WFIR News Express

With early voting officially underway for Virginia’s primary elections in August, one Republican challenging Virginia’s senior U.S. senator says it’s time for a change in the seat. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has more:

Virginia's new assault weapons ban is already facing resistance — and it hasn't even taken effect yet. A gun rights group expects the Justice Department to challenge the legislation signed by Governor Spanberger, while law enforcement agencies across the state are being praised by gun rights advocates for refusing to enforce the ban. A Spotsylvania County judge denied a request to block it...

A 60-day ceasefire extension between the US and Iran is set to be formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding — as negotiators continue working through details around Iran's nuclear stockpile. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says he wants to see the fine print. WFIR's Gene Marrano has the story. Google's proposed data center campus in B...

ECPI will be hosting the free Summer Family Resource Festival at their Roanoke Campus on Airport Road this Saturday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment. See more at Roanoke Cultural Endowment.org. One last concert for the 2025-26 season from David Stewart Wiley and players from the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra this Saturday near Smith Mountain Lake this weekend. Its the opening weekend for Shakespeare's classic tale of young love and tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, this Friday through Sunday at the Roanoke...

Tuesday, June 17th edition of the Roanoke Valley's Morning News — uploaded June 18th. Virginia Senate committee members are pushing back against the budget proposal backed by Governor Spanberger and the House of Delegates. WFIR's Clark Palmer has the details on where the stalemate stands heading into the final stretch before the July 1st deadline. The state's cannabis retail compromise is taking s...

Two of the Commonwealth's cities have earned spots in the Top 20 of a list ranking some the best run cities in America.

Roanoke Valley’s Morning News returns after a brief technical publishing pause with updates on a possible U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, Roanoke’s homelessness zoning lawsuit involving The Least of These Ministry, and Bedford County’s broadband dispute with RiverStreet Networks. We also cover George’s Flowers relocating near Tanglewood, data center concerns in Southwest Virginia, New River Valley...

In the second installment of our VA 250 series we hear about William Fleming - more than just the name of a local high school - Colonel William Fleming was a contemporary of Andrew Lewis, whom we heard about last week - and Fleming has a connection to Thomas Jefferson. Here is WFIR's Gene Marrano with the second in a series of VA-250 stories with a local twist, In Depth."

As our area continues to see a severe drought going into the summer season, a Virginia Tech associate professor provided tips on how to determine when your lawn is thirsty. More from WFIR’s Conner Arthur:

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers Operation Combined Resolve, a major multi-agency law enforcement effort that led to more than 100 arrests and nearly $2 million in drugs seized across the Roanoke Valley. We also report on a lawsuit challenging Governor Spanberger’s removal of a Virginia Tech Board of Visitors leader, a community open house on Google’s proposed Botetourt County data cen...

With a look at some of the local events coming up this weekend and in the near future. Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment. See more at Roanoke Cultural Endowment.org.  This weekend only - the play Land and Liberty - a Virginia 250 Commemoration - based on an the land grant that led to the creation of the town of Vinton - 4 shows this Friday night through Sunday afternoon. See bear theatre...

Virginia Tech researchers say ordinary pet dogs may be better at finding spotted lanternfly egg masses than trained human searchers. WFIR's Ian Price report

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers renewed FBI activity at a Bedford County property tied to decades-old missing persons investigations, major budget cuts approved by Roanoke City Public Schools, and concerns about Medicaid funding under the new federal budget law. We also report on the Roanoke Parks Foundation stepping back from work with the city, Virginia’s ongoing discussions about a...

Many parents know how hectic and disruptive it can be to bring a new child into a family with older children, where everyone - in this case the parents, a teenager and a "tween," are already in a groove. That's the setting for a new series of colorful illustrated books for young readers, and parents who like to read to their children. The author of the Baby Buri series will tell stor...

You've may have seen his statue outside the Salem Civic Center - but who was General Andrew Lewis? Lewis had been a loyalist fighting under Lord Dunmore - England's Royally-appointed Governor for Virginia - until Dunmore was a no-show on the battlefield. Here is WFIR's Gene Marrano with the first in a series of VA250 stories, In Depth."

You've may have seen his statue outside the Salem Civic Center - but who was General Andrew Lewis? Lewis had been a loyalist fighting under Lord Dunmore - England's Royally-appointed Governor for Virginia - until Dunmore was a no-show on the battlefield. Here is WFIR's Gene Marrano with the first in a series of VA-250 stories, In Depth."

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News takes a closer look at the impact of Virginia Tech’s record-setting donation and what it could mean for the university’s future. We also report on financial pressures facing rural hospitals in Virginia, growing artificial intelligence adoption in Montgomery County and across the Commonwealth, and how state officials are encouraging residents to prepare for hur...

In Blacksburg, it’s not just the university that’s “investing to win” in athletics; it’s major donors as well — pitching in a record amount of money, as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports:

Another multi-unit development in the City of Roanoke has overcome a legal challenge and is set to add another 24 much-needed living spaces to the city's housing stock. Two time failed Roanoke City Council candidate James Garrett and others had taken Roanoke City Council and developer Alexander Boone to court over a 24 unit townhouse development planned for the corner of Medmont Circle and Kea...

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers a new 24-unit housing development moving forward in Roanoke after surviving a legal challenge, along with the activation of I-81 work zone speed cameras in Roanoke and Botetourt counties. We also report on Virginia's tribute to fallen Carroll County Deputy Logan Utt, renewed debate over collective bargaining rights for public employees, and a court...

Bedford’s National D-Day Memorial will mark the 82nd anniversary of D-Day Saturday. WFIR’s Ian Price reports.

Something new at the Taubman Museum of Art - during this Friday's monthly Art By Night, when all the downtown galleries and the Taubman Museum are open late. "Murder Mystery at the Museum," a ticketed event from Jump Into Mystery. Yoga, music, wine tasting and good vibes this weekend during Yoga Venture at Wilderness Venture at Eagle Landing.  Blacksburg's Summer Arts Festival is...

2026 of course is the nation's 250th anniversary of its founding and in conjunction the US Department of Justice and US Attorney's Offices - like the Western District of Virginia based in Roanoke - are also honoring Hometown Heroes. Yesterday it was two surviving veterans of D-Day and World War 2, both 100-plus years old. More from WFIR's Gene Marrano:

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers new details about the criminal history of the suspect charged in the killing of Carroll County Deputy Logan Utt, along with a growing dispute over the planned closure of Stewartsville Elementary in Bedford County. We also report on Montgomery County ranking among Virginia’s leaders in artificial intelligence adoption, the expanding measles outbreak in B...