Meredith McCool
Freelance ReporterMeredith McCool was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley. With degrees in geology, teaching, and curriculum and instruction from William and Mary, Alaska Pacific University, and the University of Virginia, Meredith has worked as an environmental educator, elementary teacher, and college professor. Meredith comes to reporting with a background in qualitative research and oral history.
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Over the last year, the Nelson County Department of Social Services, or DSS, has faced state and local scrutiny over practices that led to kids being left in unsafe situations. In this last of a three-part series, WMRA's Meredith McCool reports on how state law governs local departments, and how Nelson County's office is rebuilding from the ground up. -
After a year of investigations and interventions, the Nelson County Department of Social Services is rebuilding. In the second of a three-part series, WMRA's Meredith McCool explores a statewide tool to guide local departments, and the staffing challenges faced by small rural agencies. Please be aware that this story contains details of child abuse and neglect. -
Over the last year, the Nelson County Department of Social Services, or DSS, has faced state and local investigations and interventions over practices that led to kids being left in unsafe situations. Now, the county is working to rebuild the department – along with public trust. WMRA's Meredith McCool reports in the first of a three-part series. Please be aware that this story contains details of child abuse and neglect. -
The city of Staunton has reached a milestone in its efforts to protect the community from future flooding with the release of a first draft of the Staunton Flood Resilience Plan. WMRA's Meredith McCool reports. -
Protesters took to the streets for “No Kings” rallies in cities across the U.S. on Saturday, with demonstrators energized by issues including the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics and the war in Iran. WMRA's Meredith McCool reports on the rally in Staunton, followed by WMRA’s Anjoleigh Schindler's report from Saturday's event in Charlottesville. -
This past weekend, Wintergreen Adaptive Sports hosted its 22nd annual event for ‘Wounded Warriors.’ They welcomed veterans who sustained injuries or disabilities during their service, along with family members and caregivers, for a weekend of snow sports and camaraderie. WMRA's Meredith McCool reports. -
The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro treats hundreds of injured animals every year, from possums, to eagles, to bear cubs. But one fledgling barn owl that fell from its nest in a grain silo in Augusta County has a unique story. WMRA's Meredith McCool reports. -
On Saturday, Indivisible Charlottesville organized a New Orleans-style funeral march on the downtown mall to mourn what they see as a loss of civil liberties in America – and celebrate hope for the future. WMRA’s Meredith McCool followed the procession. -
On November 1st, federal SNAP food benefits for millions of Americans were paused for the first time since the country's largest anti-hunger program began six decades ago. But one local organization continues to share food and build community. WMRA’s Meredith McCool reports. -
Keisha Nicholson started the Love Forward Foundation in 2015 as a grassroots movement to help the families of the incarcerated heal and grow. Today, the foundation’s "Creative Haven" in downtown Staunton provides a space for creative coping. WMRA’s Meredith McCool paid a visit and filed this report.
