Does Virginia need more lawyers? A recent report from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) says yes. 

The report found 6.5% of Virginia's commonwealth attorney positions currently sit vacant, citing low pay and a state-imposed cap on how much court-appointed attorneys can make as the reasons behind the shortage. 

“Defense attorneys are not being paid as well as they are in many other states,” 8News Legal Analyst Russ Stone said. 

The report says the amount of time attorneys have to examine electronic evidence such as videos, text messages and GPS data -- which may not be compensated for because of Virginia's low pay caps -- could also be causing the shortage.

https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/does-virginia-need-more-lawyers-a-recent-state-report-says-yes/

Cool again tonight

A vehicle was seen engulfed in flames in a business parking lot off of Midlothian Turnpike on Monday afternoon.

The vehicle fire was located in the 11300 block of Midlothian Turnpike. Photos captured at the scene around 1:15 p.m. showed black smoke billowing from the flames.

Chesterfield County fire crews have responded and are currently at the scene.

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/photos-vehicle-engulfed-in-flames-in-parking-lot-on-midlothian-turnpike/

Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks following Virginia General Election 2023

The Richmond Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run incident that occurred near Carytown earlier last month.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Nansemond Street and Ellwood Avenue around 8:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13.

According to police, the victim was driving southbound on Nansemond Street and had slowed to a stop for pedestrians to cross. The suspect vehicle was headed northbound through the intersection and attempted to make a left turn onto Ellwood Avenue when it hit and damaged the side of the victim's vehicle.

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/richmond-police-searching-for-suspect-in-carytown-hit-and-run/

The Richmond Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run incident that occurred near Carytown earlier last month.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Nansemond Street and Ellwood Street around 8:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13.

According to police, the victim was driving southbound on Nansemond Street and had slowed to a stop for pedestrians to cross. The suspect vehicle was headed northbound through the intersection and attempted to make a left turn onto Ellwood Street when it hit and damaged the side of the victim’s vehicle.

Rainbow Road reopened after being closed in the southwest valley for around eight hours following an incident that involved a naked man, a stolen patrol car, and a chase.

A naked man who got into a fight with a Las Vegas Metropolitan police officer and then stole the officer's patrol vehicle and caused a serious crash is facing four charges, according to court documents.

Just four at a time, visitors soon will be allowed access to a long-hidden space inside Florence’s Medici Chapel where delicate charcoal drawings sketched on the walls have been attributed by some experts to Michelangelo.

Richmond officials made an announcement about new funding for the city's affordable housing crisis during a press conference on Tuesday.

The announcement took place at City Hall around 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. Mayor Levar Stoney was joined by Richmond City Council members and members of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) -- a national non-profit community development financial institution -- for the announcement.

According to Stoney, LISC will be matching the City's already committed $50 million over the course of five years to go towards affordable housing. This brings the total amount of funding for the issue to $100 million over the next five years.

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/watch-live-officials-to-make-announcement-on-affordable-housing-in-richmond/

A “major update” to the City of Richmond’s affordable housing crisis will be made public this afternoon, according to the Mayor’s Office.

The announcement is scheduled to take place at City Hall around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Mayor Levar Stoney will be joined by Richmond City Council members and members of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation for the announcement.

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/watch-live-officials-to-make-announcement-on-affordable-housing-in-richmond/