Good morning, Charlottesville.

The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA hosts its third annual Fall Fest Sunday at IX Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in a rain-or-shine event featuring over 45 vendors, adoptable animals and a pet-and-owner costume contest to connect pet lovers with animals in need.

Over 100 Monticello High students staged a walkout on Wednesday morning in support of principal Dr. Beth Costa (a local favorite) after ACPS announced she and two other principals would be absent for an extended time; students carried signs near the athletics fields and returned to class by 10:50 a.m.

After securing $275 million from state funds, UVa is set to break ground on its long-awaited performing arts center — a project that will boost arts and education in Charlottesville.

Rivanna Trail has reopened after cleanup cleared debris and painted over graffiti following the relocation of unhoused individuals on Sept.

1 near (Free Bridge). The city's work ensures the trail is safe and accessible.

The annual Brewer’s Ball is taking place today from 7 to 11 p.m. at Ting Pavilion to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, featuring live music by The Long Way, 35 food and drink vendors (including live and silent auctions) as organizers aim to surpass last year’s $240,000 in donations.

Doctors at UVA Health warned today that a new kind of strong synthetic opioid called orphines is showing up in street drugs and evading common tests, raising concerns for local users.

Health officials say the alert aims to inform the community about this emerging risk.

Doctors with UVA Health warn that new synthetic opioids called orphines are appearing in street drugs and may not show up on rapid tests, putting users at risk of dangerous breathing problems.

They advise calling 911 and using naloxone if an overdose occurs.

Released Sept. 21, the 2026 Virginia Hunger Study found that 42% of households experienced food insecurity from May 2025 to May 2026, with local food pantries (including the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank) facing record demand as grocery and utility prices rise.

UVA Health will launch a new AI tool on November 2 to collect symptoms and medical history through its patient portal before virtual appointments (letting doctors focus on listening), a step that aims to improve care access for rural patients.

Forbes ranked UVA Health as one of the best employers for women (recognizing national achievements among its faculty, researchers and healthcare programs).

The rank highlights local leadership in healthcare equality.

UVA will host Notre Dame at Scott Stadium for its seventh home game in the 2027 season—the first visit by the Fighting Irish since 2021—with game details to be announced with the ACC schedule next year.