• Virginia's former Director of Education is getting a six-figure severance package after abruptly resigning last week.
• The Quirk Gallery in downtown Charlottesville features the exhibit "Constant Anomalies" by Suzanna Fields--using unusual painting techniques to capture the beauty of nature.
• Five longtime locals describe what they love about Charlottesville in the latest issue of Cville Weekly
• Governor Youngkin has changed the criteria for restoring voting rights to formerly-incarcerated felons, and we're not sure why.
• Amazon's pause on constructing HQ2 has been paired with layoffs and paused partnerships with Virginia institutions.

• The 7th Annual UVA Flute Forum took place this past weekend.
• A few weeks ago, a man in custody at Central State Hospital was killed. Now seven deputies involved in the incident have been charged with murder.
• Some Virginia election officials are resigning in the face of threats and harassment--with some counties facing empty offices entirely.
• Virginia has a State Corporation Commission, but it still has just one member. House Republicans and Senate Democrats cannot agree on how to fill to empty seats.
• After the Silicon Valley Bank went belly-up earlier this month, the federal government promised to bail out its wealthy account holders. At one time, federal regulations would have prevented this kind of bank failure--but a 2018 law co-sponsored by Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner loosened restrictions on mid-sized banks.
• A new government report sheds light on a need for clarity on “earned wage access” programs--drawing parallels to the payday loan issues of the last decade.

• Governor Glenn Youngkin's education townhall doesn't quite land.
• PVCC's Higher Education in Prison Program puts on an artistic performance for incarcerated students.
• Charlottesville's only homeless center for the elderly and seriously ill is closing soon.
• A new bill in the General Assembly would require age verification for pornographic websites
• Where does Charlottesville's beer comes from?
• In a new report, Norfolk turned out to have the fastest acceleration of sea level rise along the east coast.

• Virginia's Superintendent of Public Instruction resigned last week after being in the job for a year. What happened?
• Live Arts has a new show opening this month: CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY | Live Arts
• Charlottesville city schools wanted to address staffing issues by hiring formerly incarcerated people--but the General Assembly didn't touch the issue.
• This winter, Charlottesville's homeless center staff is facing double the usual demand--a problem exacerbated by an extra-warm winter and rising inflation.
• The General Assembly has wrapped its session, but the budget is still in limbo--and so is the state's Cannabis Control Agency.
• Nuclear advocates are pushing for small, modular nuclear reactors--but there's a lot of questions about how that'd work for Virginia.

Have you ever looked at a map of Charlottesville, surrounded on all sides by Albemarle County, and wondered why Charlottesville and Albemarle are governed completely separately? Maybe you moved here from another state and were surprised to learn that your children would attend a city school rather than a county one. Or maybe you’ve visited northern Virginia and crisscrossed in and out of Fairfax County as you passed through the cities of Falls Church, Alexandria and even the independent city of Fairfax which is surrounded on all sides by the county of Fairfax.  The answer is that cities in Virginia are independent cities. There are 41 independent cities in the whole United States and 38 of them are in Virginia. So this week we’re going to talk about what they are, why they exist and what they mean for local governance. First up, we’re going to get the legal perspective from UVA Law Professor Rich Schragger. In the second half of the show we’ll get a boots on the ground perspective from Charlottesville City Councilor, Juandiego Wade.https://www.law.virginia.edu/faculty/profile/rcs4t/1206421

It’s been two weeks since the US supreme court overturned Roe v. Wade and people all over the country have been trying to figure out how to respond to it. In Virginia abortions are still legal during the first and second trimesters. After about seven months, Virginia doctors can perform abortions only if the life of the pregnant person is threatened. But that may well change. Governor Glenn Youngkin responded to the decision by calling on his fellow Republican legislators to push for restrictions on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Here in Charlottesville a number of organizations are working to educate people about the Supreme Court Decision and its local impact on reproductive healthcare. If you have questions we encourage you to look up the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund, Planned Parenthood Charlottesville, Repro Rising Virginia, UVA survivors, Period at UVA or talk to a medical care provider. We’ll have more local coverage as things unfold both here and on our sister podcast, Bold Dominion. Today though, we’re gonna focus on the decision itself. We’re bringing you a teach-in by UVA Law Professor Ann Coughlin and Professor Bonnie Gordon. 

Sound Justice Lab at UVA https://soundjusticelab.org  Planned Parenthood Charlottesville https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/virginia/charlottesville/22901/charlottesville-health-center-2815-90860  Blue Ridge Abortion Fund https://blueridgeabortionfund.org  Repro Rising Virginia https://twitter.com/REPRORising_VA

In the past year the national average cost of food according to the Consumer Price Index rose 10%. In this episode our production team canvases Charlottesville grocery stores to find out how much food costs here relative to the national averages. In the second half of the show we talk about how these rapid increases in the cost of food are impacting the Blue Ridge Food Bank and the families they serve.  Check out the Consumer Price Index: https://www.bls.gov/cpi/  Learn more about the Blue Ridge Food Bank: https://www.brafb.org

Notes go hereOn this episode of Charlottesville Soundboard, we discuss the trials and successes of labor unions in the area. First, we sit down with Kieran Williams, a member of the newly-founded Bodo's Union Organizing Committee. Then, we hear from the President and Vice President of the Albemarle Educator's Association, Vernon Liechti and Mary McIntyre.

This week, we’ll delve into two interesting and  important stories in Charlottesville. First up, we’ll hear from a few of the artists behind a resurgence in the drag show scene here in town. And in the second half, Charlotte Rene Woods tells us how trees are an equity issue. 

Drag Shows at Pikasso Swig: https://www.pikassoswig.com/dragshow  Drag Bonanza at the Southern https://www.thesoutherncville.com/events/detail/drag-bonanza-6 

To view Charlotte Woods’ first article: https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/charlottesvilles-10th-page-has-fewer-trees-and-higher-temperatures-than-other-residential-neighborhoods-and-its-not-by-accident/ Another tree-related work from Charlotte: https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/charlottesvilles-tree-cover-has-dropped-about-15-since-2004-but-there-are-ways-to-bring-it-back/

If you love, are a part of, or want to learn more about the Charlottesville art scene, this episode is for you. We’ll hear about the benefits of destroying art, as well as making it. After all, it’s about the destination and the journey, right? We talk with Dana Wheeles of DeerHawk Healing in the first half and chat with Sri Kodakalla and Ramona Martinez from the Feminist Union of C’ville Creatives in the second.

For participating in MALA LECHE’s call for submissions: https://www.heyfucc.com/mala-leche-5-call-for-submissions To see more of Dana’s art, healing and more: https://www.deerhawkhealing.com/

In this episode we’re talking about a new Charlottesville tourism initiative to promote local Black artists, musicians and entrepreneurs. The initiative is called Discover Black Cville and they’re launching Saturday March 26th at the sixth annual Vibefest music festival at IX Art Park. And stay tuned in the second half of the show for a sneak peek at another podcast you might enjoy from the Virginia Audio Collective. It’s called Intersections in Public Service and it’s all about the public servants that run our government, nonprofits and help form and nurture our communities. 

Discover Black Cville https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/black-cville/  Vibefest https://viberiot.com/home 

Intersections in Public Service: https://anchor.fm/intersections Instagram @weldoncoopercenter, Twitter @UVAcoopercenter, or LinkedIn - Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.

This episode deals with rezoning, housing density and peaceful mediation. Sound contradictory? Stay tuned to learn about rezoning and how to relax. We talk with reporter Erin O’Hare from Charlottesville Tomorrow in the first half and chat with Janet Evergreen of RiverBluff Sanctuary in the second.

For sharing input on housing in Charlottesville: Email engage@cvilleplanstogether.com Visit Cvilleplanstogether.com Reach out directly to Neighborhood Development Services Director James Freas at freasj@charlottesville.gov Call James Freas directly at (434) 970-3182 For Community Meditations: https://janetevergreen.com/meditation-retreats/

This episode concerns a new law that took effect in 2022. It’s known as the No Surprises Act, and it is meant to protect patients from surprise medical billing. When surprise out of network charges occur, providers can no longer bill patients for anything more than their in-network cost-sharing. This applies to ll commercially insured individuals and people who incur out-of-network services and surprise bills. Listen in to have your questions answered by local expert and Senior Managing Attorney Robin Leiter-White of the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.

Central Virginia Legal Aid Society: https://cvlas.org/ Legal Aid Justice Center: https://www.justice4all.org/

In this episode we talk to some of the folks behind a new local company that’s all about supporting underrepresented artists and their work. On February 4th, they’re holding an event to kick of a three-month long exhibition downtown. It’s called Nature, Us, and the Future. Interested viewers can both observe and interact with the art being displayed at RevArt’s first female artists’ group exhibition. We heard from two of the artists involved, Christen Yates and Judith Ely, as well as RevArt’s CEO and Founder, Patti Pan.

Learn more about RevArt: https://revart.co/

This episode details winter weather and all the complications it can sometimes bring. Snow days are special, but they tend to come with real power and heat related issues that often affect the Charlottesville community. Today, we’re talking with Erin O’Hare of Charlottesville Tomorrow about how we can better prepare for weather emergencies, as well as what resources are already in place for residents of Albemarle County.

This time last year we all had some difficult decisions to make about holiday travel. The first vaccines were in the final stages of the approval process and COVID-19 was running wild through the population. This year the situation is a lot different if you and your family have been vaccinated. This week, we’re hearing from Dr. Avula of the Virginia Department of Health about the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 and booster shots for the rest of us. In the second half of the show we want to share some important reporting from another local podcast called Sacred and Profane. Sacred and Profane is a project of the Race Religion and Democracy Lab at the University of Virginia. This episode is about how we mark and mourn the places in our city where enslaved people were bought and sold.  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/  https://religionlab.virginia.edu/season/season-3/

A lot of us local policy nerds have been eagerly awaiting the new Charlottesville Comprehensive Plan. This process of laying out a vision for the city started nearly five years ago. On Tuesday October 19th, the planning commission made a major step by recommending the plan to City Council for approval. So we are very excited to get the inside scoop today with Charlottesville Planning Commissioner, Lyle Solla-Yates. Stay tuned in the second half of the show for an interview with the director of our regional libraries, David Plunkett.  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/topics/land-use-planning  https://www.jmrl.org

This episode is our last in a series ahead of the local elections on November 2nd. There are a lot of important elections in Virginia this year. You can listen to our interviews with State Delegate Sally Hudson and the Democratic City Council candidates in this feed. But today we’re talking to Independent City Council candidate Yas Washington. And in the second half of the episode we’re back to our usual arts and culture coverage with the editors of the latest issue of Mala Leche, a local feminist zine. 

Elections information: elections.virginia.gov  Read Mala Leche: https://www.heyfucc.com

It has been a hectic week in the world of local governance. On Tuesday night, City Council accepted the resignation of the City Manager, Chip Boyles. Boyles has only been serving as city manager for ten months. So that really makes today’s topic even more important. In this episode we’re continuing our series on the local elections with interviews with two city council candidates. As a note, all of these interviews were conducted before Chip Boyles resigned last week. Juandiego Wade and Brian Pinkston won the Democratic primary for the two open at-large city council seats back in June. But the race isn’t over yet and next week we’ll be sharing an interview with independent city council candidate, Yas Washington.

This week we’re starting a little series on the upcoming local elections. Stay tuned for our next episode with the City Council candidates but today we’re kicking things off with incumbent state delegate Sally Hudson. And in the second half of the show we’re excited to introduce you to Dr. Dena Jennings. She’s a physician, a musician, a banjo luthier, a healer, a music festival organizer and she’s even farming and restoring a large farm here in central virginia. https://www.facebook.com/sankofa.thang/about/?ref=page_internal

Today we’re going to zoom in on evictions. In the first half of the show, we talk to attorney Caroline Klosko from the Legal Aid Justice Center. She specializes in representing low-income tenants. And in the second half of the show, we’re going to look at the local policy side of things with City Councilor Michael Payne.

Today we’re going to hear the latest about COVID-19 and the delta variant from the Blue Ridge Health District. They discussed vaccination rates, vaccine locations, and what back-to-school will look like. They also reviewed the new CDC guidelines, which were updated after the highly contagious Delta variant became the dominant strain circulating in the US. And stay tuned in the second half of the show for a conversation looking back on August 11th and 12th and what the ripple effects have been over the past four years.

Today we’re going to talk about evictions. Evictions happen when renters are unable to pay their rent or violate their lease. For the past year, the courts have been closed and renters have had extra protections from the CDC against eviction if they were behind on their rent. However, those protections expire next week. So we sat down with Erin O’Hare at Charlottesville Tomorrow to talk about what this means for our already very housing cost-burdened city. And in the second half of the show, we’re going to take a look at what it’s like to try and get around the city on foot, bicycle or with a mobility challenge.

Learn more about the Legal Aid Justice Center and their resources: https://www.justice4all.org/ 

City & County Housing Offices: https://www.cvillerha.com/ & https://www.albemarle.org/government/social-services/housing

Here in Charlottesville, it’s starting to feel like the threat of COVID-19 is subsiding. People are out and about, sometimes unmasked, maybe you’re starting to travel again… Well today we’re going to touch base with Jessie Higgins to hear about the vaccination process here in the Blue Ridge Health District and the differences between State COVID policy and Local COVID policy. And in the second half of the show, we go on a little field trip to a new interactive, outdoor sculpture garden at the Kluge-Ruhe.  Make a reservation for “Breathe With Me” https://kluge-ruhe.org/exhibition/breathe-wandering-sculpture-trail/

This week we’re continuing some conversations we’ve been having over the course of the year. We’ll get some updates on the local elections season, the comprehensive plan and affordable housing, and the fate of our confederate monuments. And in the second half of the show, we give you a sneak peak of a new exhibit opening this week at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection. 

Charlotte’s Articles:  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/what-will-happen-to-property-sales-with-higher-density-the-answer-isnt-so-simple/  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/wade-pinkston-win-charlottesville-city-council-democratic-primary/  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/charlottesville-city-council-formally-resolves-to-remove-confederate-statues/  Visit Irrititja Kuwarri Tjungu (Past & Present Together): 50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists:  https://kluge-ruhe.org

This week we’re catching up on the Charlottesville Comprehensive planning process with Erin O’Hare. We’ll talk about what the current draft would mean for affordable housing and life in the city and the region. Then we’re going to hear from an Albemarle family about their efforts to support anti-racism work in the county schools. Stay tuned in the second half of the episode for a conversation with Sam Gleaves. He’s a musician, educator, and activist from Wytheville, Virginia who uses his talents in bluegrass and old time music to tell the unsung histories of Appalachia’s LGBTQ+ community. https://cvilleplanstogether.com  http://www.samgleaves.com

The June 8th primary elections are only eleven days away, so I sat down with Charlotte Rene Woods and Ali Sullivan at Charlottesville Tomorrow for a run-down on all the races, the candidates and what you need to know about how to vote this cycle.  And stay tuned for stories from teachers about their experience as an educator during the civil rights movement. 

Bold Dominion episodes with Gubernatorial Candidates: https://bolddominion.org/episodes/whos-running-for-governor-and-what-do-they-stand-for  https://bolddominion.org/episodes/whos-running-for-governor-and-what-do-they-stand-for-part-2 

Check your voter registration: https://www.elections.virginia.gov

Teachers in the Movement Podcast: https://virginiaaudio.org/#/teachers-in-the-movement/

This week we’re talking with the people behind two local women-centered organizations. First up we’re going to hear from Sri Kodakalla and Meesha Goldberg. They’re two artists at the Feminist Union of Charlottesville Creatives who just edited a new issue of their zine, Mala Leche. This edition of Mala Leche is called “Fever Dreams of Mother Earth” and it features all kinds of art about our planet and climate change. And in the second half of the show, we talk to Andrea Mayfield and Elizabeth Irvin of the  Women’s Initiative, about mental health in Charlottesville and their mission to radically increase people’s access to it. 

MALA LECHE #2: Fever Dreams of Mother Earth https://www.heyfucc.com/mala-leche-2 

The Women’s Initiative Virtual Groups and Social Support: https://thewomensinitiative.org/groups-social-support/

You may have heard that a bunch of local affordable housing non-profits recently came together to buy the Red Carpet Inn on 29. Today we’re going to talk about that project and how it plans to reduce area homelessness and create 140 new low-income housing units. Plus, the residents at Crescent Halls affordable housing complex in downtown Charlottesville have been protesting substandard building conditions for over 20 years and last week the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority began extensive renovations to respond to those concerns. We’ll talk about both these projects and what it means in the broader conversation about inequality, racism, and housing here in Charlottesville. In the second half of the show, we’ll hear about a new oral history project in Louisa County. 

Erin’s Premier Circle project article: https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/area-nonprofits-resort-to-buying-a-hotel-to-address-local-housing-and-homelessness-crisis/ Erin’s Crescent Halls article: https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/after-years-of-advocating-for-redevelopment-crescent-hall-residents-break-ground-on-renovation/

Louisa County Historical Society: https://louisahistory.org

Enslaved people have been part of the story of the University of Virginia and Charlottesville since their very beginnings. And this week, on Saturday, UVA will dedicate a major physical marker and memorial to the enslaved people who built the University and were an integral part of its founding and early years. So we sat down with Kirt von Daacke, he’s a UVA professor and served as Co-Chair of the President’s Commission on Slavery and the University, to ask him about the design and hsitory of the memorial and the people it honors.  In the second segment, we share an interview with Delegate Sally Hudson about some of the new laws they passed in the Virginia General Assembly this year.  Read the President’s Commission on Slavery and the University’s research: https://slavery.virginia.edu Attend the Memorial Dedication: https://majorevents.virginia.edu/mel/schedule

It’s been a turbulent year in Charlottesville City government and we are now in the midst of an election season. Mayor Nikuyah Walker and councilor Heather Hill were both elected to City Council in November of 2017, just a few months after the violent white supremacist rally. Their four year terms are nearly up and there are five candidates running in the Democratic primary to take those seats. We’ll talk about that election as well as a recent expansion of voting rights. In the second half of the show, we hear about a new play by Kelley Van Dilla that grapples with gender identity, family and mental health. 

Charlottesville Tomorrow 2021 Voter Guide: https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/2021-voter-guide/ 

https://www.restore.virginia.gov  http://www.oar-jacc.org 

Let Go of Me: http://livearts.org/let-go/ 

Still We Rise: https://www.reflectionsoralhistory.com

Ten days ago on February 16th, UVA reported 229 new cases of COVID-19 in one day. Those 229 cases were 15% of all the new cases that day in the whole state. And as of this morning, UVA is reporting nine hundred and twelve active cases of COVID 19 among its students, faculty, and staff. So it’s safe to say that we are experiencing an outbreak here in Charlottesville. Today on Soundboard we talk about what’s driving that outbreak and what the University is doing about it. And in the second half of the show we sit down with a local organization that’s tackling food justice in Charlottesville and Albemarle.  https://cultivatecharlottesville.org  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/uva-relaxing-some-covid-related-restrictions/  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/uva-officials-address-massive-covid-outbreak/  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/uva-declines-to-assign-blame-for-covid-spike-but-some-point-fingers-at-fraternity-sorority-recruitment/

Most local students have not been to school in-person in almost a year. We talk to Billy Jean Louis about the mental health impact of virtual learning. Stay tuned for the second half of the show, when we talk to Caetano de Campos Lopes from the Community Climate Collaborative about a few issues at the intersection of equity and climate in our community. 

https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/the-pandemic-has-taken-a-toll-on-children-and-teens-what-can-be-done/   https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/black-charlottesville-could-get-mental-health-center-thanks-to-uva-equity-center-fellow/

https://theclimatecollaborative.org

This week we take a look at the COVID data in our health district and get an update on the local vaccine distribution process. And in the second half of the show we share a riveting interview with highly acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni from the podcast and talk show In My Humble Opinion.

Charlottesville Tomorrow Vaccine Dashboard: https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/local-covid-19-vaccination-updates/

Express your intent to get a vaccine with the Blue Ridge Health District: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpPkf1nbLplRn9hdqHDLglEl3M6OCCIVpXee86I2vASQUFJA/viewform

In My Humble Opinion Podcast: https://virginiaaudio.org/#/in-my-humble-opinion/

The year is barely two weeks old and yet we already have so much to talk about. We’re going to start with what City Councilor Michael Payne has called a “leadership crisis” in city government. After an avalanche of resignations, the city was able to announce a hire this week. Chip Boyles will take over as city manager on February 15th. We’ll talk about the decision with Charlotte Rene Woods of Charlottesville Tomorrow. And stay tuned for conversation with Sri Kodakalla & Ramona Martinez. They’re local artists behind the Feminist Union of Cville Creatives and they’ve recently put ou a new zine called Mala Leche. _ _Read Mala Leche & check out FUCC: https://www.heyfucc.com Read Charlotte’s Article: https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/amid-turmoil-tjpdc-head-boyles-chosen-as-new-city-manager/

UVA Hospital employees have begun to receive the vaccine! In our last episode of 2020, we look back on some of the big stories of year: the pandemic, the election, the racial justice protests this summer. Plus we’ll talk a little bit about a recent incident in which the Charlottesville Police Department was accused of racial profiling.

Last episode we were worried that COVID-19 cases might surge after the Thanksgiving holiday. And now they have. But it’s not all bad news. UVA Hospital plans to start distributing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to some of it’s employees on December 15th. Plus, we talk to Sunshine Mathon and LaTasha Durrett of Piedmont Housing Alliance about the redevelopment of Friendship Court, gentrification, and how their families are making it through the pandemic.  https://piedmonthousingalliance.org/

And stay tuned for an interview with Barbara Campbell Thomas. She’s a painter and multimedia artist based in North Carolina and her work is currently on display at the Ruffin Gallery at UVA.

Local COVID-19 Data Portal

Statewide COVID-19 Data Portal

Ruffin Gallery

This week, we sit down with Nathan Moore and Aaryan Balu, from Bold Dominion, for a roundtable discussion on this year's election and what it means for Virginia going forward.

More information here: http://woodson.as.virginia.edu/julian-bond-transcribe-thon

Plus: Richmond-based journalist Peter Galuszka discusses Supreme Court refusal to hear a GOP redistricting challenge and Matt Villiott interviews Gwen Cassady about *F*A*S*H*I*O*N* shows in Charlottesville.

This week also includes part 3 of the an audio documentary series on Charlottesville's refugee community, produced by UVA professor Stephanie Ceraso's class.

This week includes part 2 of the an audio documentary series on Charlottesville's refugee community, produced by UVA professor Stephanie Ceraso's class.

Plus: An interview with Richmond-based journalist Peter Galuszka and a piece from the Southern Environmental Law Center's new podcast called "Broken Ground"

Plus: Giles Morris, Elliot Robinson, and Emily Hays of Charlottesville Tomorrow discuss Changes in Belmont and an interview with Vanessa German

Plus: Richmond-based journalist Peter Galuszka discusses what the NCAA championship for Virginia means and Lewis Reining interviews Reena Raghavendran.

Plus: Elliot Robinson, and Emily Hays of Charlottesville Tomorrow discuss "Opportunity Zones" in Charlottesville

Plus: Richmond-based journalist Peter Galuszka discusses the Dominion pipeline and the recent visit of Al Gore and Rev. William Barber opposing it. And will Virginia soon have a bunch of new casinos?

Plus: Giles Morris, Elliot Robinson, and Emily Hays of Charlottesville Tomorrow discuss UVA's recent real estate development. And will the University adjust how it makes development decisions?

Then state news in review from Richmond-based journalist Peter Galuszka, looking at the General Assembly this week.

Finally, Emily Richardson-Lorente describes WTJU's UVA Bicentennial Oral History Project, launching this week.