WFIR News Express

Patterned in part after similiar initiatives elsewhere the Roanoke Foodshed Network has worked with local partners to create a network of local farms and food businesses. The Roanoke Region Food and Farm Trail had its official launch yesterday. More from WFIR's Gene Marrano:

Today’s WFIR News Express covers the NAACP joining Virginia’s emergency Supreme Court appeal over redistricting, along with Roanoke’s zoning ruling against The Least of These Ministry homeless outreach services. We also report on Delegate Sam Rasoul opposing expanded Flock surveillance technology, Franklin County pausing its zoning rewrite tied to data center concerns, and the unexplained closure...

Virginia voters could start casting ballots next month for an unusually timed August primary. WFIR's Ian Price has more.

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is pursuing an upset victory before the U.S. Supreme Court over a redistricting ruling previously thrown out by Virginia's highest court. While that appeal unfolds, Jones is celebrating a separate federal win on tariffs. A 24-state coalition including Virginia successfully challenged President Trump's sweeping import tariffs in the Court of International...

Its been about a decade in the making and after being vetoed twice in the last administration it goes live in 2028. Virginia's paid family and medical leave program will pay about 80 percent of the leave taker's average weekly wage, for up to 12 weeks ... time off to welcome a new welcome a new child, to care for loved ones or to recover from a long term illness

Today’s WFIR News Express covers Virginia becoming the first Southern state to approve paid family and medical leave, along with Roanoke City school program cuts tied to budget pressures. We also report on the zoning fight involving The Least of These Ministries homeless shelter, Virginia’s emergency Supreme Court appeal over redistricting, and concerns over future education funding in Bedford. Pl...

A local festival celebrating the region’s diversity returns this weekend. Local Colors will be commemorating three decades of cultural celebration by highlighting more than 50 nations through performances, food, and fun.

Democrats have until tomorrow for any last-ditch effort to revive Virginia’s redistricting push for this year’s elections. WFIR’s Ian Price has details on the fast-approaching deadline.

Virginia State Police are urging Roanoke Valley residents to slow down as speed safety cameras on Interstate 81 become active starting today. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has that story:

Virginia’s Department of Transportation has released afirst-in-the-commonwealth plan that could place more than 4-million Virginians within walking distance of a multiuse trail.

In honor of mental health awareness month, a bipartisan mental health advocacy organization launches a campaign across Virginia. Inseparable’s ‘Care That’s Fair’ campaign highlights what insurance companies are getting wrong about mental healthcare.

Black Dog Salvage will make room for Jeff Todd and Roanoke Mountain Adventures by opening their Ashlawn Street warehouse to the public again, where they will store and sell their larger architectural pieces that have been salvaged. Todd will have 10,000 square feet in RMA's new home at the main Black Dog location, hopefully he says by early September

A local ballet company promises a dreamy night out in celebration of more than 30-years of performances in the Valley. Southwest Virginia Ballet's production of the Shakespeare classic will take the main stage at Mill Mountain Theatre Friday, May 8th at 7:00 PM.

A professor for Virginia Tech’s School of Communication reflected on the life and legacy of a cable news pioneer. That story from WFIR’s Conner Arthur:

IF the Strait of Hormuz does not open soon to let oil tankers through without incident Gas Buddy predicted yesterday prices at the pump could reach a record high - just in time for the July 4th holiday. A Virginia Tech professor who studies hospitality and tourism says those planning a vacation should do it now and not wait. More from WFIR's Gene Marrano:

Roanoke City Council is scheduled to vote Monday of next week on the city’s recommended fiscal year 2026-27 budget. WFIR’s Ian Price reports.

A local football team is hosting an event meant to rally support for the family of Autumn Bushman. More from WFIR’s Clark Palmer:

A local university recently received a $10 million boost for one of its scholarship programs, with the goal of expanding access to education in Southwest Virginia. That story from WFIR’s Conner Arthur:

The new owner of Beale’s brewery says it will serve as a community space that people will always have a connection too. More from WFIR’s Clark Palmer:

In the wake of the indictment of a former FBI director on charges of allegedly making threats against President Trump, Radford University’s political science chair is weighing in. More from WFIR’s Conner Arthur:

WFIR's Ian Price talks with Governor Abigail Spanberger and organizers from the Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance about Google's planned data center campus in Botetourt County, Virginia. Spanberger explains why she opposes walking back existing data center tax agreements while backing a debate on future exemptions. Roanoke-area residents Scott Yates and Ben Verschoor res...

In late 2021, a specialty plate program benefiting the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation was announced. Since then, Virginia’s drivers have raised more than $100,000 to fund projects all along the Parkway.

Market Square will play host to a barn-full of miniature animals this weekend. WFIR's Emma Thomas has details

Governor Abigail Spanberger now has to decide whether to sign or veto Virginia’s marijuana sales bill after lawmakers rejected her amendments last week. WFIR’s Ian Price has the latest.

Radford University Political Science Chair Chapman Rackaway analyzes Virginia's narrow approval of a controversial redistricting referendum that creates a 10-to-1 Democratic congressional map. Rackaway explains why three pending lawsuits could override the voter-approved measure, breaks down the regional voting patterns between urban and rural Virginia, and discusses what the close margin mean...