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1+ hour, 4+ min ago (426+ words) SANDSTON, Va. " The U.S. Postal Service's first holiday shipping deadline is fast approaching, and officials at the Central Virginia processing facility in Sandston are highlighting recent upgrades they say have dramatically improved mail service performance. The Sandston facility, which processes all outgoing mail for Central Virginia, can handle up to 500,000 packages per day according to USPS spokesperson Philip Bogenberger. During a recent media tour, officials showcased technological improvements including artificial intelligence systems and two new high-speed sorting machines. "The average customer is receiving their mail in three days or less, and that is incredible," Bogenberger said. The facility has been operating at peak holiday capacity, processing over 487,000 packages in a single day last week. Nationally, USPS has handled more than 5.2 billion packages since November 24. Mail delivery in parts of Virginia is getting better, but still not great. How is it where…...

2+ hour, 48+ min ago (324+ words) The Virginia high school football playoffs head into the VHSL state championships this week between James Madison University's Bridgeforth Stadium, Liberty University's Williams Stadium and Salem City Stadium for classes 6 through 1. With plenty of storylines galore throughout the week, we are now going around the country for state championship matchups, game times and predictions as the high school football season winds down in its final weeks. Who will comes away with the win in this week's Virginia High School League (VHSL) state championship games? The VHSL released all of the Virginia high school football state championship matchups and we go class-by-class on who's playing who this upcoming week for a chance to win a state championship. We also give you our game-by-game predictions and those according to the Massey Ratings. Here are the Virginia high school football'state championship games for…...

12+ hour, 5+ min ago (350+ words) James Franklin's arrival as head coach of the Virginia Tech Hookies marks the beginning of a new era for the football program. The 53-year-old coach signed a multi-year deal worth up to $41.75 million on Nov. 17, following his mid-season dismissal from the Penn State Nittany Lions. Franklin spent 12 seasons with the Nittany Lions, compiling a 104-45 overall record, which included a Big Ten championship, a Fiesta Bowl victory, and six seasons with double-digit wins. However, persistent struggles against elite competition, including a 4-21 record versus AP top10 teams, and a disappointing 3-3 start to 2025 contributed to his firing. He now takes over a Virginia Tech program that finished 3-7 (2-4 ACC) under interim head coach Brent Pry, who was dismissed midseason. Franklin faces high expectations to stabilize the program and revamp recruiting, particularly in the talent-rich I95 corridor. He will now be tasked with returning the Hokies, who…...

17+ hour, 19+ min ago (432+ words) ROANOKE, Va. " The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and State Police are urging residents to stay off roads as snowfall continues across southwest Virginia, with conditions expected to worsen into the evening hours. "We really advise people to stay home tonight," says VDOT spokesperson Jenna Zibton, noting that the combination of dropping temperatures, reduced visibility, and increased afternoon commute traffic creates particularly hazardous conditions. "Our primary focus is interstates and primary roads until the snow stops," Zibton explains. Crews are actively plowing areas with two or more inches of accumulation while treating other sections with abrasives and salt. Even after roads are plowed, drivers should remain cautious as surfaces may not be completely clear of snow and ice. State Police report crash numbers have already exceeded Friday's total of 58 incidents. "This isn't a time to be out driving around looking…...

20+ hour, 25+ min ago (221+ words) CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. " A Virginia state trooper helped rescue a Maryland man from a burning car with the help of good Samaritans after a crash along Interstate 95 in Caroline County on Friday, the Virginia State Police said. According to a news release from state police, the crash happened at 7 a.m. near the 111 mile marker when a 2024 Tesla Model Y went off the left side of the road and hit a tree. Sgt. S. Page was heading north at the time and stopped to check on the driver just as the Tesla caught on fire. The Tesla's doors were locked and would not open and Sgt. Page broke the window of the vehicle, cut the airbag and pulled the driver to safety with the help of others. "I ran up to the car, saw that the doors were still locked and couldn't get…...

21+ hour, 25+ min ago (279+ words) CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WVVA) - A Virginia State Trooper and several good samaritans rescued a Maryland man from a burning Tesla after a crash on Interstate 95 northbound early Friday, December 5th, Virginia State Police said. At about 7am, a 2024 Tesla Model Y went off the left side of I-95 and struck a tree near the 111-mile marker, authorities said. Sgt. S. Page was driving northbound and stopped to check on the driver just as the vehicle caught fire. The car's doors were locked and would not open. How the rescue unfolded Sgt. Page broke a window, cut the airbag and with the help of multiple Good Samaritans pulled the sole occupant from the burning vehicle to safety. After removing the driver, Sgt. Page checked the car for additional occupants and confirmed no one else was inside. The driver has been identified as 34-year-old Foday Kanu…...

1+ day, 24+ min ago (265+ words) DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. " Farmers in Dinwiddie County worked through snowy conditions Monday morning to ensure their livestock remained safe and healthy as winter weather moved through the area. What began as rain early in the morning transformed into snow by 8:30 a.m. in parts of Dinwiddie County. The fluffy snow fell heavily, blanketing fields where cattle were grazing. For cattle farmer Jamie Van Cleef, checking on livestock during inclement weather is simply part of the job. The snowfall meant spending additional time in the fields, monitoring his animals to ensure they were eating properly and remained in good health. Van Cleef pays particular attention to his pregnant cows during weather events, watching for any potential complications. He currently has several cows expected to give birth at any time. "We have several out here, due to calf any day now and when Mother…...

1+ day, 1+ hour ago (148+ words) Virginia is coming off a tough loss in the ACC championship in a stunning 27-20 defeat against Duke. The Hoos struggled with two turnovers and only averaged 4.4 yards per carry against the Blue Devils, which is uncharacteristic. Despite their playoff hopes being extinguished, Virginia has its eyes set on its 11th game." The opening odds for the matchup against Missouri have come out. Virginia is a 7.5 underdog heading into the matchup against the Tigers, per FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under number is set at 48.5. DraftKings odds see it slightly differently in terms of the spread, with Missouri at -7. The over/under number is set at 50.5." "PFF Grades and Snap Counts From Virginia's 27-20 Loss To Duke In The ACC Championship "Final Bowl Projections For Virginia Heading Into Selection Sunday "Biggest Takeaways From Virginia's Heartbreaking ACC Championship Loss to Duke...

1+ day, 2+ hour ago (108+ words) ASHLAND, Va. " "Saturday Night Live" took notice of the now-viral raccoon who went into the ABC Store in Ashland on Black Friday, broke bottles of alcohol and drank their contents before passing out in the bathroom. Saturday's episode featured the critter during the "Weekend Update" segment with Colin Jost and Michael Che. The raccoon was portrayed by Sarah Sherman, who slid onto the camera to "explain their actions" in a similar pose to the way the raccoon was discovered in the bathroom. Sherman's costume included a bottle of the raccoon's "precious alcohol." See the full skit below, which has been viewed nearly one million times on YouTube....

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (385+ words) State Del. Sam Rasoul, who has been criticized by other Virginia Democrats for his social media posts, is looking to run in a new district if Virginia redraws its congressional maps Sam Rasoul of the Virginia House of Delegates speaks during a rally on the National Mall on May 31, 2021 in Washington, DC. Sam Rasoul, a Palestinian-American Virginia state delegate with a history of inflammatory anti-Israel rhetoric, announced on Monday that he is considering running for Congress in 2026, pending the outcome of a likely redistricting effort in the state." The new maps are already putting several pro-Israel incumbents at risk in states like Ohio and Florida." Rasoul, a Roanoke Democrat who chairs the Education Committee in the House of Delegates, came under fire from prominent Jewish Democrats in the state earlier this year after posting a series of posts on social media…...