BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – The United Campus Workers of Virginia (UCWVA) is set to gather at the Belitower at Capital Square in Richmond for a Lobby Day and Rally Friday afternoon. It’s aimed at restoring bargaining rights and advocating for a more equitable future for Virginia universities.

United Campus Workers of Virginia, a member-led union, is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of higher education workers. The union represents workers from William & Mary, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

“It’s not just faculty, its not just students; It’s sort of everybody and recognizing that we have shared goals. Things like making sure people have appropriate levels of leave. Making sure we have affordable housing for people. Making sure that we have childcare for individuals who have kids. So, our union is based on trying to advance whose goals,” said UCWVA Virginia Tech Chapter Chair and VT professor Nick Ruktanonchai.

The union’s Lobby Day and Rally in Richmond provides a platform for higher education workers to engage with state legislators about challenges facing Virginia’s university sector and discuss potential solutions. Ruktanonchai, who attended his first Lobby Day last year, expressed the experience of uniting with colleagues from different campuses.

“I never felt that connected to the democratic process, to the actual creation of legislation before that moment. It was just really empowering; I think for me and my colleagues in UCWVA. We all felt that we were able to come together, decide what our priorities were as a unit and then present those priorities,” said Ruktanonchai.

A key focus this year is reinstating collective bargaining rights for public sector workers. These rights were stripped away by the Virginia Supreme Court in 1977 and have been banned by state law since 1993.

“The most important thing about collective bargaining is it gives us a seat at the table. Administrations have increasingly dictated working conditions for staff across campuses. They’ve done things like try to push specific research strategies, research aims. They’ve tried to dictate how we teach and what we teach. It also infringes on free speech. Right now, a lot of those decisions are made by the Board of Visitors, who aren’t elected. Faculty, staff and students don’t have nearly as much of a say as they should in that process,” said Ruktanonchai.

If passed, the collective bargaining bill will give workers a voice to negotiate fair wages, timely pay, and better workplace conditions.

UCWVA invites all public sector workers, higher education advocates, and supporters of workers’ rights to join the rally at 2 p.m. and help amplify the call for transformative change.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville (13-5, 6-1 ACC) is set to face Virginia (8-9, 1-5 ACC) on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 12:00 p.m. EST at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. Here’s how the Cardinals stack up against the Cavaliers:

*Mobile users can scroll left and right on the tables below*

– ESPN Prediction: Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Louisville has a 87.8 percent chance to win against Virginia. The Cardinals have a BPI rating of 12.1 (40th overall), whereas the Cavaliers have a BPI rating of 3.3 (111th overall).

– KenPom Prediction: Per KenPom.com, the Cardinals have a 90 percent chance to take down the Cavaliers, with a projected final score of 71-57 in favor of Louisville. Louisville has an adjusted efficiency margin of +19.32 (30th overall), whereas Virginia has an adjusted efficiency margin of +2.35 (132nd overall).

– Torvik Prediction: Per BartTorvik.com, the Cards have a 91 percent chance to take down the Hoos, with a projected final score of 69-56 in favor of Louisville. Louisville has a “Barthag” of .8957 (29th overall), whereas Virginia has a “Barthag” of .5931 (122nd overall).

(Photo of Noah Waterman: Mark Konezny – Imagn Images)

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FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – A Fairfax County homeowner shot a man attempting to break into his home early Wednesday morning, authorities said. 

Virginia home invasion investigation

The backstory:

The incident occurred in the Lake Barcroft area of Falls Church.

Fairfax County Police reported that the suspect tried to break into two homes in the neighborhood before being shot at the front door of the second house. The incident unfolded around 2:30 a.m. on Oakwood Drive, where the homeowner was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher when he opened fire, striking the intruder multiple times.

Ring video footage from a neighbor across the street captured the aftermath of the shooting. 

What they’re saying:

The homeowner declined to comment when approached, but neighbors shared their concerns about safety.

“It’s usually a really safe area,” said Haley Wilson, a neighbor. “My family lives around here… but you’ve got to be safe. Cameras, nice locks — they help.”

Another neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted that crime in the area has gradually increased. 

“We’ve been living here for 25 years, and it’s like little stuff—cars getting fussed with—that’s become more frequent in the last three or four years.”

Who is the suspect? 

Big picture view:

Police confirmed that the same suspect attempted to break into another nearby home shortly before the shooting. No injuries were reported at the first house.

The suspect is currently hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and will face charges once his condition improves, police said.