Welcome to Wednesday, Jan 9, 2013! Here are some interesting facts about today: 

1. The 2013 Virginia General Assembly convenes today at the Capitol in Richmond. Click here to read more about it!

2. On this day in 1861, Mississippi seceded from the Union.

3. On Jan. 9, 2005, Mahmoud Abbas was elected President of the Palestinian National Authority after the death of Yasser Arafat. 

4. Famous birthdays: American singer Joan Baez is 72; British actress Imelda Staunton is 57; American basketball player Muggsy Bogues is 48 and South African-born American musician Dave Matthews is 46. 

5. The weather today will be mostly sunny with a high temperature near 58 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The evening will be partly cloudy with a low of 35.