Governor Ralph Northam says all COVID-19 restrictions in Virginia could end in June if cases continue to decline; According to a new poll, about two-thirds of Virginia parents say they're likely to have their children vaccinated; The candidates for Attorney General met in debate; and other local news stories.

Richmond residents wanting to get vaccinated can do so today at the Islamic Center in Henrico; The COVID-19 crisis in India is impacting residents in Hampton Roads, A walk-up vaccination clinic opened Wednesday at George Wythe High School; and other local news stories.

Richmond City Council is setting aside roughly $200,000 for a civilian review board for police misconduct; Virginia Military Institute will remove “Stonewall” Jackson’s name from campus buildings in the wake of allegations of racism; Eight women recently filed a lawsuit against a Virginia summer camp, claiming they were sexually abused by staff; and other local news stories.

Charlottesville's Blue Ribbon Commission have requested the city council to immediately cover the monuments in preparation for their removal; A task force working on creating a civilian review board in Richmond for police misconduct is looking for public input; Richmond Public Schools will be holding in-person graduations this Spring, thanks to a drop in COVID-19 cases and an increase in vaccination rates; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam eased some restrictions on outdoor gatherings yesterday following new CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals; Virginia’s minimum wage will rise to $9.50 an hour beginning tomorrow; Some voters recently received texts making homophobic comments towards Virginia Beach Delegate Glenn Davis; and other local news stories.

The Virginia Court of Appeals will consider the case of two Virginia men who are serving life in prison for the murder of a police officer despite a federal jury’s ‘not guilty’ verdict; Yesterday, Richmond Police arrested and charged three men they suspect were involved in a shooting that killed a woman and her 3-month-old daughter; Tonight residents can learn more about a major road improvement project slated for part of Route 60 in Chesterfield County; and Richmond-based band Butcher Brown talks about their experience with NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.

More than 55,000 Virginians have signed up to be delegates for the May 8th GOP convention; The Virginia Department of Education has responded to confusion resulting from media reports that VDOE would be eliminating advanced math courses; The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts have created a new web portal to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine; and other local news stories.

After years of campaigning, the Richmond Public Defender’s office could finally get the funding it’s been asking for; Prince William County Delegate Hala Ayala got a boost in her campaign to become the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor yesterday; Virginia Republicans will allow observant Jews and other people with religious obligations to vote absentee in their upcoming nominating convention; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam is loosening some of the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus; Today marks 70 years since students at Moton High School in Farmville walked out of class to protest racial segregation in Prince Edward County public schools; The Henrico School Board selected Roscoe Cooper of the Fairfield District to serve as its new chairman yesterday; and other local news stories.

On Wednesday, Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize recreational marijuana. Governor Ralph Northam held a bill-signing ceremony, but one key group says they were left out; The State Board of Elections is requesting the commonwealth’s attorney investigate alleged misconduct by the Richmond Electoral Board; Four leading Republican contenders for governor gave mixed reactions after Tuesday’s verdict in the Derek Chauvin case; and other local news stories.

State leaders reacted to the jury’s verdict that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is guilty on all counts in the murder of George Floyd; The city of Norfolk fired a police officer who donated money to the teenager accused of killing two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin; Governor Ralph Northam’s office announced yesterday that five new historical markers addressing African American history in the commonwealth have been selected; and other local news stories.

In leaked audio published on Sunday by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Governor Ralph Northam’s staff questions the Virginia Inspector General’s authority to investigate alleged violations at the parole board; Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is available to all residents over the age of 16, Virginia Senator Mark Warner encouraged residents to protect their communities by getting a shot; Attorney General Mark Herring is asking the Virginia Supreme Court to dissolve a restraining order preventing the state from taking down the Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond, and other local news stories.

Attorney General Mark Herring is using his authority, under a new state law, to probe the Windsor Police department’s overall policies and training; One of the survivors of the Virginia Tech mass shooting speaks about his experience 14 years later; Senator Tim Kaine says more can be done to stop gun-related deaths and is reintroducing legislation that aims to reduce gun violence; and other local news stories.

The police Chief in Windsor, Virginia says his officers initially handled the traffic stop of an Army Lieutenant relatively well. But things went downhill from there; As the 14 year anniversary of the Virginia Tech mass shooting approaches, the university is remembering the 32 lives lost; Virginia Senator Tim Kaine reintroduced a bipartisan bill earlier this week that helps train workers for future infrastructure jobs; and other local news stories.

While there’s a pause on using the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, Virginia’s leading vaccination official says the state remains on track to make other doses available to all adults by next week; Attorney General Mark Herring has directed his Office of Civil Rights to investigate the Windsor Police Department following the December traffic stop of an army officer; After the removal of Confederate monuments last year, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney wants to make sure the city never again displays symbols of hate; and other local news stories.

A December traffic stop in southeast Virginia, of a uniformed Army officer has prompted Governor Ralph Northam to call for an investigation; Senator Mark Warner is using the incident to call for the passage of the Justice in Policing Act; Richmond City Council is moving forward with finding a new home for the city’s Confederate monuments after they were removed last year; and other local news stories.

As states move to address racial inequities in health care, clinicians explore what’s being done to address mental health in the Black community; Richmond will receive nearly 6 million dollars for homeless services as part of the latest federal coronavirus relief package; Governor Ralph Northam has endorsed his predecessor, former Governor Terry McAuliffe, in his run for governor; and other local news stories.

Updates on "Veto Day," and coronavirus cases in Virginia

A pandemic policy to ensure out-of-work Virginians can receive unemployment is ending, Richmond is hammering out a process to find homes for removed Confederate monuments, and more.

What Constitutes an "Open Container" of Marijuana? Will the closure of shelters leave people without places to sleep?

The death of VCU freshman Adam Oakes is still under investigation one month later, VPM reporter Alan Rodriguez Espinoza had the chance to speak with Adam’s friends and family about how they will remember him; The Virginia Supreme Court has sided with the city of Charlottesville in the fight over Confederate monuments; Governor Ralph Northam announced yesterday that all Virginians 16 and older will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 18th; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam has signed a state-level Voting Rights Act; Legalization of marijuana in Virginia could happen as early as July, three years ahead of schedule; Provisions in the amended marijuana bill add protections for unions and workers; and other local news stories.

Virginia voters have plenty of options when they choose nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general; Governor Ralph Northam and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced a new infrastructure project that will double Virginia's access to train services; Richmonders will soon see some green space taking up on-street parking. The city has approved five small “parklets” as part of a pilot project; and other local news stories.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an extension on the federal eviction moratorium yesterday; Three Richmond-based advocacy groups detailed local policy proposals to address the city’s housing and eviction crisis; According to the AARP, nearly 2-in-100 Virginia nursing home residents died from COVID-19 between mid-January and mid-February; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam is expected to ask lawmakers to speed up the timeline for legalizing marijuana in Virginia; An evaluation panel appointed by Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has chosen three finalist casino proposals; The City of Richmond is taking applications for its new Educator Task Force; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam has signed into a law a bill that officially ends the death penalty in Virginia; Former President Donald Trump is back on the air in Virginia ahead of the GOP nominating convention; Richmond and Henrico are getting a $600,000 grant from the federal E-P-A; and other local news stories.

As COVID-19 cases decline across the state, Governor Ralph Northam is easing some restrictions he put in place earlier in the pandemic; When the COVID-19 vaccine rollout began, public health officials raised concerns that Black Americans might be hesitant to get the shot. Now, those same officials say that concern has waned; Governor Northam responded to recent mass shootings in Atlanta and Boulder; and other local news stories.

A new study from the American Society of Criminology finds U.S. counties that are more religious, more Republican, and have unstable economies are more likely to impose the death penalty; Governor Ralph Northam unveiled a new initiative yesterday to help Virginia students get access to financial aid for college; Richmond City Council is looking to rezone properties along Broad Street in the West End for transit-oriented development; and other local news stories.

Virginia has received nearly 7 billion dollars from the American Rescue Plan, the new federal stimulus bill; The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts have announced a partnership with G-R-T-C to help with vaccinations; Passenger traffic at Richmond International Airport was down 65 percent last year compared to 2019, but it's picking up as vaccinations increase; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam said Virginians have a responsibility to condemn racist acts and violence, following the killing of 8 people in Atlanta; The U.S. House of Representatives has, again, approved a resolution to lift the deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment; Governor Northam released preliminary guidelines yesterday for schools and universities holding in-person graduations this spring; and other local news stories.

A year ago today, Governor Ralph Northam issued an executive order limiting gatherings and many businesses to 10 people. Ben Paviour speaks to Dr. Norm Oliver about what we're learned since then; The Virginia Department of Health announced yesterday that some regions are moving into the next phase of vaccinations this week; A community vaccination center serving Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Petersburg and neighboring areas is opening at Virginia State University today; and other local news stories.

NPR recently reported on alleged ethics violations at Virginia’s largest law firm, McGuireWoods. The firm is accused of representing adversary clients; Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine yesterday; An annual mass healthcare event in Southwest Virginia has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and other local news stories.

A panel of federal appeals court judges in Richmond heard arguments yesterday in Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax’s defamation suit against CBS; Chesterfield County’s Fire and EMS department is bringing COVID-19 vaccines to homebound residents who have medical issues; All of the Democratic members of Virginia’s Congressional delegation voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, the latest federal coronavirus relief package; and other local news stories.

A federal appeals court will reconsider Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax’s libel suit against CBS today; The Henrico County school board agreed Wednesday to participate in cultural sensitivity and implicit bias training; The Richmond-area housing market continues to get more expensive; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam struck a cautiously hopeful tone at his latest press conference on the state’s response to the coronavirus; As supply grows, the head of Virginia’s vaccine distribution says the state needs to focus on getting people to take the vaccine; The Governor’s Office says a lawsuit filed by an employee of Virginia’s government watchdog agency is a political ploy, riddled with false accusations; and other local news stories.

Thousands of middle and high school students return to in-person learning in Chesterfield today, although more are choosing to remain at home; Henrico and Richmond are expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine; The South African variant of the coronavirus has be confirmed in Central Virginia; and other local news stories.

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine is pushing to include mental health protections for health care providers in the federal relief package under consideration; The Virginia Department of Health announced yesterday that the first child under the age of 10 has died due to COVID-19; The Mayor’s Homelessness Advisory Council has issued its final report; and other local news stories.

Virginia is expecting 69,000 does of the newly-approved Johnson and Johnson vaccine this week; Richmond and Henrico are aiming to vaccinate 12,000 older adults at clinics this week; Richmond Public Schools is projecting a significant decrease in drop outs this year; and other local news stories.

Virginia's General Assembly has passed a bill to study the effects of gold mining, after concerns about a proposal in Buckingham County’s Union Hill; Governor Ralph Northam is joining calls for an investigation into the state's parole board; a new pedestrian traffic signal goes up in the West End; and other local news stories.

Richmond City Council voted to sell the defunct Public Safety Building last night; A new website seeks to help workers facing wage theft and other workplace violations; Richmond Police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old VCU student in an alleged hazing incident; and other local news stories.

In a special edition of the VPM daily newscast, on the morning of Monday, March 1, 2021, VPM’s Newscast Editor Sara McCloskey recaps the last days of the General Assembly session with reporters Ben Paviour and Roberto Roldan.

A leaked draft of an inspector general's report on illegal activity by the state parole board has led to calls from both parties for an investigation; A bill requiring schools to offer an in-person option is heading to Governor Northam's desk; Teachers and state employees could get a 5 percent raise as part of the updated state budget; and other local news stories.

70 years ago, Barbara Johns organized a walk out at her high school that would form part of the foundation for Brown v. Board of Education; Governor Ralph Northam announced the easing of some restrictions as COVID-19 cases continue to decline; A new COVID-19 vaccine could arrive in Virginia as early as next week; and other local news stories.

The state Senate gave final approval for the removal of the statue of Harry Byrd Senior from Capitol Square; Proposed amendments to the state budget bring mixed news for child welfare; Richmond is considering four proposals for a potential casino in the the area; and other local news stories.

Virginia lawmakers approved a ban on the death penalty on Monday, making the Commonwealth the first southern state to do so; Home healthcare workers could receive a week of paid sick leave under a new proposal; A bill that would have required farm employees to be paid the same minimum wage as other workers was voted down by a Senate panel; and other local news stories.

A VPM study of court filings found that black Virginians were four times more likely to be charged with marijuana penalities than whites; Commonwealth's Attorney Collette McEachin faces a primary challenge after last summer's protests; VCU returns to classes on March 4, and other local news stories.

Virginia is set to remove a now-defunct provision in the state constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman; Governor Ralph Northam urged caution ahead of another ice storm in the state; A new website and call center are available to register for the COVID-19 vaccine; and other local news stories.

Senator Mark Warner was in Shockoe Bottom to tour Lumpkin's Slave Jail yesterday, and also spoke about his vote to convict former President Donald Trump during the recent impeachment trial; Virginia has received an additional $524 million for the Rent Relief Program; Legislation to legalize marijuana in Virginia passed both chambers of the General Assembly; and other local news stories.

A new website going live this afternoon will provide a central location for Virginians to register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; a new proposal calls for establishment of a "teacher reserve corps" amid a teacher shortage; More ice could be in the forecast this week; and other local news stories.

RPS is discussing a proposal for year-round school to help recover from the pandemic; Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney gave his State of the City address on Thursday; Chesterfield Health District will be confirming registrations for the COVID-19 vaccine; and other local news stories.

A new report from the Department of Elections said the November election was successful, although some problems plagued the City of Richmond; Efforts in the General Assembly to "police the police" fell short; Middle and high school students in Chesterfield can return to in-person learning on March 9th; and other local news stories.

CVS will now accept all Virginians over 65 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine after problems during registration; Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras says the school system will have a plan for in-person instruction by March 15th, despite having some concerns about the return; Chesterfield says all K-12 teachers and personnel should be fully vaccinated by March 5th; and other local news stories.

The General Assembly will reconvene on Wednesday for a special session to finish work on passing laws and the state budget; Richmond says it may be March before they can finish vaccinating those currently eligible in phase 1B; Chesterfield County Public Schools is holding a meeting to determine the budget and when middle and high school students could return to class; and other local news stories.

Delegate Kirk Cox announced his education proposals to help students with virtual learning; The House of Delegates approved a bill that would mandate sick leave for essential employees; an in-depth look at the legalization of marijuana in Virginia; and other local news stories.

In a virtual meeting, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney discussed the symptoms of having COVID-19 and warned residents to take it seriously; Senator Tim Kaine urged his colleagues to act swiftly on a new pandemic relief package; Another new case of the B117 strain of the coronavirus was found in Northwestern Virginia; and other local news stories.

The Virginia Department of Education will issue guidance this month to help school districts better look after transgender and non-binary students; The state Senate passed a bill that would ban guns from Capitol Square and surrounding state buildings; the G3 program to support community college students taking classes in high demand fields gets a second chance; and other local news stories.

State Democrats want to expunge criminal records once sentences have been served, but disagree on how to do it; The House of Delegates approved a new Voting Rights Act for Virginia; New legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants access to state financial assistance and scholarships passed in the House of Delegates, but still needs to pass in the Senate; and other local news stories.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney disbanded his Teacher Advisory Council earlier this month, and this week they sent a letter expressing their frustration; Chesterfield County says teachers should be able to get their first COVID-19 vaccine within two weeks; The state's redistricting committee was informed it won't have the census data it needs until July 30th; and other local news stories.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday; Governor Northam is overhauling the state's vaccination efforts; the state senate censured Senator Amanda Chase after comments in support of the assault on the U.S. Capitol; and other local news stories.

Teachers are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and there are many reasons they are choosing to get vaccinated; Chesterfield's Board of Supervisors send a letter to Governor Ralph Northam expressing frustration with the state's vaccine rollout; An internet outage along the east coast affected the General Assembly session on Tuesday; and other local news stories.

State officials erected a fence around the Robert E. Lee monument in preparation for its possible removal; the B117 variant of COVID-19 was confirmed in northern Virginia; Employers can mandate their employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine according to the CDC and the Department of Labor; and other local news stories.

Health districts in Central Virginia held a mass vaccination event for essential workers at the Richmond Raceway, while addressing the state's lagging vaccination rates; A bipartisan group of Virginia senators unveiled a bill to expand the number of healthcare workers who can administer the COVID-19 vaccine; State lawmakers are proposing matching state tax credits for affordable housing; and other local news stories.

While no armed protestors were charged with violating the city's gun ban on Capitol Square, Mayor Levar Stoney said the low turnout proves the ban is working; A new legislative proposal would ban firearms from being carried in polling locations; a Navy SEAL faces more than 22 years in prison for manslaughter; and other local news stories.

Chesterfield County is reorganizing it's vaccination plans after receiving only a thousand doses of the COVID-19 vaccine; Republican Delegate Todd Gilbert is defending his colleagues who questioned the results of November's election; Amanda Chase was stripped of her last committee assignment and censured after her support for the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol; and other local news stories.

Lobby Day was smaller than expected amid heightened security in Richmond; The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence held a vigil to mark Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; No arrests following armed demonstrations despite the city's new gun ban; and other local news stories.

Security is in place around Richmond ahead of the annual Lobby Day and threats of violence across the U.S.; New guidelines expand who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; VDOE released new guidance for reopening schools; and other local news stories.

Additional security measures are being put in place around Capitol Square and state buildings in downtown Richmond ahead of planned protests; Governor Ralph Northam gave his third and final State of the Commonwealth last night; Health departments in the Richmond region will begin their next phase of vaccinations next week; and other local news stories.

State, city and Capitol police are collaborating with city agencies to prepare for potential unrest in Richmond as the presidential inauguration approaches; Historians weigh in on the breach of the U.S. Capitol; Attorney General Mark Herring announced a settlement in a price gouging case; and other local news stories.

Richmond is under a state of emergency following threats to the capitols of all 50 states leading up to the inauguration; State leaders are urging residents not to travel to Washington, D.C. for the inaugural ceremonies; Mental health experts weigh-in on the aftermath of last week's violence in the U.S. Capitol; and other local news stories.

Virginia law enforcement will remain in Washington, D.C. through the inauguration; Clergy at the Virginia Interfaith Center, along with Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, condemned the violence at the U.S. Capitol; the Virginia Citizens Defense League has altered plans for their rally on January 18th; and other local news stories.

A curfew put into place following a violent storming of the U.S. Capitol building has lifted; Virginia lawmakers react to the altercation that delayed the certification of the Electoral College votes; Governor Northam named Dr. Danny Avula to head Virginia's COVID-19 vaccination program; and other local news stories.

The Virginia State Crime Commission voted in favor of scrapping all mandatory minimum sentences in Virginia; Advocates for Virginia workers are planning to make another push to get mandatory paid sick leave; The Pocahontas building will remain closed to the public during the upcoming legislative session, but alternative plans are now in the works; and other local news stories.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney was sworn in for a second term on Monday; Delegate Lee Carter announced his candidacy for Governor of Virginia; International student enrollment is down across the country and in Virginia; and other local news stories.

The Latino community is less likely to engage with the medical system, as workers seek to remove barriers that may turn them away; Richmond City Council Member Michael Jones is planning to challenge state Delegate Betsy Carr in a Democratic primary next year; Virginia housing organizations will benefit from $2 million in federal funding; and other local news stories.

Richmond City Council approved a slate of nominations to a civilian review board tasked with investigating police misconduct; Governor Northam proposed $1.2 billion in new investments to the state budget; Caution is still being urged over the holidays despite the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine; and other local news stories.

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital administered the first vaccinations for COVID-19 in Virginia on Tuesday; Governor Ralph Northam signed the MARCUS Alert into law; Richmond City Council approved the Richmond300 plan; and other local news stories.

A new JLARC Study says Virginia isn't doing enough for students in special education programs; Virginia's Electoral College members officially cast their votes; COVID-19 vaccinations are currently uncertain for Virginia's prison populations; and other local news stories.

How Richmond-area congregations are virtually celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas; the big problems chicken waste is causing for the Chesapeake Bay, and more.

Lawmaker Jennifer Carroll Foy has stepped down from the House of Delegates in order to raise money for a run for governor; Christmas trees are in short supply; a new Ukrops market is opening.

VMI is removing a statue to Confederate Stonewall Jackson, Gov. Northam signed off on a ban on 'no-knock' warrants, and state Sen. Amanda Chase announced she'll run for governor as an independent.

Virginia could receive the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in a few weeks, although it could be summer before most residents have access; The Richmond Opera is cancelling its upcoming season; Inmates in the Richmond Jail are suing after allegedly being tear-gassed this summer; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam announced plans for distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine while urging residents to continue to use protective measures to control the spread of the disease; Campbell County votes to defy Governor Northam's COVID-19 restrictions; Childcare services are implementing new policies for the holidays; and other local news stories.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner joins a bipartisan coalition to to propose a $908 billion coronavirus relief package; Richmond has release an online survey regarding a potential resort casino in the city; The developers of the Navy Hill project has set their sights on Henrico County; and other local news stories.

The new commission for redistricting is accepting applications for potential members; A new report looks at how to legalize marijuana within Virginia; Chesterfield gets an update on virtual learning; and other local news stories.

Several state delegates are running for higher office, but could also run for their current house seats as well; Terry McAuliffe is expected to announce his candidacy for governor soon; Virginia's top diversity officer is calling on leadership at VMI to deal with complaints of racism at the public college; and other local news stories.

Democratic Delegate Lee Carter is advocating for revenue generated from the potential legalization of marijuana to fund reparations; Virginia has some of the country's loosest ethics rules according to a new national ranking; Medicaid is seeing spike in both enrollment and costs statewide; and other local news stories.

Democratic party leaders sent a letter calling for Richmond General Registrar Kirk Showalter to resign; A Northern Virginia judge blocked a massive indoor gun show from operating at full capacity this weekend; Coronavirus cases continue to rise in Richmond; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam confirmed Virginia has a plan to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one is available, and signed a revised two-year budget; Dr. Anthony Fauci discussed the vaccine and the pandemic during a virtual event at VCU; A Chesterfield County education group is asking the state to advise on school reopening plans; and other local news stories.

A Fairfax judge ruled that cash bail is unconstitutional, but that doesn't mean it will become a regular policy; Virginia will benefit from a new national computer science education initiative; Former Speaker of the House Kirk Cox announces his run for Governor; and other local news stories.

Governor Northam calls for legalization of marijuana in response to a new state report; Virginia Board of Elections met to certify the state's election results, although Richmond's will be slightly delayed; a judge dismissed charges against Senator Louise Lucas stemming from monument protests over the summer; and other local news stories.

Severe Storms across the region has caused the James River to hit historic levels; Virginia's top Republican elections official says no signs of foul play in Virginia voting; a COVID-19 resurgence is causing multiple outbreaks in the region; and other local news stories.

Virginia honored its 700,000 veterans in a ceremony on Wednesday; Henrico's Voter Registration and Elections office sees a COVID-19 outbreak; Chesterfield County defends decision to reopen schools; and other local news stories.

Governor Northam urged residents to follow pandemic guidelines as cases of the coronavirus continue to rise, while also cautioning that any potential vaccine will take time to distribute; Delegate Sam Rasoul launched his campaign for Lieutenant Governor; Confederate Avenue will soon have a new name; and other local news stories.

Three employees at the Richmond Registrar's office tested positive for COVID-19, causing most staff to quarantine; Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said one of his staff had also contracted the disease; the General Assembly approved funding for an investigation into racism at VMI; and other local news stories.

Background checks in Virginia hit an all-time high in 2020 amid civil unrest and a tense election season; Richmond's 2nd District is heading for a likely recount, as some voters report receiving incorrect ballots; and other local news stories.

Virginia continues to count absentee ballots until noon on Friday, as some races remain too close to call; Abigail Spanberger has declared victory in the 7th District race; Elaine Luria retains her seat in Congress; and other local news stories.

Registrars are still counting the state's absentee ballots, with results expected by Friday, although former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Mark Warner have been declared winners in the state; An amendment to to form a commission to redraw districts is on track to pass; and updates on the city council and mayoral races in Richmond.

Polls are open, and curbside options are available those those diagnosed with or quarantining due to COVID-19; Virginia has increased polling locations since 2016; Security has been heightened at the Lee Monument after disturbances from a "Trump Train" event on Sunday; and other local news stories.

Six people, including two police officers, were nominated this week to a task force to establish a civilian review board in Richmond; VCU Health announces its first director of diversity, equity and inclusion; Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced a guaranteed income pilot program; and other local news stories.

Governor Northam signed several criminal justice bills into law on Wednesday, including some new police reforms; Virginia retains an overall low positivity rate for COVID-19, although the southwestern part of the state is trending higher; Richmond is seeing a rise in cases and hospitalizations as the weather cools; Biden expands his lead over Donald Trump in the final pre-election Wason poll; and other local news stories.