Good morning, Blacksburg.

This April, StepStone Family & Youth Services will create pinwheel gardens and deliver pinwheel bouquets in local communities to mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The group aims to raise awareness about the need for loving foster families and provide safe homes for children and teens.

CJ Jessie started at Virginia Tech as a film student but soon was drawn to stage lighting when she joined the Moss Arts Center production team as a student employee.

After graduating, she became a senior lighting technician and is now earning her MFA in theatre (with a focus on lighting design) while exploring new creative career paths.

Virginia Tech faculty use multiple teaching strategies to support international students by inviting quieter voices and providing alternative ways to participate in discussions.

The Cranwell International Center will host a Zoom panel on April 17 from 10 to 11 a.m. + offer a new training course to help faculty better support cultural differences in the classroom.

Today marks the final day of Women’s History Month and local Girl Scout Gabriella Brandow of Troop 478 is using nearly 70 hours of research to create posters, a video and school announcements at Christiansburg Middle School and Wasena Elementary to honor unsung women — she plans to earn her Silver Award next year — showing that the celebration is more than learning to sell cookies.

Virginia Tech assistant professor Joseph Vantassel said that burying power lines underground can reduce power outages and lower wildfire risks from severe weather — a method that is expensive, disruptive, and will require lower drilling costs before communities can back the change. This research highlights challenges in protecting infrastructure from nature's forces.

Governor Youngkin vetoed a bipartisan bill that would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board—replacing it with a study sent back to the Legislature.

Local pharmacy representatives and the Local Office on Aging said the move may hurt seniors by keeping drug costs high.

Congress passed a continuing resolution in mid-March to keep the government open through September—but it did not include tens of millions in federal funds for community projects in Southwest and Southside Virginia.

Local leaders say many projects like water, housing, and transportation improvements are now delayed and may be scaled back—plans that will be revisited through new funding applications next year.

Spring Candle Making Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — Ticket required — Craft two personalized soy candles while enjoying wine and treats in a spring-inspired setting.

Virginia Tech vs. Troy Baseball Match

3:30 a.m. — English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park — Tickets available — Watch the Virginia Tech Hokies face off against the Troy Trojans in an exciting baseball matchup.

Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Tech Hokies Baseball

1-5 p.m. — English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park — Tickets required — Come watch the Hokies face off against the Seminoles in an exciting afternoon of college baseball.

The Grass Is Dead: Bluegrass Tribute

8 PM – 12 AM — The Milk Parlor — $ — Experience America's original bluegrass tribute to the music of the Grateful Dead and beyond!

Bonsai Painting Night at Beliveau Farm Winery

6-8 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — Ticket sales end March 21st, 2025 — Unleash your creativity while sipping wine and painting your own bonsai masterpiece.