VPM Daily Newscast

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. Richmond Public Schools will remain virtual for the spring semester.

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.