We’d just finished eating lunch yesterday when my husband, Kody, started scrolling on his phone—and his expression changed. “You’re not going to want to see this,” he said. “But you need to see this.” He passed the device over, webpage up. It was the breaking news from Norfolk of a shooting at Old Dominion University.
I find myself at a loss for words when senseless acts of violence like this occur. I’m a “fixer” by nature, but, of course, there’s no “fixing” a tragedy. So, I’ll say this instead: My inbox is open. Rant. Yell. Curse. Cry. I promise, I can take your cathartic release—and we can scream into the void together. Because today, it feels especially important to remind you that your feelings are valid, your emotions are important, and I’m so glad you’re here.
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Silhouette of an oyster dredge boat as the sun rises over Chesapeake Bay. (Pat Anderson Photo/Shutterstock)
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By Claire Mainprize
Here’s what you need to know: From hauling in blue crabs to tonging oysters, Chesapeake Bay watermen have established Virginia’s place as a major seafood producer for generations. However, the storied tradition isn’t what it used to be. Today, the way of the watermen is threatened because of climate change, pollution, and habitat loss.
Top facts:
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Factors such as weather, reproduction, and fishing affect blue crab numbers. In 2025, the blue crab population in the bay dropped. However, pollution reduction and habitat restoration efforts to protect the crabs are underway.
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Oysters have long been harvested from the Chesapeake Bay, as Native Americans relied on them as a major source of food. In 2018, 32.1 million Virginia oysters were harvested for consumption. Today, the Virginia Oyster Trail boosts the work of local watermen by championing the Virginia oyster industry. Donations to fund the trail’s awareness work can be made here.
- The Watermen’s Museum offers a comprehensive overview of those who made their living on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, including the Algonquin-speaking people, colonists, sailors, and fishermen. Artifacts available for viewing range from tools used to build wooden canoes to life-size replicas.
Want to learn more? We’ve got more on the topic, as well as interesting maritime museums, at the link below.
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This study painting hangs in our upstairs hallway. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)
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Admittedly, a lot of our cash has gone to necessities (and toward our kid’s Pokémon collection) lately. But when it doesn’t, we’re able to splurge a little on our interests. Exhibit A: Study paintings.
What’s a study (or copy) painting, you might ask? Well, think of it kind of like if Bob Ross lived in the 1800s. On his show, Joy of Painting, Ross took viewers on a step-by-step journey to learn the process of painting a scene. Before television, aspiring artists often studied the works of other painters and created their own version of the scene in a hands-on attempt to learn more about structure, lighting, perspective, and composition.
What’s especially nifty about study paintings? They’re traditionally much cheaper than the original piece. For example, the one pictured above is a study of Albert Bierstadt’s “The Rocky Mountains, Lander’s Peak.” The scene depicts a peaceful, idyllic village of Shoshone people practicing their way of life—something that, devastatingly, soon changed under Manifest Destiny. You can access a Native perspective on the painting here.
The original from 1863, which sold for an astounding $25,000 two years after its creation, is currently on view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 760.
The study—from slightly later—hangs in our upstairs hallway for under $100.
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Local news is essential for democracy.
Our reporting cuts through false narratives, documents what’s actually happening in our communities, and provides voters with the clear, factual information they need—especially when the stakes are high.
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Earlier this week, we asked what you’d like to see us cover more of this year—and not surprisingly, a big concern centered around affordability.
My mom, Karen P., shared a story with me on Monday when she took her mother out shopping. They had to get gas in grandma’s car while they were in town, and the 90-year-old paid $3.19 per gallon. On the way home, they noticed that pumps in the county were still at $2.89; talk about a gut punch on a fixed income.
As of Wednesday, gas prices in the Southside were up to $3.25, and I have a feeling it’ll continue to climb for a bit. Meanwhile, we’ll continue reporting on the economic issues that have the biggest impacts on most Virginians’ wallets.
What are your concerns around affordability?
I’m listening.
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Six fired faculty members and their supporters rallied on Feb. 24 to get their jobs back at Virginia State University. (Kelly Benjamin/AAUP)
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By Ava Edwards
Want to get politically engaged this week? You can fundraise for Young Dems, book club in NOVA, or protest with Indivisible.
Our top picks:
Have an event to add? Email our state organizing coordinator Ava Edwards at ava@couriernewsroom.com with details. Please send details at least one week before the event.
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A gun, an unlicensed teacher, and no oversight: As a student, I watched my Virginia private school unravel without accountability. That’s why I’m against expanding school vouchers that would funnel public money into private education. (Read more)
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President Donald Trump wants to impose new tariffs on Americans despite a recent US Supreme Court ruling blocking a different attempt to do so. Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is joining the fight against what amounts to a tax on everyday Americans. (Read more)
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Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and the NAACP Virginia State Conference are calling out controversial mailers related to the redistricting referendum. The civil rights organization denounced the mailers “sent by a MAGA-aligned political action committee aimed at deterring Black voters from supporting this referendum.” (Read more)
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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 Claire Mainprize, Ava Edwards, and Michael O’Connor. It was edited by Paula Solis.
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