Blacksburg hopes consultants can guide responsible growth in the town's northwest side.Preview: The president of the University of Virginia says he realizes some trust has been lost on campus following the arrest of pro-Palestinian protesters last weekend. President Jim Ryan and other UVA leaders held a town hall yesterday to discuss the protests and the arrests that happened Saturday. Ryan said a decision to alter a university tent policy on Saturday morning created confusion for protesters and police during the day. But he also said that protesters refused to leave when asked and that the protest was broken up before it could get out of hand. Only 12 of the 27 people arrested were UVA students, and Ryan said those students would be allowed to complete their exams and take part in graduation ceremonies.
Students and parents in Powhatan County aren't happy with the district's efforts to stop discrimination. The school board met yesterday and discussed harsher punishments for those who violate the code of conduct by using racial slurs or discriminating against others. The Powhatan Chapter of the NAACP suggests punishing violators with at least a five-day suspension or expulsion. The board didn't go that far yesterday, but 12 On Your Side reports the issue will come up again at a meeting next month.