Briefs: VCEDA awards grants for entrepreneurial skills training. Virginia Tech one of 15 insitutions to get grant. Construction set on U.S. 460 in Giles County.

Cardinal Staff
Ballad declares staffing emergency due to covid strain; more . . .
From elsewhere: Suetterlein bill on parole board votes passes early test. Martinsville referendum, Patrick hospital study advance. Bristol music festival line-up announced.
Lexington now has highest virus rate in Virginia
Greensville County and Galax are second and third. Covington, Rockbridge have some of state’s lowest rates.
FCC awards grant for telehealth in coalfields; more . . .
Two from Virginia Tech named science fellows. Wytheville Community College announces new scholarship. Two named to parkway foundation posts.
Virginia’s economic growth to slow in 2022, ODU says; more . . .
From elsewhere: Fincastle man charged in connection with January 6. Centra and Ballad hit new records for covid cases. Nottoway ban on solar farms stays.
Emory & Henry to break ground on new housing; more . . .
Briefs: Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association honors founder. Washington and Lee museum exhibit opens Feb. 3.
Mountain Valley Pipeline loses key permit; more . . .
From elsewhere: Southwest covid rate hits another record. Warner tests positive. Charlottesville Republican chair to challenge Good for nomination in 5th.
Roanoke’s Cardwell elected first Black president of Virginia Bar Association; more . . .
Virginia Tech receives $2.8 million grant from Defense Department. Work underway in Wise County to halt erosion from abandoned mine. “Last Best Hope” author to speak at W&L.
Republicans eye using marijuana money for school construction; more . . .
From elsewhere: Lee Enterprises asks investors to help it fight hostile takeover. Jerry Falwell Jr. talks to Vanity Fair about his fall. Omicron may have peaked in New River.
Liberty University launches fast-track nursing program
Program can be completed in less than a year; aimed at college grads and military veterans.