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As journalists, we’ve covered stories that no one else has touched. We’ve rallied for the LGBTQ+ community, Medicare for All, affordable housing. Most importantly, we hold local government – and local police – accountable.

  • Somebody has to push the Virginia DEQ to hold a first, and then a second, public hearing to try to keep Northrop Grumman from dumping tons of pollutants into the air and our groundwater; remember how the DEQ tried to get away with a public notice in The News Virginian, whose circulation is under 1,000 three days a week now?
  • Ditto for there needing to be somebody to remind the Waynesboro School Board that it can’t just hire a new superintendent from within, when the data from the state Department of Education show that our schools are failing, miserably, and are in need of a fresh set of eyes to get things moving back in the right direction.
  • Somebody has to press the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police on the officer-involved shooting that took the life of a Staunton man last year, about which there may always be questions, given what happened, and the rush to judgment on the part of the people that are elected to show impartiality in such matters.

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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham is the digital editor and development director for Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. She also has a strong development background as the former director in Virginia for a national suicide prevention organization. You can reach her at [email protected]. Support AFP by signing up for our newsletter and/or powering our work with a one-time or monthly contribution.