Any recommendations for a good circular saw for a newbie?

1st) Most American brand power tools are now made by the same manufacturer(s) in China and just re-labeled. I have never purchased a power or hand tool made in China and not regretted the purchase within two or three hours of concentrated use. My advice, even though they cost more buy German power tools like Bosch. You will never regret buying quality tools.

2nd) Almost all circular saws have basic features, depth of cut and angle of cut. Everything else is a sorry second cousin to what a properly built jig will do. Don't pay for fancy features when a jg will do much better.

3rd) Battery powered circular saw seem like a good idea. They aren't, unless you never cut anything but plywood.

Grab a DeWalt 7 1/4 and a Freud blade....Porter cable is good but puts the sawdust in the way. A good 10" chop saw (Makita) will be your next buy if not already. Whatever you buy...Buy it at a building supply and not Lowe's or HD.....You will get metal internals instead of plastic. Big Diff....

Good choice in hobbies. Wood working is my therapy time. I can completely disconnect and get lost in my projects.
Don't go cheap because you'll have to work too hard to achieve what you're after and won't have any fun at all. That being said, you don't have to break the bank either. DEWALT makes a great introductory circular saw. Bosch is one you will never go wrong with. A direct drive will do most of what you'll want to do. Go with a worm drive if you expect to be doing heavy cuts as in pressure treated and such. Over time you will end up getting a couple of different saws for project specific work. Good luck and happy sawdust days!!