Gov. Bob McDonnell announced this afternoon that Virginia’s DMV customer service centers will be open both Sunday and Labor Day in order to help process the backlog in license applications resulting from last week’s unprecedented computer issues. (more…)

State Health Commissioner Karen Remley announced the completion of new guidance intended to assist hospitals wishing to develop policies and procedures for boarding admitted patients. This new guidance is an important tool that will help hospitals in their ongoing efforts to better manage their boarded patients, which will in turn promote improved patient satisfaction and quality of care. (more…)

William T. Lewis, Sr., director of the Office of Institutional Diversity at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, has been named vice president for the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at Virginia Tech. He will assume his new responsibilities Sept. 7.Lewis succeeds Karen Eley Sanders, who has served as interim vice president since December of 2009. (more…)

Virginians need to prepare now for Hurricane Earl, which is forecast to be a Category 3 or 4 hurricane as it approaches Virginia’s coast later this week.

The forecast path for Earl has changed several times so it is important for Virginians, especially those living in the Hampton Roads region, to pay close attention to the storm. Those in Hampton Roads should review their evacuation and shelter plans. Also, people should make sure they have their emergency supplies ready. (more…)

ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) in partnership with the Virginia Municipal League’s (VML) Go Green Virginia initiative announced this week the selection of four communities to participate in Virginia’s Green Community Challenge. 

The Green Community Challenge is a friendly competition among Virginia communities to develop specific environmental policies and implement practical actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address local sustainability. The Town of Blacksburg, Loudoun County, City of Norfolk, and City of Roanoke will participate. (more…)

John A. Carey, award winning writer and editor, with three decades of experience covering science, medicine, the environment, and other areas for magazines including Business Week, The Scientist, and Newsweek, will be Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering Visiting Scholar on Sept. 21 and 22.He will give a talk, “Why Scientists Should Help Stop the Decline in Journalism,” on Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. in the on-campus Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science Building on Stanger Street in Room 310. It is free and open to Virginia Tech faculty, staff, students, and to the general public. (more…)