The Virginia Tech media relations office has the following experts available for interviews this week surrounding issues in the news. To schedule an interview, please contact mediarelations@vt.edu.

Virginia Tech experts available to discuss headlines in the news

Tariff impact on your holidays

The tariff landscape is constantly shifting, including cuts last week that might impact grocery prices. But your holiday shopping prices probably already have tariffs baked in, no matter what the Supreme Court does with them before the end of the year, say economists David Bieri and Jadrian Wooten. In fact, if you’ve ordered goods from abroad, you may be in for a rude surprise in the form of an additional delivery fee from carriers before they hand over your packages. Bieri and Wooten share tips on how to avoid getting scrooged while doing your holiday shopping. More here. **Availability varies throughout the week**

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is over. What next?

The end of the government shutdown raises new questions for Congress, including the fate of Affordable Care Act subsidies, turmoil among Democratic leadership, and what will happen during the next government funding showdown at the end of January. Political scientist Karen Hult can provide insights into these issues and more. ***Available starting Tuesday***

Holiday topics

Thanksgiving dishes made from invasive species

Invasive species often thrive because they have no natural predators — yet surprisingly, some of them are not only edible to humans, but downright delicious. These flavors could enhance a Thanksgiving table spread. Jacob Barney, an expert on invasive species, including which ones are edible, regularly concludes his class with a potluck of dishes that students make from plants and animals they have studied. “It’s also a nice way for students to learn about new species, discover new uses, and otherwise just share in a feast of invaders.” More here. ***Available starting Tuesday***

How to avoid holiday foodborne illness

Meals at Thanksgiving and other holidays serve as great social occasions for catching up with family and friends — and for the sake of all gathered, the culinary delights on the table should be delicious, sumptuous, and most importantly, safe. Melissa Wright, director of Virginia Tech’s Food Producer Technical Assistance Network, is available to discuss what you can do to reduce your risk of foodborne illness this holiday season. More here.

What’s on your Thanksgiving table, yams or sweet potatoes?

Across the southeast, farmers have been pulling rosy, orange-fleshed vegetables from their fields – but wait, are those actually yams? Ed Olsen, a Virginia Cooperative Extension consumer horticulture specialist, says most products labeled “yams” in our supermarkets are actually orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, and what people don’t realize is that they are two different things. More here. ***Note: Ed Olsen is based out of Richmond and can do in-person interviews there or Zoom***

Think long term when choosing your Christmas tree

When deciding between a real or artificial Christmas tree, how long you keep it makes all the difference, according to a Virginia Tech sustainability expert Jennifer Russell. Research shows that an artificial tree must be reused for seven to 10 years to have a lower overall environmental impact than buying a new real tree each holiday season. More here. **Available starting Tuesday**

Podcast: How the ACL became the sports world’s most notorious ligament

Robin Queen joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the nature of ACL injuries in knees. She shared insights about the common mechanisms of injury, the impact of age and gender, and the importance of recovery and prevention strategies, and she provided general advice for athletes of all ages on injury prevention and recovery. Queen is the L. Preston Wade Professor of Engineering in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics and the director of the Kevin P. Granata Biomechanics Lab at Virginia Tech. Her research focuses on whole body mechanics with an emphasis on loading symmetry and functional outcomes following surgical interventions.

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