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Article Icon 1 Three State Universities in Top 100 

A trio of Virginia schools ranked among the U.S. News and World Report Top 100 universities nationwide. The University of Virginia led the way, tied for number 24. Virginia Tech was tied for number 51, while William & Mary tied for number 54.

Among state-sponsored schools, UVa was tapped as the number 4 public school in the nation, and the number 3 best value. The Hoos also boast the top six-year graduation rate among public universities.

In addition to its overall ranking, Virginia Tech was also among the top-25 public schools. It earned particular recognition for its various engineering programs.

The U.S. News ranking includes more than 1,400 schools nationwide.

Article Icon 1Statewide Races for 2025 

Virginia’s gubernatorial race isn’t until 2025, but candidates are already lining up to replace Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

On the Democratic side, Rep. Abigail Spanberger is giving up her seat in congress to seek the governor’s mansion. Unless other candidates declare and force a primary, she will face Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears next November.

The race for lieutenant governor is drawing a larger field. So far, four Democrats, including two state senators and two local elected officials, have entered the race. One Republican has also expressed interest but hasn’t launched a formal bid.

The commonwealth’s governor can’t serve consecutive terms.

Article Icon 1Where to See Leaves Turn this Fall

The hot and dry summer in Virginia means leaves are changing earlier than usual across the commonwealth this year. Some trees, including tulip-poplar, sycamore, and black walnut, are already dropping leaves.

To get a sense of the state’s variety, try the Blue Ridge Parkway. It descends from some 6,000 feet of elevation at the North Carolina border to roughly 650 feet at the James River in Virginia, so drivers can see many types of trees in one trip.

There are plenty of other places to see nature’s show. Virginia features state and national parks, including Shenandoah National Park and York River State Park, along with the famed Blue Ridge Mountains.

The display of fall colors is expected to peak next month.

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Around Texas

➤ Richmond: The Virginia Public Access Project reported that early voting increased 38% this year over the same time frame in 2020. (More)

➤ Danville: The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District warned residents to protect their pets after it identified rabies in a dead raccoon. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: Authorities have recovered two bodies, one of which has been identified as a swimmer who’s been missing since Saturday. (More)

➤ Front Royal: Hot weather and low water levels in the Shenandoah River drove the tourist business down by 30% in August. (Details)

➤ Chesapeake Bay: The Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association is calling on the state legislature to restrict “industrial-scale fishing” for menhaden in the commonwealth. (Details)

➤ Statewide: A report found that Virginia’s suicide hotline responded to more than 90% of calls for help over a two-month period this spring, one of only 14 states to answer at that high of a rate. (More)

Texas Sports

➤ Virginian Tara Dower, a 31-year-old ultrarunner and long-distance hiker, has set a new Appalachian Trail speed record. She hiked 2,197 miles from Maine to Georgia in 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes. (Details)

➤ James Madison will put its undefeated record on the line when it hosts Ball State on Saturday. (More)

➤ Virginia Commonwealth University may start paying its athletes, which AD Ed McLaughlin says could cost as much as $5 million a year. (Details)

Virginia Business

➤ A survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond finds that “financial executives expect to see growth in their employment and revenues” next year. (Read the report)

➤ Federal agents and state police reportedly conducted a joint raid at the Reston office of federal government contractor Carahsoft. (Details)

➤ Dulles Town Center mall reportedly plans to open a trampoline park to fill a vacant department store. (Details)

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Et Cetera

➤ The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has many activities planned at state parks to mark National Public Lands Day on Saturday. (More)

➤ Occoquan will host its annual Fall Arts and Crafts Show with some 300 vendors on hand this weekend. (Details)

➤ A study from the Smith Mountain Lake Association showed that nutrient runoff may have caused harmful algal blooms in the lake near Moneta. (More)

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