Charlottesville Tomorrow

Fifeville moves one big step closer to having a community-owned grocery store, and it wants the city's help Plans are moving ahead for a mixed-use development in Fifeville that will include a grocery co-op and low-cost housing, but residents need city funding to get the project to the finish line.

The cost to build out the bare space for a co-op grocery store in Fifeville is about $2.5 million, said Piedmont Housing Alliance’s Sunshine Mathon. Charlottesville City Council will officially hear a request for some of that funding during its Dec. 15 meeting.

From bake sales to big checks, this is how the tiny town of Gordonsville raised millions for a new swimming pool and park Along the way, the project pushed Gordonsville to reckon with the pool's segregated past — and gave the town a chance to rebuild something more inclusive in its place.

The Dix Memorial pool in Gordonsville was crumbling and outdated, but fixing it would be a dauntingly expensive task for the town of 1,400 people. However, the community took on the challenge.

Join Charlottesville Tomorrow as an IT Operations and Security Lead This flexible contract position provides ongoing technical support and systems optimization for our growing team.

Charlottesville Tomorrow is strengthening its technology infrastructure and seeks an experienced IT contractor passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations. Here's how to apply: www.cvilletomorrow.org/join-charlot...

Charlottesville's Police Civilian Oversight Board regroups — with a bold plan to fix what's not working It's going to start by revisiting its entire police oversight model.

After years of roadblocks and a recent perfect storm of obstacles that have long limited its operations, the Charlottesville Police Civilian Oversight Board is finally gaining momentum, and has big plans.

Want to paint a mural? Local groups are hosting an 'art therapy' event at UVA Anyone can come paint on Dec. 4.

Dec 4: Local organizations are hosting a community mural painting and art therapy event “that celebrates love, empathy and connection through art” at the University of Virginia.

School Resource Officers are coming back to Charlottesville City Schools next year despite community feedback to slow down or change course The final draft of the agreement between the police department and the school division will be presented at the Dec. 4 School Board meeting.

Charlottesville City Schools says they're making progress toward finalizing the their memorandum of understanding and standard operating procedure documents in preparation for officers returning to schools next year.

How should Charlottesville regulate short-term stays? The city wants your input. City staff are hosting a public meeting Dec. 3 to gather feedback on short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo as they update a decade-old ordinance.

Charlottesville is in the process of revising its short-term stay ordinance, and will hold a public meeting about it on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at CitySpace. Here's more about how to involved:

Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison and Nelson County residents, how do you get informed? Charlottesville Inclusive Media and the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation want you to take a 10-minute survey to help understand strengths and gaps in local news.

Calling all Fluvanna, Madison, Louisa and Nelson County residents: How do you get local news and information? www.cvilletomorrow.org/fluvanna-lou...

She's been around the world over the last year — but came back to Charlottesville because she sees people ready to lead Emily Gorcenski sees a growing rejection of hopelessness over national politics. It's being replaced by active learning and participation in local issues, she writes.

Emily Gorcenski's vision for the #Next20 years: "Charlottesville is on the leading edge of what will be a generational shift in how Americans understand community, belonging and civic virtue."

Charlottesville police hosting no-questions-asked gun buyback Nov. 22 Residents can exchange firearms for $75 to $250 in gift cards as part of the city's violence-prevention efforts.

Residents can receive between $75 and $250 for firearms, and no ID or paperwork is required.

The federal government rejected their highly praised grant. The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center is pushing forward anyway The National Endowment for Humanities did not explain the rejection, but the Trump administration is flagging words like "inclusion," "injustice," "segregation," "subsidized housing" and "Black."

Andrea Douglas and Jordy Yager weren’t surprised when the National Endowment for the Humanities rejected the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center’s grant application over the summer. Here's why:

What the Town of Louisa's breakdown says about rural governments Across the U.S., small towns are struggling to staff local government.

If you're not getting our free email newsletters, you're missing important news about central Virginia! Subscribe today so that you aren't relying on social media algorithms to decide what you read. Here's what went out today. www.cvilletomorrow.org/newsletter/w...

The Town of Louisa faced five resignations in less than a year. Now it's trying to rebuild During staffing shortages and months without meeting minutes, residents felt left in the dark. The town is trying to improve its communication.

With meeting minutes not posted for six months, and video recordings not posted at all, residents struggled to find out what was happening on Louisa's Town Council. Now, they are trying to rebuild trust.

A text graphic reads: As technology comes and goes like early May showers, to many democracy should follow, growing on like a starburst flower. Yet, as I look across the meadow, it is quite hollow. —William “Liam” Meador, “Beyond the Screen”

but misinformation and lies go unchecked online they spread to eyes of people who believe them it easily deceives them —Lennox Meslar, “democracy aflame”

AI, democracy, poetry. In a UVA writing contest, dozens of central Virginia students address democracy in today’s digital world. Read more: www.cvilletomorrow.org/in-a-uva-wri...

Central Virginia's voter turnout tells a bigger story about who showed up for this year's election "Republicans, I think, were not particularly enthusiastic about their candidates," said Jennifer Lawless, professor of politics at the University of Virginia.

Newsletter: Results are still preliminary, but early numbers show Republicans lost ground in even some of the the reddest central Virginia counties.

Centra Southside Community Hospital closing labor and delivery unit in December The hospital cited staffing challenges and declining births in the Farmville area as reasons for the decision.

The closure in Farmville fits a growing national pattern: rural maternity units are disappearing faster than communities can adapt.

Enid Krieger wants us to recognize Black history as an integral part of central Virginia's past and future Krieger retired to the Charlottesville area and then, she committed to a new calling: highlighting Black contributions and history in central Virginia.

A 2004 issue of Frommer’s even designated Charlottesville the “Best City to Live in the United States.” Enid Krieger's vision for the next 20 years is that it's the best for all of us.

UVA's deal with DOJ avoids monetary fines, but lawyers and faculty say it comes at a steep cost "The underlying theme of what's happening is that they're trying to exclude voices and ideas," Chris Ford, a contracts lawyer and UVA alumnus, said.

UVA is the first public university to sign a deal with the Trump administration. Here's what it means.

Longtime activist, first-time Charlottesville City School Board member Zyahna Bryant wants to elevate youth voices "I believe that the community is ready for something new, and so that just makes me so excited to be on the cusp of that and to see a new wave of leadership," Bryant told Charlottesville Tomorrow.

“I believe that the community is ready for something new, and so that just makes me so excited to be on the cusp of that and to see a new wave of leadership,” Zyahna Bryant, newly elected to the Charlottesville School Board, told Charlottesville Tomorrow.

Want to tell your own First Person story? Join Charlottesville Inclusive Media for an evening community workshop Space is limited for the free Nov. 19 event in Charlottesville, so please RSVP if you'd like to attend.

Central Virginia, we need your stories! RSVP for this workshop on telling your own stories with Charlottesville Inclusive Media — space is limited. www.cvilletomorrow.org/want-to-tell...

Some business owners welcome 'million-dollar clean team' on Downtown Mall, others find it 'dubious' Some Charlottesville business owners hope that a $1.2 million two-year pilot program for cleaning and ambassador services will help declining foot traffic; others say it could push unhoused folks…

Conversations about how to improve Charlottesville's Downtown Mall have been happening since it opened, nearly 50 years ago. With that anniversary coming up, not everyone agrees on how, or why, the Mall needs to be improved.

Meet three new Charlottesville Tomorrow staff members who are bringing you more local news We are pleased to introduce public institutions reporter Allie Pitchon, education reporter La Shawn Pagán and data lead Leela Prasad.

With our community's support, Charlottesville Tomorrow is growing! Meet the newest members of our team that are helping us know our own backyards better. www.cvilletomorrow.org/meet-three-n...

A text box reads: When will we see election results? Polls close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Unofficial results typically start rolling in shortly after that. However, official results can take several days — or even weeks — to be certified. Some races may be unofficially called on election night, and we’ll post those updates right here in this guide. You can track vote counts on each contested race in the accordion below. We’ll refresh the numbers about once an hour over the next couple of days. Each results section will show the time of the latest update. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections unofficial results page.

Looking for election results for local races in central Virginia? Find them here: www.cvilletomorrow.org/2025-voter-g...

Heather Hill wants every kid in Charlottesville to have the opportunity to thrive — not just through private programs As a parent, community member and former city councilor, Hill wants the city's youngest residents to feel more connected to our community.

What's your vision for the next 20 years in Central Virginia? Heather Hill's is all about the youth. www.cvilletomorrow.org/heather-hill...

We're looking for a paid digital intern who is excited to build better media products for the community Work with our product team at Charlottesville Tomorrow and our partners in Charlottesville Inclusive Media to create accessible digital products.

Charlottesville Tomorrow’s internship program for 2026 includes a chance to learn critical digital skills and experience working with our partners in Charlottesville Inclusive Media. Here's more, and how to apply: www.cvilletomorrow.org/were-looking...

Robert Rabe challenges incumbent Supervisor Crystal Hale for District Four seat in Orange County Only Rabe responded to our questionnaire.

Orange County Board of Supervisors District Four: Only Rabe, who is challenging incumbent Crystal Hale, responded to our questionnaire.

Two former legislators want to be Virginia's next governor Democrat Abigail D. Spanberger is running against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, who is currently serving as Virginia's lieutenant governor. Only Spanberger responded to our questionnaire.

Virginia Governor: Democrat Abigail D. Spanberger is running against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, who is currently serving as Virginia’s lieutenant governor. Only Spanberger responded to our questionnaire.

In Virginia’s Attorney General race, candidates vie to be lawyer to the state and have differing opinions on federal intervention Jay Jones and Jason Miyares are running on very different platforms, but neither responded to our voter questionnaire.

Jay Jones and Jason Miyares are running on very different platforms to be Virginia's Attorney General , but neither responded to our voter questionnaire. Here's a roundup of information about them:

Buddy Fowler and Scott Konopasek are vying to represent District 59 in the Virginia House of Delegates We sent both candidates a Q&A informed by a voter survey. Konopasek replied, Fowler did not.

Virginia House of Delegates District 59: We sent both candidates a Q&A informed by a voter survey. Konopasek replied, Fowler did not.

Jason Vandever is running unopposed to serve a fourth term as treasurer for the City of Charlottesville Here are Vandever's answers to a questionnaire Charlottesville Tomorrow designed for him based on responses to a voter survey.

City of Charlottesville Treasurer: Here are Vandever’s answers to a questionnaire Charlottesville Tomorrow designed for him based on responses to a voter survey.