The surge is real – Virginia records its highest-ever single day total of new COVID-19 infections as the new year begins… Virginia’s unemployment rate is way down from pandemic highs, but the number of people with jobs is actually lower than before the lockdowns began… As Republicans get set to take over the House of Delegates, a constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to vote for former felons is in doubt….

Attorney General Mark Herring sues the town of Windsor over discriminatory law enforcement practices; Nine confederate statues in Richmond could find a new home in a museum; When the General Assembly convenes next month, lawmakers will consider a bill to allow hunting on Sundays; And Jeff Shapiro and Michael Pope discuss the week in Virginia government and politics

The Commonwealth now has new political maps, and incumbents could face off in the next elections; Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin wants to pull Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; When the General Assembly convenes next month, lawmakers will consider several different options for paid family leave; They’ll also debate measures to keep students safe in the era of school shootings

The lead conservator for Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources opens the time capsule found in the base of the Lee statue in Richmond; Charlottesville continues its search for people to lead the city; Virginia is spending more than $700 million to bring broadband access to rural localities; And the second of two exit interviews with outgoing governor Ralph Northam

Opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline file a petition in federal court to try to stop the natural gas project; Workers may have found the time capsule in the base of the Lee statue in Richmond; Some gun rights activists want to make it easier to carry concealed weapons in the Commonwealth; And the first of two exit interview with outgoing governor Ralph Northam

The last Afghan refugees temporarily housed at Quantico have been re-settled; Old Dominion University has been classified as a Research One Institution; Republicans hope to cut taxes for Virginians when they assume control of the House of Delegates next month; And Jeff Shapiro and Michael Pope discuss the week in Virginia politics

Historic preservationists on Wednesday opened the time capsule discovered in the pedestal of the statue of confederate general Robert E. Lee in Richmond; Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin names another member of his leadership team; The Harrisonburg community is rallying around a 76-year-old man who lost his home to a fire back in August; And many local businesses see an upswing in customers, but pandemic-related issues are stifling some sales

The Harrisonburg community is rallying around a 76-year-old man who lost his home to a fire back in August. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.

Virginia’s Division of Legislative Automated Systems continues to work on problems caused by a ransomware attack; Law enforcement agencies across the commonwealth will set up sobriety checkpoints throughout the holidays to prevent drunk driving; Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin names another member of his cabinet; And hospitals and community centers in Virginia are overwhelmed by the number of people requiring mental health services

Law enforcement agencies all over Virginia will set up sobriety checkpoints and additional patrols throughout the holidays to prevent drunk driving. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.