What's News Today: March 7, 2017

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(WSLS 10) - The 9th annual Governor's Conference on Agricultural Trade continues today. The event brings together producers, exporters, foreign ambassadors and other to discuss challenges and opportunities for global exports. Panel discussions and private meetings about international trade of agricultural products will be held.

The Smith Mountains Lake Republican Women's Club holds a candidate forum today. Republican candidates for Governor are expected to attend. The forum begins at 11 a.m. at Westlake Golf and Country Club.

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New River Community College holds a career day for area high schoolers. Tenth and 11th graders from nine high schools will attend the Career Pathways Consortium where more than 30 local professionals will give presentation about their fields. Fields covered include cyber security, performing arts and social work.

Central Virginia business leaders will get an update on the 2017 General Assembly session today. Several lawmakers will attend a meeting of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance talk about legislation that will impact the business community. It begins at 7:30 a.m. at Liberty University's Hancock Welcome Center.

The winners of the 10th annual Black History Month Art Competition will be announced today. Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea will join leaders from U.S. Cellular and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia to recognize the top artists. The top prize is a $500 gift card.

The Alzheimer Association releases new figures showing just how much American families are spending to care for those with Alzheimer's Disease. The total cost for treatment this year is expected to top a quarter of a billion dollars for the first time ever, coming in at $259 billion, with $826 million coming from Medicaid. More than 15 million people provide care for the estimated 5.5 million people who suffer. The number of deaths attributed to the disease have increased over the last 15 years. The association estimates that 458,000 Virginians suffer from Alzheimer's

Part of Route 629, or Bradshaw Road, will close today and tomorrow. Crews will work to replace a pipe between North Fork Road and New Ridge Road. It is expected to reopen tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Part of Old Forest Road will be down to one lane today between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The lane closure, between Link Road and Linkhorne Drive, is necessary to allow crews to install a fiber optic utility line. The lane closure will happen each day through Friday.

Today is National Pancake Day at IHOP. Today, you will receive a free short stack of pancakes. In return, you are asked to make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network. You can visit participating restaurants today between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Carilion Children's Hospital in Roanoke and Centra Lynchburg General and Virginia Baptist Hospitals are Children's Miracle Network facilities. Nationally, IHOP is hoping to raise $3.5 million.