VPM's daily newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Hosted by Benjamin Dolle, episodes are recorded the night before so you can wake up prepared.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of January 13, 2021:
- State, city and Capitol police are collaborating with city agencies to prepare for potential unrest in Richmond as the presidential inauguration approaches. This follows an emergency declaration made by the city earlier this week.
- Last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump extremists marked the first time it was breached since the British set it on fire in 1814. For many historians, other events also came to mind.
- Attorney General Mark Herring’s office has received more than 500 complaints of price gouging during the pandemic. On Tuesday, Herring announced that his office reached a $2,500 settlement withJoule Wellness Pharmacy. The Alrington-based business was accused of raising the prices of rubbing alcohol. Those who purchased rubbing alcohol from Joule Wellness Pharmacy between March 20th and March 25th of last year, may be entitled to financial reimbursement.
- Senator Jennifer McClellan plans to file a bill that would provide more protections for people facing foreclosure. Under Virginia’s current foreclosure law, a mortgage company only has to give two weeks notice before it auctions off someone’s home. The proposal from Senator McClellan would increase that to 60 days. It would also require that companies educate homeowners about legal aid and financial resources.
- Members of Virginia’s General Assembly can begin getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Alena Yarmosky, a spokesperson for Governor Ralph Northam, confirmed to VPM that lawmakers are now eligible for vaccines. They’re part of the state’s second priority group -- in the current COVID-19 guidelines. She said the administration prioritized lawmakers because they regularly interact with the public.
- VCU Health is reporting they’ve vaccinated almost nine-thousand of their frontline healthcare workers. Now, the university says it will move to vaccinate its medical students. VCU says it’s received enough doses in the last few days to vaccinate about two thousand students, starting with those who’ve been most at risk of COVID-19 exposure. The university says a large majority of these students will play critical roles in staffing future vaccination events. VCU will also offer vaccines to faculty and staff who work as campus health care providers.
- On Monday, Richmond City Council approveda resolution calling for homeless shelters to be more inclusive to the LGBTQ community. The resolution recommendations include creating anti-discrimination policies, and staff training on sexual orientation and gender identity.
