Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

When we were house-hunting 10 years ago, “affordable” wasn’t a vibe—it was the entire budget. We bought what the bank would approve, and while I love our home and neighborhood, owning a 116-year-old house means you’re basically on call for structural surprises. Exhibit A: The Great Repiping Adventure of 2024.

To celebrate finally paying off that massive plumbing bill, Kody and I bought most of what we need to remodel the upstairs bathroom—the room that took the brunt of the pipe burst (and has been humbly reminding us of it ever since).

If it turns out great, I’ll share photos. If it doesn’t, well … let’s just say housing costs are on my mind, and I’m especially happy some common-sense affordability bills are moving through the General Assembly. You can read about those below. I’m so glad you’re here.

The proposed congressional map supported by Virginia Democrats. (Virginia Legislative Information System)

By Michael O’Connor

Here’s what you need to know: Virginia Democrats approved a new congressional map on Tuesday intended to help their party fight back against President Donald Trump’s attempt to put his thumb on the scales of this fall’s midterm elections.

Looking at the facts:

• Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate each advanced the new congressional map in separate votes. The bills that passed will have to be approved by the other chamber and then by Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

• Depending on the outcome of an ongoing legal challenge, voters would then vote on April 21 in a statewide referendum on whether Virginia should adopt the new congressional map.

• Virginia’s current congressional delegation is made up of six Democrats and five Republicans. The new map would likely result in Democrats winning 10 seats this fall and Republicans holding onto just one.

Want to spread the word? We’re linking this article below so you can easily share it with a friend.

The Virginia Capitol is seen March 4, 2010, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

By Michael O’Connor

As Virginia’s General Assembly legislation approaches the halfway point, lawmakers have passed measures to strengthen tenants’ rights and to increase the supply of affordable housing. 

The Virginia Senate has passed bills extending the time tenants have before they can be evicted and giving localities more zoning flexibility to increase affordable housing options. 

Virginia House Democrats released a statement of their own recently, touting their passage of “commonsense housing bills focused on lowering housing costs.” 

Bob Dandridge became a four-time NBA All-Star. (UPI Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

By Aila Boyd

Born in Richmond in 1947, Bob Dandridge started his career playing at Norfolk State University before joining the NBA in 1969 and becoming a four-time NBA All-Star. In 1970, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. 

The guard forward played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Bullets, and he was a two-time NBA champion. Most recently, he was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:
Dogwood / COURIER Newsroom
611 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20003-4303

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or  from this list.