New General Assembly session Petersburg Delegate Lashrecse D. Aird and her seatmate, Newport News Delegate Marcia S. Price, look up as a person in the upstairs gallery takes their photo. Looking on is Delegate Luke E. Torian of Prince William County. Scenes like this were commonplace Wednesday as the General Assembly opened its 2019 session, which is expected to run about 46 days. Legislators, whose seats will be up for election in November, will be rushing during the short session to get through a sea of bills and amend the current two-year budget before adjourning in late February. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

New year, new session: Chesapeake Delegate C.E. “Cliff” Hayes Jr. gives a thumbs-up Wednesday to advocates in Capitol Square urging the legislature to pass the Equal Rights Amendment to give equal status to women under the U.S. Constitution. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

New year, new session: Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax, the presiding officer in the Virginia Senate, welcomes the 40 members back as he starts the 2019 legislative session. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

New year, new session: Sussex County Delegate Roslyn C. Tyler joins in the Pledge of Allegiance on opening day in the House of Delegates. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

New year, new session: Three members of Richmond’s House delegation, Betsy B. Carr, Lamont Bagby and Delores L. McQuinn, pause for a photo. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

New year, new session: Delegate Hala S. Ayala of Prince William County adjusts a yellow rose — representing support for the ERA — on the desk of a Prince William colleague, Delegate Jennifer D. Carroll Foy. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

Largest Congressional Black Caucus: The 116th Congress has the largest Congressional Black Caucus yet, after 55 members were ceremonially sworn in on the morning of Jan. 3, ahead of the official U.S. House of Representatives swearing-in ceremony. This is the first time in the caucus’ 48-year history that it has had more than 50 members, according to CBC chair Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif. The caucus includes elected officials from both the House and Senate. (Congressional Black Caucus)

Warming up to winter: Chelsea Garba, 5, gets carried away with a spray can of Goofy String while playing with her dad, Makka Garba, by Fountain Lake in Byrd Park last Saturday, when the day was sunny and temperatures hovered near 60 degrees. What a change this weekend will bring, when high temperatures will be in the 30s, with snow forecast for Sunday. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

City Council elects new leaders: Richmond City Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District, makes a point Monday after being elected president of Richmond’s governing body. Previously vice president, Dr. Newbille swapped positions with Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, 3rd District, who had been president. He nominated Dr. Newbille and then was elected vice president. Both were elected on 8-0 votes; Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, was absent due to illness. The council also named staff member Meghan K. Brown as interim chief of staff. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Winter sky in East End (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

New apartments are taking shape on the hilltop in Fulton in the city’s East End. This photo offers a view of the $40 million development on the former Fulton Elementary School property that, until recently, had been used for artists’ studios. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

A worker paints windows last Saturday on the former Fulton Elementary School property that is being renovated into 33 apartments in the city’s East End. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

A worker puts siding on the new Artisan Hill apartment building that will have 204 units and underground parking last Saturday. Location: 1000 Carlisle St. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)