Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood Daily. We’ve got a round-up of all of today’s Virginia news coming right up. And if you’re a fan, please forward to three friends who need to know what’s going on in the Commonwealth and tell them to subscribe here.
But First…
Just in time for fall, pumpkins are now among Virginia’s top agricultural products, according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which showed pumpkin sales in Virginia reached an estimated $11 million in 2018.
Five things you need to know today…
- Four percent of marriages in Virginia were same-sex unions: Same-sex couples accounted for 1 out of every 26 marriages in Virginia since same-sex unions were legalized in 2014, according to the Virginia Department of Health. In cities like Richmond and Virginia Beach, same-sex couples represented 1 out of every 15 marriages from 2014-2018. -WTKR
- In Virginia Poll, Trump Trails All 2020 Democratic Candidates: President Donald Trump trails all of his potential 2020 Democratic rivals by big margins, according to a new survey of Virginia voters. The poll, conducted by the University of Mary Washington, shows Trump losing to former Vice President Joe Biden by 14 points. “The way that you win Virginia statewide is you win in the suburbs,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “Trump may not be the best candidate for Republicans who are trying to do that.” -WVTF
- Medical marijuana won’t be available in Virginia until mid-2020: Some of the five medical marijuana dispensaries opening in Virginia could be operational by the end of the year, but none will begin distributing product until at least the middle of next year. Many patients are already certified to purchase marijuana through the state’s medical cannabis program, but those hoping to pick up their medicine sooner are out of luck. There is currently no way to acquire marijuana products legally in Virginia. -Newsleader
- Surfer who lost prosthetic leg in huge wave at Virginia Beach needs help finding it: A man lost his prosthetic leg after a gnarly wave swept over him while surfing at Virginia Beach. Now, he’s turned to social media for help finding it. “I see the wave, I see the foot, the whole prosthetic, under the wave near the sand and then it crashed and it was gone,” the man said. -News Observer
- Virginia Town Turns Into A ‘Harry Potter’-Themed World For One Weekend:Have you misplaced your magic wand? Not to worry —the fourth annual Queen City Mischief and Magic festival, a weekend-long celebration of the Harry Potter books and films in Staunton, Va., starts today. -DCist
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