Focal Point

Some say the way to push back against offensive speech is by allowing even more speech. Suzanne Nossel, PEN America CEO and author of Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All explains why policing speech is a bad solution.

This StoryCorps initiative pairs people with disparate beliefs for a cordial discussion.

High school seniors from Hanover County are spearheading efforts to get around the book ban imposed by the county’s school board. They’ve created what one of them calls “underground libraries.”

Public schools have been treading a fine line when it comes to freedom of speech and historic symbols.

Faced with Democratic control of the House and Senate chambers, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin highlights areas of agreement in annual State of the Commonwealth address.

One way of honoring those who make the ultimate sacrifice is to care for their children. A Soldier’s Child Foundation exists for that purpose—to nurture and support the children of active-duty service members who have died.

There’s a connection with what students eat and how they perform academically, so Virginia’s Department of Education is trying to get healthier food options in front of kids in the Commonwealth. We speak with Dr. Sandy Curwood, director of Virginia’s school nutrition programs about this new effort.

When people don’t have enough healthy foods to eat it can take a toll on their wellbeing. The lack of nutritious and affordable food is even more problematic for families living in rural communities with limited food options. In King William County, a food bank has become a cornerstone for families looking to supplement their food supply.

Native Americans are working together to start a food revolution. They say more environmentally sustainable agricultural practices lead to healthier food options and could be key to protecting our health and the planet.

Fit4Kids, a Richmond-based nonprofit, promotes a healthy lifestyle for children by making physical activity and healthy eating fun. It runs the “Game On Girl” weekly after-school program at Lucille Brown Middle School that teaches kids how to prepare delicious healthy foods. Studies show that well-nourished children do better academically and have greater self-esteem.