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58+ min ago (426+ words) SANDSTON, Va. " The U.S. Postal Service's first holiday shipping deadline is fast approaching, and officials at the Central Virginia processing facility in Sandston are highlighting recent upgrades they say have dramatically improved mail service performance. The Sandston facility, which processes all outgoing mail for Central Virginia, can handle up to 500,000 packages per day according to USPS spokesperson Philip Bogenberger. During a recent media tour, officials showcased technological improvements including artificial intelligence systems and two new high-speed sorting machines. "The average customer is receiving their mail in three days or less, and that is incredible," Bogenberger said. The facility has been operating at peak holiday capacity, processing over 487,000 packages in a single day last week. Nationally, USPS has handled more than 5.2 billion packages since November 24. Mail delivery in parts of Virginia is getting better, but still not great. How is it where…...

2+ hour, 43+ min ago (324+ words) The Virginia high school football playoffs head into the VHSL state championships this week between James Madison University's Bridgeforth Stadium, Liberty University's Williams Stadium and Salem City Stadium for classes 6 through 1. With plenty of storylines galore throughout the week, we are now going around the country for state championship matchups, game times and predictions as the high school football season winds down in its final weeks. Who will comes away with the win in this week's Virginia High School League (VHSL) state championship games? The VHSL released all of the Virginia high school football state championship matchups and we go class-by-class on who's playing who this upcoming week for a chance to win a state championship. We also give you our game-by-game predictions and those according to the Massey Ratings. Here are the Virginia high school football'state championship games for…...

5+ hour, 48+ min ago (86+ words) CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. " A very special resident of the Metro Richmond Zoo is celebrating a birthday. Poppy, the pygmy hippo who quickly garnered national attention after her birth, turned 1 year old on Tuesday. She was born Dec. 9, 2024, to parents Iris and Corwin. Watch: Pygmy hippo parents welcome baby girl born at Virginia zoo More than 100,000 people from around the world cast a vote to name Poppy in January. The Metro Richmond Zoo is located at 8300 Beaver Bridge Road in'Moseley, Virginia....

8+ hour, 2+ min ago (637+ words) Breezy with some sun. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops walks off the field at half-time of a 2024 game against Georgia. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- When Kentucky football made the decision to part ways with head coach Mark Stoops, it knew the cost would be high. As the third-largest coaching buyout in college football history " $37.7 million " it might even have proved unworkable for the university. But Stoops himself came to an agreement with UK officials that helped secure a deal far less damaging to Kentucky's budget than the original terms of his contract required. Under the deal Stoops signed in 2022, he was owed75% of his remaining salary in a lump sum within 60 daysof termination without cause. At the time of his firing following a season-ending 41-0 loss to Louisville, that meant UK coming up with nearly $38 million in two months, which would be no simple…...

8+ hour, 15+ min ago (185+ words) Eastern Kentucky Colonels (1-7) at Eastern Illinois Panthers (2-6, 0-1 OVC) Charleston, Illinois; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Illinois hosts Eastern Kentucky after Kooper Jacobi scored 20 points in Eastern Illinois' 82-74 loss to the Lindenwood Lions. The Panthers are 2-1 in home games. Eastern Illinois is 0-4 when it wins the turnover battle and averages 12.5 turnovers per game. The Colonels have gone 0-4 away from home. Eastern Kentucky ranks second in the ASUN with 34.5 rebounds per game led by Montavious Myrick averaging 6.2. Eastern Illinois averages 62.1 points per game, 23.0 fewer points than the 85.1 Eastern Kentucky gives up. Eastern Kentucky averages 10.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.7 more made shots on average than the 7.9 per game Eastern Illinois allows. TOP PERFORMERS: Jacobi is scoring 11.1 points per game and averaging 5.6 rebounds for the Panthers. Terry McMorris is averaging 10.6 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 50.8%. Juan Cranford Jr. is shooting 43.2% and averaging…...

8+ hour, 25+ min ago (248+ words) The Kentucky Wildcats return to Rupp Arena tonight as they welcome the North Carolina Central Eagles to Lexington. Game time is set for 7 PM ET on the SEC Network. Looking to get back on track after the beatdown in Nashville on Friday night, the Cats will have to show a lot tonight to even get the BBN somewhat bought back in before Indiana comes to town on Saturday. NC Central comes into tonight ranked No. 350 out of 365 teams according to the KenPom rankings. In short? The Eagles are not even remotely close to the teams Kentucky has struggled with this season. So, what can the Wildcats show tonight to really get the fanbase bought back in? That is a great question, but it likely starts with showing some sort of confidence on the offensive side of the ball. Can they…...

10+ hour, 3+ min ago (40+ words) Richmond's Allianz Amphitheater wrapped its first season with 200,000 fans. Venue leaders share changes and 2026 concert plans. Richmond's Allianz Amphitheater wrapped its first season with 200,000 fans. Venue leaders share changes and 2026 concert plans....

11+ hour, 59+ min ago (350+ words) James Franklin's arrival as head coach of the Virginia Tech Hookies marks the beginning of a new era for the football program. The 53-year-old coach signed a multi-year deal worth up to $41.75 million on Nov. 17, following his mid-season dismissal from the Penn State Nittany Lions. Franklin spent 12 seasons with the Nittany Lions, compiling a 104-45 overall record, which included a Big Ten championship, a Fiesta Bowl victory, and six seasons with double-digit wins. However, persistent struggles against elite competition, including a 4-21 record versus AP top10 teams, and a disappointing 3-3 start to 2025 contributed to his firing. He now takes over a Virginia Tech program that finished 3-7 (2-4 ACC) under interim head coach Brent Pry, who was dismissed midseason. Franklin faces high expectations to stabilize the program and revamp recruiting, particularly in the talent-rich I95 corridor. He will now be tasked with returning the Hokies, who…...

12+ hour, 17+ min ago (144+ words) The Kentucky Lottery says two winning Powerball tickets, totaling $150,000, were sold in the state ahead of the Dec. 8 drawing. According to the lottery, winning tickets were sold in: The ticket sold in Lebanon was a $50,000 winner, while the ticket purchased in Franklin was a $100,000 winner (a Power Play ticket with 2x multiplier). Dec. 8's winning drawing numbers were: 8 " 32 " 52 " 56 " 64 with a Powerball of 23. The winning tickets sold matched all five white balls. The Kentucky Lottery advises all winners to sign the back of their tickets and keep them in a secure location. Winners have 180 days to claim their prizes, and must do so at lottery headquarters at 1011 W. Main St. in Louisville. Wednesday night's Powerball jackpot is currently estimated at $930 million, making it the seventh largest jackpot to date....

13+ hour, 1+ min ago (273+ words) Texas A&M (11-1, 7-1 SEC) is headed to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. Still, head coach Mike Elko is now dealing with the departure of his second-year offensive coordinator, Collin Klein, who is the newest Kansas State head coach but will stay with the Aggies throughout their playoff run. Elko's 2025 coaching staff includes several young and up-and-coming coaches, including tight ends coach Christian Ellsworth, who will reportedly follow Klein to K-State after the season, which isn't surprising given Klein's need to build his staff as quickly as possible. This season, Texas A&M's tight end room has made strides, led by senior Nate Boerkircher and junior Theo Melin "hrstr'm, who have combined for 332 yards and four touchdowns. At the same time, the inline blocking has been impressive throughout the year, helping lead to just 12 sacks…...