Every night, I wish my son “sweet dreams of Pokémon” right before he falls asleep. I’ve done that for months, now. Several weeks ago, he surprised me. On the verge of sleep, right after I’d said it, his eyes were closed, he yawned, and said, “Mommy? Sweet dreams of something you like, too. Sweet dreams of cowboys.”
My husband, who works in environmental health (AKA not on a dude ranch), exclaimed, “Sweet dreams of what?!” It’s now become a nightly thing. Sweet dreams of Pokémon. Sweet dreams of cowboys. But how did the cowboy stuff come about? It’s because in my spare time, I thoroughly enjoy a genre of fiction you might not expect—keep reading today’s newsletter to see if your hunch is correct. I’m so glad you’re here.
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Virginians can try kava beverages in person or at home. (Annie Spratt/Unsplash)
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By Aila Boyd
Here’s what you need to know: The non-fermented beverage is highly sought after because of its calming effects. One major benefit is that it’s non-alcoholic, which means the sober and sober-curious can still participate in ritual drinking and experience some of the same euphoric effects.
Our top picks:
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Point 5 is Richmond’s first standalone alcohol-free bottle shop. It sells Kava Haven, a crafted kava-infused non-alcoholic spirit. It features a combination of pure kava extract, lemon juice, and white grape juice.
- Zion Apothecary bills itself as a one-stop shop for premium botanicals and infused rinks. Its kava offerings include the following shots: Leilo Relax, Zion Herbals KFusion, Big Mama’s Guava Kava Kava, and Lazy Luau Plant Based Aloha.
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Trippie Hippie is the go-to place in the Smith Mountain Lake area for calming products, including kava. It also sells CBD products, incense, crystals, and bohemian clothing.
Know before you go: While kava provides certain health benefits, it also presents health risks for those on antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
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Former President Barack Obama gestures during a rally for Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
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By Michael O’Connor
The political group behind controversial anti-redistricting mailers that featured Civil Rights Movement imagery is out with a new deceptive ad making it seem like former President Barack Obama opposes Virginia’s redistricting referendum, when he in fact supports it.
Virginia voters have received text messages and mailers with an image of a smiling Obama next to the words, “Vote No on Gerrymandering! Protect Minority Representation.”
The ad features a 2020 quote from an Obama post on X saying, “For too long, gerrymandering has contributed to stalled progress and warped our representative government.”
But Obama supports Virginia Democrats’ current push to redraw the state’s congressional districts in their favor to offset Republicans doing so in other states. Earlier this month, Obama released a video urging Virginians to vote yes on the referendum to allow Democrats to redraw the state’s congressional map to help them pick up three or four seats in the US House of Representatives.
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By Amie Knowles
If you read today’s newsletter intro and guessed “westerns” as one of my favorite genres, you’re absolutely right. I’m 32, but grew up watching reruns of “The Lone Ranger” and “Bonanza”, as well as episodes of “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Do I like the portrayal of every character in some older westerns? Nope, I sure don’t. Some of the things that made it on film or in novels 70 years ago have no place in the better-informed and more inclusive world I see most of us striving toward.
But, man, do I ever love a good thrill ride when it comes to good guys and bad guys on horseback—and that’s what I found in the pages of “North of Laramie” by JA Johnstone (alongside the name of deceased novelist William W. Johnstone). The first in its series, the book published in 2020 follows former agent Buck Trammel who’s working in a Wichita bar when a fight breaks out. The incident puts Trammel and local gambler Adam Hagen on the run together—a move that changes the trajectory of their lives.
You’ve read what I’m reading. What pages are you nose-deep into and can’t put down? Write to me at amie@couriernewsroom.com and tell me about it; I might even put your recommendation on my TBR (to be read) list.
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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 and Michael O’Connor. It was edited by Paula Solis.
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