🌱 Professor Weighs In On Writer Strike + Blacksburg Top Ranked School

Good morning, neighbors! I'm back with your new copy of the Blacksburg Patch newsletter. Let's get this Wednesday started off right, with a quick dive into the most important things going on these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Breezy with clouds and sun. High: 50 Low: 40.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 62 Low: 39.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Blacksburg today:

1. A Hollywood writers’ strike will begin if an agreement isn’t reached by midnight, potentially shutting down production on most TV shows. Dr. James Ivory, a professor at Virginia Tech’s School of Communication, said the Hollywood writer’s strike could have wider implications than we might think, including the rise of reality TV shows that don’t require writers. Ivory stated that talk show hosts won’t have the people who were writing their comedy bits to deliver them and that shows in development right now may be canceled. The Writers Guild of America is calling for increased compensation and copyright protection considering the expanding interest in artificial intelligence. (WSLS 10)
2. Slacker and statistics gathered from Niche in 2023 placed Blacksburg High School at No. 15 among the best public high schools in Virginia. For its rankings, Niche uses eight weighted factors. Academic performance and grades account for most of the score, but there are other factors as well, such as culture and diversity, health and safety, clubs and activities, resources, and surveys of parents, teachers, and students. Out of thousands of schools, Blacksburg High School stood out for its outstanding academic reputation, track record, and commitment to the success of its young students. (WFXRtv.com)
3. A newly established citizens group called the Council of Citizens for Blacksburg (CCB) is looking for candidates to unseat the town council members who are up for reelection this year and has numerous concerns it wants to bring up with the Blacksburg Town Council. One of the problems, according to the CCB, is the approach the elected body has taken in attempting to limit the "overdevelopment of Blacksburg," which the group feels is straining their resources and services. According to group member Ed Hokanson, "Blacksburg is being overdeveloped in large part to meet the needs of Virginia Tech and their students, which keep on increasing in enrollment." (Roanoke Times)

Today and tomorrow in Blacksburg:

Wednesday, May 3

• Blacksburg Farmers Market At Market Square Park (2:00 PM)
• Eat, Paint, Drink! At Vintage Cellar (5:00 PM)

Thursday, May 4

• Star Wars Day Movie: May The 4th Be With You At Blacksburg Library (4:30 PM)
• School Of Performing Arts: Virginia Tech String Project At Street And Davis Performance Hall, Anne And Ellen Fife Theatre (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Montgomery County Fire-EMS will be recruiting and looking for candidates to fill the following positions: full-time EMS captains (shift supervisors), full-time paramedics, full-time advanced emergency medical technicians, and full-time emergency medical technicians. Jobs will be advertised on the Montgomery County website (www.montva.com/jobs) and on social media. (Montgomery County Fire-EMS Department via Facebook)
• The Montgomery County Animal Care and Adoption Center is hosting its annual kitten shower and supply drive on May 6 from 12–3 p.m. With the center receiving almost 600 kittens a year, it takes a ton of work and supplies to keep all those kittens purring! Join the event to enjoy food, entertainment, and furry faces. (Montgomery County Animal Care and Adoption Center via Facebook)
• On May 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Blacksburg Museum will present a watercolor workshop with Leana of May We Fly on an introduction to the subject of birds. This is a great one for beginners or anyone looking to improve their bird painting skills. You are welcome to bring your own supplies or purchase a supply kit add-on at checkout. For more information or to purchase a ticket, go to blacksburgmuseum.org. (Blacksburg Museum & Cultural Foundation via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you all soon for your next update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.