WFIR News Express

Missed the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Friday, July 10, 2026. In this episode of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News with Joey Self and Ian Price, we lead with breaking environmental news as the Western Virginia Water Authority issues a voluntary Step 1 drought contingency plan. With water levels at Carvins Cove droppin...

Missed the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Thursday, July 9, 2026. (Audio for this broadcast can be accessed on-demand via reference file: 7-9-26 RVMN.mp3 ). In this episode of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News with Joey Self and Ian Price, we lead with widespread environmental concerns as persistent drought conditions fo...

For twenty years she worked as a veterinarian, much of that in her own practice, caring for dogs, cats - even pet pigs. Now this new chapter in her professional life finds Dr Carrie Turnbull caring for pets as they get closer to crossing over the Rainbow Bridge.  Turnbull sold her private veterinary practice last year, but she's not retiring - instead she created a mobile service - Clarity Vet...

Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment. Its the opening weekend this Friday night through a Sunday matinee at the Dumas Theatre on Henry Street in downtown Roanoke, for Ain't Misbehavin' - A Musical Revue, the Tony award-winning play. This is also the opening week for Into the Woods at Attic Productions in Fincastle. Opening this Thursday at the Eleanor D Wilson Museum on the Hollins...

Missed the morning broadcast for Wednesday, July 8, 2026? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia with this archived episode of Roanoke Valley's Morning News. (Note: This episode originally aired on July 8, 2026, and is published here for on-demand playback). In this update with Joey Self and Ian Price, we cover Governor Abigail Spanberger’s la...

Missed the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Tuesday, July 7, 2026. In this morning's update of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News with Joey Self and Ian Price, we lead with a major reversal from city leadership as Roanoke completely pulls the plug on its controversial gunshot detection network following a critical &quot...

Are you or a loved one ready for the post-retirement "third stage of life," with plans in place to reduce isolation, eat better and figure out the financials of living well past retirement? Two panelists from a recent information session on what Eldercare and living longer might look like speak out.

Here is the latest news from around the Roanoke Valley and Commonwealth of Virginia.

Missed the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Thursday, July 2, 2026. In this episode of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News with Joey Self and Ian Price, we cover the widening legal battle over Virginia’s newly enacted assault weapons ban. Following localized court injunctions blocking enforcement in six jurisdictions, the U....

Creekmur Wealth Advisors was recently named among USA Today’s Top 20 Best Financial Advisory Firms in the nation. The firm’s President and Founder, John Creekmur, says in a stock market facing unprecedented overvaluation, your financial security hinges on two things: planning and preparation.

Its called "Plan 26," an upcoming revision to the City of Roanoke's Arts and Culture plan that's been in place since 2011. Before its finalized, the Roanoke Arts Commission wants to hear from citizens via an online survey. Funded by the city, the Roanoke Arts Commission will take the Plan 26 survey results to help craft a revised arts and culture plan, and then present it to the...

Missing the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Wednesday, July 1, 2026. In this episode of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News with Joey Self and Ian Price, we cover the newly approved Virginia state budget going into effect today. The bipartisan-approved budget avoids a historic government shutdown, delivers a record $2 billi...

A contentious Democratic primary is unfolding in Virginia's 9th Congressional District. Candidate Adam Murphy is pushing back against allegations from fellow Democrat Joy Powers that his campaign is using an “only a man can win” agenda. WFIR's Clark Palmer reports on the dispute between Murphy, Powers, and candidate Douglas Crockett as they vie for the Democratic nomination to challenge Re...

Gun control advocates say Virginia's assault weapons ban — set to take effect Wednesday — is under attack in court. A ruling from a federal judge is preventing Virginia State Police from enforcing the ban while Franklin County Republican Senator Bill Stanley's case in Washington County moves forward, seeking to eliminate it entirely. Richmond Sheriff Antwanette Irving says the gun ban and...

The City of Salem is ready to kick off July with a bang as the 38th Annual Salem Fair comes to town on the 1st. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has more:

Joining us live in studio this morning to talk about it was the reigning Miss Virginia Madison Whitbeck, who hails from Leesburg, and Miss Virginia’s Teen Aryana Guest, who attends Tabb High School. Preliminary competition ends tonight with the finals - and the new Miss Virginia and Miss Virginia's Teen will be crowned tomorrow night. Hear the complete interview below or watch it on the WFIR F...

Roanoke Valley lawmakers David Suetterlein and Joe McNamara are calling the city's unauthorized Flock Raven audio sensor installations “a colossal administrative failure” and a serious constitutional issue, urging local governments to fully reconsider these automated listening networks. State Senator Tanika Roem plans to push legislation eliminating Virginia's data center tax breaks when t...

Its the second and last weekend for Shakespeare's tragic love story Romeo and Juliet at the Bear Theatre in downtown Roanoke in the Community High School Auditorium. Two new exhibits opening at the Eleanor D Wilson Museum on the Hollins University campus in the next few weeks - including Writing with Pictures - the narrative art of David Wiesner, a Caldecott Award winner for his illustrated Ch...

The names may have changed but the struggle of the food insecure in Southwest Virginia continues - cuts to Medicaid eligibility is just the latest challenge says Pam Irvine

Virginia's Attorney General says new gun bills signed by the Governor are not an attack on responsible gun owners. WFIR's Clark Palmer has details. On the state budget: Radford University political science chair Chapman Rackaway says Republican critics like Delegate Joe McNamara have a point on affordability — but any state-level fix is limited because Virginia's economy is tied to nat...

Named after a former president at Roanoke College who was a big supporter of local arts and culture, this is the 41st year for the Kendig awards, now a joint venture between RC and Hollins University, where the ceremony will take place this tear on October 20. Individuals artist from all disciplines are eligible to be nominated, as are arts or cultural organizations, and individuals or businesses...

Virginia's two-year state budget is heading to Governor Spanberger after passing both chambers Monday. The Senate voted 23-16 to keep data center tax breaks but require $1.2 billion in energy taxes — a compromise Senator Louise Lucas says achieves the right balance. The House followed 71-22. Roanoke County Delegate Joe McNamara opposed the $205 billion plan, arguing lawmakers missed a chance to cu...

There were plenty of loyalists, and sometimes it was hard to figure out who was on the side of the rebellion - and who remained a "Tory." Here is WFIR's Gene Marrano with the third in a series of VA-250 stories with a local twist,"In Depth."

As Botetourt County gets ready for the construction of three planned Google data centers on the Greenfield industrial park campus - despite some local opposition - Doug Kelly CEO of the American Edge Project, says data centers and Artificial Intelligence - relied on by more and more Americans - go hand in hand, And this is a global competition for AI supremacy adds Kelly. -------------------------...

Botetourt County is moving forward with three planned Google data centers at the Greenfield industrial park — despite some local opposition — and Doug Kelly, CEO of the American Edge Project, says it's the right call. Kelly argues data centers and AI go hand in hand, and that the race for global AI supremacy means local government leadership is essential to future growth. Botetourt County says...