Good morning, Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech is set to hold its Fall Graduation Ceremony on campus soon (details on times and location are expected to be shared later), celebrating graduates and their achievements.

Local nutrition experts offer a guide for healthy holiday foods for groups to help families prepare festive meals.

The guide gives clear recipe ideas and meal planning tips for balanced celebrations.

Travelers planning holiday trips should allow extra time and check route traffic as local reports note 10% higher passenger counts and possible winter weather delays (Google Maps can help plan ahead); early packing is advised to ease the morning rush.

Local pet experts advise cautious planning before adopting a pet as a holiday gift, recommending families consider a pet’s care needs + long-term commitment to ensure a good fit.

Virginia Tech’s Helmet Lab has released its first youth hockey helmet rating system that uses a five-star scale to guide parents in choosing safer equipment in Blacksburg.

The lab tests helmets with a pendulum impact machine at reduced speeds to reflect youth play — a tool for informing design improvements.