Virginia Tech

Virginia is preparing for House races focused on data centers, investigating a local dengue virus case in Northern Virginia, and addressing opposition to data centers in the Petersburg area. Governor Spanberger has opened applications for a new corrections advisory council, and Virginia Tech experts are providing insights on autonomous warfare in water.

A freight train derailment in Richmond in July 2026 raised questions about extreme heat's role. Virginia Tech expert Mehdi Ahmadian explained that extreme weather, including heat and cold, can cause rail tracks to expand or contract, potentially leading to derailments, but emphasized railroads maintain track conditions effectively.

Virginia is exploring the implementation of 3-year bachelor’s degrees. Other notable news includes a political figure shifting to universities in North Carolina and Virginia Tech after severing ties with Ivy League institutions, Virginia honoring a Richmond soldier who died saving a fellow soldier, monitoring cyclosporiasis cases, and an Amazon reseller opening in Henrico.

The Defense Department has selected the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech to host a revamped Senior Service College Fellowship for senior military officers. This marks the first universities approved after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended prior partnerships with top universities.

A Montgomery County court will determine if Governor Abigail Spanberger's removal of John Rocovich from the Virginia Tech board was lawful. Rocovich filed a lawsuit challenging the removal, which Spanberger attributed to 'misconduct' without specifying details, while legal experts suggest the lawsuit may not succeed under state law allowing removal for misconduct.

Virginia Tech hired James Franklin as their new football coach to elevate athletics after years of decline. The school has invested $229 million over four years, received a $75 million gift, and created Hokie Ventures to boost revenue. The move follows the firing of previous coaches like Brent Pry and aims to compete in the ACC.

Experts suggest the likelihood of brownouts in the D.C. region due to extreme heat and data center demand is low, citing energy-saving programs by utility companies. Record peak electricity loads were observed during recent heatwaves, but no weather-related brownouts have occurred. Programs allow utilities to adjust customer power usage during peak times to prevent outages.

A study found that weightlifting is more effective than running for controlling blood sugar. Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute conducted the study, which compared the two exercises' impacts on blood sugar levels.

A judge ruled that Virginia gun law injunctions apply statewide. Other headlines include investigations into three inmate deaths in three days, Virginia Tech addressing expected graduate student enrollment declines, and discussions about solar energy's capacity to power Virginia's data center industry.

Rocovich has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Spanberger following his removal as Virginia Tech rector. Additional headlines include efforts to slow measles spread, a policy limiting Chromebook use for younger students in Virginia Beach, and the Virginia DMV celebrating its Mobile ID app's 250,000 downloads.

A Virginia Tech Rector is suing over their removal. The article does not provide additional details about the circumstances of the removal or the rector's identity.

Governor Abigail Spanberger appointed 32 new members to governing boards at Virginia’s colleges and universities, including 20 reappointments, as part of efforts to reshape higher education leadership. Notable appointees include James Dyke, Cristin Grigos, and Ann Cherry, while John Rocovich was removed from Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors for misconduct. The General Assembly must confirm the appointments.

Virginia Tech receives a $75 million donation. Other headlines include a judge halting background checks for private firearm sales in Lynchburg, a report on Virginia's film incentives, a marriage equality amendment on November ballots, and a Virginia Beach tech startup's failure.

The University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech have received historic gifts. The donations are described as significant but no further details are provided in the article.

Virginia Tech rector John Rocovich refuses to resign after Gov. Abigail Spanberger removed him from his position, citing 'misconduct' without specifying details. Spanberger appointed Dominion Energy executive Edward Baine as his replacement, sparking criticism from board members and lawmakers who question the transparency of the decision.

Governor Abigail Spanberger has removed John Rocovich from Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors, citing unspecified misconduct. Rocovich was replaced by Edward Baine, and the decision follows prior board changes and federal investigations into diversity issues at state universities. Rocovich was a donor to Winsome Earle-Sears' gubernatorial campaign.

Governor Abigail Spanberger removed Virginia Tech Rector John Rocovich from the Board of Visitors due to misconduct and appointed Edward Baine of Dominion Energy as his replacement. The change follows recent board shakeups, federal investigations into diversity and discrimination at state universities, and concerns about politicization of public university governance.

A racist remark about Jeffries sparked Democratic anger in Virginia. Additional headlines include efforts to pass a collective bargaining bill, a timeline for hiring Virginia Tech's new president, hantavirus monitoring in Maryland and Virginia, and Virginia State Police receiving a 9/11 steel artifact.

The NYPD is hunting for four suspects following an antisemitic graffiti spree in Queens, and German officials warn of a spike in antisemitism driven by Islamist and far-left extremists. The incidents include vandalism and verbal abuse, leaving Jewish communities feeling isolated. Radical professor Mohamed Abdou called for 'Death to America' at Virginia Tech.

Mohamed Abdou, a former Columbia University professor barred for supporting terror groups, delivered a speech at Virginia Tech calling for the 'destruction' of the U.S. and praising the Oct. 7 attacks as a 'blessed day.' He urged students to disrupt the defense industry and compared Zionism to a 'Hitlerite mentality,' despite Virginia Tech denying the event was university-sponsored.

Anti-Israel protesters in New York City marched from Columbia University to City College of New York, marking the second anniversary of the Gaza Solidarity Encampments. Demonstrators chanted support for Hamas, demanded Mayor Zohran Mamdani implement policy changes, and criticized NYPD during the event. Protesters called for divestment from Israel and the Department of Homeland Security, while referencing the death of 6-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza.

A former Columbia University professor, Mohamed Abdou, who was fired for publicly supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad, is scheduled to speak at Virginia Tech's 'Death to the Akademy' event. The event, titled 'Islam & Revolution,' will be hosted by student organizers and features promotional imagery linked to jihadist groups, sparking concerns about its messaging.

A veteran skydiver, Pasha Palanker, crashed into Virginia Tech's scoreboard during a football game due to unexpected wind gusts. He credited the jumbotron with saving his life and that of fans by preventing the 1,100-square-foot American flag and its 26-pound anchor from hitting the stands. Palanker, a Purple Heart recipient, sustained shoulder injuries but plans to return to skydiving after recovery.

A crushed dinosaur skull, forgotten in a drawer, was reconstructed by a Virginia Tech student to reveal a new species of early carnivorous dinosaur with unique features. The fossil suggests some dinosaur groups were wiped out during the end-Triassic extinction, potentially representing one of the last survivors of an ancient lineage.