NOW LIVE: YEAR-END CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURES

All candidates and PACs with accounts open at the Department of Elections were required to file year-end campaign finance disclosures by midnight. For candidates who were on the Nov. 5 ballot, the reports cover the last 33 days of the year. For PACs, the disclosures cover the last quarter of the year. And for candidates for offices not on the November ballot, the reports cover the last half of the year. VPAP makes it easy to browse a complete list of each candidate's contributions and expenses.

GOV. RALPH NORTHAM DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY, BANS ALL WEAPONS FROM CAPITOL GROUNDS

As thousands of gun rights advocates and other armed groups prepare to rally outside the Capitol next week, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday he’s declaring a temporary state of emergency to ban all weapons from Capitol Square. “Hate, intimidation and violence have no place here,” Northam said at a news conference Wednesday.

NORTHAM DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY, IMPOSES TEMPORARY GUN BAN FOR CAPITOL SQUARE

Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in Richmond ahead of a rally Monday that is expected to bring thousands of Second Amendment activists to Richmond. The state of emergency will be enforced Friday evening to Tuesday evening. It includes a firearms ban on Capitol Square, as well as a general ban on weapons that includes bats and knives.

NORTHAM BANS GUNS ON CAPITOL GROUNDS

Gov. Ralph Northam is declaring a state of emergency and temporarily banning weapons from the Capitol grounds in advance of a gun-rights rally planned for Monday, citing “threats of armed confrontation and assault on our Capitol.” From Friday evening to Tuesday night, firearms, sticks, bats, chains and other weapons will be prohibited on Capitol Square and throughout the Capitol complex, Northam said.

NORTHAM SAYS “CREDIBLE THREATS OF VIOLENCE” LED HIM TO BAN WEAPONS FROM CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR GUN RALLY

Thousands of people upset about proposed gun control legislation are expected at the state Capitol on Monday, and Virginia’s governor said he’s received intelligence of “credible, serious threats” of violence that has led him to temporarily ban weapons on Capitol grounds and declare a state of emergency in Richmond. A gun-rights group and some Republicans questioned whether the governor has the legal authority to impose such a ban.

NORTHAM DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AHEAD OF GUN RALLY

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that he was declaring a state of emergency over threats of “armed militia groups storming our Capitol” ahead of a gun-rights rally next week. Northam’s emergency order will ban weapons of all kinds, including firearms, from the Capitol grounds starting Friday and continuing through Tuesday.

FROM FRINGE TO FORCE: HOW A GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATE FROM CHESTERFIELD MADE HIS MARK

With one hand, Philip Van Cleave shakes hands with protesters young and old, some in camouflage and some in dress shirts and khakis. In the other, he holds a small package of Cheez-Its and a roll of hunter-orange stickers that read “Guns Save Lives.” As it turns out, he didn’t need to bring the stickers. Here, at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center last Monday, it seems like nearly everyone in attendance is already wearing the sticker, a trademark of the gun rights advocacy group Virginia Citizens Defense League.

FALWELL TO LAWMAKERS: POLICE WILL IGNORE NEW GUN LAWS

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. warned Virginia lawmakers Wednesday new gun legislation could face a backlash from law enforcement officials across the state if the proposals become law. “Could you imagine if the governor was trying to take away our First Amendment rights? Well, the Second Amendment is just as sacred,” Falwell said at the university’s morning convocation.

VIRGINIA VOTES TO RATIFY THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT, BUT THERE’S STILL A FIGHT AHEAD

Nearly five decades after legislatures began ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, Virginia became the key 38th state to do so Wednesday — giving it the three-fourths support needed to make it part of the U.S. Constitution. But opponents of the ERA — which says citizens can’t be denied any rights based on sex — say the ratification isn’t valid because the 1982 deadline Congress set expired

‘A LONG TIME TO WAIT’: VIRGINIA PASSES EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT IN HISTORIC VOTE

Both chambers of Virginia’s General Assembly passed the Equal Rights Amendment Wednesday, fulfilling a promise that helped Democrats seize control of the legislature and marking a watershed moment in the nearly century-long effort to add protections for women to the U.S. Constitution.

‘IT’S OUR TIME’: VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE PASSES EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT AS COURTS DEBATE DEADLINE

A decades-long effort to make Virginia the last state needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment moved ahead Wednesday as both chambers of the legislature passed the measure. Nearly 50 years after Congress sent it to the states, the House of Delegates and the Senate approved the women’s rights measure on Wednesday amid a growing legal fight over whether the ERA can still be ratified.

‘AT LAST, AT LAST’: WOMEN WHO FOUGHT FOR ERA FOR DECADES EXULT AT VIRGINIA VOTE

Rather than sitting in the Virginia House of Delegates gallery Wednesday, Eleanor Smeal was battling pneumonia from her Northern Virginia home and tracking the vote on the Equal Rights Amendment on the House’s live stream video feed. “At last, at last,” said Smeal, 80, the president of the Feminist Majority who has been fighting for the ERA for 50 years. “I always knew this day would come.”

MARIJUANA REFORM ADVOCATES SPLIT ON LEGALIZATION

Advocates dressed in black stood Wednesday at the base of the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial to voice their support of marijuana legalization, repeating a variation of, “the time is now,” in each of their statements.

COUNTIES COULD GET SAME AUTHORITY AS CITIES TO RAISE TAXES ON MEALS, CIGARETTES

Virginia counties are looking for the same freedom as cities to raise local taxes on meals, cigarettes, lodging and admission to big events. This year, they might get it.

BILL WOULD GIVE VA. LOCALITIES CHANCE TO SET MINIMUM WAGE

A state delegate’s proposed bill to allow localities to set their own minimum-wage levels, provided they do not dip below the federal government’s level, has drawn a tentative response from one local official and outright opposition from two chambers of commerce.

BIG CHANGES FOR VA. DRIVERS COULD INCLUDE FUEL-EFFICIENT CAR FEE, SPEED CAMERAS

New fees, speed cameras and a handheld cellphone ban are some of the measures on the horizon for Virginia drivers under a wide-ranging transportation bill proposed by Gov. Ralph Northam and Democratic leaders of the state’s General Assembly. The proposal also includes previously announced plans to end car inspections, raising the gas tax 4 cents per year for the next three years and indexing it to inflation thereafter, and cutting car registration fees approximately in half.

NEW GROUP FORMED TO ADVOCATE AGAINST POSSIBLE RIGHT-TO-WORK REPEAL IN VIRGINIA

Fearing a repeal of Virginia’s right-to-work law, a group of nearly two dozen trade associations in the state is banding together. The group announced the formation of the Coalition for a Strong Virginia Economy on Wednesday, saying it would fight a potential right-to-work repeal, an increase to Virginia’s minimum wage and mandated paid leave.

FOSTER CARE CAUCUS PLANS TO BUILD ON MOMENTUM IN ITS SECOND LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Tori Mabry, 23, stood before a room full of lawmakers, advocates and members of the news media Wednesday morning and shared that she would have gone into the foster care system when she was a child if her older sister hadn’t taken her in. Mabry said her father was out of the picture, so when her mother went to prison, it was her 21-year-old sister who agreed to take care of her, even though she already had a 3-year-old and money was tight.

PEROTTE: PROPOSED STATE BILLS WOULD AFFECT HUNTING, FISHING

As of Tuesday, there were 2,752 Senate and House bills and resolutions introduced in the 2020 Virginia General Assembly session. As we’ve covered extensively, many relate to firearms. Several more concern hunting, fishing, licensing and outdoors policy. Here’s a look: Del. Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler, Jr. (R-District 55) has HB 449, providing that any person convicted of violating a hunting, fishing, or trapping law may also be prohibited from hunting, fishing, or trapping for 1-5 years.

GOODBYE ALMOND MILK, HELLO NUT BEVERAGE? LAWMAKERS ADVANCE MILK LABELING BILL.

Virginia Beach Del. Barry Knight’s milk bill cleared its first hurdle Wednesday afternoon when the House Agriculture Subcommittee voted 7-1 to pass it on for consideration to the larger Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee.

2ND ROANOKE VALLEY LEGAL GROUP RECOMMENDS CIAFFONE FOR CIRCUIT BENCH

Leisa Kube Ciaffone has now been recommended by the Roanoke Valley’s two largest legal organizations to fill an upcoming circuit court vacancy in the 23rd District. On Tuesday, the Roanoke Bar Association voted to endorse Ciaffone to succeed Judge William Broadhurst when he retires March 1.

THE POWERFUL HERITAGE AND GROWING CLOUT OF VIRGINIA'S LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS

Black representation in Virginia’s General Assembly was at its peak in 1869. That year, there were 29 African American lawmakers. The Civil War was over and Virginians had new rights enshrined in a new constitution, and enforced by federal troops. “For the first time African Americans were granted the right to vote. They were granted the right to hold office in Virginia. It did, however, exclude women,” said Joseph Rogers, a historian with the American Civil War Museum.

DEMOCRATS MOVE UP ANNUAL FUNDRAISER; MICHAEL BLOOMBERG SIGNED ON AS SPEAKER

Presidential candidate and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is slated to speak at an annual fundraising gala for the Democratic Party of Virginia on Feb. 15 in Richmond. The “Blue Commonwealth Gala,” which was held in June last year, will be held in February to coincide with primary season and increased activity by candidates vying for support in Super Tuesday states like Virginia.

EIGHT VIRGINIA LEGISLATORS ENDORSE BIDEN

Eight Virginia lawmakers are endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential bid, Biden’s campaign announced Thursday. The list includes prominent members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus like Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, president pro tempore of the Senate; Sen. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake; Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond; Del. Roslyn Tyler, D-Sussex; and Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake.

ABSENTEE VOTING TO BEGIN FOR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

Absentee voting is set to begin for the 2020 Democratic presidential primary in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Elections says in-person absentee voting for the March 3 primary will begin Thursday, Friday or Saturday, depending on office hours and observation of state holidays.

JUDGE REFUSES TO TOSS EX-COAL CEO BLANKENSHIP'S CONVICTION

A federal judge in West Virginia on Wednesday refused to toss the misdemeanor conviction of former coal CEO Don Blankenship for conspiring to violate mine safety laws. U.S. District Judge Irene Berger in Beckley rejected a recommendation from a federal magistrate judge. Berger ruled that despite the prosecution's failure to disclose numerous documents to the defense during the discovery phase of Blankenship's trial, the conduct ”resulted in no prejudice" toward Blankenship.

CHEROKEE ANGLES FOR VIRGINIA CASINO PROJECT

Casino gaming is under serious discussion in the Virginia legislature this year, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is hoping to get in on the ground floor with a recently announced proposal to build a casino near Bristol, Virginia. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, Principal Chief Richard Sneed and Steve Johnson, developer of The Pinnacle retail complex, issued a press release announcing their plan to build a “major casino resort” on a 350-acre tract...

LOUDOUN SUPERVISORS ADOPT NEW MEETING SECRECY RULE

County supervisors at the first meeting of their new term unanimously passed a new rule raising the possibility of punishing colleagues who speak out about what happens behind closed doors. The Board of Supervisors’ new rules of order include a new provision detailing what happens if a supervisor speaks publicly about what happens in a closed-door meeting.

STAFFORD SCHOOL BOARD RELEASES LEGAL OPINIONS ON NONDISCRIMINATION POLICIES

The Stafford County School Board has waived attorney–client privilege and released the legal opinions it received last year before approving new nondiscrimination policies that add sexual orientation and gender identity to protected categories.

PANEL ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING OFFERS PLAN FOR REGION'S FUTURE

Median rents in the Richmond region increased by 20% over the past decade, while average income rose by 10%. As of 2018, 125,000 households in Richmond, Ashland and the counties of Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover — 1 in 3 — were cost burdened, meaning they spent more than 30% of their monthly income on housing.

JAMES RIVER WATER AUTHORITY FINDS NO WRONGDOING BY CONSULTANT

Attorneys for the authority in charge of a controversial Fluvanna County water project on Wednesday said allegations against a consultant on the project were not credible. Representatives of the James River Water Authority said the findings followed an internal investigation into accusations of unethical practices against archaeologist Carol Tyrer and her company, Circa.

VDOT APPROVES MORE THAN $500,000 FOR TRAIL EXTENSIONS IN DANVILLE

Danville is getting more than $500,000 from the state for two trail extensions on the Riverwalk Trail, a nearly 12-mile paved, tree-lined trail along the Dan River used for walking, running and biking.

BRISTOL CABELA'S WAS UNDERPERFORMING; CITY ALREADY DIPPING IN BOND RESERVES

Bond regulatory filings show the Cabela's store, which closed Sunday and is moving inventory to the Bass Pro Shops store in Bristol, Tennessee, was underperforming expectations of Bristol, Virginia. And the city has been dipping into bond reserves to make debt payments on its huge investment where it was located in The Falls development.

CIVIC, BUSINESS LEADERS GET TOUR OF DHARMA FACILITY AT RIBBON-CUTTING

Dozens of civic and business leaders toured Dharma Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday, the first and only time guests will be allowed to see the production facilities of the new CBD and THC-A oil products company. Dharma, which received its pharmaceutical processor permit from the Virginia Board of Pharmacy on Tuesday, is located inside the former JCPenney at the vacant Bristol Mall.

PINNACLE DEVELOPER HIRES RAMSEY, SEEKS STATE LAW PREVENTING BOONES CREEK BUSINESS POACHING

An area retail developer hired Tennessee’s former lieutenant governor to push for state legislation that would prevent existing businesses at his Bristol development from moving to the Boones Creek incentive district. “All we care about is that they don’t poach from existing sites, period,” said Ron Ramsey, a lobbyist who confirmed Monday he was hired by Steve Johnson, developer of the Pinnacle shopping center in Bristol, Tennessee, to push for a rules change.

GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATES PUSH AGAIN FOR NEWPORT NEWS CITY COUNCIL TO DECLARE A SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY

A month after gun rights activists filled Newport News City Council chambers to advocate for the city to declare itself a Second Amendment sanctuary that opposes gun control measures, many activists returned Tuesday to advocate for that cause once again. The response from the council did not change much over the last month.

BERRYVILLE COUNCIL ADOPTS GUN RIGHTS RESOLUTION

Add this Clarke County town to the list of localities standing up for gun rights. Tuesday night, Berryville Town Council voted 5-1 to adopt a resolution urging state and federal lawmakers "not to adopt or enact any law that would infringe on the right to keep and bear arms" as specified by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

CITY COUNCIL: 2ND AMENDMENT RESOLUTION UNNECESSARY

Stating they have already sworn to uphold and protect the constitution, members of Winchester's City Council on Tuesday voted against adopting a resolution that would pledge to uphold local residents' right to own guns.

TOWN OF CULPEPER ADOPTS SECOND AMENDMENT RESOLUTION

Aligning with Culpeper County—which adopted a similar measure last month—the town of Culpeper has declared itself a “Constitutional Town” in response to gun control legislation being proposed by Democrats in Richmond.

AMAZON DEAL RIPPLING ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

When Amazon announced plans to bring some of its operations to Virginia, state officials insisted that the company’s decision would ripple across the commonwealth, benefiting communities far from the new campus in Arlington. Amazon’s purchase of land in Suffolk last month suggests that’s already happening

NO COLD FEET ON REDISTRICTING REFORM

What a difference an election makes. Last year, the General Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a bipartisan redistricting commission. Both Republicans and Democrats supported the proposal in what was then a GOP-controlled legislature. A year later, in a new session controlled by a new political majority, some Democrats are getting cold feet. That’s concerning.

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA GETS THE SHAFT IN THE STATE SENATE

On his song “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” Bruce Springsteen growls: “Welcome to the new world order.” That song is about homelessness in southern California, but that one line could well be about Southwest Virginia —and its place in the newly-configured General Assembly. We refer to the recent committee assignments in the state Senate:

SCHAPIRO: VA. DEMOCRATS GETTING WORKED UP FOR LABOR

Sen. Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, who has served 44 years in the General Assembly, is this year sponsoring bills long sought by labor and routinely rejected by the legislature. In taking back the House of Delegates, Democrats renamed the committee that handles business and employment issues. What was the Commerce and Labor Committee became the Labor and Commerce Committee. It was a signal Democrats would put working people first.