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.

A Richmond judge has ruled that Governor Northam is allowed to remove the Robert E. Lee monument in Richmond, but a pending appeal means the statue will remain for now; The state GOP challenges a new rule for absentee ballots; A suspected computer glitch allowed residents to apply for an absentee ballot past last Friday's deadline; and other local news stories.

The Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute has resigned after complaints from black students about racism at the school; a look at safety measures to prevent voter intimidation at the polls in Virginia; Richmond absentee ballots have the lowest return rate in the state with a week to go before the deadline; and other local news stories.

Several staff at the Henrico County Courthouse are in quarantine after two employees tested positive for the disease; An internal audit finds that the Chesterfield teacher's union did not bully school staff amid reopening discussions; Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced plans to replace George Wythe High School; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam signed several bills from the special session, including some focused on police reform and COVID-19 transparency; Democrats failed to pass a bill to expunge criminal records for certain crimes; Richmond trends upward in coronavirus cases, and other local news stories.

Governor Northam, a VMI graduate, is launching an investigation after reports of rampant racism at Virginia Military Institute, Board of Elections says early voting in Virginia has been a success, Henrico County schools have reported 10 cases of COVID-19 since in-person classes have resumed, and other local news stories.

A judge heard arguments Monday in the lawsuit to determine the fate of the Robert E. Lee monument in Richmond; A look at the 8th District City Council race; Difficulties for inmates eligible to vote from jail; New satellite voting locations are open in Chesterfield County; and other local news stories.

Absentee voting, police reform proposals, the Affordable Care Act, and more: VPM News broke down some of the biggest issues facing our audience as election day approaches.

The two-year Virginia budget has finished negotiations and faces its first vote today, Legislation that allows local governments to create civilian review boards is heading to the governor's desk; The Robert E. Lee monument in Richmond has been named the "most influential work of American protest art since World War Two" by the New York Times, and other local news stories.

A federal judge ordered the Virginia Department of Elections to extend voter registration for 48 hours after a cut cable shut down the website on the last day to register; A look at how the mayoral race works in Richmond; Richmond sees an uptick in COVID-19 cases; and other local news stories.

The Virginia Department of Elections is facing lawsuits from advocacy groups after a cut wire prevented people from registering to vote; Governor Ralph Northam was a potential target of a militia group that had planned to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer; 4th District Representative Donald McEachin and his opponent, Bishop Leon Benjamin met in debate, and other local news stories.

Republican congressional candidate Bob Good denied any wrongdoing in his financial disclosures; Virginia Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn was fined for a violation of the Freedom of Information Act; A new study shows an excess of deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic; and other local news stories.

Republican Bob Good's financial reports contain inconsistencies in VPM's analysis of the records; Biden is leading Trump in Virginia polls; Richmond sees an increase in COVID-19 cases; and other local news stories.

Senator Tim Kaine says eliminating the Affordable Care Act is the main impetus in the rush to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the court; Richmond Police have released new crime data for 2020; Top Republican lawmakers are threatening legal action over an investigation into the Virginia Parole Board; and other local news stories.

Candidates for Mayor of Richmond met last night in a debate hosted by VPM and NBC12; In-person voting has already seen a huge turnout; JLARC issued a new report about the Virginia Department of Education; and other local news stories.

Members of the 'Proud Boys' attended a 2019 fundraiser held by Richmond City Council candidate Mike Dickinson; Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin is considering 18 sealed indictments involving police conduct in relation to protests over the summer; Postal inspectors are investigating reports of tampering with outdoor mailboxes at area post offices; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam continues to remain asymptomatic and working after his recent positive diagnosis for COVID-19, The State Corporation Commission declined to extend the moratorium on utility disconnections due to unpaid bills; A budget amendment that would have provided parents with money to support online learning failed to pass in the General Assembly; Gov. Northam joined 10 other state governors to call for election security; and a look at how the decendants of enslaved people who helped build America are working to add perspective to how their ancestors' stories are told.

A handful of residents in Richmond and Henrico received duplicate ballots, but unique barcodes will prevent anyone from voting twice; Commonwealth's Attorneys want to stop a bill that would allow judges to impose sentences in criminal trials; COVID-19 cases are on the decline in Richmond; and how to spot misinformation ahead of the November election.

A new Wason poll shows likely Virginia voters trust Biden over Trump when it come to handling the pandemic; Richmond moves to establish a slavery museum in Shockoe Bottom; Activists accused Richmond police of making political arrests; and other local news stories.

The Virginia Supreme Court has approved a resumption of jury trials across the commonwealth; the Richmond 300 master plan looks ahead to 2037; VDH has added several new dashboards to its site to track the coronavirus; and other local news stories.