Virginia
Virginia Tech updates undergraduate admissions process
Virginia Tech is updating its undergraduate admissions deadlines and its prospective student review process for the application cycle that opens Aug. 1.
The changes include shifting the university’s early admissions application deadline from Nov. 15 to Nov. 1 and integrating a new approach to evaluating applicant essays that pairs human reviewers with an artificial intelligence (AI)-supported model developed by Virginia Tech researchers. These changes aim to provide applicants with admissions decisions more quickly.
A record 57,622 first-year applications were submitted for fall 2025 admission, 10.2 percent more than the previous year. It was the fifth straight year in which the university has set a new high for the number of first-year applications.
“For the last three years, we have worked closely with Virginia Tech researchers in creating and testing this approach in a careful and responsible way. The success of this research has led to development of this tool that will support our human readers as they review the essay section of the application. These updates allow us to keep pace with the application volume while preserving the academic quality, increasing the fairness and responsiveness of our review process,” said Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management. “Utilizing AI will enable us to review essays more quickly and consistently, which benefits students by allowing our admissions committee to make admissions decisions earlier.”
The new essay review process replaces the previous system, in which each essay was initially scored by two human reviewers, with a model that includes one human reviewer and one AI reviewer. Under the previous process, if the two human reviewers’ scores differed by more than four points on a 12-point scale, a third human reviewer was brought in to evaluate the essay and resolve the discrepancy. In the new process, that discrepancy threshold has been lowered to two points to ensure the highest levels of accuracy.
Espinoza stressed that AI is being utilized to confirm the human reader essay scores, not make any admissions decisions. Final admissions decisions will be made exclusively by qualified and trained admissions professionals.
“If the human and AI scores differ by more than two points, a second human reviewer is brought in to ensure consistency and fairness,” he said. “This safeguard gives us even greater confidence in the scores and reinforces that final admission decisions continue to be made exclusively by admissions professionals on our team.”
The AI reviewer uses a large language model that was trained, rigorously tested for accuracy and fairness, and validated by Virginia Tech researchers. This internal system will be closely monitored by the research group. Espinoza said this work contributes to a national conversation about the responsible use of AI in higher education.
“We’re proud to be contributing to the innovation of new tools and, just as importantly, we’re committed to using them thoughtfully and transparently,” he said. “We’ll continue to evaluate outcomes, incorporate research, and refine our approach to ensure we’re serving students in the best possible way.”
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Virginia
Former Virginia Gov Glenn Youngkin hints at political future, says he’s ‘chomping at the bit’ after exit
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Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signaled his political career may not be over, telling Sean Hannity he still has “more to give” just under three months after leaving office.
“I have more to give. I just do. The one year of campaigning and the four years of running, so five years, went by in five seconds. It was amazing,” Youngkin said on the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast.
In the full episode, debuting Tuesday, Youngkin sat down with the Fox News host to discuss his time in office, as well as what things have been like since his term expired in January.
NEW POLL REVEALS SPANBERGER’S POPULARITY IS PLUMMETING AMID BACKLASH OVER GERRYMANDERING
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin addresses the crowd during an early voting rally on Sept. 21, 2023, in Petersburg, Va. (Steve Helber/AP)
“Every morning [when I was governor], I woke up literally bounding out of bed, ready to roll, and that was the most purposeful I’ve ever felt in my whole life.“
Youngkin oversaw a range of conservative measures passed in the state, including a push to ensure age-appropriate curriculum in public schools.
SPANBERGER SIGNALS LEFT BENT AFTER CENTRIST CAMPAIGN; GOP LEADER WARNS OF ‘FAIRFAXING THE REST OF VA’
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger responds to President Donald Trump’s unseen State of the Union address. (Steve Helber/Reuters)
He also pushed for tax cuts, including efforts to reduce the state’s grocery tax, rolled back COVID-19 restrictions early in his tenure and emphasized tougher public safety policies.
His time in office concluded earlier this year, when Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration succeeded his.
“I’ve been out of office for six weeks. I took [my wife] Suzanne on vacation, which she so deserved. She’s been amazing. I think she’s of the best first ladies in America,” he said.
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“But six weeks has felt like six years… You’re chomping at the bit.”
While Youngkin stopped short of outlining specific plans for the future, his comments suggest he is keeping the door open to a return to public office.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
Virginia
Denver police arrest man suspected in fatal shooting on E. Virginia Avenue
Denver police have arrested the man they believe was responsible for a fatal shooting on E. Virginia Avenue on Thursday afternoon.
According to an arrest affidavit, the Denver Dispatch Center received a 911 call around 12:35 p.m. to report a shooting in the 10100 block of E. Virginia Ave. The caller told dispatch workers that a white SUV was fleeing the scene.
Responding officers found a man who was critically wounded. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Investigators reportedly discovered a handgun, the victim’s cellphone and money in the area where the shooting happened. They also located surveillance footage in the area, which appeared to show the victim exiting a white Chevrolet Tahoe as gunshots could be heard. He walked to the east, looking for help, before collapsing on the ground.
The affidavit says a conversation was discovered on the victim’s Instagram account in which he was speaking with another person who was selling a firearm.
Aurora police assisted investigators using the Flock License Plate Reader system, identifying the Tahoe at several locations. Police said the vehicle had unique characteristics on the passenger rear wheel. The affidavit says that, before the shooting, the vehicle had a rear license plate, but after the shooting, it was missing.
Investigators found the vehicle, executed a search warrant and found a fired cartridge case in the back seat. A person connected to the case reportedly told officers that he drove his friend, later identified as Daniel Puga Villegas, to meet a person to collect money from him. However, he says an argument took place, and Villegas shot the victim, then ripped off his temporary rear license plate and, while still holding the gun, told him to drive.
Villegas was arrested on Sunday with assistance from the APD and is facing charges of first-degree murder.
Virginia
Southwest, Central Virginia Weather | 7:15 a.m. – April 6, 2026
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