From the Editor: It Was an Historic Week, and Just Another Week
By Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Email Martin
It was an historic week. A week when journalists must rise to the occasion.
As Donald Trump’s Executive Orders began to pile up, the list of stories we could chase threatened to swamp us. We found a ship, however, to keep us afloat so that we could work and tell the stories our community needs.
On Monday we launched “The Executive Order Project” with a clear approach to a moment in time that will keep historians and doctoral students busy for generations to come.
Our driving question? How will Trump’s Executive Orders affect the people, governments, for-profit businesses, and nonprofit organizations, for good or ill, that form the fabric of our region?
The stories we told this week came from all corners of the community we serve:
The potential impact of reduced funds on our most-vulnerable students
Nonprofits struggling with potentially less federal funding, and the unintended consequences diminished funds will deliver
The rising fear about immigration raids and how those who serve our immigrant neighbors can respond.
Vindman and Wittman Introduce Bill Seeking Exemption to Return-to-Work Mandate for Military Spouses
That hardly a corner of our community wasn’t touched by the changes that are now daily rolling off the Resolute Desk reveals the momentous times we are living in.
Maintaining Perspective
It was also, however, just another week.
The sheer volume of local stories we covered this week that were unaffected by the national debate should remind us that even in trying times, it’s our neighbors and local institutions that we depend upon most to build and strengthen community. Among the stories we told:
We also captured the big hearts and generosity of those in our community who created the region we love and give generously to benefit others. People such as Ed King, whose art continues to inspire, those volunteers who provide homes for those in need, and Larry Silver who gave $1 million to Fredericksburg City Schools (Silver is an FXBG Advance donor).
The arts and local businesses also pushed on as normal. From costume designers who bring the stage to life, to bakers who create special spaces where community forms, national events couldn’t stanch those people who add color and perspective to our neighborhoods.
What’s it all mean?
Even in the most trying national times, it’s what goes on here at home that matters most to us all. It’s where we find home, find people to support, and are reminded that good times are not guaranteed, but we can always find good people.
It was an historic week. And it was just another week.
And the Advance is honored to report on it for you.
Updated at 9:44 am.
Local Obituaries
To view local obituaries or to send a note to family and loved ones, please visit the link that follows.
Support Award-winning, Locally Focused Journalism
The FXBG Advance cuts through the talking points to deliver both incisive and informative news about the issues, people, and organizations that daily affect your life. And we do it in a multi-partisan format that has no equal in this region. Over the past year, our reporting was:
First to break the story of Stafford Board of Supervisors dismissing a citizen library board member for “misconduct,” without informing the citizen or explaining what the person allegedly did wrong.
First to explain falling water levels in the Rappahannock Canal.
First to detail controversial traffic numbers submitted by Stafford staff on the Buc-ee’s project
Our media group also offers the most-extensive election coverage in the region and regular columnists like:
And our newsroom is led by the most-experienced and most-awarded journalists in the region — Adele Uphaus (Managing Editor and multiple VPA award-winner) and Martin Davis (Editor-in-Chief, 2022 Opinion Writer of the Year in Virginia and more than 25 years reporting from around the country and the world).
For just $8 a month, you can help support top-flight journalism that puts people over policies.
Your contributions 100% support our journalists.
Help us as we continue to grow!
This article is published under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND. It can be distributed for noncommercial purposes and must include the following: “Published with permission by FXBG Advance.”
"How will Trump’s Executive Orders affect the people, governments, for-profit businesses, and nonprofit organizations, for good or ill,"
Curious how you couldn't find any good in President Trump's EO's. Perhaps you should do an article on your blatant bias (for good or ill).