BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Aug. 11 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: * * * Mining and minerals engineering takes national stage as White House pushes to grow talent pipeline Virginia Tech had a seat at the table as Donald Trump announced a $100 million federal investment aimed at doubling graduates in mining engineering and securing America's critical mineral supply chain. By Melody Warnick In an effort to boost domestic mining of critical minerals and rare earth elements that are ess  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, Aug. 11 -- Virginia Commonwealth University issued the following news: * * * Massey receives $2.7 million National Institutes of Health grant The five-year award will support Massey in its work to develop the next generation of cancer researchers and to help those most at risk for cancer throughout Virginia. By Bill Potter VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center was recently awarded a $2.7 million Worta McCaskill-Stevens K12 grant from the National Institutes of Health.   more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Aug. 11 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: * * * Despite recent rain, drought continues to threaten Virginia's private wells Despite greener lawns and wetter soils, Virginia's groundwater remains well below normal, leaving many private well owners vulnerable as drought conditions persist. By Devon Johnson Many parts of Virginia received much-needed rain after weeks of below-average precipitation, but much of the commonwealth remains inches behind average rain  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, Aug. 11 -- The Virginia Department of Corrections issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026: * * * VADOC Announces Launch of Citizens' Academy Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Director Joseph W. Walters today announced the launch of the agency's first Citizens' Academy, a four week program beginning October 14, 2026. The VADOC Citizens' Academy will offer community members, such as family members of public safety team members, incarcerated individuals,   more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Aug. 11 (TNSjou) -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: * * * Experimental enzyme shows promise against fire blight disease The study marks the first major research milestone in a national effort to develop new tools that help growers combat one of the most damaging diseases of apples and pears. By Marya Barlow An experimental enzyme significantly reduced fire blight in apple orchard field trials, offering growers a promising new way to fight one of the fruit ind  more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Aug. 11 (TNSjou) -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: * * * Rivers are moving sediment in intense bursts, a worrisome new pattern uncovered by AI By Courtney Sakry After a heavy rain, rivers often turn brown with sediment, sand, silt, and soil washed from the landscape that play a vital role in shaping rivers. But after modeling nearly 40 years of sediment movement from 175 rivers across the United States, Admin Husic, associate professor in civil and environm  more