WTJU Soundboard

Friday 05.26.23 - License Plate Readers, Tracking Bobcats, and "Trial and Error" at the Quirk Gallery

African Vegetables, State Campaign Fundraising, and a Zine on Charlottesville Music

Healthcare Funding, Immigration Courts, and Ix Art Park Festivals

Constant Anomalies, Restoring Voting Rights, and Love Letters to Charlottesville

Episode Notes 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...

Hospital Death Charges, Election Official Resignations, and Silicon Valley Bank

Episode Notes 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 ...

A Closing Homeless Center, Charlottesville's Beer Source, and a Performance by Incarcerated Students

Episode Notes 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...

Virginia's Education Troubles, Homeless Shelter Demand, and a New Live Arts Show

Episode Notes 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-w...

Why are Charlottesville & Albemarle Governed Separately? – July 15, 2022

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 cit...

Demystifying Dobbs and the Right to Abortion – July 8, 2022

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 restri...

How expensive is Food in Charlottesville? - June 17, 2022

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 ...

Union Organizing in Charlottesville - June 3, 2022

Episode Notes 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.

Vinegar Hill Featured in Raised/Razed Documentary + Local Climate Actions – May 6th, 2022

First up we’ll be discussing a new film titled Raised/Razed. It’s a documentary by local filmmaker Lorenzo Dickerson and journalist Jordy Yager about the vibrant life and later destruction of Vinegar Hill, a historically Black neighborhood in downtown Charlottesville. And coming up after that we get some tips for taking local action on climate change from the Community Climate Collaborative.    Learn more and watch Raised/Razed: https://vpm.org/raisedrazed  Link to join Make Your Own Impact:...

The Art of Drag & Tree-Cover Inequity – April 22, 2022

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.cvill...

Art in Bloom this Spring with FUCC - April 8, 2022

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.c...

Discover Black Cville + Transition Housing – March 18th, 2022

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 ...

Charlottesville’s Rezoning + Peace Work and Meditation – March 4th, 2022

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 [email protected] Visit Cvilleplanstogether.com Reach out directly to Neighborhood Development Services Director James Freas at...

How to Avoid Surprise Medical Billing – February 18th, 2022

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 Att...

RevArt’s Exhibition Nature, Us, and the Future - February 4th, 2022

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...

Winter Weather and Some Possible Solutions - January 21, 2022

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.

A COVID Vaccine for Children and Boosters for Adults - November 12, 2021

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 ...

The Comprehensive Plan + The Library Turns 100 - October 29, 2021

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...

2021 Elections with Yas Washington + Mala Leche #3 - October 22, 2021

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 f...

2021 Elections with Juandiego Wade and Brian Pinkston - October 19, 2021

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 Bri...

2021 Elections with Sally Hudson - October 1, 2021

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/san...

Reflecting on Housing Insecurity and the Pandemic - August 20, 2021

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.

The BRHD on Vaccines and Masking - August 6, 2021

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 be...

What Happens When Eviction Protections Expire on July 31st? - July 23, 2021

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...

Albemarle's Got the Vax - July 9, 2021

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 t...

The Relationship Between Housing Density and Costs - June 25, 2021

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-densi...

Catching up on the Comprehensive Plan - June 13, 2021

Episode Notes 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 w...

June Primaries Voter Guide - May 28, 2021

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-s...

Increasing Access to Mental Health Care + FUCC’s Latest Zine - May 7, 2021

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 Elizabet...

Improving and Increasing Affordable Housing - April 23, 2021

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 Authorit...

UVA’s Memorial to Enslaved Laborers - April 9, 2021

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 ...

City Council Election Preview - March 26, 2021

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...

COVID in Charlottesville, One Year Later - March 13, 2021

March 13th, marks the one year anniversary of a day that changed a lot of our lives. On March 13th, 2020 Governor Ralph Northam announced that all public schools in virginia would close for at least two weeks. You’ll hear about that day from Albemarle High School student, Mary Govan. Then we’ll talk about the racial inequities that the pandemic has exposed and exacerbated with Samantha Willis, who recently published a series with the Charlottesville Inclusive Media Project. We’re also going ...

The COVID Outbreak on Campus - February 26, 2021

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 ha...

The Kids are Isolated - February 12, 2021

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.cvilletomorro...

“A COVID Winter Sprawling Out in Front of Us” - January 29, 2021

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...

Chip Boyles to be Next City Manager - January 15, 2021

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. Th...

A Shot in the Arm - December 18, 2020

Episode Notes 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.

Sustaining Affordable Housing Communities during COVID + Local Vaccine Updates - December 11, 2020

Episode Notes 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://piedmonthousingall...

Winter is Coming, COVID is Here - November 20, 2020

While cases are exploding around the US, COVID-19 is pretty under control in central Virginia. At least for now. We talk to Charlottesville Tomorrow about what has kept COVID cases low here and how to keep them that way as we approach the holidays. 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 Dat...

What did this election tell us about 2020 Virginia? - November 5, 2020

Election Day has come and gone, but the election process still continues. And while we’re still waiting to know who has won the Presidential election, a whole host of state and local races in Virginia were also on the ballot, as well as a state Constitutional amendment for redistricting reform. 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.

The Final Days of the 2020 Election Season - October 30, 2020

The end of this very long, very unusual election season is almost here. We talk to Charlottesville Tomorrow about the future of the Fifth Congressional District and what they’ve learned from Election 2020 so far. Plus, Nathan Moore interviews hometown congressional candidate Dr. Cameron Webb about what he’s seen as a doctor treating COVID patients and what he plans to do if he’s elected on Tuesday.

Lost Home, Win Home Re-Examines Charlottesville and A11 & 12 - October 16, 2020

Meet the creative team behind Lost Home, Win Home. It’s an original work by Charlottesville-native Shelby Marie Edwards running at Live Arts this weekend. In this one-woman show, Edwards interrogates her experience growing up in Charlottesville in relation to the white supremacist rally of August 2017. We also talk about Albemarle County’s decision to bring more students back to in-person school in November.

“Our Demand is that they Give Back Land” - October 2, 2020

We are only 32 days out from election day on November 3rd. So we reached out to Charlotte at Charlottesville Tomorrow to get the rundown on voting during a pandemic. But first we sit down with Anthony Guy Lopez he’s a UVA alum who’s been advocating for Indigenous rights in Charlottesville and across the country for over two decades. Recently, he was one of the organizers of the September 10th protest at the George Rogers Clark Statue on UVA’s campus at the Corner.

Statues Coming Down; COVID Cases Up - September 18, 2020

This week we talk to activists as they mark the removal of the confederate “Johnny Reb” statue in front of the Albemarle Courthouse. Plus COVID-19 has been found in four dorms at UVA. If that’s not enough news for one week, Charlottesville is also getting a new city manager. Stick around for our final segment where we sit down with the folks at Live Arts to talk about their upcoming entirely virtual season of community theater.

Meet the United Campus Workers of Virginia - September 4, 2020

This week we meet some of the folks behind a new labor union at UVA, The United Campus Workers of Virginia. Plus we talk about the return of five thousand uva students and how student workers are responding.

Who Should Respond to Mental Health-Related 911 Calls? - August 21, 2020

Charlotte Rene Woods updates us on an idea to create a mobile crisis unit to respond to 911 calls when there’s a mental health concern. And we talk to Kaymin Hester, a Charlottesville High School student, whose essay about the twelve African-American students who integrated Charlottesville City Schools was awarded in the Jefferson School’s Liberation and Freedom Days essay contest.