Hey hey Blacksburg! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Nrv Aarp/Toc Health Fair and 3 more events.
Today's riddle: Why are elevator jokes so good ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Blacksburg Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Blacksburg Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Blacksburg.
1. $588,671 HHS Grant to Virginia Tech (nrvnews.com) — Virginia Tech in Blacksburg has received a $588,671 federal grant to study the yellow-fever-carrying mosquito Aedes aegypti, potentially strengthening the university's public health research profile. Congressman Morgan Griffith highlighted the project's role in understanding disease risks in the Western Hemisphere. The work will be led by faculty in Tech's Entomology department.
2. Virginia Gas Prices: Cheapest and most expensive places to fill up - Sept. 4, 2026 (wsls.com) — Drivers in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford area are paying about $3.94 for regular gas this Labor Day weekend, slightly above the Virginia average. With diesel near $5.81, New River Valley residents heading out of town may want to compare stations using tools like GasBuddy to shave a bit off their holiday travel costs.
3. Man reported missing from Halifax County (wdbj7.com) — Local authorities are searching for 55-year-old Bryan Kast, who has been missing since early August and is known to have ties to Blacksburg and the New River Valley. He was last seen in Halifax County and may be driving a blue 2012 Nissan Maxima with Virginia plate UBK-4111. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Halifax County Sheriff's Office.
4. 20 iconic dive bars in Virginia that locals love (vadogwood.com) — Blacksburg's own Top of the Stairs earns a spot among Virginia's most beloved dive bars, celebrated as a longtime hangout for Virginia Tech students and alumni. The piece highlights its signature Rail drink, TotSchos, and Tuesday karaoke, alongside other quirky watering holes across the commonwealth that regulars say feel like a second home.
5. 13 Beautiful Cities In Appalachia Where $2,000 A Month Covers Retirement (moneydigest.com) — Blacksburg makes this Appalachian retirement shortlist as a relatively affordable college town where an estimated $1,897 a month can cover basic living costs. Local seniors can trim expenses further with Monday shopping discounts at more than 40 downtown businesses and free rides on Blacksburg Transit, helping fixed incomes stretch without sacrificing access to culture and nature.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
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: Because they work on so many levels ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Blacksburg Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.