BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Dec. 2 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: Lavinia Uscatescu and Hunter Tufarelli joined Virginia Tech's "Curious Conversations" to talk about the importance of understanding and accommodating neurodivergent individuals in various environments, particularly social gatherings during the holiday season. The pair shared the impact environmental factors can have on neurodivergent individuals as well as the significance of predictability and communication in social sett  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 2 [Category: National Defense] -- The Air and Space Forces Association issued the following news release: Using a grant from AFA's United Forces & Families (F2) program, AFA's Mile High Chapter 127 in Colorado partnered with the Benefiting Families Foundation (BFF) to support 75 families at Buckley Space Force Base during the 2024 Anderson Farms Fall Festival held on October 26, in Erie, Colo. The F2 grant, along with a matching contribution from the Mile High Chapte  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 2 [Category: National Defense] -- The Air and Space Forces Association issued the following news release: AFA's D.W. Steele Sr. Chapter and the 317th Recruiting Squadron celebrated a major milestone in their collaboration with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the squadron's new office in Alexandria, Va., on November 14. The event, held in partnership with the Mount Vernon-Springfield Chamber of Commerce, highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen Air Force recruiting initia  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 2 [Category: National Defense] -- The Air and Space Forces Association issued the following news release: The Dayton Business Journal (DBJ) formally recognized the Air & Space Forces Association's Wright Memorial Chapter (AFA WMC) as a "Business of the Year" honoree in the nonprofit category on November 7, 2024. AFA WMC is comprised of an all-volunteer staff that donates thousands of hours of support to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, its workforce and families, and  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 2 [Category: National Defense] -- The Air and Space Forces Association issued the following news release: Chief Master Sgt. Stan Franklin of the Air Force Recruiting Service (AFRS) was coined and honored by AFA's Northeast Texas Chapter 416 for his outstanding contributions in 2024 to the growth of AFA AIMS, AFA's new recruiting initiative. The recognition took place during a presentation by former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass to the 344th Recruit  more

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Dec. 3 -- The American Society of Travel Advisors issued the following news release: The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) represents the interests of a diverse group of travel agencies, many of whom are strongly committed to promoting Disney's exceptional products and experiences to their clients. Savvy individuals and families rely on travel advisors to make their Disney memories magical. In that spirit, ASTA is compelled to express concern over certain contract  more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Dec. 2 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: While many fans were thinking of what to bring to a tailgate or if they should wear maroon or orange, the departments within the Public Safety Division at Virginia Tech Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, the Virginia Tech Police Department, and the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad were behind the scenes tackling safety concerns that could arise. "I am continually amazed and grateful for the effort, dedicati  more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Dec. 2 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: First-year Cadets Vince Manzo, Nolan Russell, and Daniel Chua received the flags at Saturday's football game against Virginia. The passing of the flags during the pre-game ceremonies was a continuation of the proud partnership between the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and Virginia Tech football to highlight the colors at every football game. Three football players, chosen because of their performance in the last game o  more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Dec. 2 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: Duke has the Cameron Crazies. The Green Bay Packers feature the Cheeseheads. The Cleveland Browns have the Dawg Pound. Arnold Palmer marched with his own "Army." Michigan State is home of the Izzone. These are just a few of the famous names and homes of the most rabid fan bases in all of sports, and if a bunch of smart, savvy Virginia Tech students get their way, Cassell Guard will start being mentioned among that group.   more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 2 [Category: National Defense] -- The Air and Space Forces Association issued the following news release: A highlight of the annual Air, Space & Cyber Conference in September is the formal ceremony and reception recognizing the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (OAY), celebrating the Air Force's finest enlisted men and women. Following the 2024 ceremony on September 16, AFA's D.W. Steele Sr. Chapter hosted a special "Salute to Service" reception at the Gaylord Nation  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 2 [Category: Construction] -- Associated General Contractors of America issued the following news release: Construction Spending Climbs to $2.174 Trillion Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate as Federal Projects Get Mired in Red Tape and Private Sector Demand for Certain Types of Projects Slows or Shrinks Construction spending increased 0.4 percent from September to October as a pickup in single and multifamily residential building outweighed declines in public outlays and  more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Dec. 2 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: The Virginia Tech media relations office has the following experts available for interviews this week surrounding issues in the news. To schedule an interview, please contact mediarelations@vt.edu. Virginia Tech experts available to discuss headlines in the news The economics of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other holiday shopping days Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday. Super Saturday  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 2 [Category: National Defense] -- The Association of the U.S. Army issued the following news: Assessment and selection for special operations soldiers has lagged the past two years as the Army struggled to meet its recruiting numbers, said Gen. Bryan Fenton, commanding general of U.S. Special Operations Command. Still, he expressed optimism that the Army's effort to overcome the national military recruiting challenge bodes well for special operations. "We might have   more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 2 [Category: National Defense] -- The Air and Space Forces Association issued the following news release: Retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force #19 JoAnne Bass recently participated in a series of impactful events in North Texas as part of AFA's recruiting initiative, Advocates to Inspire Military Service (AIMS). Over the course of two days, Bass visited the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), the 344th Recruiting Squadron (RS) in Arlington, and Texas Chri  more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Dec. 2 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: Just how far can grains of pollen travel and how much unintended damage can these miniscule particles inflict? For growers in the hemp industry, this has become a million-dollar question. Hemp crops stem from the same plant species and are grown for a range of uses including fiber, seeds, or flowers rich in cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD). But for farmers producing plants for hemp fiber and those cultivating flowe  more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Dec. 2 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: When wastewater is processed at treatment plants, most contaminants are removed before the water is released back into the environment. However, some dangerous elements can slip through, particularly antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the genes that grant them their resistance. Once released into rivers, lakes, and soil, these bacteria can become a public health hazard, potentially making it more difficult to treat infecti  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 2 [Category: National Defense] -- The Air and Space Forces Association issued the following news release: AFA's D.W. Steele Sr. Chapter conjured up some Halloween magic in October by partnering with the 11th Civil Engineer Squadron and AFA's United Forces & Families (F2) to bring Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, its first-ever on-base haunted house. Under the leadership of Steele Chapter President Lloyd Swede, AFA volunteers welcomed hundreds of little ghosts, goblins,   more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Dec. 1 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: Veterinarians at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Blacksburg see an increase in emergency visits during the holiday season. While you might know about chocolate and poinsettias, there are several lesser-known hazards that can turn festive celebrations into unexpected veterinary visits. "Diet-related problems we see quite often," said Mark D. Freeman, clinical associate professor at the Virginia-Maryland College of Ve  more