Good morning, Blacksburg.

10 News anchor John Carlin celebrated his work anniversary today at WSLS, marking decades of trusted reporting in central and southwest Virginia (a milestone appreciated by the community).

Belle Hampton Legacy Center invites legacy business nominations from multi-generation family-run enterprises across Southwestern Virginia — selected stories will be featured in exhibits and digital storytelling at the upcoming Red, White and You event.

Virginia gas prices rose eight cents on Wednesday as AAA reported regular gas at $3.74, premium at $4.64, and diesel at $4.84 as of Thursday, July 9 for drivers in Blacksburg + Christiansburg + Radford.

Virginia Tech reported a drop in graduate enrollment as new visa rules + rising artificial intelligence shift career demands, though overall enrollment remains strong.

University leaders say the trend reflects challenges facing graduate programs nationwide.

Nearly 500 first responders attended the nine-day Virginia First Responders Symposium at the Virginia Tech Inn and Skelton Conference Center in Blacksburg, where they received specialized training on EMS, technical rescue and first responder skills to meet rising emergency call demands.

Local residents and environmental experts have raised concerns over the dark color of the James and Jackson Rivers, and officials are testing water samples in the area to understand the source.

Further tests will be conducted soon.

On July 9, 2026, HHS awarded Virginia Tech three research grants totaling $652,113, with $385,103 for biomedical research, $169,983 for alcohol research, and $97,027 for animal model work.

Congressman Morgan Griffith praised the grants for supporting the university's scientific efforts in Blacksburg.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $432,132 grant to the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine campus in Blacksburg on July 9 to support research into medicines that ease neuroinflammation (Congressman Morgan Griffith said the funding will help develop new treatments).

Local health officials launched a blood donation campaign (Stars, Stripes and Saving Lives) on Thursday, Jul.

9 to encourage residents to donate blood and help increase supplies. The campaign will offer donation sites throughout the community in the coming weeks.

Muck Around & Find Stout Tour

Aug 8-9 — The Milk Parlor — Cost info not provided — Enjoy an eclectic mix of folk-rock with Irish and Gypsy influences from The Muckers.