Daily
Blacksburg
Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
Good morning, Blacksburg. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 11th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ RCACP announced that Melinda Rector will become the new executive director on March 14, with interim director Mike Warner supporting the transition. The move is expected to strengthen the nonprofit’s lifesaving animal care programs in our community. WSLS 10
- ➤ Food Lion launched its Orange Bag campaign to help local families by donating five meals for each bag sold. Customers can choose to donate cash or oranges+ each purchase supports Feeding Southwest Virginia and will deliver up to 2 million meals as the campaign runs until March 17. WSLS 10
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A new project combining Draper Provisions — a gourmet retailer and kitchen supply store — with a casual restaurant and grab-and-go market is coming near the library on Draper Road. Developers John and Katie Pritchard will open it by the third week in May. News Messenger
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Patchwork 250 is a new initiative from WSLS 10 that shares our region's rich heritage by recounting stories of the Cherokee wars & early settlers. It celebrates 250 years of Virginia history to show how past conflicts shaped local lives. WSLS 10
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Gas prices rose as the national average reached $3.47 and Virginia hit $3.30 on March 9, prompting drivers to explore carpooling and hybrid options if the trend continues. WSLS 10
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership on campus has partnered with Electra-Aero—the maker of a hybrid-electric ultra-short aircraft that takes off and lands within 150 feet—to enhance the Smart Airspace program, which supports advanced air mobility integration into national airspace. The collaboration will bolster research efforts led from Blacksburg. Cardinal News
- ➤ Montgomery County school board is considering starting middle school earlier to add up to 69 hours of instruction yearly (offers options with starts at 7:42 or 7:49 a.m. and bus pickups between 6:20 and 6:45 a.m.) while board members expressed concerns about early pickup times. News Messenger
- ➤ Virginia Tech seniors who meet GPA requirements now have a streamlined path to a BSN as Radford University will admit qualifying students this spring. The agreement lets HNFE students fast track their nursing degree in 12 months — making healthcare education more accessible. News Messenger
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Feb. 13, a Virginia House subcommittee voted to remove collective bargaining rights for public higher-ed workers, a move that affects staff at Virginia Tech and UVa. The change may impact local maintenance and dining workers who keep the campuses running. Cardinal News
- ➤ On Tuesday, the House of Delegates approved the Affordable Medicine Act by a vote of 95-4, setting up a board to review drug costs & potentially lower expenses for patients. The bill will pass the Senate later this week before it goes to Gov. Spanberger. WDBJ7
- ➤ Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport has reopened its Care Cupboard to offer TSA employees non-perishable food, toiletries, and household essentials during the partial government shutdown. TSA staff can access the cupboard on the first floor near Door 4 at the terminal + the airport welcomes donations. WDBJ7
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Christiansburg’s state champion Jake Robie has committed to join Virginia Tech’s wrestling team in Blacksburg after winning his second Class 3 state title; he will join his father (the team’s head coach) and brother for the upcoming season. News Messenger
- ➤ Radford's Cole Martin and Christiansburg's Brady Hand shared the all-county and all-city wrestler of the year honors after winning state titles; Martin pinned his opponent in 16 seconds at 190 pounds while Hand claimed the Class 3 title at 150 pounds and will be honored in April (at the 3A/4A ceremony). News Messenger
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Market Jam at the Museum
10 AM – 12 PM — Alexander Black House & Cultural Center — Free entry — Enjoy live music by local talents Chris Via and Bill Blevins at this community event.
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Metaphysics in the Blue Ridge Conference 2026
May 29th-31st — Virginia Tech Department of Philosophy, War Memorial Hall — Cost details to be announced — Engage with leading scholars in metaphysics during a collaborative workshop and enjoy a social hiking day.
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Stanford Cardinal at Virginia Tech Hokies Baseball
7 p.m. — English Field — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting baseball showdown as the Hokies take on the Cardinal in a thrilling matchup.
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