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Meredith McCool

Freelance Reporter

Meredith 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.

  • Early voting is underway across the commonwealth in the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate candidate. The Augusta County Government Center in Verona is an early polling place for county residents.
    Virginia's Republican Senate hopefuls talk economy
    Meredith McCool
    Three candidates are on the August Republican primary ballot to take on incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Warner in November. WMRA’s Meredith McCool caught up with two of them – Kim Farington of Fairfax Station and David Williams of Reston – and filed this report.
  • The "castle of democracy," as dubbed by election officials — Nelson County's election headquarters and early polling place in Lovingston.
    A primer on Virginia's primary elections
    Meredith McCool
    The final day of voting in Virginia’s primary elections is less than one week away. These include a Republican primary for U.S. Senate, and several races for the party nominees for House of Representatives and local offices. WMRA's Meredith McCool spoke to election officials in two counties and shared this primer on the primary.
  • The Norfolk & Western 611 steam locomotive chugs through the Blue Ridge tunnel.
    Historic 611 steam locomotive rolls down Virginia rails
    Meredith McCool
    To commemorate American innovation in this semiquincentennial year, the Virginia Scenic Railway has fired up a “Summer of Steam,” powered by the Norfolk & Western 611 steam locomotive. WMRA’s Meredith McCool rode the train from Staunton and filed this report.
  • Construction is underway on a new $8.1 million Department of Social Services building (photographed May 19, 2026) that Nelson County will be paying off for the next 25 years.
    Mending a torn safety net: systemic challenges in social services
    Meredith McCool
    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.
  • A pair of double-wide trailers in Lovingston currently serves as the Nelson County Department of Social Services building.
    Mending a torn safety net: lagging salaries, lapsed communication at Nelson DSS
    Meredith McCool
    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.
  • Mending a torn safety net: an investigation into Nelson County social services
    Meredith McCool
    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.
  • Gum Spring Branch, a tributary of Lewis Creek, runs under buildings in downtown Staunton.
    Staunton, built overtop converging streams, drafts flood resilience plan
    Meredith McCool
    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.
  • Chris Vacher and Bobby Whitescarver greeted the parade as it arrived at Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton, dressed in inflatable bear and frog costumes. In solidarity with the Portland protestors, they said that they're standing up for democracy, truth, and the rule of law in a silly, non-threatening way.
    Thousands of Virginians take to the streets in No Kings protests
    Meredith McCool, Anjoleigh Schindler
    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.
  • Wintergreen Adaptive Sports instructors, in purple, gather with wounded warriors and their families on the Wintergreen slopes.
    'Wounded warriors' and loved ones hit the slopes at Wintergreen
    Meredith McCool
    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 juvenile barn owl was safely kept and transported in a dog crate.
    The story of one baby barn owl in Augusta County, renested by the Wildlife Center
    Meredith McCool
    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.