The weekendās back once again, and itās looking like a hot one where Iām at in Virginia. In the Southside, the highs wonāt dip below 90 until Monday, when we get a still-sweltering reprieve at 82 degrees. Tuesdayās looking better, though, with the promise of mid-70s.
What Iām saying is, youāre going to want to grab some sunscreen if you plan to attend any of the fun weekend events weāre highlighting in todayās lead story. So what are you waiting for? Scroll on down to see whatās happening, and remember, Iām so glad youāre here.
|
|
|
The Culpeper Pride Festival was held at Mountain Run Winery. (Culpeper Pride)
|
By Aila Boyd
Hereās 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 āgay ole time.ā
-
(Saturday, June 13) Pride Night will be coming to Norfolkās 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? Weāve got more info on these and other events taking place throughout the commonwealth at the link below.
|
|
|
Amie Knowles enjoys a delicious donut from Hallās Pastry Shop in Danville. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)
|
By Amie Knowles
Can I make a confession? There isnāt a day of my life that goes that Iām not thinking about donuts. Call it a result of growing up as a copās daughter or donāt, 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 Iām featuring today? Thatās Hallās Pastry Shop, home of the illustrious donut cake (not pictured, but always desired).
The donut cake is exactly what it sounds like. Itās 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 peopleāor one person, if youāre me.
Alas, I donāt often indulge in the wonder of a donut cake because their regular-sized donuts taste just as amazing, and I donāt need to order ahead for one (or three) of those. Not as big a donut fan as I am? Hallās has everything from freshly made eclairs to incredible cookies.
The next time youāve got a sweet tooth near Danville, Iād highly recommend stopping in for a treatāor two.
|
|
|
Earlier this week, we asked, hypothetically speaking: Which Virginian yāall 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, ānot Youngkin, for sure,ā before nominating Pocahontas. Penny P. came in with some pop culture, selecting DāAngelo, 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.
Itās never too late to join the conversation. Email me to share your opinion.
|
|
|
|
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)
|
By Michael OāConnor
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, itās common for employers, big and small, to drag negotiations out over months and sometimes years.
|
|
|
š³ļøāš Itās Pride Month, and whether you want chances to show your support for your LGBTQIA+ community or if youāre looking for your regularly scheduled engagement opportunities and protests, we have ways for you to get involved. (Read more)
š„ āWeāve got a crisis,ā 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)
š 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 PokĆ©mon. This edition includes stories from Aila Boyd, Ava Edwards, Michael OāConnor, and the breaking news team. It was edited by Paula Solis.
Dogwood is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.
|
|
|
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.
Our mailing address is: Dogwood / COURIER Newsroom 3229 Greenpoint Ave., PMB 532 Long Island City, New York 11101
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or from this list.
|
|
|
|