VISUALIZATION: EACH PARTY'S TOP 10 DONORS

Legislative candidates for the two major parties have very different lists of top donors. The Democrats' top donors includes single-interest groups from outside Virginia pushing to flip control of the Republican-controlled General Assembly. The Republicans' list includes many companies and business trade groups that long have been household names in Virginia political giving.

TARGETED RACE: HD 66 IN COLONIAL HEIGHTS AND CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

HD 66 was one of six Republican-controlled districts that a federal court earlier this year redrew in a way that makes them more difficult for the GOP to defend. House Speaker Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) is being challenged by Democrat Sheila Bynum Coleman. In its continuing series of targeted races, VPAP pulls together maps and charts to illustrate the district's geographic, demographics and election history.

SO YOU THINK YOU'RE A PUNDIT!

Unleash your prognostication skills in VPAP's annual election contest. The person who picks the most races and successfully navigates a pair of tie-breakers will be crowned the 2019 VPAP Pundit. The winner also will receive two VIP passes to "After Virginia Votes," a post-election retrospective set for November 12 in Arlington organized by VPAP and hosted by the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.

STATE OF VIRGINIA SUES TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS OVER OPIOIDS

Virginia’s attorney general filed a new lawsuit Thursday over the opioid crisis, even as the top government lawyers in some states are pushing to settle claims over powerful prescription painkillers. Mark Herring’s suit alleges that Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, which is part of an Israel-based company, and Cephalon, a drug company bought by Teva in 2011, misrepresented the benefits and risks of products that include fentanyl.

TOP REWARD FOR CRIME TIPS COULD GO FROM $1,000 TO $5,000. BUT COULD LOCAL GROUPS AFFORD TO PAY IT?

You’ve seen the numbers at the end of news stories or police posts on social media: “Police are asking anyone with information to call the anonymous Crime Line, 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, or submit tips to P3Tips.com.” ... Now, Speaker of the House Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, is proposing raising the non-taxable reward to $5,000.

ARLINGTON CHAMBER AGAIN SEEKS ELIMINATION OF SUNSET CLAUSE ON TOURISM TAX

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce has again thrown its weight behind efforts to eliminate the sunset clause on legislation authorizing the collection of a hotel-bill surtax in support of tourism promotion.

VIRGINIA SHORE OFFICIALS TO SEEK STATE MONEY FOR REGIONAL SEWER PROJECT

State legislators plan to ask for money in the next biennial budget to advance a regional sewer project on the Eastern Shore. Delegate Rob Bloxom said he pushed to schedule a meeting of town and county officials "now (rather) than later," saying localities "need to join the Hampton Roads Sanitation District sooner than later if I am going to go to Richmond and sell anything."

DEMOCRATIC STARS TAP ANTI-TRUMP SENTIMENT IN BID TO WIN TOTAL CONTROL OF VIRGINIA GOVERNMENT

High-profile Democrats have been streaming into Virginia for weeks ahead of Tuesday’s elections, rallying anti-Trump voters for what they hope will be the coup de grace in their three-decade push to reclaim total control of the state’s government. Most of the top presidential candidates have checked in, and former Vice President Joseph R. Biden has even sent his wife, Jill, to campaign. Hollywood sent Alec Baldwin.

‘THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED’: LAST-MINUTE MONEY FLOODS VIRGINIA CAMPAIGNS AHEAD OF NOV. 5

Last-minute money is rolling into Virginia’s state legislative races with just days to go before next week’s elections, as national groups escalate some totals to the level of congressional contests. Democrat Nancy Guy hauled in more than $400,000 just since last Friday, the bulk of it coming on Wednesday from an environmental group founded by former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.

BATTLE OF THE BURBS: 2019 ELECTIONS MAY HINGE ON SUBURBS LIKE HENRICO

Salaar Khan has the look of a guy who’s going places. At a recent Saturday morning pizza party, the 18-year-old seemed ready for a board meeting: checkered blazer, pressed shirt, dress pants. Khan leads a group of 200 or so high schoolers hoping to elect Henrico County Democrats to the General Assembly. A couple dozen of them stopped by for the pizza party at a Democratic campaign headquarters to meet candidates before they go canvassing. Four years ago, Khan said he'd be lucky if two or three other students showed up.

ALL EYES ON TURNOUT

A surge in voter turnout in 2017 helped Democrats win six of the county’s seven House of Delegates seats in an “off-year” gubernatorial election. But in “off-off-year elections,” when only state and local seats are on the ballot, voter turnout is typically much lower – usually less than 30%.

IN CONTEST FOR BLACK’S SEAT, FOCUS ON GUN VIOLENCE, RESPONSE TO JUSTIN FAIRFAX ALLEGATIONS

With longtime Republican state Sen. Richard H. Black leaving office at year’s end, Democrats appear poised to win the Loudoun County-area seat he’s held on to as his district turned increasingly blue. Del. John J. Bell (D-Loudoun) and Loudoun County Supervisor Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin) are each catering their message to moderate voters, particularly white women.

‘BATTLE OF THE AMANDAS’ IN SENATE DISTRICT 11

A woman who calls herself a “liberal Christian” and campaigned last week with Alec Baldwin in western Matoaca is challenging an incumbent gun-toting woman who defied party politicos and recently got kicked out of a county Republican Party committee. The Senate District 11 race pits Democrat Amanda Pohl vs. Republican Amanda Chase in a district that includes most of Chesterfield County along with Colonial Heights and Amelia County.

REEVES, LAUFER TARGET VOTERS ON TV IN 3 MEDIA MARKETS

Their race has gotten little statewide attention, but two candidates for Virginia Senate are advertising on TV in three different markets before the Nov. 5 election. Senate District 17, held by Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, is the only Senate district with candidates on TV in that many different TV markets. Democrat Amy Laufer, who was already on the air in the Richmond and Charlottesville markets, is now on broadcast TV in the expensive Washington, D.C. market.

DEMOCRATS LAUNCH REDISTRICTING BLITZ WITH OFFENSIVE TO DOMINATE VIRGINIA

National Democratic groups are spending unprecedented sums in the race for control of Virginia’s state legislature — the first test in a yearlong campaign to maximize the party’s influence in the states before the next round of redistricting begins in 2021. After winning the governor's mansion in 2017, Democrats are shooting for total control in Richmond. And they see next week's elections as an early chance at redemption after a 2010 drubbing that left them boxed out of the map-making process in nearly every key state.

MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR STATE SENATE

State Senate District 19 encompasses parts of seven different counties—Roanoke, Franklin, Montgomery, Wythe, Carroll, Bedford, and Floyd—along with Salem City. Incumbent Sen. David Suetterlein is currently running to retain his seat against Democratic challenger Flourette “Flo” Ketner.

HYDE SUPPORTED BY DEMOCRATS

State Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, isn’t afraid to step away from his party when it comes to voting on legislation, earning a voting record with his caucus between 86-92% over the last four General Assembly sessions, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

THE LONELY BATTLE OF THE LAST REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Tim Hugo, the last Republican legislator in the Virginia suburbs closest to Washington, calls himself “Delegate Pothole.” He tweets about neighborhood detours, car break-ins and lane closings. “Be sure to find an alternative route!” he wrote ahead of repair work at one intersection.

FLUSH WITH CASH, DEMOCRAT TAKES AIM AT REPUBLICAN DELEGATE IN EASTERN SHORE/NORFOLK RACE

A Norfolk lawyer is challenging an incumbent from the Eastern Shore to represent a sprawling coastal district that stretches from the Maryland state line to the Wards Corner area. And he’s amassed an impressive war chest with which to wage his campaign. Phil Hernandez Jr., a 32-year-old Democrat who lives in Willoughby, has raised nearly four times more than incumbent Rob Bloxom Jr.

STATE CANDIDATES SPEAK IN FLUVANNA

Four candidates for the General Assembly whose districts include Fluvanna County met at the school administration building in Palmyra on Monday night (Oct 21). In attendance were incumbents Sen. Mark Peake (R-22nd) and Del. Rob Bell (R-58th) and challengers Elizabeth Alcorn, Democratic candidate for Bell’s 58th District seat, and Mike Asip, Democratic candidate for the 65th District.

VOTERS TO PICK LANDES' SUCCESSOR IN HOUSE DISTRICT 25

Constituents in the 25th House of Delegates District have elected the same legislator for more than 20 years, but voters will select a new representative from three candidates on Tuesday. Before Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, opted to forgo a reelection bid to instead run for the Augusta County clerk of court position in March, Jennifer Kitchen was fighting to become the Democratic nominee.

TWO VIE FOR SEAT IN HOUSE

Incumbent Republican Nick Rush and his opponent, Democrat Rhonda Seltz, are both hoping to represent Virginia’s seventh district in the state House of Delegates next year. The 7th District covers all of Floyd County, as well as portions of Montgomery and Pulaski.

CANDIDATES PRESS FOR I-64 WIDENING TO RICHMOND, SUPPORT BRIDGE TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION, LOCAL PROJECTS

Candidates in the 3rd Senate District, 93rd and 96th House districts united behind Interstate 64 expansion plans, expressing support for widening I-64 to three lanes all the way to Richmond. Almost all said Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel expansion was necessary, and most candidates had a local road project that was of interest to them.

MCAULIFFE HITS THE TRAIL FOR EVERYBODY, EXCEPT HIMSELF

Terry McAuliffe is running. Not for president. Not for Virginia governor again. Just plain running — down the street, alongside a Democrat he’s trying to pull over the finish line in the state’s Nov. 5 election. He and Sheila ­Bynum-Coleman, who’s running for the House of Delegates, are supposed to be riding in a blue pickup as part of Virginia State University’s homecoming parade.

CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP SUES FAIRFAX FOR REJECTING VOTER ELIGIBILITY OF GMU STUDENTS

A civil rights group is seeking to force Fairfax County election officials to reverse the rejection of voter registration applications of 171 George Mason University students who listed a generic university address and campus mailbox numbers as their place of residence. A lawsuit filed Wednesday night in the federal court in Alexandria argues that the county violated the students’ rights

MILLENNIALS AND GEN X NOW OUTNUMBER OLDER VOTERS. SO WHY DO BABY BOOMERS DOMINATE?

Millennials and Gen Xers now outnumber Baby Boomers and older voters in Virginia, according to data from the Census Bureau. But that doesn’t mean they have as much influence. Census numbers also show another trend: People over the age of 45 vote at much higher rates.

NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN ADS ARE EFFECTIVE, VIRGINIA POLITICAL ANALYST SAYS

Negative campaign ads have been everywhere from television to mailboxes -- and this year they seem especially negative. While the ads are annoying, they can be effective, according to Dr. Quentin Kidd from the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University. "The negativity is to suppress your opponent's core supporters, to demoralize them, if you will -- to make them feel bad about their candidate," he said.

COMMISSION: VIRGINIA LET COMPANY DEFY FISHING LIMITS IN BAY

Fishing regulators accused Virginia on Thursday of allowing a company that makes fish-oil supplements to exceed catch limits on a fish that's an important link in the Chesapeake Bay's food chain. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted to find Virginia out of compliance because the state didn't enact a new harvest cap for a fish that's called menhaden.

THE ONE THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY: THE ATLANTIC'S LARGEST MENHADEN FISHING FLEET FACES PENALTIES

The Chesapeake Bay is a nursery for many species including menhaden, a fish caught by local fishermen for bait and pursued on an industrial scale by Omega Protein to turn into fish oil and fish meal. The Canadian company has several U. S. fishing fleets, including the one in Reedville. The season isn’t over but Omega has exceeded the bay cap by more than a third. At a meeting this week in New Hampshire, commissioners from Florida to Maine voted unanimously to find Virginia out of compliance.

36% DROP IN HOMELESSNESS IN VIRGINIA ATTRIBUTED TO ‘RAPID REHOUSING’ INITIATIVE

The number of homeless people in Virginia has dropped 36 percent over the past decade, from 9,080 people in 2010 to 5,780 this year. State housing officials attribute the steadily improving numbers to the state’s early embrace of a strategy called rapid-rehousing, which helps people facing or experiencing homelessness pay for security deposits and rent.

FORMER TECH PROFESSOR NAMED TO HEAD CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVE

An ambitious state-funded initiative to boost higher education research of cybersecurity and related technologies has named its first full-time leader, a former Virginia Tech professor who leads a similar telecommunications research network in Ireland. Virginia Tech announced Thursday that Luiz A. DaSilva will join the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative in March as its executive director of a statewide network

WITTMAN VOTES AGAINST IMPEACHMENT, WHILE WEXTON, CONNOLLY BACK RESOLUTION

Prince William County’s congressional delegation voted along party lines in today’s impeachment vote in the House of Representatives, with Republican Rep. Rob Wittman voting against the resolution while Reps. Jennifer Wexton and Gerald Connolly, both Democrats, voted in favor of it.

WESTERN VA. CONGRESSMEN FOLLOW GOP LINE AGAINST IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY; 6 VA. DEMOCRATS BACK IT

Virginia’s congressional delegation voted along party lines on a resolution formalizing the impeachment inquiry focused on President Donald Trump on Thursday. All 197 Republicans — which includes four congressmen from Virginia, three of whom represent Western Virginia — voted against the resolution that lays out the ground rules for public hearings

ALTRIA TAKES $4.5 BILLION WRITE-DOWN ON JUUL INVESTMENT AMID VAPING BACKLASH

Tobacco giant Altria Group Inc. said Thursday that it had devalued its investment in the vaping company Juul Labs by $4.5 billion, a move that reflects deepening turmoil in the electronic cigarette industry. Henrico County-based Altria, parent company of Philip Morris USA, invested $12.8 billion in Juul in December,

WYTHE WELCOMES HEMP PROCESSING FACILITY

Wythe County will be home to Virginia’s first commercial industrial hemp processing facility. Appalachian Biomass Processing owners Susan and Chris Moore made the announcement Thursday morning along with Gov. Ralph Northam.

HEMP FIBER PROCESSOR TO LOCATE IN WYTHEVILLE

The state's first commercial industrial hemp fiber processing facility will open in Southwest Virginia. Appalachian Biomass Processing plans to invest $894,000 in a Wytheville operation, creating 13 new jobs and buying more than 6,000 tons of Virginia-grown hemp over the next three years, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday.

PROTESTERS CRITICIZE EVENT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NAACP AND DOMINION ENERGY

Close to 20 people held a rally Thursday to protest an event partnership between the Virginia NAACP and Dominion Energy, urging the civil rights organization to sever ties with the utility amid a pending environmental lawsuit involving a historically black Virginia community.

FAIRFAX CONNECTOR BACKS OFF EXPANDED BUS SERVICE AMID WORKER STRIKE

Days after announcing that the Fairfax Connector would run extra buses on one of its routes to help riders who have been impacted by a strike at a Metrobus garage, Fairfax County transportation officials pulled the plug. No reason was given,

ENROLLMENT DOWN AT 3 OF 4 AREA COLLEGES

Student enrollment is down at three of the region’s four colleges this semester, but that isn’t bad news, according to school officials. The decline is attributable to the economy improving and large graduating classes, they said.

FISHBURNE MILITARY SCHOOL HELPED SHAPE FORMER VIRGINIA GOV. GERALD BALILES INTO THE LEADER HE WAS

Gerald Baliles served as governor of Virginia from 1986 to 1990. On Tuesday morning, Baliles, 79, died after a battle with renal cell carcinoma and pulmonary fibrosis. But before becoming known as the “transportation governor,” Baliles was a 1959 graduate of Fishburne Military School.

WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF POINT OF FORK “ILLEGAL, UNETHICAL, AND UNSCIENTIFIC”

An archaeologist who participated in the survey of a proposed water pumping station on the James River at Point of Fork said in a sworn statement that work conducted at the site was “illegal, unethical, and unscientific” and that the company’s owner lied to state investigators, used unqualified and untrained staff, misrepresented professional credentials, and minimized significant archaeological discoveries.

INDEPENDENTS STRUGGLE FOR ATTENTION IN ARLINGTON COUNTY BOARD RACE

Arron O’Dell’s campaign for the Arlington County Board hasn’t been going so well. His social media posts were getting few likes. Audiences at candidate forums didn’t appear to take him seriously. No one was donating to his campaign fund, and he couldn’t afford ads or mailers. So he took to the sidewalks.

HENRICO'S TOP PROSECUTOR FACES CHALLENGE FROM ATTORNEY SHE FIRED WHEN TAKING OFFICE

Two women are facing off in next week’s election for the top prosecutor’s job in Henrico County. Incumbent Shannon Taylor, 51, a Democrat, is running for her third term as Henrico’s commonwealth’s attorney. She first took the post in 2012 and within a month cleaned house, firing seven of the outgoing administration’s more senior attorneys, including her current Republican challenger, Owen Conway.

PROSECUTOR’S RACE BECOMES A REFERENDUM ON REFORM

More than 50 candidates for state and local office will appear on ballots in Chesterfield on Nov. 5, but perhaps no race will have as much direct impact on the county as this year’s commonwealth’s attorney contest. After being elected last fall to complete the remaining year on the four-year term of longtime commonwealth’s attorney Billy Davenport, who retired in 2018, Democrat Scott Miles has been busy reforming the office: dialing back prosecution of low-level, nonviolent misdemeanors, pursuing fewer felony convictions for drug possession charges, eliminating cash bail

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS, VIRGINIA BEACH WILL ELECT A NEW CITY TREASURER

For the first time in more than 40 years, Virginia Beach residents will elect a new city treasurer Nov. 5. The spot unexpectedly opened up last December, when John Atkinson stepped down from the position a year after being re-elected to his 11th term. Atkinson, a Republican, was just the second treasurer to hold the office since Princess Anne County and the city merged in 1963.

NEW VIRGINIA BEACH LAW WILL TIGHTEN REGULATIONS ON AIRBNBS STARTING NOV. 1

Starting Friday, Virginia Beach will begin enforcing new regulations for short-term rentals. The sweeping changes will make it harder for homeowners and rental companies to participate in home sharing,

"I DON'T REGRET ANYTHING I'VE EXPRESSED"

A Virginia Beach Human Rights commissioner has officially resigned after coming under fire last week for social media posts in which he said homosexuality is an abomination and transgender people have mental illness. Brother LaKendrick Coburn El’s beliefs were quickly condemned by members of the LGBT community and the City Council, who appointed him three months ago.

WHAT DO SOIL AND WATER BOARDS DO AND WHY DO WE ELECT THEM?

When Roanoke voters go to the polls on Tuesday, they won’t have much to choose from. The city is divided between two House of Delegates districts — one represented by Democrat Sam Rasoul, the other by Republican Chris Head. Both, though, are running unopposed. There is a state Senate race on the ballot, although not much of one.

NO SMALL VENTURE

NH District Corp. (NHDC) and Richmond city officials have worked tirelessly to convince the City Council and community members that Navy Hill will deliver “a downtown we all deserve, for the city we love.” The centerpiece of the effort is a state-of-the-art arena, and with several weeks of work sessions still on the calendar before a council vote, an arena operator with significant credentials is in place.

HOWELL AND TERESA: FIGHTING EVICTION REQUIRES RESOURCES

Speaking to an audience of Virginia Commonwealth University students and other community members on Oct. 16, “Evicted” author Matthew Desmond detailed how eviction is both a result and a cause of poverty. Eviction harms not only individuals or families who are evicted, but it also destabilizes communities.

Kathryn Howell and Ben Teresa are assistant professors of urban and regional planning at Virginia Commonwealth University. They are the co-directors of the RVA Eviction Lab.

HALLMARK: TO HELP FUND RICHMOND'S PRIORITIES, WE NEED A COMPLETE DOWNTOWN

If Richmond wants to substantially increase its investment in schools, social services, affordable housing and other priorities, there are two choices. One is to raise taxes — which isn’t popular. The other is to attract new businesses and economic opportunity to expand the pool of taxpayers and increase city revenues — which isn’t easy. NH District Corp. is taking on the task that isn’t easy, but necessary.

Michael Hallmark is an internationally recognized arena architect, urban planner and developer, and a member of the Navy Hill development team.

FOR MANY WIDOWS, THE HARDEST PART IS MEALTIME

When her husband, Bill, died six years ago this month, Michele Zawadzki squared her shoulders to the grief. They had been together for 47 years — since high school, when they were prom dates — so she knew that life without him would be trying. Not just holidays, but even mundane matters like taking care of the car. When a pipe broke in her toilet, spraying water all over, Ms. Zawadzki, 68, didn’t know what valve to turn off or whom to call. Mail for him kept coming. What she didn’t expect, though, was how difficult it would be to turn on her stove.