 21, 2025

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Area activists navigate new immigration landscape

From the border wall to expedited deportations, hard-line immigration policy has been a priority for President Donald Trump for years. Amid the barrage of executive orders and immigration policy changes from Washington, D.C., local organizations and individuals find themselves in both familiar and uncharted waters. Charlottesville is hundreds of miles from the nearest land border […]

Catie Ratliff | February 19, 2025

News

Three dead, including gunman, after Harris Teeter shooting

Albemarle County Police responded to multiple reports of shots fired at the Harris Teeter grocery store in Crozet at approximately 1:35pm on February 17. Two people, including the shooter, were pronounced dead at the scene. A third victim was transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries. The […]

Catie Ratliff | February 18, 2025

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UCWVA calls for legislature to restore state employees’ collective bargaining rights 

Organizers across Virginia are again asking the General Assembly to pass legislation that would expand collective bargaining rights to include state employees. While a worker’s right to collectively bargain in Virginia was partially restored in 2021, the bill included a number of limitations and exceptions. State employees, including those employed by public institutions like the […]

Catie Ratliff | February 12, 2025

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Week two of Trump brings more questions than answers for organizations receiving federal funds

Chaos and questions were rampant when the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget released a memo pausing all federal financial assistance programs on January 27. The order was eventually rescinded, but future plans for the funding remain unknown at press time. The funding freeze, the culmination of multiple executive orders issued by President Donald […]

Catie Ratliff | February 5, 2025