Albemarle Planning Commission recommends denial of rezoning for 18-unit development

A major objective in Albemarle County’s Comprehensive Plan is to “increase the use of infill, higher-density development, adaptive reuse, and redevelopment in the Development Areas.”  That is a guideline, not a commandment, allowing elected and appointed officials to make decisions on a case-by-case basis.  On May 26, the Planning Commission voted 5-1 to recommend denial […]

How Charlottesville is supporting its immigrant neighbors under the Trump administration

Immigration has long been an expensive and confusing process in the United States, something made more stressful by the ongoing crackdown on pathways and people. At a difficult moment in immigration history, Charlottesville-based organizations have found routes to protect some of our community’s most vulnerable neighbors. Since launching as an independent nonprofit in January, Camino, […]

ACPS announces changes to preschool and K-5 afterschool programs for 2026-27 school year

As students celebrate the start of summer break, Albemarle County Public Schools is already looking ahead to next year with updates to programming for its youngest learners. At the preschool level, early childhood special education programs currently housed at Stony Point Elementary will be moved to Baker-Butler Elementary. The change, per a May 26 release, […]

John McGuire vs. SNAP

“I agree that every Virginian should have access to healthy and nutritious foods regardless of their income,” says Congressman John McGuire. “Food is medicine, and like I always say, you can’t exercise your way out of bad nutrition.”  McGuire says the tax cuts in HR1, the Republican budget bill he voted for in May 2025, […]

Virginia monitoring cases amid surge in measles infections

The Virginia Department of Health launched a statewide measles dashboard on May 21, prompted by a spike in cases. At press time, Virginia has recorded 40 measles cases in 2026—up from the five cases documented in 2025. Among the known infections, 17 are connected to an ongoing outbreak in Buckingham County, which the VDH confirmed […]

Smaller West Main building still draws ire from public housing advocate

The tension between Charlottesville’s permissive new zoning code and public housing advocates continued to be on display when the Board of Architectural Review took a preliminary look at a revised proposal for another student housing building on West Main Street during its May 19 meeting.  “Ultimately something’s going to get built here,” said BAR Chairman […]

Wave of vetoes from Gov. Spanberger tables Democratic priorities

Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed a slate of Democratic priorities on May 19, surprising the Democratically controlled Virginia General Assembly. Several bills carried and supported by local legislators, covering everything from Board of Visitors reform to immigration enforcement regulations, were among those struck down. The latest string of vetoes follows the legislature’s reconvened session, during which […]