Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What will Virginia Tech do with a new $1 million nuclear grant?
Make time for Sinkland Farms 4th Annual Wine Festival — Sinkland Farms Rustic Chic Weddings, Events & Farm Festivals on the Blacksburg…
Hi Blacksburg! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What will Virginia Tech do with a new $1 million nuclear grant?
- Ready to taste the world without leaving Blacksburg?
- Why Virginia Tech's international Ph.D. numbers are dropping so sharply
Also on today's calendar: Blues, Brews & BBQ.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Blacksburg. 
- Thursday: Humid; heavy p.m. t-storms, with a high of 82 and low of 62 degrees.
- Friday: Humid with a stray t-storm, temps: high: 81, low: 62.
- Saturday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 80 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Griffith Celebrates $1,000,000 for Virginia Tech Nuclear Energy Project (pcpatriot.com) — Virginia Tech in Blacksburg is receiving $1 million in federal funding to enhance nuclear reactor testing and safety using modern technologies. Congressman Morgan Griffith highlights the project as part of Southwest Virginia's energy future, positioning the university and town at the center of advancing nuclear energy research and innovation. 
2. Global Flavors, Local Connection celebration planned at YMCA (radfordnewsjournal.com) — Blacksburg residents are invited to a Global Flavors, Local Connection celebration at the YMCA at Virginia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, featuring international food, music, and dance. Local restaurants, the Itraab Music Ensemble, and Blacksburg Contra Dance will highlight global and Appalachian traditions, with proceeds supporting YMCA community programs across the New River Valley.
3. Virginia Tech sees sharp decline in international doctoral students (wvtf.org) — Virginia Tech leaders meeting in Blacksburg are warning of a steep projected drop in international and overall Ph.D. enrollment, even as the university launches a new Defense Department partnership and lowers in-state medical school tuition. The Board of Visitors also reviewed the ongoing presidential search, which includes upcoming candidate interviews and continued outreach to the campus community for feedback.
4. P.E.O. Blacksburg chapter supports 10 women with scholarships (montcova.com) — A Blacksburg-based P.E.O. chapter has backed ten women with scholarships and loans, including a recent Blacksburg High School graduate heading to UVA and several Virginia Tech students. The awards support studies ranging from counseling and nursing to aerospace engineering and neuroscience, highlighting local women pursuing ambitious academic and career goals.
5. Blacksburg man sentenced over four years for possessing child pornography (wfxrtv.com) — A Blacksburg resident has been sentenced to just over four years in federal prison after investigators found tens of thousands of illegal images and videos involving minors on his devices. Federal prosecutors say the case, which began with downloads flagged in 2021 and 2022, underscores ongoing efforts by the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office to pursue child exploitation crimes in the Western District of Virginia.
📸 Around Blacksburg
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Blacksburg
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Sinkland Farms 4th Annual Wine Festival — Sinkland Farms Rustic Chic Weddings, Events & Farm Festivals →
Sinkland Farms, 3060 Riner Rd, Christiansburg
10:00 am
Saturday September 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Blues, Brews & BBQ →
St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall, 203 Gilbert St, Blacksburg
12:00 pm - Sinkland Farms 35th Annual Pumpkin Festival →
Sinkland Farms, 3060 Riner Rd, Christiansburg
4:00 pm
Saturday September 19
Friday September 25
📣 Blacksburg Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- MC Speed Networking Social - August 2026
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce 105
4:00 pm - Last Call Before Football at the University Club of Virginia Tech! →
Lane Stadium, 185 Beamer Way, Blacksburg
5:00 pm - Last Call Before Football →
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce University Club of Virginia Tech
5:00 pm - Planning Commission Meeting →
Town of Christiansburg Calendar, Town Hall 100 E. Main St., Christiansburg
7:00 pm - Women of Vision
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce 1540 South Main St, Ste 110, Blacksburg, VA Located at First & Main
9:30 am - MC Business 101 Financial Foundations: Session 2
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce 210 Laurel St Suite B Christiansburg
12:00 pm - Aquatic Advisory Board →
Town of Christiansburg Calendar, Christiansburg Aquatic Center 595 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg
4:30 pm - MC Eggs & Issues: The Future of Business in Montgomery County - September 2026
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Warm Hearth Village 2387 Warm Hearth Dr. Blacksburg, VA 24060
8:00 am - Bikeway Walkway Committee →
Town of Christiansburg Calendar, Town Hall 100 E. Main St., Christiansburg
7:30 am
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
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.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Walgreen Company posted a job opening for Pharmacy Cashier in Blacksburg. Apply here.
- Tenneco, Inc. posted a job opening for Electrician in Blacksburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Blacksburg here.
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 jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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