Dogwood Daily: Ways to help out Democratic candidates in the last week before election

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 …

They’re still in it! Last night the Nationals beat the Houston Astros 7-2 in Game 6 of the World Series. The teams will face off in Game 7 tonight at 8 PM. Perhaps President Trump not making an appearance helped.

Five things you need to know today …

1. Ways to help out Democratic candidates in the last week before election— On November 5, all 140 seats in Virginia’s General Assembly are up for election, giving Democrats an opportunity flip both chambers from Red to Blue.  As election day closes in, candidates need as much help as possible, so the Dogwood has compiled ways you can easily help Democratic candidates in some of the state’s closest races. (Shout out to our reader Arina who suggested this piece! If you’ve got an idea, shoot us a message at [email protected].) –The Dogwood
   
2. Former Governor Baliles passes away— Gerald Baliles, the former Governor of Virginia, died Tuesday at the age of 79 after a four year battle against cancer. Baliles, a Democrat, served as Governor after 1986 to 1990. Dubbed the “transportation governor” by those close to him, Baliles famously raised taxes in order to pass a 10-year, $10 billion transportation package. “Governor Baliles fought for rural Virginians, promoted civil discourse, and was the epitome of a true public servant,” Governor Northam said in a statement. -The Roanoke Times
   
3. Appeals Court hears arguments on Atlantic Coast Pipeline— The legal battle over the Atlantic Coast Pipeline continues. Lawyers and opponents faced off Tuesday at a federal appeals court, this time over a proposed natural gas compressor station near Union Hill. Opponents say the compressor station’s emissions will negatively impact the nearby community, which was founded by freed slaves after the Civil War and remains primarily African-American to this day. Dominion Energy and the state, meanwhile, have both claimed that air emissions at the station will be 50% to 80% lower than other compressors in the state. -The News & Advance
   
4. Same-sex marriages make up 4% of nuptials statewide–Of the 300,865 marriages in the Commonwealth recorded between 2014 and 2018, 11,360 of those were same-sex couples. A half dozen communities, ranging from cities like Richmond and Norfolk to rural communities like Buena Vista, had same-sex unions make up an even higher percentage of total marriages. -Inside Nova
   
5. John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier put in water– The John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier is one step closer to launch. On Tuesday, Newport News Shipbuilding flooded the dry dock where the ship has been undergoing construction. The ship will be christened December 7 at an event that’s expected to draw thousands to the shipyard. This is some much-needed good news for the company, which has faced significant delays on another major project, the USS Gerald R. Ford -Williamsburg Yorktown Daily