WFIR News Express

On this Tuesday, January 27, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express , Governor Abigail Spanberger thanks Virginians for staying off the roads during Winter Storm Fern as cleanup efforts continue across the Commonwealth. Cities including Roanoke, Salem, Danville, and Lynchburg outline neighborhood snowplowing schedules, while Virginia State Police report hundreds of crashes statewide. Appalachian Power...

This is a WFIR News Express weather update for Monday morning, January 26, 2026, at 7 a.m. Winter Storm Fern has moved out of the Roanoke Valley, but dangerously cold air is moving in behind it . The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning from 6 p.m. Monday through noon Tuesday , with overnight lows near 2 degrees and wind chills as low as 10 below zero . Today will be mostly...

On this Friday, January 23, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express , the focus is squarely on dangerous winter weather expected to impact the region this weekend : Winter Storm Fern approaches Southwest and Central Virginia , prompting Governor Abigail Spanberger to declare a State of Emergency ahead of the weekend. State and transportation officials warn the storm could bring a mix of snow, sleet, fre...

On this Thursday, January 22, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express , all eyes are on a major winter storm expected to impact Southwest and Central Virginia this weekend. State Police are urging drivers to stay off the roads as forecasts call for significant snow, ice, and extreme cold, while hardware stores report a rush on storm supplies. The Berglund Center also announces a schedule change for the...

On today’s On the Record: With the Roanoke Rambler , Rambler editor Todd Jackson joins WFIR to unpack a week of reporting that reveals a city under intense financial pressure. The discussion centers on significant cuts to school funding , including a shift in the long-standing funding formula that could reshape how Roanoke schools are supported for years to come. We also examine why talk of repara...

On this Tuesday, January 20, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express , Center in the Square confirms its transition away from traditional museums toward interactive entertainment, citing financial realities and changing attendance patterns as longtime tenants prepare to depart. Virginia State Police investigate a fatal wrong-way crash in Prince Edward County, while an apartment fire in Cave Spring displ...

On this Friday, January 16, 2026 , WFIR News Express covers: • A historic monument honoring Black Civil War soldiers from the U.S. Colored Troops is set to be unveiled, marking the first statue of its kind in Virginia and highlighting an often-overlooked chapter of American history. • Human remains found last month are identified as a man missing since 2023, with investigators determining there is...

On this Thursday, January 15, 2026 , WFIR News Express begins in Petersburg, where federal immigration agents made arrests near the downtown bus station in a highly visible operation that sparked community concern after video went viral. In Richmond, Governor Glenn Youngkin delivers his final State of the Commonwealth Address, calling Virginia a “winning state,” highlighting record business invest...

A long-shuttered downtown parking garage — described by some as one of Roanoke’s most lawless spaces — could soon become city property . On today’s WFIR News Express , On the Record: With the Roanoke Rambler dives into a developing situation involving a dark, graffiti-covered parking garage that’s been closed for nearly two years. After a recent court conviction and fine, the garage owner has now...

Tuesday’s WFIR News Express covers the latest local and Virginia headlines: A Democratic challenger launches a campaign against longtime 9th District Congressman Morgan Griffith, outlining a progressive platform centered on Medicare for All and first-time homebuyer tax credits. President Donald Trump says the U.S. must acquire Greenland for national security reasons, while U.S. Senator Tim Kaine w...

Friday’s WFIR News Express brings you the latest local and Virginia news: An FBI investigation is underway after an ICE agent fatally shot an Old Dominion University graduate and mother of three in Minneapolis, prompting conflicting accounts from federal and local officials. U.S. Senator Mark Warner raises concerns about ICE training and responds to reports that the U.S. has not ruled out military...

In today's WFIR News Express update, we unpack the tensions following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. Learn about Congressman Morgan Griffith’s call for congressional approval before further military actions, reflecting on the broader implications for international relations and U.S. foreign policy. Explore the ongoing developments...

A giant Ferris wheel over downtown Roanoke ? This week’s On the Record tackles one of the boldest development ideas the city has seen in years. Reporter Jeff Sturgeon from the Roanoke Rambler joins WFIR to break down a proposal that could place a 130-foot, permanent Ferris wheel atop Center in the Square or its adjacent parking garage , potentially reshaping Roanoke’s skyline and downtown identity...

In today's update, explore key stories shaping Virginia. Campbell County is at a crossroads as the Planning Commission rejects a zoning ordinance requiring special-use permits for data centers, with the Board of Supervisors set to decide on its future. Discover insights from Virginia Tech experts on the environmental impacts and benefits of data center expansion. Senator Mark Warner weighs in...

In this episode, we delve into the significant events shaping Virginia and beyond. Explore the U.S. military's controversial operation in Venezuela, with in-depth analysis and reactions from political leaders like Senator Tim Kaine. Understand the community's perspective through peaceful protests in Roanoke, as residents voice their concerns about American foreign policy. Celebrate local c...

Welcome to WFIR News Express! Dive into Virginia's pivotal New Year updates. Discover sustainable cooling strategies for Botetourt County's data center, aiming to protect our natural resources. Learn about the wage increase impacting workers statewide, and understand new consumer protection laws that curb telemarketer intrusions. Virginia's health care landscape shifts as premium subsi...

Join WFIR News Express on New Year's Eve for a detailed look at Roanoke's vibrant celebrations. Discover the grand opening of the Exchange Music Hall with Grace Potter, and explore events from rooftop parties to gala dinners at Hotel Roanoke. Stay safe with "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaigns and increased police presence. Updates include a recent I-81 accident, Virginia S...

Join us on the WFIR News Express Podcast for in-depth coverage of today's compelling stories. We provide crucial information for Virginians about the health insurance enrollment deadline to ensure coverage by January 1st. We delve into a Roanoke family's lawsuit against Delta and KLM Airlines over a bedbug-infested flight, and share insights into the future plans for Roanoke’s Historic Fis...

Tune into the WFIR News Express Podcast for a Festivus edition featuring today's top stories: the Trump administration's pause on Virginia's offshore wind project due to national security concerns, and the DOJ's limited release of Jeffrey Epstein files stirring frustration. Get tech advice for parents considering cell phones for the holidays, and explore a unique conservation effor...

On this Monday, December 22, 2025 , WFIR News Express brings you the latest breaking news from Roanoke, Southwest Virginia, and across the Commonwealth. In today’s update: • A Roanoke man is charged in the stabbing of two teenagers , leaving one critically injured • A deadly house fire in Bedford County claims one life and injures three firefighters • Sen. Tim Kaine accuses the Justice Department...

Here is the latest news from around the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Here is the latest news from around the Roanoke Valley and Commonwealth of Virginia.

Here is the latest news from around the Roanoke Valley and Commonwealth of Virginia.

Here is the latest news from around the Roanoke Valley and Commonwealth of Virginia.

On this Monday, December 15, 2025 , WFIR News Express delivers the latest developing stories from Southwest Virginia and beyond. In today’s update: • One person is killed and three others hospitalized after a serious crash near Franklin Road in Roanoke. • A United Airlines flight suffers an engine failure during takeoff at Dulles before safely returning. • U.S. Senator Mark Warner calls on the Tru...