Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy in the commonwealth this spring. (James River Park)

By Aila Boyd

Here’s what you need to know: With the arrival of warm weather and vibrant blooms, there’s no denying that spring has sprung in Virginia. To make the most out of the season this year, add some of these six quintessential Virginia activities to your springtime bucket list. 

Our top picks:

• Visit a botanical garden—For a curated garden experience, look no further than the Norfolk Botanical Garden. The garden has seasonal tram tours in April. The tours start at the top of every hour daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with azalea tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• James River water sports—For those who like to spend time on the water, kayaking or canoeing down the James River is a great springtime activity. If you’re planning to kayak on the upper part of the James River and need help finding a good access point, check out this list from The Upper James River Water Trail.

• Picnic at a state park—Considering that more than 30 state parks are spread throughout every corner of the commonwealth, you’ll surely be able to find one where you can enjoy an outdoor meal. The agency maintains a list of parks that have picnic shelters if you need help deciding which one to explore.

Adding more to your list? We’ve found some of the best experiences to have this spring throughout our beautiful state. 

President Donald Trump speaks at US Steel Corporation’s Mon Valley Works-Irvin plant, Friday, May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

By Michael O’Connor

Virginia Democrats are denouncing President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict mail-in voting and create a national voter list. 

According to the election law professor Richard Hasen, Trump’s order released would have the US Department of Homeland Security create a list of voters and have the United States Postal Service only mail ballots to voters on this list with “unique identifiers” like barcodes issued by DHS. 

Hasen concludes Trump does not have the authority to do this, and several states have already said they intend to sue over the order.

The most compelling stories often find us when we least expect it. (Patrick Fore/Unsplash)

 By Amie Knowles

One day, I really hope to meet my favorite writer. He’s got several books out, writes a daily column, travels the states singing and playing instruments, and has an affinity for Waffle House. But moreover, Sean Dietrich has a way of explaining life that just clicks. 

I’ve been reading his column, Sean of the South, for years. What keeps me coming back for more is that Sean writes about people in ways that many of us forget to see. So meeting him wouldn’t just be about shaking hands with a favorite writer. Nah, it’d be about sitting with somebody who understood how to find meaning in the overlooked.

As far as his writings go, my personal favorites include: 3) “The Church Social”, about the good ol’ days of potlucks and community, 2) “Hell Bound”, a raw introspection about his father’s suicide, and one extra special one 1) “Sleepless in New York.” In that column, Sean talks about wanting to write for a newspaper—and immediately getting hit with an editor who accused him of wasting her time. 

In an effort to prove her wrong, Sean set out to find a story worth telling. He ended up at a local nursing home and asked the receptionist for a storyteller, to which she replied: “They’re all storytellers, sweetie.” Grab a tissue if you choose to read this one because, man, what a story to tell…

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