Dogs are being trained to detect the odor of COVID-19.   And workers failed to find a time capsule said to be in the base of the Lee Monument in Richmond. But they did find something else.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More from Fred Echols.

Some gun rights supporters want to make getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon easier to get.

Michael Pope reports.

The calendar year may be drawing to a close. But with a new administration about to take office in Richmond, there’s still plenty of political activity underway.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope bring us up to speed on the week in state government and politics.

On the campaign trail, Republicans promised tax cuts.

Now that lawmakers are about to convene in Richmond for the next General Assembly session, they’ll need to figure out how to make it happen.

Michael Pope reports.

The debate about guns may become one of the big themes of the upcoming General Assembly session, thanks to a new Republican majority.

Michael Pope explains one bill.

 Can Virginia’s outgoing governor and his successor see eye-to-eye on the state budget?

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

While Virginia has been coping with COVID-19, the state has also been overwhelmed by people in need of mental health services. 

As Sandy Hausman reports, hospitals and community programs are unable to meet the need, and the situation could get worse over the holidays.

Over the course of 2021, the Virginia Redistricting Commission received thousands of public comments about the effort to draw new political maps for the state.

Now that the Virginia Supreme court is finishing the job there’s another round of limited public comment.

Jahd Khalil tells us what Virginians had to say about the maps.  

Population data and maps have been dominating Virginia’s political circles for the last few days.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope talk about those developments and more.

The Supreme Court of Virginia tasked two experts with the state’s redistricting effort.

Late Wednesday their work was posted online.

Reporter Jahd Khalil has looked into what the proposals mean for Virginia’s future representation. 

Lawmakers are about to debate a bill that would create tax breaks for investors.

Michael Pope reports.

Governor Ralph Northam says teachers have endured numerous challenges during the pandemic.

And so he’ll write a big raise into the budget he’ll submit to the General Assembly shortly before he leaves office.

David Seidel explains.

Restoring the population of native oysters to the Chesapeake Bay began with an executive order by President Obama in 2009.

This week, Governor Ralph Northam gathered with a small group at a rural marina to mark a milestone.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

The abortion case being considered by the U. S. Supreme Court already has some wondering if changes are on the horizon in Virginia.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope recap some of this week’s issues in state government and politics.