VISUALIZATION: BEYOND BLACK AND WHITE

Historically, race was a binary question in Virginia. That changed in the last decade, as the state's population became more diverse and Hispanic and Asians gained a foothold in the state legislature.

VISUALIZATION: CHANGING MIX OF VANEWS SOURCES

VaNews began as aggregation printed newspaper articles. Daily newspapers still account for the majority of the clips, but the mix of news is gradually changing. This visual shows how online-only outlets and broadcast radio/TV are the fastest growing sources found in VaNews.

STATEWIDE COALITION KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN FOR LOCAL CONTROL OF CONFEDERATE STATUES

A statewide coalition wants to make sure that 2020 is the year Virginia lawmakers change the state code to allow cities and counties the power to remove Confederate statues in public spaces. “If our General Assembly in this upcoming legislature cannot act now to remove these beacons of hate, I don’t know when we’ll have the courage to do so,” Charlottesville City Councilor Bellamy said at a news conference Monday to kick off the campaign for local control of the statues.

N. VA. LEADERS LAY OUT THEIR GENERAL ASSEMBLY WISH LISTS. HERE'S WHERE THEY ALL AGREE.

More money for affordable housing and regional transit projects tops the legislative wish lists compiled by Northern Virginia officials, as the new-look state legislature prepares to return to Richmond next month. With Virginia Democrats newly empowered, seizing control of the General Assembly for the first time in a generation, their counterparts in local government see new hope for priorities long stymied by Republicans in Richmond. In legislative agendas, county supervisors and city councilors are laying out some of those priorities, with plenty of agreement on top areas for focus when the legislature reconvenes Jan. 8.

SEN. HOWELL PREPS 2020 LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE

Democrats in the General Assembly next year likely will pass a slew of bills long denied them when Republicans held control, said state Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax-Arlington). “Numerous significant bills that have failed under Republican majorities will pass this session,” Howell predicted. “Among them will be climate-change legislation, the Equal Rights Amendment, gun-safety bills, reproductive-rights protections, [and] election and redistricting reforms. I am very hopeful we will also pass criminal-justice reforms, including decriminalizing marijuana possession.”

BILLS TO ALLOW TOWN HOUSES, DUPLEXES ON SINGLE-FAMILY LOTS

A bill introduced for the 2020 General Assembly session in Richmond would allow duplexes and town house developments on single-family lots with the expressed purpose of increasing affordable housing. Many in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham real estate sector have differing opinions and questions about the legislation, House Bill 152, and its five sibling bills. Under the proposal, local governments could not stop developers from putting two-family units, such as duplexes, on land zoned for single-family homes.

MULLIN LAUNCHES CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM PUSH

The notion that a loudmouth classroom clown could be charged with the criminal offense of disorderly conduct has bugged Del. Mike Mullin, D-Newport News, for years. As a prosecutor who has spent time in juvenile courts he’s said he’s seen too many cases in which kids end up in the court system for years because of a minor offense of the kind that teachers and principals used to handle in-house.

TOWN HALL GIVES GLIMPSE OF GA PRIORITIES FOR VALLEY DELEGATES

The Second Amendment was a quick conversation starter for Monday’s joint town hall with Del. Tony Wilt, R-Broadway, and Delegate-elect Chris Runion, R-Bridgewater, followed by topics of bipartisanship, benefiting veterans and education. The purpose of the town hall was to allow residents within the 26th and 25th House of Delegates districts to hear Wilt and Runion’s General Assembly priorities, as well as pose questions to the Valley delegates.

MCCLELLAN STILL CONTEMPLATING 2021 GUBERNATORIAL RUN, BUT NOT INTERESTED IN LOWER POSTS

Democratic state senator Jennifer McClellan says she’s still thinking seriously about a run for governor in 2021, but isn’t interested in lower posts. “I really like the Senate,” McClellan said in a recent interview with VPM News. “So far I can only think of one job I'd be willing to leave it for.”

BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN APPOINTS VIRGINIA DIRECTOR, MARKING EARLY PUSH FOR NEWLY BLUE STATE

Former vice president Joe Biden has appointed a campaign director for Virginia, underscoring the state’s status as a prize for Democrats in next year’s Super Tuesday presidential primaries. Biden has tapped Fernando Mercado to coordinate his efforts in Virginia

BIDEN IS ONLY DEMOCRAT CURRENTLY OUTPOLLING TRUMP IN VIRGINIA

Former Vice President Joe Biden is the only Democratic presidential hopeful currently outpacing President Donald Trump in Virginia, according to a new year-end survey. Trump edges three other top-tier Democrats — Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg, according to a poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy.

SCOTT, RIGGLEMAN ARE BEYOND READY TO SHIFT FOCUS FROM IMPEACHMENT

Last year Virginians sent three new Democrats and two freshly minted Republicans to Washington, and at times it felt like impeachment was the only thing happening in the Capitol. While that was never the case, many bipartisan proposals went untouched by one chamber or another, like addressing the opioid crisis and keeping insurance companies from slapping patients with surprise medical bills. Freshman Virginia Republican Denver Riggleman is excited to move past impeachment in the New Year.

AMAZON PURCHASES 87-ACRE PROPERTY IN SUFFOLK FOR MORE THAN $4.5 MILLION

Amazon has plans in Suffolk, but what they are, no one is saying. Suffolk real estate assessment records show that Amazon.com Services Inc. purchased a roughly 87-acre vacant lot at 2020 Northgate Commerce Pkwy. The record shows the purchase was made Dec. 5 at a cost of more than $4.5 million.

VIRGINIA WILL SEE MENHADEN MORATORIUM UNLESS QUOTA ADOPTED

Virginia’s menhaden fishery could be shut down in June if it does not comply with federal quotas, according to the Secretary of Commerce. Virginia is out of compliance with Amendment 3 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan, according to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

DOZENS OF RICHMOND TENANTS HAVE AVOIDED EVICTION THROUGH CITY’S NEW PROGRAM

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said the city’s new Eviction Diversion Program has helped 56 families stay in their homes since the program began in October. In an interview with VPM News, Stoney said more than 400 residents have called in requesting assistance. Richmond made national news last year when a Princeton University study revealed that the city had the second highest eviction rate in the country. This city’s program was developed, soon after, the release of the report.

VIRGINIA BEACH TO HOLD SPECIAL SESSION TO CONSIDER “SECOND AMENDMENT CONSTITUTIONAL CITY” RESOLUTION

The Virginia Beach City Council will hold a pair of special sessions next week to discuss — and vote on — becoming a “Second Amendment Constitutional City.” “The City Council hereby expresses its strong support for the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and urges the members of the General Assembly and the Governor to take no action which would violate the freedoms guaranteed by either the Virginia Bill of Rights or the federal Bills or Rights,” reads a draft of a resolution requested by Mayor Bobby Dyer, Vice Mayor James Wood and Council members Jessica Abbott, John Moss and Rosemary Wilson.

EVEN WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMIT, SOME GAMING MACHINES STILL OPERATING IN DANVILLE

At least one Danville convenience store is operating gaming machines without a special-use permit while other owners wait to have applications for theirs approved. The skill-based games were operating — with customers playing them — when the Danville Register & Bee visited the Quick ‘n’ Plenty on Monday. But Danville Director of Community Development Ken Gillie confirmed Monday the business on 395 Mount Cross Road does not have a special-use permit,