Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Cotton Methuselah, our ancient miniature poodle, had his summer buzzcut and bath at home this week. Why? Well, let’s just say his first grooming trip after we adopted him seven years ago didn’t go great—already a senior dog at the time, the groomer said Cotton hated everything about it. 

I say this with all the proud pet parent love in the world, but Cotton differs a bit from how you might expect his breed to look. He’s missing teeth, was born with a cleft front paw, and is deaf and blind—honestly, my dude looks like the walking poster child of a humane society donation commercial. 

We took him in for a classic poodle cut. He came back shaved bald and at a cost triple the quote. I figured next time, I’d try my own clippers. For free. Let’s just say the groomer was right—and deserved every extra penny. Cotton now alternates between a buzzcut and “kitchen mop chic.” But as long as he’s comfy, happy, and loved, that’s all that matters to me.

I still like free things. That’s why I’m so excited to share today’s lead story with y’all. Aila Boyd wrote about the Culture Pass, which gives access to Virginia attractions at no cost. Leave your clippers at home, enjoy your adventure, and remember, I’m so glad you’re here. 

The Virginia Zoo features a variety of trails where exotic animals can be seen. (Virginia Tourism Corporation)

Here’s what you need to know: The Williamsburg Regional Library offers one of the most comprehensive culture pass programs in Virginia. Passes are available for four-day checkouts or as printable tickets for specific dates.

Top attractions include:

• George Washington’s Mount Vernon offers visitors insight into colonial life through the well-maintained farm and gardens. The on-site museum showcases Washington artifacts and history.

• Known as Thomas Jefferson’s personal retreat, Poplar Forest now tells the story of the life and times of the third president. Notably, visitors can learn more about the architectural influences that Jefferson called upon to design the estate.

• Stratford Hall, the historic Lee family home, was constructed in the 1740s, exemplifying Georgian-style architecture. Today, visitors learn about the Lees and the enslaved community who lived there. The East Garden and nature trails offer additional exploration opportunities.

Ready to explore? We’ve rounded up multiple opportunities for you at our link below. 

What is your favorite free thing to do in Virginia? Chime in at amie@couriernewsroom.com and let me know all about it. 

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears recently went viral for a testy interview she gave on CNN that touched on federal job cuts. 

New preliminary data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford metropolitan area’s unemployment rate rose from 3.8% in May to 5.5% in June, with the number of unemployed rising from 3,429 to 4,881.

Check out Michael O’Connor’s latest edition of Virginia Capital for some of the broader economic context of the exchange.

• Winsome Earle-Sears continues to dodge questions related to reproductive freedom, despite previously supporting a near-total ban on abortion. (Read more here)

• ICE is cracking down in Virginia, and taking aggressive measures to target undocumented immigrants. Immigration officers recently detained a 21-year-old in his neighborhood, shattering his car window. (Read more here)

• Mental health support, school construction project, and school meal debt forgiveness are three things Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed this year that could’ve made public education better in the commonwealth. (Read more here)

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

Our mailing address is:
Courier Newsroom
611 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003-4303