As COVID-19 cases again spike, Governor Northam issues an order that should increase the number of hospital beds… We launch a series on the problems with Charlottesville city government… We have a look at Virginia’s long, complicated history with tobacco….

Sentara RMH shuts down all non-emergency procedures amid as it deals with a record surge of COVID-19… Last Monday’s winter storm claimed the life of a Louisa County man who tried to walk home in the storm after his car broke down… We meet Charlottesville herbalist Kat Maier, our featured guest for this month’s Books & Brews….

Charlottesville herbalist Kat Maier invites all to explore their personal relationships with plants as they discover diverse models of healing through herbs. Her new book is Energetic Herbalism and she’ll discuss it in a Virtual Books & Brews January 11, 2022 .

With more than 35,000 people still without power after Monday’s winter storm, we check in with one shelter keeping people warm in Madison County… CNN’s Jim Acosta, Mary Trump and Congresswoman Liz Cheney join a panel at UVa to discuss the shock of January 6 th , 2021… We survey the week in politics, as Richmond gets set for a change of power next week….

In the Central Virginia counties where many are still without power after Monday's winter storm, emergency shelters have opened to bring folks in from the cold. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports. (UPDATE Sunday, Jan. 9: Most customers in Madison County now have power restored. In Louisa County, more than 2,600, roughly 12% of customers, are still without electricity.)

Lloyd Snook will be Charlottesville’s next mayor… Governor-elect Youngkin’s pick for Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources is a former EPA administrator in the Trump administration… A gun rights group will not hold its annual gun rally in Richmond this year….

Appalachian Power crews are still working to restore power to thousands of customers between Charlottesville and Lynchburg. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.

Tens of thousands of people in central Virginia are still without power, as temperatures drop below freezing for a second night… As the blockage on a stretch of I-95 is finally cleared, Shenandoah Valley Delegate, and soon-to-be Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert criticizes Governor Northam for not calling in the Virginia National Guard… Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Augusta Health is now prohibiting routine patient visitation….

After Monday's winter storm, more than 100,000 households are still without power in Virginia. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.

As overnight temperatures plunged into the teens, more than 90,000 residents are without electric power across central Virginia after Monday’s winter storm… The state department of health says if you’ve got a mild case of COVID-19, don’t go to the emergency room – they’re overwhelmed… Now that tobacco is no longer an important part of Virginia’s economy, how should retailers tax it?