Advance Morning News

It's Saturday, February 15, 2025. Today's pieces include Eric Bonds on unsettling times, Alan Herrmann on unheralded melodramas, and the Best of the Week - and what a week it was.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUOTE

“I cannot be an optimist but I am a prisoner of hope.”

— Cornel West

These Aren’t Normal Times. I’m Trying to Figure Out What That Means

By Eric Bonds

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

“Shock”—by definition—is not a permanent state. We might feel waylaid now. But feelings of solidarity and courage can be awakened with small acts, especially when we act together.

Read the full story

CLASSIC MOVIE REVIEWS: The Melodramas of Douglas Sirk and Todd Haynes

By Alan Herrmann

“Melodramas” are oftentimes more engaging than their genre name - associated overacting and soap operas - would suggest.

Read the full story

Best of the Week

Analysis

• Indoctrination or Education?

Elections

• 'Better to Regret the Things You Do Than the Things You Haven't'

• City Council's Process for Filling Ward 3 Seat Questioned

• Petition Seeks Release of Applications, Notes Related to City Council's Ward 3 Vacancy

• Planning Commission Chair Susanna Finn Appointed to City Council

Executive Order Project

• “Most Vulnerable Students” Would Be Hardest Hit by Funding Freeze

• The Cascading Effects of DOGE

• Planned Fredericksburg-area EV Charging Stations at Risk

• Optimism in a Time of Fear

• Funding for Charting My Path for Future Success Program in Spotsylvania Schools Stopped

Government

• Virginia State Senate to Take Up Military Sexual Abuse Bill Championed by Local Woman

• Local Delegates Appointed to Emergency Committee to Study Impacts to Virginia of Federal Workforce Reduction

• City Planning Commission Recommends Denial of Proposed Data Center Overlay District

Humor

• The Fine Art of Talking about Nothing

• CLAY JONES: No Wonder It's Hard to Find Good Help

Lifestyle

• AT HOME: Stepping Out for a Mid-Morning Snack

• Local Groups Come Together to Donate Home Repairs to a Veteran

• Art First Gallery to Hold Tribute for Artist

• History Thursday: Cecil Reid's Cottage Courts

Opinion

• Fredericksburg City Council - Again - Keeps Public in Dark

Transportation

• Special Report: VDOT Preparing for Heavy Snow

Local Obituaries

To view local obituaries or to send a note to family and loved ones, please visit the link that follows.

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