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Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Some of my very favorite times with my dad were the mornings we spent fishing together. We’d load up in his Ford truck, which was more than a decade older than me, and drive to Mills Grill & Grocery for a breakfast of french fries and soda—and a tub or two of worms (breakfast for the fish). Then, we’d spend hours at a backroads country pond reeling in bass, crappie, blue gill, and memories.

I was too tenderhearted to keep anything we caught, but he never seemed to mind catch-and-release. Nowadays, it’s something I get to enjoy with my own kiddo. This weekend, you can, too—whether you have a fishing license or not—thanks to Virginia’s Fall Free Fishing Days. We’ve got more info in today’s lead story, and I’m so glad you’re here to read it.

Amie Knowles

Newsletter Editor, Dogwood

Fish for free in Virginia during Fall Free Fishing Days in September. (Kristi K. Higgins/Progress-Index.com via Reuters Connect)

Virginia’s first Fall Free Fishing Days weekend is happening Sept. 25-27

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

Here’s what you need to know: To expand angling opportunities, Department of Wildlife Resources is lifting the restriction on fishing designated stocked trout waters, which will open access to more than 2,900 miles of trout streams along with numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs.

The particulars:

Fishing licenses will not be required Sept. 25–27 for recreational rod and reel fishing in both fresh and saltwater, the first Free Fishing Days weekend in Virginia this fall. Facilities-use permits will also not be required during that time.
Fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions, will remain in effect. DWR fee fishing areas will require a fee for the free fishing days weekend.
For additional information and to see which parks are hosting events during the free fishing weekend, visit dwr.virginia.gov.

Want more info? We’ve got you covered at the link below.

Fish for free →

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Kody (left) and Colton Knowles celebrate a win at a Charlotte FC game. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)

Buying into memory making

By Amie Knowles

This summer, we’ve bought more into making memories than we have anything else—and professional soccer is to thank for a big part of that. We live on the Virginia side of the Virginia-North Carolina state line, so Charlotte, NC, is only a couple of hours from our home. That means, so is Charlotte Football Club (Charlotte FC).

The pro soccer team, which plays its home games at Bank of America Stadium, is only in its fifth season, but the players are already making names for themselves. Take Tim Ream for example—he plays as a defender for the Charlotte team, but served as the US Men’s National Team captain in the World Cup.

It’s really fun to go there and just be Amie for a bit, setting down the responsibilities of day-to-day life for 90 minutes to cheer for some folks playing an action-packed game. And of course, seeing the boys (Kody, my husband, and Colton, our son) get so into it is incredible, too. Where’s your favorite reality escape? Write to me at amie@couriernewsroom.com and let me know.

More about the Charlotte team →

Earlier this week, we asked how you felt about the potential Dominion Energy-Next Era merger, which could put Virginians’ power bills, reliable service, and clean-energy commitments in the hands of a single corporate owner.

“I am opposed,” Lou C. wrote. “It’s not a good merger for Virginia. Virginia will experience the brunt of this merger with very little benefits. NO! This merger is unlikely to fully our needs. They speak empty words like Trump.”

Linda M. called the idea of the merger “sickening.”

Jill said, “I feel helpless that powerful people are going to make this decision without considering the impact on all the non-powerful people (like myself) and all the future generations of non-powerful people.”

But there’s definitely one way to bring about change that comes immediately to my mind—and that’s voting. No, the merger isn’t one of the proposed constitutional amendments, but whether or not it passes can trace back to which candidates are in office and well as which ones win their races this fall.

Several legislators and hopefuls are speaking out with their opinions, including Del. Katrina Callsen (D-Albermarle), who called explicitly for an end to the merger and for the companies to be held accountable for its potential consequences.

Before you submit your ballot, be sure to research the candidates in your district to ensure their values match your own. For more Virginia ballot information, head to our voter hub.

Share your take →

Elaine Luria listens to voter concerns in Virginia Beach at the Sundae Scoop ice cream shop on Sept. 23, 2026. (Michael O’Connor/Dogwood)

Elaine Luria talks affordability crisis with 2nd District voters

By Michael O’Connor

Democrat Elaine Luria on Sept. 23 held a wide-ranging discussion on how the affordability crisis is playing out across Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District as she unveiled a list of economic policies she’d support if Hampton Roads voters choose to send her back to Congress this fall.

The US Navy veteran and former member of Congress held a roundtable at the Sundae Scoop ice cream shop in Virginia Beach. Luria heard from young people struggling with the cost of higher education, retirees trying to protect their savings against rising prices, and small business owners frustrated with the state of the economy.

As part of her pitch to voters, Luria touted an economic agenda that includes raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour and indexing it to inflation. Luria also supports a federal 12-week paid family and medical leave program and an $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

Her proposed policies →

According to astronomy experts, the best nights to view the harvest moon this year will be Sept. 25, 26, and 27. While the exact moment of the full moon occurs during the daytime across much of the United States, you’ll still be able to see a nearly full moon before and after the peak. (Read more)
The Spanberger administration launched a new task force to address growing concerns and risks posed by artificial intelligence.⁣ See what Virginia Secretary of Administration Traci Deshazor had to say about the challenges presented by the rapidly developing technology.⁣ (Watch here)
Virginia could soon be home to the largest regulated electricity utility in the US. The elected official overseeing the merger has conspicuous ties to one of the companies involved. What’s going on? (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 Kristi K. Higgins through the Petersburg Progress-Index with USA Today Network via Reuters Connect, Michael O’Connor, Bailey Allen and Maria Francis through USA Today Network-New England/The Providence Journal with USA Today Network via Reuters Connect, and Jonny Lupsha. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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