4:50 p.m.

A Republican-controlled Senate panel has defeated several pieces of legislation backed by Democrats promoting gun control.

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee made quick work of a slew of gun-related bills at a hearing Wednesday.

Among the bills that failed was legislation that would require background checks on all gun buyers at gun shows, something that's been a top priority for Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

The panel passed a GOP-backed bill that would allow Virginians to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

Both sides are likely to see little gain on gun issues out of the 2016 legislative session. Republicans control both chambers of the General Assembly while McAuliffe wields a veto pen and has promised to use it on gun-related legislation he opposes.

4:40 p.m.

Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne is chiding Republican lawmakers seeking to prohibit tolling to pay for I-66 expansion project.

Layne told a House panel Wednesday that it was "intellectually dishonest" for critics of the tolling plan to say that the I-66 project could feasibly move forward without tolls.

In last year's legislative elections, Republicans attacked Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe's tolling plan, noting that at times of peak congestion a motorist might have to pay as much as $17 each day for a round-trip commute.

Supporters of the plan said the opposition was misleading. They said those who don't want to pay the tolls can take alternate routes, just as they are required to do now when the highway is restricted to carpool use only.