Good morning, Blacksburg.

Duane Rollins, a Virginia Tech alumnus, shifted from studying mechanical engineering to becoming a wealth management advisor and Broadway co-producer after a one-time investment led him into a new field.

He credits his VT experience for shaping his analytical skills and now leads Score 3 Partners—an effort to include first-time investors in Broadway productions.

On Thursday, June 19th will be celebrated as Juneteenth, marking the day Union troops told the slaves in Galveston that they were free in 1865.

Communities in Southwest Virginia will hold events — a time to remember the legacy of freedom and progress.

Courtney Leisner at the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences is researching how pepper plants respond to infection from Xanthomonas and extreme heat as part of a three-year study funded with $2.4 million from several agencies—this project will test plants in Alabama fields and controlled growth chambers in the UK and Germany to help develop crops with better resistance to disease and heat.

Shawn Kurtzman and Megan Zeger from Virginia Tech's Conservation Management Institute are surveying birds at Mountain Lake Biological Station in Pembroke, Va.

The project—contracted through the National Ecological Observatory Network and funded by the National Science Foundation—collects data on high-elevation birds to monitor climate and habitat changes.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Christiansburg Saturday to call for better healthcare and fair treatment for immigrants—part of a national effort to restore democratic rights and challenge authoritarian actions.

Lavender Fest Days

12-6 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — $8.00 entry — Immerse yourself in the sights and scents of lavender while enjoying local vendors, live music, and specialty drinks.

Salsa Under The Stars

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — $12 per person — Dance the night away with a salsa lesson and vibrant music under the stars.