Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) selected Virginia Tech’s proposal to spearhead a regional research effort on the safest and most effective ways to incorporate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the existing airspace.

Agriculture specialists at the Philadelphia Seaport made a first in nation pest discovery Dec. 14 when they intercepted Parepitragus pulverulentus Denticeps, a type of beetle, while inspecting a shipment of grapes from Peru.

Taxpayers can get the most out of various tax benefits and get a jump on preparing their 2013 federal income tax returns by consulting a newly revised comprehensive tax guide, the IRS says.

Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) has introduced H.R. 3792 to repeal the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act, H.J.Res. 59, affecting military retirees and has written a letter to House Armed Services Committee Chairman McKeon, asking for his commitment to address this issue before it goes into effect at the end of 2014.

The Internal Revenue Service announced plans Dec. 19 to open the 2014 filing season on Jan. 31 and encouraged taxpayers to use e-file or Free File as the fastest way to receive refunds.

Although the year is almost over, you still have time to take steps that can lower your 2013 taxes.

US Senators from Virginia, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, have introduced legislation they say will repeal and replace the Bipartisan Budget Act provisions that propose to cut military pensions for working-age military retirees by 1 percent beginning in January 2015.

Bilateral trade of all beef and beef products could occur once Brazil and the United States meet the importing country's equivalence and technical requirements for animal health and food safety, the USDA said.