Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

There exists a deep sadness in my soul this week—so much senseless violence. So many lives altered. It’s hard to find silver linings after weeks like this one.

But therein exists a deep hope. There was this guy named Paul who wrote a lot back in the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s—AD. You might’ve heard one of his more popular writings about “doing all things” a time or two on TV or seen it in cursive on a sign at Hobby Lobby.

But the coupling directly before it is my favorite thing ever penned in the history of literature. If there’s ever a day to share it, it’s today: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

I hate that I don’t have “pep” to give to you to kick off your weekend. But what I can give is my authentic self. The one who’ll listen to you. The one who’ll cry with you. The one who’ll remind you that this horrible week isn’t all there is. And I’m so glad you’re here.

Fall foliage in Shenandoah National Park from Skyline Drive. (VIKVAD/Shutterstock)

By Aila Boyd

Here’s what you need to know: From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia offers tons of opportunities for leaf peeping each fall. The foliage normally reaches peak vibrancy between Oct. 10 and 31.

Our top picks: 

• Skyline Drive meanders for 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park, making it the perfect way to take in the park’s foliage without getting out and hiking around.

• Hungry Mother State Park is the perfect place to go to see vibrant fall colors reflected in the placid waters of a 108-acre lake. The lake is surrounded by thick woodlands and towering mountains.

• Fall foliage enthusiasts flock to the Blue Ridge Parkway, part of the National Park Service, each year. Given that the parkway stretches for 470 miles through wooded mountainous areas at varying elevations, motorists can take in a range of festive colors.

Ready to explore? Knowing when and where to go will help you make the most out of leaf peeping season this year.

Join Dogwood on Tuesday, Sept. 30, in Northern Virginia for an evening of panels exploring the issues shaping Virginia’s political future. Learn about the real-world impact of the upcoming elections and how they affect communities across the commonwealth.

What to Expect:

• Panel discussions on key topics influencing Virginia elections and ways residents can take action
• Opportunities to learn how communities across Virginia are being affected
• A chance to connect, listen, and engage with fellow residents and Virginia leaders

Speaker announcement coming soon!

Space is limited, so reserve your FREE spot today and join the conversation shaping Virginia’s future. 

We asked, you answered. 

On Monday, we posed the question: “What would make you feel more confident in Virginia’s election system?”

We received dozens of responses, ranging from the creation of a “voter portal” where people can check to see that their vote was counted to a bigger emphasis on voter education before people arrive at the polls.

As always, thanks for writing in—you can always message me at amie@couriernewsroom.com if you’d like to get in on the conversation.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., speaks during a news conference on national security legislation on Capitol Hill, Feb. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

By Jessica F. Simmons

Governors aren’t just state managers—they can set the tone for democracy itself. They control state budgets, decide whether to sign or veto laws, and appoint officials who oversee elections. In some states, governors also certify election results and direct how federal funds are spent.

Think about Maryland’s Wes Moore, who has made health care more affordable and expanded voting access for voters with limited English proficiency, or California’s Gavin Newsom, who said he would launch a special election to approve redrawn congressional maps aimed at countering Republican redistricting efforts in Texas. 

Virginia’s next governor will wield similar influence, deciding not only how the commonwealth handles health care and public schools, but also whether Virginia remains the last Southern state without new abortion restrictions.

• Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event in an act that drew renewed attention to the threat of political violence across the United States. (Read more here)

• The founder gave a $1 million donation to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s PAC shortly after he toured an Alpha School facility in Austin. Now, this AI school is coming to Virginia. (Watch here)

• James Walkinshaw recently won a special election to replace the late US Rep. Gerry Connolly. He will represent most of Fairfax County and all of Fairfax City in Congress. (Read more here)

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