WFIR News Express

On this Friday, April 10, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, a Bedford County teacher is under arrest following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile, facing multiple charges involving communication with a minor and child pornography. We also report on the upcoming redistricting referendum, where a new poll shows a narrow majority of Virginians supporting changes to congress...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers an armed robbery arrest in Roanoke and a Georgia man charged in a Montgomery County child death investigation. We also report on Virginia leaders reacting to the Iran conflict, former Governor Glenn Youngkin hinting at a future political run, and funding to preserve a historic Roanoke landmark. Plus updates on road closures in Botetourt County, community safety ini...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers rising tensions in the Iran conflict and Virginia leaders’ response, along with new federal funding for McAfee Knob upgrades in Roanoke County. We also report on upcoming road closures tied to Riverland Road and Star Trail improvements, the latest on Virginia’s redistricting referendum, and preservation funding for a historic Roanoke landmark. Plus updates on local...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers major traffic impacts along Route 220 tied to wind farm transport, along with new Roanoke crime statistics showing trends in violent and property crime. We also report on an armed robbery arrest in Roanoke, growing concerns over data center impacts including rising tech costs, and updates on local infrastructure projects. Plus a Bedford County crash, NASA’s Artemis...

On this Friday, April 3, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, the Virginia NAACP is speaking out ahead of the upcoming redistricting referendum, calling it essential to protecting minority representation, while Republicans argue it amounts to a political power grab. We also report on a major financial development involving the Greenbrier Resort, where more than $200 million in debt has been sold to...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers a fatal hit-and-run arrest in Roanoke, growing concerns over a proposed Google data center in Botetourt County, and ongoing immigration policy debate in Virginia. We also report on the redistricting referendum fight, a partial government shutdown impact, and new workforce development investment in Roanoke County schools. Plus updates on local business concerns, Smi...

Roanoke’s City Council race is quickly taking shape — with a growing field of candidates and a competitive primary on the horizon. In this week’s On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler , reporter Jeff Sturgeon joins WFIR to break down the latest entries into the race, including multiple Democrats vying for three nominations, alongside a Republican and an independent candidate. With three seats up...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers ongoing Virginia state budget negotiations ahead of a special session, including debate over data center tax breaks. We also report on a push to suspend the gas tax as fuel prices rise, concerns over U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict, and multiple fire incidents in Roanoke and Roanoke County. Plus updates on local business reopenings, wage gap concerns, and a n...

On this Friday, March 27, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, a Blacksburg elementary school principal has been placed on leave following his arrest on solicitation-related charges, as Montgomery County Public Schools continues its investigation. In Botetourt County, officials are moving forward with plans for a massive Google data center campus in the Greenfield area, a նախագ project expected to b...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers Roanoke City Public Schools cutting 170 positions due to a budget shortfall, along with new details on Roanoke and Roanoke County budget plans. We also report on the growing redistricting referendum fight in Virginia, continued debate over a proposed Google data center, and local economic and community developments. Plus updates on recycling events, the Blue Ridge...

A dispute between the City of Roanoke and a well-known local ministry is raising bigger questions about how the city handles homelessness, zoning, and neighborhood concerns. In this week’s On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler , reporter Jeff Sturgeon breaks down the city’s enforcement action against The Least of These Ministry, which has been told to scale back services at its downtown location...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers Roanoke County’s $285 million budget proposal with no tax increase, along with growing discussion around the Google data center and its impact on the region. We also report on a road rage gun incident in Roanoke County, TSA staffing concerns at Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport, and political debate over data centers and national issues. Plus, updates on local events, non...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers Roanoke’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, including job freezes, project delays, and reduced revenue growth. We also report on the Vinton house fire victim identification, a fatal crash in Floyd County, and new developments in Virginia’s redistricting debate. Plus updates on prescription drug pricing legislation, tobacco enforcement laws, rising diesel costs, and...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers a deadly house fire in Vinton and Roanoke’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal being presented today, including potential cuts and delays. We also report on the Russia detention case involving a Salem Navy veteran, the FBI’s investigation into the ODU shooting, and key Virginia political updates. Get fast, reliable local news from Roanoke and across Virginia.

On this Friday, March 20, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, Roanoke Police are investigating a shooting in the Eureka Park area after a man was found with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound on Orange Avenue NW, with evidence located nearby on 14th Street. We also have new developments in the case of a Salem Navy veteran imprisoned in Russia, as Congressman Ben Cline and Virginia senators push f...

A Salem Navy veteran’s imprisonment in Russia is drawing attention from Virginia lawmakers, while Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine raise new concerns over national security and the war in Iran. Also in today’s WFIR News Express: redistricting referendum turnout trends, a major Henry County fentanyl arrest, Roanoke’s homelessness response, a new Virginia Tech kidney stone treatment, and Salem’s n...

A potential shift in how Roanoke spends federal housing and development money is raising new concerns in Northwest neighborhoods — especially after the city fell short of its own investment targets in Southeast in the most recent reporting cycle. In this week’s On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler , reporter Jeff Sturgeon joins WFIR to discuss growing uncertainty around the city’s long-standing...

Today’s WFIR News Express covers the proposed Google data center in Botetourt County, new developments tied to the Brandon Shah case, Virginia redistricting and 6th District politics, and the start of Williamson Road Restaurant Week. Get a fast local news update from Roanoke, Botetourt, and across Virginia with WFIR News Express.

On this Monday, March 16, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express , the Roanoke Valley is under an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms, with the potential for tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. After the front moves through, gusty winds and sharply colder air follow — with a chance of snow Monday evening and a hard freeze expected midweek. We also cover the latest fallout from the Old Dominio...

This is the Friday, March 13, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express — posted shortly after a delayed Thursday update, so you may see two back-to-back episodes in the feed. In today’s update, the Bedford County School Board votes 5–2 to close Stewartsville Elementary at the end of this school year, despite strong community opposition, as officials cite financial pressure and low enrollment. Attorney Ge...

This WFIR News Express update was recorded for Thursday, March 12, 2026, and is being posted late on Friday, March 13, 2026. A separate new update for Friday will be posted later. In this episode, Virginia lawmakers face the prospect of a special session as budget negotiations stall over data center tax exemptions, with Governor Abigail Spanberger floating a compromise tied to energy consumption....

A new audit finds Roanoke police overspent a state gun violence prevention grant by nearly $100,000, raising new questions about oversight, mentoring practices, and how city departments are handling public money. On this week’s On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler , editor Todd Jackson joins WFIR to break down the audit’s findings, including spending problems tied to the RESET program, concerns...

Here is the latest news about the upcoming redistricting referendum and the search for a fugitive high school football coach.

On this Monday, March 9, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express , Roanoke Police say detectives have identified the suspect in February’s deadly shooting on Carroll Avenue NW and have him in custody on unrelated charges as prosecutors prepare to take the homicide case to a grand jury. We also have major local business news as the Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission approves a brokerage contract...

On this Friday, March 6, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, Virginia Republicans launch a campaign urging voters to reject the proposed statewide redistricting referendum as early voting begins. Supporters of the effort — including Congressman Ben Cline and several state delegates — warn the measure could weaken the political voice of rural Southwest Virginia. Meanwhile, former President Barack Ob...