Alex Milan Tracy for Underscore
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The dozens of independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news organizations that make up the Rural News Network are developing the broadest news alliance reporting on rural America. These newsrooms are pursuing coverage that provides a more complete picture of what it means to live and work in these communities.
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LATEST NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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As Helene passes, central Virginia assesses the damage
October 01, 2024
Bellair Farm lost thousands of dollars of crops.
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Scientists are closing in on an explanation for what contaminated Orange County’s water supply — and it’s not making residents feel safer
September 18, 2024
Despite the early suspicion that the contamination came from the river, now the investigators from the Virginia Health Department and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality think that it originated in the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant.
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Major federal ‘deficiency’ violations forced MACAA to shut down its free Head Start childcare centers
August 13, 2024
Charlottesville area’s only free Head Start program closed suddenly, leaving nearly 200 families without childcare.
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Warmer temperatures mean devastating E. coli outbreaks like the one at Lake Anna could become more common
August 06, 2024
Considering that there are dozens of beaches closed nationwide this summer due to high E. coli concentration in the water, there are reasons to be more cautious and thoughtful before entering the natural waters.
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It was once his family’s farm — the largest Black-owned farm in Albemarle County — but now we all own part of it
March 14, 2024
Part of the Charlottesville First Person series – in partnership with Charlottesville Inclusive Media – Philip Cobbs tells the story of his birthplace, and why we should all know its history.
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Voters didn’t have a say in nearly 75% of local Central Virginia races this year — because there weren’t enough candidates
November 22, 2023
Getting more people to run is a complicated issue plaguing localities nationwide. The jobs are time-consuming with little-to-no pay, threats against elected officials have scared some people off and, unless you’re a Republican in a rural area or a Democrat in a major city, the odds of getting elected aren’t favorable.
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Charlottesville had — and lost — a shelter that social workers say could have helped hundreds of unhoused people off the streets
October 11, 2023
Their sudden stark visibility means people all around the city are talking about the tent community and are inundating city leaders with demands to do something about it.
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Lynching victim John Henry James receives ‘one little drop of justice’ 125 years after his death
July 14, 2023
Editor’s note: This story contains detailed descriptions of a racial terror lynching, which could be disturbing to some readers. We felt it was important to include these details to show the egregiousness of the injustice.
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Four of Charlottesville School Board’s seven seats may turn over this fall, bringing in entirely new leadership for the district
June 16, 2023
Whomever takes the new board seats will be making a lot of important decisions in the coming years.
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City Council hopes to hire its sixth city manager in six years before July
June 09, 2023
The historic turnover in the city’s top job has created an ongoing and increasingly complicated situation in city government that puts pressure on City Council to hire someone who can succeed long term.
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Meteorologists expect smoke from Canada to remain over central Virginia until the weekend
June 07, 2023
Air quality forecasts recommend folks limit their time outside, especially if they have heart or lung issues.
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After decades dealing with stigma, Friendship Court residents decide to rename their community
June 01, 2023
Some Charlottesville community members associate the Section-8 housing community with violence. Residents hope calling it by a new name will change that.
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The great nephew of one of the Burnley-Moran Elementary School namesakes defends his aunt’s legacy
May 15, 2023
Sarepta Moran was a white elementary school principal during segregation and a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, but her nephew says that doesn’t mean she was racist.
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Food pantries see usage soar after government cuts pandemic-era emergency benefits
April 20, 2023
The reasons people cited for needing food assistance were pandemic-related job losses, reduced hours and illness. While those issues are no longer as pressing, they’ve been replaced by stubbornly high inflation that brings with it higher food, housing and electricity costs.
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Democratic state senate candidates Hudson and Deeds debate the need for a new generation of legislators versus the value of seniority
April 14, 2023
In a forum hosted by Charlottesville Tomorrow and students at the UVA Center for Politics Monday evening, hundreds of community members submitted questions ahead of the June 20 primary election.
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