Our bodies, our choice

Hours after a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion made real the likelihood that Roe v. Wade will be fully overturned by summer, reversing decades of legal protection for a woman’s right to control her own body, protesters gathered in front of the federal courthouse in downtown Charlottesville. “This is so major, because if you […]

In brief: Union rally, FOIA lawsuit, and more

‘Having a voice matters’ Waving colorful homemade posters and blue union authorization cards, several dozen Albemarle County teachers and community members rallied in front of the County Office Building last Thursday evening, urging the county school board to allow school employees to unionize. In late March, the Albemarle Education Association submitted to the board a […]

Healing together

For the first time since the death of their son Otto, Cindy and Fred Warmbier returned to the University of Virginia last week, as the fifth anniversary of his passing nears. While touring North Korea, the then-third-year UVA commerce student was accused of attempting to steal a political banner, and sentenced to 15 years in […]

‘No new crimes’

During a heated one-day veto session last week, the Virginia General Assembly killed Governor Glenn Youngkin’s amendments that would have created two new misdemeanor crimes for possessing more than two ounces of marijuana, accompanied by potential fines and jail time. The controversial legislation also would have banned the sale of Delta-8—a popular form of THC […]

Just say ‘yes’

The proposed reconfiguration of Buford Middle School was the subject of headlines and hand-wringing for much of the past year, until Charlottesville City Council arrived at a less expensive solution to allow that project to proceed. Now, another long-overdue renovation of a public facility—the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail—is on the table, and questions about the cost […]

Luminaries jump into the fray

Your move, Montpelier Foundation. That was the message delivered by the Montpelier Descendants Committee at an April 28 press conference announcing a slate of 20 candidates for nine spots on the Montpelier Foundation board and demanding the reinstatement of fired staff members who led the archaeological work at the fourth U.S. president’s former home.  The […]

Fueling change

By Kristin O’Donoghue About 200 students calling on the University of Virginia to divest from fossil fuel industries marched across Grounds to the park near the coal plant on Earth Day, April 22. Marchers first met at the Rotunda, where leaders of DivestUVA shared opening remarks, beginning with recognition of the Monacan Nation, the “historic […]

Montpelier goes feud-al

A dispute between the Montpelier Foundation board and the Montpelier Descendants Committee over a power-sharing agreement reached last summer has now snowballed into what appears to be a full-on revolt by staff at the fourth U.S. president’s historic estate. “By revoking parity with the MDC and by firing and suspending staff, TMF has attempted to […]

Art for good

For almost a decade, Charlottesville resident Valerie Goodman has created Ukrainian eggs for fun—but when Russia invaded Ukraine, she saw the eggs as a way to raise money and awareness. Since March, Goodman has hosted egg-decorating parties for up to a dozen people. At the events, the minimum donation is $25 per egg, but Goodman […]