WFIR News Express

Travel stress tends to bring out the worst in us, but one VT expert says it doesn’t have to. He has a few simple tips that could help your family skip the stress this Summer.

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers Botetourt County’s decision to delay budget approval amid questions over school funding, along with felony charges against a Roanoke man accused of trying to strike a police officer with his vehicle. We also report on new Virginia laws aimed at expanding affordable manufactured housing, the unveiling of a new patriotic design for Norfolk & Western 6...

Ahead of a city council meeting later this morning, Roanoke’s Republican councilman is hoping to see “tweaks” made to the city’s zoning ordinances in the near future. Details from WFIR’s Conner Arthur:

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, and to observe the occasion the local group "Fed Up" has collected 80 photos of people who have lost a love one or loves ones to gun violence, and next Friday at 7pm on the Martin Luther King Jr bridge downtown they will be part of a temporary installation on the bridge, where a short "Mindful Remembrance Walk," will also take place.

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers Governor Abigail Spanberger’s new child care affordability initiative, the escalating dispute over the removal of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors rector, and the latest developments in Roanoke’s housing and zoning debate. We also report on plans for the future of Hotel Roanoke, a major Southeast Roanoke road closure, Gun Violence Awareness Month eve...

What does an 1850 house in Salem, a now-closed golf course, an abandoned stone bridge and "Old Cave Springs," have in common. They all made the 2026 Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation Endangered Sites list. The goal is to raise awareness of the significance of these sites - and to promote options to save them from demolition.  One of the 2026 endangered sites is Ole Monterey golf cou...

Roanoke’s zoning debate is expected to continue Monday as City Council hears more public input on proposed housing changes. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers rising teacher burnout and absenteeism concerns in Roanoke City Public Schools, along with new attendance zone changes affecting hundreds of elementary students this fall. We also report on Virginia’s ongoing state budget fight tied to data center tax breaks, a major new hangar project at Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport, and the Roanoke Valley Preservation F...

Parts of Salem Avenue, along with the streets on both sides of the City Market building will be occupied by more than 130 artists this Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 5pm both days, with works for sale at all different price points. Its also a fundraiser for the Taubman Museum, which collects the booth fees for its art education programs.

The 68th annual Sidewalk Art Show in the streets near the Taubman Museum of Art returns this Saturday and Sunday. 130 or more artists - local, regionally and from a number of states, The 5th annual Star City Rockabilly Festival returns to the Virginia Museum of Transportation this Saturday, featuring local groups like the Jesse Ray Carter Band and the Screamin' Rebel Angels from New York

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers a shooting investigation in Northwest Roanoke, continued protests over the proposed Google data center in Botetourt County, and growing legal opposition to Virginia’s new assault weapons ban. We also report on Virginia’s redistricting controversy, Roanoke City Council races, and a $100,000 timber theft investigation in Rockbridge County. Plus weather up...

Its become a foodie favorite over the past 25 years and attracts thousands of people over three days of food, music and community. The Lebanese Festival returns this weekend. It begins at 11am this Friday and runs through Sunday, opening at 11am each day. The Lebanese Festival at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church on Cove Road in NW Roanoke now attracts thousands every year during the weekend afte...

As the Star City continues its use of Flock Safety license plate readers, some residents are concerned about the potential use of audio sensors designed to detect gunshots. Roanoke City’s mayor responded to those concerns as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports:

Visitors to the valley may come and go - but “Family Stays” when they are hear with a child needing serious medical attention at a local hospital or special clinic. Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia and other “Houses,” want to make sure people understand their mission.

FULL INTERVIEW -- Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb joined the Roanoke Valley's Morning News LIVE in-studio to discuss $35 million in budget cuts (school and city cuts combined), the future of Evans Spring and the city’s FLOCK pilot program for gunshot detection technology in an exclusive interview with WFIR.

After a 2022 fire destroyed several properties in Downtown Vinton, the town is acquiring the sites for revitalization. More from WFIR’s Conner Arthur:

From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calendar – 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.com.

Tyler Lyons from the Grandin Film Lab, "At the Movies" ... with what's playing at the historic Grandin Theatre, Hugh Jackman in "The Sheep Detectives."

Governor Abigail Spanberger has vetoed legislation that would have created a retail marijuana sales market in Virginia. WFIR’s Ian Price reports.

Miss part of the Roanoke Valley’s Morning News on WFIR? This update catches you up on the top local and Virginia stories for Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Pizza Den’s Salem location is closing, but the owner says it may not be goodbye for good. Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoes Virginia’s retail marijuana bill and a prescription drug affordability board proposal. Roanoke leaders move forward with Visi...

Several generations of Roanokers always mark it on their calendars for the Memorial Day weekend if they are staying close to home. This Friday through Sunday night, Festival in the Park is back in downtown Roanoke. Once again its packed with live music, special performances and activities for the young ones

A local nonprofit is rising up to raise awareness about an under-studied and overlooked form of cancer with a community outreach event planned for June 6th.

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Conductor David Stewart Wiley announces he will retire in 2028 after 31 seasons — the longest tenure in RSO history. Plus: Governor Spanberger signs Virginia's assault weapons ban, and Roanoke City Council adjourns without finishing its agenda. Wiley, who has led the RSO since 1996, says travel and time with his wife Lea top his retirement list. He remains the fourth...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers Senator Mark Warner’s warning of a possible energy crisis tied to the Iran conflict and rising gas prices, along with heated debate in Roanoke over Flock surveillance cameras and Raven audio detection technology. We also report on Virginia’s new assault weapons ban, Roanoke City Council zoning and data center discussions, and the opening of a new four-mile Roanoke...

Virginia Republicans and Democrats remain sharply divided over how to address gun violence after Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a new assault weapons ban into law. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.