Catie Ratliff

1 month ago | c-ville.com | Catie Ratliff

Access to mifepristone was once again on the local docket, with representatives from the Center for Reproductive Rights and the Food and Drug Administration presenting oral arguments on May 19 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Charlottesville. The suit, filed by Whole Woman’s Health Alliance in May 2023, challenges federal restrictions on mifepristone, one of the most common abortion medications in the United States.

1 month ago | c-ville.com | Catie Ratliff

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted a $644 million FY26 budget on May 7. The budget is balanced with a 4-cent increase to the real property tax rate, and a restoration of the pre-pandemic personal property tax rate. New rates go into effect on July 1, for an overall real property tax rate of $0.894 and a personal property tax rate of $4.28 per $100 of assessed value.

1 month ago | c-ville.com | Catie Ratliff

The U.S. Department of Education rescinded its recommendation that Charlottesville City Schools acquire the site of the former Federal Executive Institute. In a May 9 email to CCS, the DOE said it will instead recommend the U.S. General Services Administration move forward with the University of Virginia’s bid for the property.

1 month ago | c-ville.com | Catie Ratliff

It’s primary season in Virginia, and here’s what is—and notably isn’t—on the ballot June 17. Virginia and New Jersey’s off-year elections are historically treated as bellwethers, taking the temperature of public opinion one year after presidential elections. Despite the hoopla, there’s no gubernatorial primary in Virginia this June, with Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears the Democratic and Republican nominees, respectively.

1 month ago | c-ville.com | Catie Ratliff

The Charlottesville City School Board has officially rezoned its elementary schools for the first time in more than 50 years. While the months-long process was the source of heated debate earlier this year, the new school zones were adopted unanimously at the May 1 board meeting. Neighborhoods affected by the redistricting include the area west of Kindlewood, Kindlewood, Locust Grove north of U.S. 250, Rose Hill south of U.S. 250, the Meadows, and various parcels of land that have no CCS students.