WFIR News Express

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

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

WFIR’s Ian Price goes On The Record with Roanoke Rambler reporter Jeff Sturgeon to unpack this week’s top stories. Del. Sam Rasoul is “testing the waters” for a run for Congress — a move that could eventually put him in a Democratic primary with author Beth Macy , who told The Rambler she welcomes the challenge and wants “leaders, not just career politicians.” Jeff also explains why Reuben Lawson’...

On this Wednesday, December 10, 2025 , WFIR News Express delivers the top stories shaping southwest Virginia — from major criminal cases to statewide political shifts and local economic updates. Here’s what’s in today’s episode: • A Virginia State Trooper injured in Carroll County after a vehicle struck his cruiser at a crash scene. • A Troutville youth pastor pleads guilty to attempted child sex...

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.

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

WFIR’s Ian Price goes On The Record with Roanoke Rambler reporter Jeff Sturgeon to break down this week’s top local stories. City Council approved its annual legislative wish list — but not without pushback, including a lone vote against recommending a school-related tax increase and a surprising lack of action on the controversial casino proposal. Jeff also updates us on the planned reopening of...

On this Wednesday, December 3, 2025 , WFIR News Express brings you the day’s top stories across the Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia: • Six people died on Virginia roads over Thanksgiving weekend , as State Police released new enforcement stats showing hundreds of seatbelt violations, more than 4,200 speeding citations, and 63 DUI arrests. • A Roanoke pastor urges City Council to reject a pro...

On this Tuesday, December 2, 2025 , WFIR News Express brings you the top stories across Southwest and Central Virginia: • A Roanoke man is sentenced to life in prison for the brutal killing of 80-year-old Susan Williams, a longtime leader of the Local Office on Aging. • Internal frustration grows inside the Virginia GOP , as Loudoun County’s Scott Pio says election losses and outgoing party chair...

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

On this Friday, November 28, 2025 , WFIR News Express brings you the top stories across Southwest and Central Virginia: • Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger adds Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb and Christiansburg Mayor David Horton to her transition team , elevating regional voices on housing, economic development, and homelessness. • Roanoke keeps a proposed casino at the Berglund Center on its General Ass...

WFIR’s Ian Price goes On The Record: with The Roanoke Rambler as reporters Sinclair Holian and Jeff Sturgeon break down this week’s top local stories. Sinclair explains why Goodwill’s Market on Melrose in Northwest Roanoke is running a roughly $1 million first-year deficit, what that says about the grocery business, and why the nonprofit still sees a path to sustainability. Jeff walks through the...

On today’s WFIR News Express for Wednesday, November 26, 2025 : • Court documents confirm a downtown Roanoke shooting was gang-related , with five arrests and new insight into gang activity trends from Roanoke Police. • Former Congressman Denver Riggleman raises red flags about a U.S.–Saudi arms deal , questioning national-security risks and what the administration stands to gain. • A new White Ho...

On today’s WFIR News Express for Tuesday, November 25, 2025 : • A Honduran national arrested in Roanoke is sentenced for illegal reentry , following a felony DUI case that revealed two prior removals from the U.S. • Democrats signal hesitation on mid-decade redistricting —Delegate Marcus Simon says the effort may risk alienating voters unless the final map upholds anti-gerrymandering principles. •...

On today’s WFIR News Express for Monday, November 24, 2025 : Virginia Senator Tim Kaine makes a last-ditch push to save Affordable Care Act subsidies , warning that thousands of Virginians could see major premium hikes if the expiring ACA tax credits aren’t extended before year’s end. Kaine says the cost of extending the subsidies is far lower than critics claim — but the clock is almost out. Blan...

On this Friday edition of the WFIR News Express: 🚓 A solemn homecoming for Officer Jeremy Hall, as a motorcade returns the fallen River North correctional officer to his family — and VADOC leaders call for better pay and protections after last week’s deadly inmate attack. 🏛️ A West Virginia lawmaker renews his push to let several Southwest Virginia localities jump state lines, reviving the “Best...

On this Thursday edition of the WFIR News Express: ⚖️ Defense attorneys lay out their case as the UVA shooting trial moves toward a Friday sentencing, describing Christopher Darnell Jones Jr.’s traumatic childhood and deteriorating mental state. 🗳 Spanberger campaign leadership breaks down their winning strategy , crediting an affordability-focused message that resonated statewide. 🏥 Rural Health...

WFIR’s Ian Price goes On The Record with The Roanoke Rambler’s Jeff Sturgeon to discuss this week’s top local stories: A judge’s ruling ordering officials to release water-use data tied to Google’s potential data center in Botetourt County A proposal that could reshape how much city funding Roanoke schools receive And the official launch of author Beth Macy’s campaign for Congress On The Record: w...

On this Wednesday edition of the WFIR News Express: 🗳 Beth Macy makes it official , launching her campaign for Virginia’s 6th Congressional District with a pledge to represent working families. 🏈 James Franklin introduced at Virginia Tech , offering new insight into the coaching search and his move to Blacksburg. 🏛 Roanoke City Schools funding shift proposed , with draft formulas that could reduc...

A deadly attack inside a Southwest Virginia prison leads today’s headlines as the Commonwealth mourns a corrections officer killed at River North. Also on this Tuesday edition: 🔥 Botetourt–Craig brush fires fully contained after burning more than 4,500 acres. ✋ Roanoke College expands ASL instruction , strengthening access and awareness for Deaf culture. 🐾 106 dogs seized from a Martinsville ho...

As Virginians recover from the nation’s longest federal shutdown, key developments are reshaping the Commonwealth — from food security to politics and education: 🥫 Full SNAP benefits return this week, with long-term funding now secure through 2026. 🎓 UVA Faculty Senate calls for board resignations amid fallout from former president Jim Ryan’s departure and a federal DEI probe. 🗳 Two Democrats —...

Top Virginia and Roanoke Valley headlines for Friday, November 15, 2024: 🏳️ Flags at Half-Staff: Governor Glenn Youngkin orders flags lowered statewide to honor Navy Captain Thomas Scheurich, missing in action since 1968 and recently identified. 📄 Epstein Files Vote Effort: A bipartisan push advances to release all Epstein-related documents; Rep. Suhas Subramanyam says the files could clarify wha...

The federal government shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — is officially over, but the ripple effects are still being felt here in Southwest Virginia. In today’s update: 🍎 The YMCA at Virginia Tech continues feeding SNAP recipients still waiting on delayed benefits. 🛫 Flight cancellations persist at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport , with most delays hitting the midmorning window. ⚙️ Elb...