Federal cuts to food assistance have hit Virginia families hard, according to a new study.
Health and safety
These are stories about health care, environmental issues, policing, crime, the stresses of inequities — all the things that make us healthy or unhealthy in expected and unexpected ways.
Posted inHealth and safety
‘It’s either come here or not eat’: How a local food pantry feeds Fluvanna and its neighbors
“I worry more about our older residents, especially because we’re rural and don’t have public transportation. That makes it harder to reach them,” said Jennifer Schmack, Fluvanna County’s director of economic development and tourism.
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Learn about the ballot referendum on automatically restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated people
The loss of voting rights due to felony convictions disproportionately affects Black Virginians, according to research from the Sentencing Project.
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
The reproductive freedom question on your ballot explained
Virginia voters will decide whether to change what the state constitution says about reproductive health, including birth control, prenatal care, abortion and miscarriage management.
Posted inHealth and safety
Learn about alternatives to the prison system at a free community summit
The two-day event will bring community members together to explore restorative justice, re-entry and tools to build safer communities outside of the prison system.
Posted inOur neighborhoods
‘Most people won’t know what happened here’: stories of loss and uncertainty emerge after Free Bridge encampment clearing
While the clearing of the Free Bridge encampment may have appeared orderly, residents reported stolen belongings and some lost everything they owned in a fire.
Posted inNewsletter
City of Charlottesville begins clearing Free Bridge encampment
About 30 people remained in the area as of the morning of Sept. 1.
Posted inOur neighborhoods
Q&A: Two Rivanna River encampment residents offer their views on how a shelter should be built — and how the city can regain trust
Jennifer Grant and Donnas “Dee” Chambers have been speaking out at Charlottesville City Council meetings. Here’s more of what they want to say.
Posted inShort and Important
Charlottesville resident creates a new view of food infrastructure
The searchable map includes farmers markets, food pantries, community fridges, free meal sites, community gardens and other resources across the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia.
Posted inHealth and safety
Rural Virginia communities face real and lingering consequences from labor and delivery unit closures
Mothers and their children are at greater risk for negative health outcomes as their access to care shrinks in central Virginia and across the country.
