Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

The weekend’s back once again, and it’s looking like a hot one where I’m at in Virginia. In the Southside, the highs won’t dip below 90 until Monday, when we get a still-sweltering reprieve at 82 degrees. Tuesday’s looking better, though, with the promise of mid-70s.

What I’m saying is, you’re going to want to grab some sunscreen if you plan to attend any of the fun weekend events we’re highlighting in today’s lead story. So what are you waiting for? Scroll on down to see what’s happening, and remember, I’m so glad you’re here.

Amie Knowles

Newsletter Editor, Dogwood

The Culpeper Pride Festival was held at Mountain Run Winery. (Culpeper Pride)

Virginians can celebrate Pride all month long with these events

By Aila Boyd

Here’s what you need to know: Pride Month is an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies to come together to increase awareness and celebrate.

Upcoming events:

(Friday, June 12) Community Pride in Blacksburg will be holding its Queer Pub Crawl from 5:30 to 11 p.m. as part of its fourth Annual Pride Week. Guided by Adoor and Jezzi Belle, participants are promised a “gay ole time.”
(Saturday, June 13) Pride Night will be coming to Norfolk’s Virginia Zoo from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees of all ages are encouraged to show their true colors. The event will feature animals, animal ambassadors, a Pride-themed market, local organizations and resources, activities, and live entertainment.
(Saturday, June 20) Southwest Virginia Pride is set to hold its SWVA Pride Pageant at 6 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center. The free event will serve as an opportunity for self-expression and an embracing of community.

Ready to celebrate? We’ve got more info on these and other events taking place throughout the commonwealth at the link below.

Plan your Pride →

Amie Knowles enjoys a delicious donut from Hall’s Pastry Shop in Danville. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)

A donut that’s worth the drive

By Amie Knowles

Can I make a confession? There isn’t a day of my life that goes that I’m not thinking about donuts. Call it a result of growing up as a cop’s daughter or don’t, but donuts are such a treat in our home.

Thankfully, there are a few amazing local places to get one heck of a pastry in the Southside. But the one I’m featuring today? That’s Hall’s Pastry Shop, home of the illustrious donut cake (not pictured, but always desired).

The donut cake is exactly what it sounds like. It’s one humongous donut, equipped with enough icing to put me on a sugar high for days on end. This single donut easily feeds 10 or more people—or one person, if you’re me.

Alas, I don’t often indulge in the wonder of a donut cake because their regular-sized donuts taste just as amazing, and I don’t need to order ahead for one (or three) of those. Not as big a donut fan as I am? Hall’s has everything from freshly made eclairs to incredible cookies.

The next time you’ve got a sweet tooth near Danville, I’d highly recommend stopping in for a treat—or two.

See what’s cookin’ →

Earlier this week, we asked, hypothetically speaking: Which Virginian y’all would like to see on a $250 bill?

Dorothy C. placed two votes, one for Pocahontas and another for Maggie Walker. Pamela K. kicked her choice off with some humor, writing, “not Youngkin, for sure,” before nominating Pocahontas. Penny P. came in with some pop culture, selecting D’Angelo, a Richmond-born neo-soul pioneer and R&B icon who recently passed away.

Out of all the awesome responses we received, Pocahontas won our poll by a single vote.

It’s never too late to join the conversation. Email me to share your opinion.

Share your take →

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., left, poses during a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., in the Rayburn Room at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Virginia Republicans vote against bill to speed up union negotiations

By Michael O’Connor

All five Virginia Republicans in the US House of Representatives voted against a bipartisan bill aimed at helping workers and employers reach timely agreements when negotiating a first union contract.

All six House Democrats from Virginia supported the legislation, which also got support from 20 House Republicans. The bill, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, passed in a vote of 230-193 on Tuesday and is now with the Senate.

The bill would put a set timeline on negotiations over a first contract after workers organize themselves into a new union. The National Labor Relations Act gives workers the right to form unions and collectively bargain, but it does not require employers to agree to a first union contract within a set time.

As a result, it’s common for employers, big and small, to drag negotiations out over months and sometimes years.

What this means for VA workers →

🏳️‍🌈 It’s Pride Month, and whether you want chances to show your support for your LGBTQIA+ community or if you’re looking for your regularly scheduled engagement opportunities and protests, we have ways for you to get involved. (Read more)

🏥 “We’ve got a crisis,” said State Del. Rodney Willett (D-Henrico). A recently released state report found that 13 rural hospitals in Virginia are at risk of closing. (Read more)

📂 Does Trump’s name appear in the Epstein files? Former Attorney General Pam Bondi told lawmakers she does not remember, according to Rep. Suhas Subramanyam. (Watch here)

Would you share this newsletter with a friend?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes stories from Aila Boyd, Ava Edwards, Michael O’Connor, and the breaking news team. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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