Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Have you ever gotten emotionally attached to a tree, but it’s a love-hate relationship? Well, that’s how I feel about our tree by the road, which we’ve affectionately named “The Problem Child.” He’s an elderly fellow who stands about 85 feet tall and decides to shed his branches every time a mild breeze blows.

Usually, debris falls in our yard, and we use it for campfires. But when there’s ice or a bad thunderstorm, The Problem Child becomes a real danger. I can still hear the sickening crack from last February when a branch decimated the power lines. And the snap from a couple of years prior, when an icy branch fell on the roof of our car. Today, he’s coming down—and even though we’re saying goodbye to a pretty big chunk of change, it’ll be well worth the price of a peaceful mind.

So, that’s life here lately. How are you preparing for the upcoming weather? Let me know at amie@couriernewsroom.com. Stay warm, and remember, I’m snow glad you’re here.

Abolitionists Sallie Holley and Caroline F. Putnam made significant contributions to the welfare of formerly enslaved people in Virginia. (CC0 1.0)

By Aila Boyd

Here’s what you need to know: From civil rights pioneers to suffrage advocates, Virginia is home to influential activists who fought for justice and equality.

Three household names:

• Hester Jeffrey (1842–1934) was a prominent African American suffragist, activist, and community leader who played a vital role in advancing civil rights and women’s suffrage. She founded organizations supporting Black women and children, such as the Hester C. Jeffrey Women’s Club, and helped revitalize the National Afro-American Council.

• Caroline F. Putnam, born in Massachusetts in 1826, was a dedicated abolitionist and educator who made significant contributions to the welfare of formerly enslaved people in Virginia. A graduate of Oberlin College, she became close friends with fellow abolitionist Sallie Holley, and together they traveled the northern United States to advocate for abolition.
• Maggie Lena Walker (1864-1934), a pioneering business leader from Richmond, became the first woman to own a bank in the United States, the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, in 1903. Born to enslaved parents, Walker overcame numerous hardships to establish herself as an influential figure. Her bank survived the Great Depression and is still in operation today.

Want to learn more? Whether advocating for racial equity, women’s rights, or LGBTQ+ liberation, Virginians have left a lasting impact on both the commonwealth and the nation.

The 2026 General Assembly could spark changes for Virginia classrooms. (April Walker/Unsplash)

By Amie Knowles

Virginia lawmakers are proposing a slate of education bills this session that could reshape how schools are funded, staffed, and supported.

Among the various proposals, several stand out for their potential impact on students, teachers, and taxpayers.

One such bill is Senate Bill 66, introduced by Sen. Jeremy McPike (D–Prince William). SB 66 would allow cities and counties, with voter approval, to levy an additional local sales tax of up to 1% to pay for school capital projects—long-term investments typically aimed toward building expansions or major updates. Under current law, only select localities have this option.

Another, Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), introduced by Sen. Danica Roem (D–Manassas) (along with its House companion HB 96), would make breakfast free for all public school students, regardless of income. Mayo Clinic reports that “a healthy breakfast fuels their school day, prepares them to learn, and sets the tone for the rest of the day.”

Pharrell Williams was born in Virginia Beach. (Anthony Mooney/Shutterstock)

By Aila Boyd

A 13-time Grammy-winning artist, Pharrell Williams was born in Virginia Beach and graduated from Princess Anne High School. Despite being an international celebrity, he’s still involved in his hometown.

In 2019, he founded Something in the Water, a music, arts and culture festival in Virginia Beach. While the concert series faced choppy waters in the past, that didn’t stop the good memories from overflowing. Watch here as the festival partnered with NBA Cares to restore decades-old basketball courts in the seaside city.

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.