What's News Today for Friday, December 2, 2016

(Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

ROANOKE (WSLS 10) -  Candidates for Virginia Governor will speak at 7th Annual Virginia Economic Summit in Williamsburg. They will share their economic vision for the Commonwealth. The 2016 "State of the Commonwealth Report" will also be given. Highlights from the report produced by Dr. James Koch, Board of Visitors Professor of Economics and President Emeritus in the Strome College of Business at Old Dominion University include Christian-centered Liberty University has a combined on-campus and online enrollment of more than 100,000 students and has accumulated an endowment of $1.4 billion. The university's long-term aspiration is to be considered in the same breath as Notre Dame is for Roman Catholics and Brigham Young is for Mormons. Northern Virginia now accounts for 37 percent of all employment in Virginia, but about 45 percent of the value of the Commonwealth's economic activity. Up to 70 percent of the world's internet traffic flows through Northern Virginia, but some areas of the Commonwealth still do not enjoy broadband internet connections.

A group of about 50 machining students and faculty from Central Virginia Community College and E.C. Glass High School are in Maryland. There is a student field trip to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to tour the facilities, and participate in a competition for several openings in the NASA Pathways Intern Employment Program. This is the third year for the trip.

Recommended Videos



Twin Creeks Brewing Company celebrates opening the Town of Vinton and Roanoke County's first Craft Brewery... With the official ribbon cutting at 4:30... Followed by an option beer tasting.

Dickens of a Christmas kicks off in downtown Roanoke with the tree lighting at 6:15 p.m.. This free, family-friendly event happens annually in Downtown Roanoke and includes favorites like roasted chestnuts, carriage rides, street performers, and more! WSLS 10 is a proud sponsor of this event.

Santa & Mrs. Claus visit the Lyric in Blacksburg before lighting up the Christmas Tree.There is an Art Walk, Holiday Gift Market and more before the tree lighting on Henderson Lawn at 5:40. WSLS 10's Dawn Jefferies will be there... And we're carry it live tonight.

The 60th Annual Salem Christmas Parade is at 6:30 p.m. Santa will ride on the fire truck at the end of the parade. All parade entries will be judged and prizes will be presented to the entries with the best marching group, the best religious theme, the best old-fashioned Christmas theme and the best children's group.

The Lynchburg Humane Society is ending the year with a last push for adoptions before 2017.  They are hoping to bring Happiness to 600 pets and families this holiday season. The Mega Adoption Event starts today and runs through Sunday. You can see the animals until 10 tonight and enjoy holiday music and Food Trucks. Adoptions are 60-percent off.

As part of "First Friday," the Downtown Branch of the Lynchburg Public Library invites everyone to hear Mayor Joan Foster read How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There will be other activities for kids as well.

Giles County lights the Courthouse Christmas Tree. Head to Pearisburg from 5 to 8 p.m. For Christmas Caroling, a bonfire and Ugly Sweater Contest.

Drive the historic course at VIR by making a donation to the Salvation Army. You can drive the full course in Danville from 8:30 a.m. To 4 p.m. For $25. Donations benefit the Salvation Army's winter and holiday projects.


About the Author:

You can see Jenna weekday mornings at the anchor desk on WSLS 10 Today from 5-7 a.m. She also leads our monthly Solutionaries Series, where we highlight the creative thinkers and doers working to make the world a better place.