In brief: Activist fined, white supremacist jailed, and more

Cracking down Just days after a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back, sparking national outrage and protests, City Manager Tarron Richardson decided to crack down on gatherings in Charlottesville—targeting those organized by Black residents. While Richardson supports the right to “peaceably assemble” amidst the pandemic, he explained in a press […]

Reaching out: With much on the line, voter registration groups push through the pandemic

By Carol Diggs In each of Virginia’s last five national elections, voter registration around the state has surged anywhere from 6 to 10 percent. This year, coronavirus has made voter registration (like so many things) just a little harder. Registering online, available throughout the pandemic shutdown, requires a Virginia driver’s license or DMV-issued ID—things that […]

Bridging the gaps: New Burley principal has big plans

Kasaundra Blount felt stagnant. She had worked at Armstrong High School in her hometown of Richmond—first as a social studies teacher, then an assistant principal—for several years, and was ready for a new challenge. So she accepted an assistant principal position at Albemarle High School. “There was a lot of conversation going on around makerspaces […]

Reopening rage: Orange County’s plan for in-person class draws fear, anger, resignations from teachers

“Morale is at the lowest level it’s ever been,” says one Orange County public school teacher. “You walk down the hallway and everybody is banging their heads against the wall because we’re just so frustrated.”  “The most appalling part of this,” says another teacher, “is that there’s so many things that they haven’t thought about.” […]