VISUALIZATION: IN DECADE, WOMEN GAINED

In 2010, Virginia ranked near the bottom of states in terms of women serving in state legislatures. During the decade, the number of female members of the Virginia General Assembly grew from 26 to 41. When the legislature convenes next week, women will represent one in three members, including the first female House Speaker in Virginia history.

GOVERNOR NORTHAM ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO EXPAND ACCESS FOR DISABLED VIRGINIANS

Governor Ralph Northam issued Executive Order Forty-Seven and Executive Directive Six today, to ensure inclusion and opportunity for Virginians with disabilities. These executive orders continue the equal employment initiatives outlined by former Governor Terry McAuliffe in 2015, while dramatically expanding the scope of support for Virginians with disabilities to increase opportunity in higher education and improve the accessibility of state services.

DEMOCRATS ARE PUSHING FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, AND REPUBLICANS ARE EXCITED AND ANXIOUS AS SESSION NEARS

Reinstating parole, marijuana decriminalization and reducing youth incarceration are just a few of the criminal justice issues Democrats are eager to tackle when they take control of the Virginia General Assembly next week. The Democrats’ promise to bring criminal justice reform to Virginia has Republicans both excited and nervous.

WATCHDOG GROUP ASKS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CONTINUE IMPROVEMENTS ON TRANSPARENCY

While Virginia’s legislature has become more transparent since 2015, lawmakers can take steps to improve the ability of citizens to engage with state government, a collection of groups called Transparency Virginia wrote to legislative leaders. It says those steps should include video streaming of subcommittee hearings and quickly posting substitute bills to the state’s Legislative Information System website.

DEMOCRATS WEIGH FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, TRANSPARENCY MEASURES, AMONG OTHER EDUCATION INITIATIVES

Republicans made college affordability a priority in their time as the majority party and used those successes — like last year’s tuition freeze — in campaigns. This year, the new Democratic majority will consider the historic undertaking of making community college free for some students and decide if some of the Republicans’ past efforts to make college more accessible should continue.

NEW BILLS CHALLENGE SCOPE OF DOMINION’S POWER

For years, Dominion Energy has been one of the most powerful business interests in Virginia’s legislature. But a handful of bills seek to challenge the energy monopoly’s reign in a newly-Democratic General Assembly whose newest members have distanced themselves from the company.

WHAT VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS MIGHT CHANGE ABOUT YOUR COMMUTE

A ban on holding your cellphone behind the wheel, changes in fines for reckless driving on the interstate, and changes to taxes and fees are among the transportation changes under consideration in Virginia’s General Assembly session that begins Wednesday. The proposals are among bills filed ahead of the session that go beyond Gov. Ralph Northam’s budget proposal to end car inspections and raise the state’s gas tax.

SEN. SUETTERLEIN PUSHES FOR TRANSPARENCY ON LAST-MINUTE DONATIONS PRIOR TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSIONS

In the days leading up the General Assembly session, state lawmakers are mingling and taking campaign contributions, but you wouldn't know the donors or amounts until months later. A state senator wants to make that information more transparent. Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, introduced SB 217, which would require lawmakers and those holding statewide office to report contributions over $1,000 received during a period beginning Jan. 1 and ending the day before the first day of the regular session of the General Assembly.

DELEGATE FLOATS LEGISLATION TO SHRINK THE SIZE OF PLANNED YOUTH PRISON

State officials are searching for a location to build a 60-bed juvenile detention center that serves incarcerated youth in the eastern part of Virginia. The project was rejected by local officials in Chesapeake and Isle of Wight. Meanwhile, a Democrat in the House of Delegates is proposing a bill to make that facility smaller.

CARTER REPORTS DEATH THREATS OVER PROPOSED LEGISLATION

Del. Lee Carter, D-50th, says he has received numerous death threats over pre-filed legislation in the General Assembly, including some deemed serious enough to report to law enforcement. He says the rancor stems from a misrepresentation of his proposal that has spread in the echo chambers of social media. Carter’s proposed bill, H.B. 67, would allow public sector employees to strike without risking termination

POLL SHOWS SUPPORT FOR CITIZEN-DRIVEN REDISTRICTING

Almost three in four Virginia voters think that the General Assembly should allow them to decide if an independent commission should be created to oversee political redistricting. Results of a Mason-Dixon poll released Thursday showed that 72% of registered voters statewide support the legislature approving a referendum for a constitutional amendment establishing the panel.

PROPOSED BILL WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO DRINK ALCOHOL AT MORE SHOPPING CENTERS IN VIRGINIA

A new bill that was introduced to the Virginia General Assembly will expand "open-container" access to smaller shopping centers or outdoor malls. The proposed bill will give small businesses, classified as a commercial lifestyle center, the ability to get a license that will allow people to openly drink at their establishments

DEMOCRATS BELIEVE MARIJUANA WILL BE DECRIMINALIZED IN VIRGINIA

Several state Democrats say marijuana reform is likely now that Democrats control both chambers of the General Assembly for the first time in more than two decades. State Senator Louise Lucas (D), Delegate Cliff Hayes (D) and Delegate Don Scott (D) answered questions on the subject for well over an hour Thursday night at Portsmouth Sheriff’s Training Station on Green Street.

BRISTOL CASINO DEVELOPER CHALLENGES SOME JLARC REPORT FINDINGS

While a recent Virginia study was positive in assessing a Bristol casino’s chances of success, project developer Jim McGlothlin said Thursday the report missed the mark regarding its likely financial impact.

LOUDOUN COUNTY SUPERVISORS, LAWMAKERS DISCUSS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AHEAD OF 2020 SESSION

Loudoun County supervisors in their legislative program for the upcoming General Assembly session are urging state lawmakers to support increased funding to localities and calling for continued local authority over land use and development. In the months leading up to December's legislative dinner with lawmakers, the Republican-led Board of Supervisors killed attempts to support ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment and “red flag laws." Democrats may shift the board's position when they take control this month.

HAMPTON ROADS REGIONAL JAIL WANTS TO SETTLE ANOTHER WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT

Hampton Roads Regional Jail and its medical provider want to settle another lawsuit involving the death of an inmate. This time it’s for $900,000. The proposed wrongful death settlement — which would be the beleaguered jail’s third in 17 months — stems from the March 20, 2016, death of 69-year-old William Otis Thrower Sr.

ROANOKE SIGN COMPANY CITED BY ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS

Budget Signs of Roanoke has been fined $15,000 by state regulators for improperly disposing of spent fluorescent light bulbs. The company was also ordered to examine its storage and treatment site for possible environmental damage.

VIRGINIA GUN STORE SAYS FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, AND MAGAZINES FLYING OFF SHELVES

With Virginia Democrats taking over all branches of state government, a firearms store owner in the state says sales of guns, magazines, and ammunition are up 200%, and more of his customers are paying in cash. “This is the largest Christmas and November, December that we've had, basically, since Trump has come on board. The only other person that was a better salesman right now is when we had President Obama,” said Jerry Rapp, owner of SpecDive Tactical, in Alexandria, comparing the administrations of President Trump and his White House predecessor, Barack Obama.

NEW STRIPED BASS REGULATIONS PROVE COSTLY TO VIRGINIA'S FISHING BUSINESSES

Fishing rods were rigged and ready to go on the back of the Top Dog as Capt. Neil Lessard peered out into a thick covering of fog. He had been excited about having an afternoon fishing trip in the Chesapeake Bay, where he hoped to put customers onto the fighting end of some big striped bass. But the trip had to be canceled because of the weather. Normally that wouldn't be a problem.

AMERICORE, WHICH ONCE PROMISED TO REOPEN LEE COUNTY HOSPITAL, FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION

A hospital chain that once promised to reopen Lee County’s hospital and sought to gain ownership of Patrick County’s has filed for bankruptcy protection. Americore Health and its hospitals this week filed for Chapter 11 protection in Kentucky, according to online court records.

TIMES-DISPATCH BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN RICHMOND SOLD; NEWSPAPER TO REMAIN AS TENANT

The Richmond Times-Dispatch building in downtown Richmond has been sold to the region’s largest hotel operator. Shamin Hotels bought the four-story building at 300 E. Franklin St. and the adjoining 699-space parking deck, the companies announced Thursday. Shamin plans to move its corporate headquarters there from Chester later this year.

METRO ADDRESSES NORTHERN VIRGINIA CHALLENGES

Ridership on Metro’s Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines is expected to rise in coming decades with an increase of 18 percent, or 40,000 additional people, projected for 2040. Even now, demand during peak rush hours sometimes strains the rail system’s ability to operate all the three lines, since they utilize the same set of tracks at the Rosslyn station tunnel to cross the Potomac River and travel between Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.

CINDER BED STRIKE DRAGS INTO HOLIDAYS DESPITE METRO LABOR AGREEMENT

For the 120 Metro workers on strike at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Cinder Bed Bus Garage in Lorton, 2019 ended in anxiety with no promise of relief when the calendar flips to a new year. The Cinder Bed strike surpassed the two-month mark on Christmas Eve, as negotiations between the private contractor Transdev and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 show few signs of progress

DUKE ENERGY AGREES TO REMOVE COAL ASH IN NORTH CAROLINA

The state of North Carolina says it has secured an agreement with Duke Energy to excavate nearly 80 million tons (72.5 million metric tons) of coal ash at six facilities. The Department of Environmental Quality said in a Thursday press release that it will be the largest coal ash cleanup in the nation’s history. It also settles various legal disputes between Duke and parties that include environmental and community groups.

PROSECUTORS WON’T PURSUE MARIJUANA POSSESSION CHARGES IN 2 NORTHERN VA. COUNTIES

Adults possessing small amounts of marijuana for personal use will no longer be prosecuted in two Northern Virginia counties, new prosecutors in Fairfax and Arlington said Thursday on one of their first days on the job.

SUPERVISORS’ LETTER TO LAWMAKERS: UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION

In response to several pieces of gun control legislation that have been filed for the upcoming 2020 General Assembly session, governing bodies in more than 100 Virginia localities have passed some type of resolution affirming the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms as enshrined in both the U.S. and state constitutions. Many went a step further, declaring their jurisdictions as “Second Amendment sanctuaries” and vowing not to recognize new gun laws.

ORANGE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TERMINATED VIA MUTUAL AGREEMENT

At first glance, the agenda for the Dec.17 meeting of the Orange County Board of Supervisors didn’t appear to be terribly exciting. Until Chairman Jim White added item 5C under new business: “termination agreement with the county administrator.” District 4 Supervisor Jim Crozier made a motion to execute the termination agreement of County Administrator Bryan David, and the motion passed unanimously. White later said it was a mutual agreement between the board and David, the administrator since 2014.

MONACANS CALL FOR INVESTIGATION OF WATER AUTHORITY

The Monacan Indian Nation is calling on the Fluvanna and Louisa Boards of Supervisors to begin a third-party, independent investigation into claims of mismanagement of the archaeological survey at Point of Fork. Point of Fork, at the confluence of the James and Rivanna rivers, is believed by many historians and archaeologists to be the site of Rassawek, the main Monacan settlement at the time of the English arrival in Virginia.

FIVE NEW SHERIFFS TAKE OFFICE IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

The new year has brought new sheriffs to five counties in far Southwest Virginia after two longtime leaders retired and three others lost reelection bids in 2019. “It has been extremely busy today,” new Wise County Sheriff Grant Kilgore said Thursday, one day after taking over duties from retired Sheriff Ronnie Oakes. Kilgore, Dickenson County Sheriff Jeremy Fleming, Buchanan County Sheriff John McClanahan, Scott County Sheriff Jeff Edds and Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis all began their new jobs on Wednesday.

TAZEWELL COUNTY LEADERS ADDRESS MILITIA ISSUE

Where do you sign up and when do drills start? Those are the questions county leaders and employees are hearing since the board of supervisors voted late last year to form a militia in response to fears the legislature will pass gun control measures when it convenes in two weeks.

TO CURB GUN VIOLENCE IN RICHMOND, THE NEED FOR SOLUTIONS PERSISTS

The Richmond Police Department’s year-end crime statistics offer a sobering picture of how gun violence continues to ravage communities across the city. According to the RPD Crime Incident Information Center, 61 homicides took place in 2019. A Dec. 29 report, reflecting 59 of those homicides, said 88% of the murders were committed using firearms. Three people were killed on Christmas Day. To curb gun violence in Richmond, the need for solutions persists.

ENDING THE ABUSE OF ILLEGAL ROBOCALLS

Let’s hope a new federal law will make 2020 the year that cracks down on illegal robocalls. On Monday, President Donald Trump signed into law the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, which should help curb the billions of abusive and annoying automated calls that have increasingly clogged our phones. According to the office of Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who was among the cosponsors of the bipartisan measure, the new law gives regulators more time to find scammers, increases civil forfeiture penalties for those who are caught...

SPANGLER: AMERICAN EVOLUTION AND THE COMPLEX LEGACY OF 400 YEARS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY

Virginia’s 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution, has spent the past three years showcasing the 400th anniversary of important events that occurred in 1619 Virginia — a year that indelibly influenced the trajectory of Virginia and American history. As the 2019 commemorative year draws to a close this week, I’d like to reflect on American Evolution’s accomplishments and the legacy it has established.

Kathy J. Spangler is executive director of the 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution.

BEYER: VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS NOW HAVE THE POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX GERRYMANDERING

Across the country, people are talking about election reform. It’s not hard to figure out why. In all my years in public service, I’ve never seen our political institutions tested as they are now. Hardened partisanship and vitriol rule our collective public discourse, and both are driven by a practice that contributes to waning faith in our democracy: gerrymandering.

Don Beyer, a Democrat, represents Virginia’s 8th District in the House.

GRUGGS: DOMINION AND SMITHFIELD UNITE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

When you think of a lagoon, you think of a shallow, pondlike body of water fed by a larger one — a lake or a sea. It could be surrounded by sand dunes or, better yet, vegetation — the latter naturally engaging in photosynthesis, or turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. ... Recently, in Clinton, North Carolina, Smithfield Farms, the famous ham people, and Dominion Energy launched a joint-venture renewable energy project featuring environmentally friendly lagoons. The lagoons are covered in order to trap CO2 and methane.

Gruggs is a writer based in Arlington.