WMRA News

Among the many groups that descended on Charlottesville last weekend for Saturday’s rally of white supremacists, a collection of faith leaders from around the country stood together to provide solace and solidarity in the midst of chaos. WMRA's Faith Pinho has this story about how the Episcopal Church responded to events in Charlottesville -- and how it is addressing issues of race in general.

Midwives have delivered babies for centuries, but in America they mostly went underground as childbirth became medicalized in the 20th century.  So, like many other midwives these days, Misty Ward, owner and founder of Brookhaven Women’s Health and Natural Birthing Center outside Harrisonburg, is a bit of a rebel, part of a growing movement to de-medicalize childbirth.  For the next installment of our Women of Interest series, WMRA’s Jessie Knadler has her profile.

Since at least back to 2000, local nonprofits have not had to pay the $52-per-ton dumping fee at the Rockingham County Landfill. Next year, however, they will need to pay. For some, that change could hurt, as WMRA’s Christopher Clymer Kurtz reports.

Don’t worry! If you’ve not made plans to travel to see the solar eclipse on Monday [August 21] from the path of totality, you can still enjoy it from right here in the Valley. WMRA’s Christopher Clymer Kurtz reports.

Monday evening, the Jefferson School's African-American Heritage Center hosted a Community Conversation to talk about Saturday's violence in the city, and how to move forward.  WMRA's Marguerite Gallorini was there.

Charlottesville’s Police Department is again under heavy criticism. After last month’s KKK rally, some blamed the police for taking an over-militarized, aggressive approach towards protesters. Now, some are saying the police erred in the other direction, and in many instances of disorder did nothing. WMRA’s Marguerite Gallorini reports.

Heather Heyer, 32, of Ruckersville was killed Saturday in Charlottesville by a car attack.  The alleged driver of that car is in custody, charged with murder.  Ms. Heyer was peacefully protesting against right-wing hate groups that descended on the city for a rally.  A vigil was held Sunday night to remember her.  WMRA's Jordy Yager reports.

On Saturday, Charlottesville made international news with the deaths of three people and the largest white nationalist gathering the city has seen in modern history. WMRA’s Jordy Yager was on the ground and has this report.

As crowds were beginning to disperse after Saturday’s rally of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and KKK members in Charlottesville, a car plunged into a crowd of peaceful counter-protesters near the downtown mall.  One woman was killed, and 19 others in the street were injured.  WMRA’s Marguerite Gallorini was there when it happened.