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Lynchburg says benefit theft fell from nearly $63,000 in August to about $20,000 in October after pilot chip-enabled SNAP cards; the state will finish mailings through December.

Residents should activate new cards before Nov. 9.

Cadence Productions founder Hank Fitzgerald plans to expand staged musical reviews with professional performers in a larger 2027 season, bringing new theatrical experiences to Lynchburg venues.

Liberty University is launching a new GO Trips program that sends students to serve with ministries in Kosovo and New York City to gain hands-on mission experience and deepen their faith.

Virginia will roll out a Department of Social Services waiver beginning Sunday that bars SNAP purchases of sodas, diet/zero-sugar sodas, carbonated energy drinks, and fizzy drinks with five-plus grams of added sugar; the USDA approved the pilot for two years, up to five, and shoppers can still buy those drinks with other payment.

A deer ran into an academic building at Liberty University, crashed near a study table, and then bumped senior Alexis Pape as she rounded a corner; she was uninjured and video of the encounter spread on social media.

The Lynchburg Police Department celebrated Lieutenant Greg Coleman as he wrapped up his last working day Friday and prepared to retire after nearly 30 years with the force, where he served in patrol, the Street Crimes Unit, crisis negotiations (16 years) and youth outreach through Badges for Baseball.

Martinsville Speedway will host NASCAR's Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series this weekend, with Sunday's Cup race starting at 2 p.m.; the track expects about 40,000 fans and says the event drives roughly $170 million in local economic impact.

Delicias reopened Friday in Waterlick Plaza under new owners and added a cafe with a breakfast menu featuring crepes, eggs and Latin coffees.

The restaurant now opens at 6 a.m. daily, stays open until 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays), and is hiring on-site.