Good morning, Fredericksburg.

The Fredericksburg region of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners (VCNP) is collecting undergarments and menstrual products now for the second year to donate to local agencies serving people in need.

Stafford Fire and Rescue is urging residents to use the end of Daylight Saving Time this weekend to check smoke alarms and practice escape plans (Katie Brady).

Replace batteries if needed and make sure everyone in the home knows how to get out in a fire.

Beignets & Brew is opening at 1289 Emancipation Highway in Eagle Village near the laundromat and forthcoming U.S. Post Office; Any Lab Test Now is moving to 1281 Emancipation Highway, and the 10,000 sqft space vacated by Fred Vegas Bins is now available.

Exposure Unlimited is marking 40 years with paintings, sculpture and mixed-media upstairs and Linda Larochelle's linocuts downstairs; both exhibitions at the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts (813 Sophia St.) will close Oct.

30.

Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble will stage Ira Levin’s psychological thriller Veronica’s Room at Allstate Community Theater with performances at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct.

30, 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1; tickets start at $26.59 and the theater elevator is out of service (second-floor entry may be arranged).

The University of Mary Washington earned two regional honors in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s inaugural 2026 InternshipsVA Top Employers for Interns awards, winning the Innovative Employers Award for GO Virginia Region 6 and the Inspiring Employers Award for its 38-year internship record; honorees were announced earlier this month at a Richmond conference.

The Stafford School Board approved the 2027-28 calendar Tuesday, keeping multicultural religious holidays (Diwali, Good Friday, Eid al-Adha) and adopting a 180-day school year to meet state instructional requirements; the measure passed 6-1 with one dissenting board member.