Good morning, Blacksburg.

Gas prices in Virginia are rising as the regular gallon cost reaches $3.90 today (up nearly 13 cents from last week).

Premium gas averages $4.80 and diesel costs $5.68, with areas like Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford following statewide trends.

Virginia Tech will test its VT Alerts emergency notification system on Sept.

3 at all its facilities, including the Blacksburg campus. Community members should log in to update their contact details before the test begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors is discussing a $15 million loan to athletics nonprofit Hokie Ventures at its three-day meeting at the Inn at Virginia Tech today— board member Ted Hanson was named as the university’s representative.

The board will vote on a tuition cut and dorm repairs.

Virginia Tech's Department of Biomedical Engineering offers hands-on learning as Morgan Teeters balances a senior design project, neuro-rehab class, Kimberly-Clark internship, and leadership of the Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Society during a busy spring semester; the feature, published Aug. 24, highlights varied opportunities for success.

Virginia Tech students began their fall semester on Monday, Aug.

24 (classes ran on campus in Blacksburg and at Academic Building One in Alexandria). The start marked a significant return to in-person sessions for the term.

On August 25, 2026, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg received $1,000,000 from the National Institute of Standards and Technology under HR 6938 to help improve nuclear reactor testing and safety—a project helped secure by Congressman Morgan Griffith.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting applications for its 2026 Beehive Distribution Program to help locals build new beehives and boost pollinator numbers.

Eligible applicants aged 18+ must apply by Sept. 9.

Montgomery County supervisors are seeking solutions after Norfolk Southern’s trains repeatedly block crossings at Coal Hollow Road (blocked over a dozen times last year) and Cannery Road near Elliston, delaying emergency access and prompting a review of federal funding options.

Riner Fire Department hosted a blood drive last week with local volunteers donating blood as part of a New River Valley Red Cross effort.

More drives are planned at local high schools soon (including Auburn and Blacksburg High in October and Eastern Montgomery in September).

Blacksburg’s Jack Skinner hit a perfect drive at Draper Valley last week while carding a 73 to tie for 5th as the Bruins won with a score of 299 — Blue Demons’ Carter Dudash and Lucas Sawyers shot 77 and 78, and local Gavin Horn scored 78 for his team.

Blacksburg met Glenvar in a benefit game on Friday, Aug.

21. Senior quarterback Sam Szefc threw a touchdown pass to Keefer Caldwell plus Zachary Noakes scored on a short reception, narrowing the gap to three before the team lost 14-17.

Rob Jones + Tracy McCoy + Susan Beato + Shelby Gwinn won last week's Member-Member tournament at Blacksburg Country Club on August 25.

The event highlighted competitive play among club members.