WFIR News Express

Here's the latest news from across the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In today’s WFIR News Express: A Roanoke College expert weighs in on the aftermath of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear program House fire in Bonsack under control, no injuries reported Officer-involved shooting in Botetourt under investigation Awful Arthur’s Roanoke location to close after 30 years $17 billion data center coming to Louisa County Roanoke to begin major pedestrian corridor...

Google buys land in Botetourt County for a potential data center, marking a major economic development milestone for the region. Governor Glenn Youngkin hails Virginia’s top national ranking in customized workforce training — for the third year in a row. Also in today’s WFIR News Express: 🧊 Roanoke Rescue Mission responds to extreme heat with expanded shelter services 🧒 Bedford daycare worker co...

President Trump confirms U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites—while the Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford , heads toward the region. Virginia lawmakers react: Senator Tim Kaine pushes a War Powers vote, and Senator Mark Warner moves to limit presidential authority under the Insurrection Act. Also in today’s full WFIR News Express update: 🎙️ Local political analyst disc...

President Trump faces bipartisan pushback after ordering airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites without Congressional approval. Virginia’s U.S. Senators weigh in, offering sharply different reactions. WFIR’s Clark Palmer reports on Senator Tim Kaine’s call for a War Powers vote, while Congressman Ben Cline supports the President’s decisive action. Also in this episode: • Senator Mark Warner calls out...

In today's WFIR News Express for Thursday, June 20 , we cover breaking developments and heartfelt community stories from across the region: A Radford University professor reacts to the shocking political attack in Minnesota and warns of its wider implications. A Virginia man pleads guilty to hate crimes targeting Latino victims in a chilling immigration-linked shooting. The community mourns th...

On this Juneteenth, Virginia’s senior U.S. Senator Mark Warner criticizes President Trump’s uncertain Iran policy. Roanoke Police arrest a suspect in the Meagan Martin murder case. Latino leaders increase outreach and resources amid immigration concerns. Roanoke County joins a national school reform effort. A new Brady’s Distillery tasting room is coming to Center in the Square. The City of Roanok...

Roanoke Police are investigating the suspicious death of Meagan Martin. Plus: flood damage reports from Botetourt, election results from across Virginia, a major bike championship coming to Roanoke, bomb threat in Henry County, Cowell speaks on whistleblower lawsuit, new greenway in Vinton, pool reopens, recycling fair, and more.

Virginia heads to the polls for low-turnout primaries while new fentanyl legislation is signed into law. A registered sex offender is arrested in Alleghany County, and Smith Mountain Lake State Park earns national acclaim. Plus: Abigail Spanberger bus tour, Culpeper protester struck, opioid settlement, Blue Ridge Parkway fatality, and more local headlines.

Senator Tim Kaine introduces a war powers resolution aimed at preventing U.S. military involvement in Iran. Authorities in Botetourt County are searching for one suspect after a teen was arrested following a high-speed chase. Henry County deputies continue the search for missing 16-year-old Brookelynn Lyons. Protesters rallied in Roanoke as part of the national “No Kings” demonstrations against Tr...

A manhunt is underway in Henry County after a high-speed chase. Over 200 graves of enslaved African Americans are being respectfully relocated in Pittsylvania County. Big changes to Roanoke City’s student cell phone policy are coming, and questions swirl over delayed teacher bonuses. We hear from Senators Kaine and Warner on FBI Academy plans, and a Virginia Tech expert on solving the housing cris...

A lower cost housing option for adults who travel from out of town to the Roanoke Valley to receive medical treatment is the idea behind "Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge," which is closer to having its own building, hoping to close on a property near Carilion Roanoke Memorial in the near future. Meanwhile a 5.5 million dollar capital campaign continues. Hospitality House executive director Emi...

A former Cave Spring High School student speaks out about past encounters with ex-athletic director Randall Meck, who recently pled guilty to federal charges. One person has died and another hospitalized after separate water emergencies at Smith Mountain Lake. Juneteenth and Flag Day celebrations are coming together this weekend at McCadden Park. Five people are hospitalized after a crash involvin...

A judge dismisses child abuse charges against three Rivermont Roanoke Southwest School staffers. Governor Youngkin honors a fallen deputy with a bridge renaming. Virginia’s U.S. Senators push back on Trump Administration plans to downsize Job Corps. Plus: a new mead tasting room opens downtown, a fire billing policy starts in Henry County, and Virginia tops a new income ranking. Listen to today’s...

WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports that United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge is warning of a funding crisis for Roanoke nonprofits WFIR’s Clark Palmer spotlights the urgent need for volunteer advocates to support Virginia foster children through CASA WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno shares why actor C. Thomas Howell is visiting the Grandin Theatre this week to celebrate The Outsiders Virginia State Police sei...

WFIR’s Clark Palmer reports on new concerns from the family of a 10-year-old Roanoke County student who died by suicide WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno marks the 81st anniversary of D-Day from Normandy WFIR’s Gene Marrano introduces Nokefest, a new music and arts festival for the Roanoke Valley WFIR’s Conner Arthur looks at new developments at Melrose Plaza in NW Roanoke A Virginia Tech professor exp...

BIO (bullet-style, SEO-optimized) Search underway for man and his 5-year-old daughter in Campbell County Youngkin touts $100 billion in investments, unveils new executive order Disturbing arrest in Henry County: man found with teen girl Abortion comment backlash: Lt. Gov. Sears under fire from Democrats Spanberger vs. Sears: tension over right-to-work stance Senator calls Trump’s budget bill “ugly...

BIO (bullet-style, SEO-ready) Gunfire reported near Valley View Blvd — no injuries, investigation ongoing Friends mourn 2 teenage girls killed in DUI crash; justice demanded Giles Co. man charged with attempted murder after domestic incident Roanoke drug bust yields over 1,800g of fentanyl, meth, and $16K cash City renews "Focused Driving, Safe Arriving" campaign against distractions Car...

BIO (bullet-style, SEO-ready) Police search for two endangered 16-year-olds: Alysia Trigg & Amiracle Lynn Roanoke’s mayor launches new task force to address 54% spike in homelessness Bedford County crash kills Maryland motorcyclist; second crash under investigation FEDUP marks 20 years of anti-violence advocacy in Roanoke Protesters demand town hall as Rep. Ben Cline visits local school Lt. Go...

BIO (bullet-style, optimized for scanability and SEO) DUI manslaughter charge filed after two teens killed in NW Roanoke crash Trump’s “Big Beautiful Budget” bill heads to the Senate amid internal GOP tension “Operation Summer Shield” targets repeat and violent offenders in Roanoke Two major child pornography arrests in SWVA — one involving 100 counts Bell-to-Bell cell phone ban now mandated state...

Fast, local news for Roanoke and Southwest Virginia. On today’s WFIR News Express : A Roanoke man pleads guilty to killing two people with an illegal machine gun at a Melrose Avenue party City officials respond after an audit reveals Roanoke overspent by $5 million — a violation of state law A former Pulaski County school employee faces charges for misconduct involving a student A serious motorcyc...

Top local news, fast and on-demand. In today’s WFIR News Express: A store clerk shot during a robbery in Vinton — two suspects arrested Roanoke overspent $5 million — and broke state law doing it Lynchburg Council kills a plan to double hotel taxes Congressman Ben Cline defends Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” The Senate passes a new “No Tax on Tips” act Roanoke Lebanese Festival returns this weekend...

A Roanoke neighbor describes rushing to perform CPR on a shooting victim in NW over the weekend; a suspect has been arrested. Virginia State Police search for a suspect after a fatal Bedford County hit-and-run involving a cyclist. New Roanoke College poll finds Virginians deeply concerned about the national debt — but divided on how to fix it. Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins receives...

New Roanoke College poll shows Abigail Spanberger with a wide 17-point lead over Winsome Earle-Sears — but another poll shows a much tighter race. Over 1 million Virginians expected to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend; AAA offers travel tips. Mill Mountain Zoo mourns the loss of Snow Leopard Bali to aggressive cancer. Publix to begin construction on 50,000+ sq ft store in Roanoke County, expe...

Two parents arrested in Nelson County after the death of their 6-week-old baby is ruled a homicide. A Salem City PE teacher is charged with indecent exposure for an incident reported in Vic Thomas Park. A vigil is held for 22-year-old Brooklin Goff, who died in a vehicle crash in Roanoke; the suspect faces DUI and manslaughter charges. Trial for murder suspect in Susan Williams case postponed unti...