A University of Virginia School of Medicine scientist has, for the first time, identified key immunological changes in people who abruptly develop an allergic reaction to mammalian meat, such as beef.

The upcoming 2019 Virginia Sales Tax Holiday begins on Friday, Aug. 2, at 12:01 a.m. and ends on Sunday, Aug. 4, at 11:59 p.m., according to a news release from Gov. Ralph Northam.

New principals, assistant principals and other staffing appointments have been announced.

Northam established the Executive Leadership Team on School Readiness with an executive order today. The team has 65 days to report back to the governor. The idea is that by 2025 all at-risk three-year-olds and four-year-olds in Virginia will have access to a publicly-subsidized care and education option.

Zoree Jones, a rising senior at Patriot High School, Nokesville, received first place in the nation for public speaking at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Competition.

There will be a lot of new faces in Prince William County Schools administrative positions, according to a recent staffing update.

Prince William County has awarded a $50,000 grant to kick-off a Medical School Feasibility and Planning Study by George Mason University. The Claude Moore Foundation has contributed $200,000 and the university will cover the remaining costs and conduct the study, with preliminary results anticipated in early fall. GMU already has a pre-med program with readily available laboratories and the classroom space needed to meet the goal of accreditation by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in 2021, at the earliest.

Governor Ralph Northam has issued a proclamation declaring the week of May 19–25, 2019 as Virginia Agriculture Week in the Commonwealth.