With the start of the 2014 tax season approaching on Jan. 31, the Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers to be aware that tax-related scams using the IRS name proliferate during this time of year.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative is accepting applications from area high school and home school students for the 50th annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour, June 15-19, 2014, to see government in action. Applicants must receive electric service from NOVEC.

Barbara Comstock, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates who was a senior aide to Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf, is now a candidate for the Republican nomination for the seat.

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.