Hello again Blacksburg! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Blues, Brews & BBQ and 1 more event.
Today's riddle: What has 2 arms and a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Blacksburg Launches New Branding (nrvnews.com) — Blacksburg officials are rolling out a new town-wide visual brand that will gradually appear on departments, partner organizations, and The Local retail incubator over the coming year. Developed with community input, the branding highlights mountains and outdoors, small-town warmth, college-town energy, and creative spirit, while unifying groups like Downtown Blacksburg Inc. and the Blacksburg Partnership under a shared identity.
2. Protecting the Peanut: Sensors Help Fend Off Fungus (morningagclips.com) — Virginia Tech researchers in Blacksburg are developing low‑cost sensors to detect a devastating peanut fungus days after infection, long before visible symptoms appear. Their work could help Virginia farmers protect yields, reduce labor‑intensive field checks, and eventually use wearable plant sensors for real‑time crop health monitoring across the Tidewater region and beyond.
3. Duke Women Ranked 26th in USTFCCCA Preseason Poll (goduke.com) — Duke's women's cross country team will cap their season with the ACC Championship meet in Blacksburg on October 30, bringing top collegiate runners to town. Local fans can expect a high‑level competition as Duke and other ACC powers test themselves on Virginia Tech's home course.
4. Virginia Tech expert warns water systems are becoming a target for cyberattacks (13newsnow.com) — A Virginia Tech researcher in Blacksburg is warning that aging, under-protected water systems are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks that could affect drinking water quality and other critical services. He urges Virginians to press lawmakers about investing in water infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI, especially as data centers and other high‑demand industries grow across the state.
5. 'Take a risk:' Northern Bedford grad shares journey to becoming featured VT twirler (wjactv.com) — A Northern Bedford graduate has become Virginia Tech's sole featured twirler, now calling Blacksburg home as she performs before thousands on football Saturdays. Her story traces a childhood love of baton twirling, strong support from her mother, and a leap of faith that led her to VT and the big‑game atmosphere she dreamed about.
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Ok Blacksburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A shirt (Thank you Dianna H. for sending it in!)
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