WFIR News Express

Each Wednesday, WFIR’s Ian Price goes On The Record with The Roanoke Rambler’s Jeff Sturgeon to discuss the stories shaping life in the Roanoke Valley. From city finances and development debates to schools, culture, and community voices, this weekly segment brings local journalism to life — breaking down what’s happening and why it matters. 🎧 Catch new conversations every Wednesday morning on the...

Author Beth Macy — known for Dopesick and Raising Lazarus — is reportedly preparing to announce a run for Congress , challenging Republican Ben Cline in Virginia’s 6th District. Also in today’s update: ✈️ Flight disruptions continue at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport amid lingering FAA staffing shortages tied to the federal shutdown. 🎙 Senator Tim Kaine faces backlash from Democrats — includin...

On this Veterans Day , Virginia’s leaders are weighing in on the ongoing federal government shutdown — and its ripple effects across the Commonwealth. 🎙 Senator Tim Kaine faces pushback from fellow Democrats after crossing the aisle to help end a Senate impasse, while Senator Mark Warner says protections against new layoffs were key to his decision. 🇺🇸 Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger calls for a...

Crews continue battling brush fires across Southwest Virginia , where blazes in Botetourt County have burned more than 3,000 acres . Forestry officials say recent winds and dry conditions remain a concern — but containment is improving. Also in this episode: 🔹 Governor Glenn Youngkin announces SNAP benefits will resume this week , with federal and state funds covering roughly 90% of normal assist...

Top Virginia and Roanoke Valley headlines for Thursday, November 7, 2025: 🔥 Botetourt Wildfires: Fire crews continue battling the Bald Mountain and Lignite Fires near the Craig County line — more than 1,600 acres burned with no homes immediately threatened. 🚓 Salem Standoff Arrest: A 22-year-old man is in custody after an hours-long standoff on Wortham Street; no injuries reported. 🏛 Democratic...

Fire danger remains high across the region , with firefighters battling multiple brush fires in Bedford, Botetourt, and Craig counties as windy, dry conditions persist. Meanwhile in Richmond, Governor Glenn Youngkin congratulates Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger , pledging a smooth transition as Democrats prepare to take full control of Virginia’s government for only the third time in modern hist...

Radford University Political Science Chair Dr. Chapman Rackaway joins WFIR’s Ian Price for in-depth analysis of Virginia’s 2025 election results — including Abigail Spanberger’s historic win for governor , Democrats’ sweep of statewide offices , and what the results mean for Glenn Youngkin’s legacy and the future of Virginia politics . Rackaway discusses how national issues — from the federal shut...

This week on On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler , reporter Jeff Sturgeon joins WFIR’s Ian Price for an in-depth look at two top local stories: – A proposal to reopen a strip club on Franklin Road is raising legal and zoning questions. The city has already issued a code violation, and the identity of the project's backers — and whether it will require public input — remain unclear. – A new...

Virginia voters made history on Election Day 2025. 🗳 Abigail Spanberger becomes the first woman elected Governor of Virginia , defeating Winsome Earle-Sears in a decisive win. ⚖️ Democrats sweep statewide offices , with Jay Jones winning the Attorney General race and Ghazala Hashmi elected Lieutenant Governor. 🏛 In Southwest Virginia, Lily Franklin flips the 41st House District , while Sam Rasoul...

WFIR’s Ian Price reports in this Election Night Update: Abigail Spanberger makes history as Virginia’s first woman elected governor , defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears . With more than 90 of 133 localities reporting, Democrats lead in the races for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General — Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones both hold advantages. In the Roanoke Valley, Sam Rasoul cruises to re-el...

Your first Election Night update from WFIR News. We’ll have frequent one-minute updates throughout the night as results come in for Virginia’s statewide races — including the contests for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General — plus key House of Delegates battles that could decide control of the General Assembly. Stay tuned for live, concise updates from the WFIR Election Team — brin...

Your top stories on Election Day in Virginia – Tuesday, November 4, 2025 : 🗳 It’s Decision Day: Voters choose the Commonwealth’s next Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General — plus key local races in Roanoke and across Southwest Virginia . ⚖️ Attorney General Race Spotlight: Jason Miyares pushes back on reporting that his office inflated early-release data as he faces Democrat Jay Jone...

Your top Virginia and Roanoke Valley headlines for Monday, November 3, 2025 : 🌊 40 Years Since the Flood of ’85: Roanoke reflects on one of the city’s worst natural disasters — and the flood-control projects that reshaped the valley and made today’s biomedical district possible. 🍽 SNAP Delays Continue: With the federal shutdown dragging into week five, food aid remains uncertain despite a Virgini...

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

Your top Virginia and Roanoke Valley headlines for Thursday, October 30, 2025 : 🏛 Redistricting Vote: A proposed constitutional amendment to redraw Virginia’s congressional maps clears the House of Delegates — opponents call it a “power grab,” supporters say it’s needed to counter moves by red states. 🚌 Campaign Countdown: With Election Day just days away, Abigail Spanberger kicks off an 11-day,...

In this week’s On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler , reporter Jeff Sturgeon joins WFIR’s Ian Price to break down top Roanoke news stories from today’s edition of The Roanoke Rambler (10/29/25): – Roanoke Sheriff’s Race Scrutiny: New questions emerge about Republican James Creasy’s residency and campaign practices as early voting wraps up. Two sheriff’s office employees also raise concerns abou...

Top Virginia and Roanoke Valley headlines for Wednesday, October 29, 2025 : 🏛 Redistricting Amendment: Virginia Democrats propose a temporary constitutional amendment enabling lawmakers to redraw congressional maps if other states change theirs; GOP leaders call it a power grab ahead of Election Day. 🍽 Youngkin Unveils VENA: Governor Glenn Youngkin rolls out Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance...

Top stories from across Virginia and the Roanoke Valley for Tuesday, October 28th, 2025 — bringing you the headlines that matter most: 🏛 Redistricting Showdown: Governor Glenn Youngkin accuses state Democrats of trying to “undermine the will of the people” as a special session begins to redraw Virginia’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms. 🗳 Election Update: A new Wason Center poll shows...

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

Top stories across the Roanoke Valley and Virginia for Friday, October 24th, 2025 : 🏛 SNAP Emergency Declared: Governor Glenn Youngkin issues a state of emergency as the government shutdown threatens to halt SNAP benefits for 840,000 Virginians. 🥫 Warner & Kaine Press for Relief: Both U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine urge federal officials to release funds to keep food assistance progr...

Top stories across the Roanoke Valley and Virginia for Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 : ⚖️ Lynchburg Conviction: A 50-year-old man found guilty of raping and assaulting a woman with an intellectual disability now faces up to life in prison. 🗳 GOP Campaign Push: The Republican National Committee pledges more resources to help Winsome Earle-Sears close the gap in the governor’s race, while former radi...

In this week’s On The Record: With The Roanoke Rambler , WFIR’s Ian Price talks with Jeff Sturgeon of The Roanoke Rambler about the week’s top local stories and the deeper reporting behind them: 🎰 Casino Debate: Vice Mayor Terry McGuire and other city leaders push back on the Berglund Center casino idea — while former Mayor Ralph Smith joins the opposition. 🪑 “Bench-Gate” Update: What really hap...

Top stories across the Roanoke Valley and Virginia for Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 : 🎰 Gaming Oversight Push: Lawmakers discuss creating a Virginia Gaming Commission to regulate casinos and curb illegal gambling, as debate grows over new casino proposals in Roanoke and Tysons Corner . 🏛 Roanoke Leaders Cautious on Casino: Vice Mayor Terry McGuire says he’s not ready to support a Berglund Center...

Virginia and Roanoke headlines for Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 — here’s what’s making news across the Commonwealth: 🎓 UVA Says No to Federal Compact: The University of Virginia rejects a controversial U.S. Department of Education agreement tied to research grants and admissions practices, with lawmakers calling it a win for academic independence. ⚖️ Gang Sentences in Lynchburg: Seven members of t...

Start your week with the latest local and statewide headlines for Monday, October 20th, 2025 : 🚔 Clifton Forge Standoff: Michael Caldwell faces charges after an armed standoff with police that ended with less-lethal rounds and his arrest. 💼 Shutdown Layoffs: Rep. James Walkinshaw calls on the White House Budget Director to explain thousands of federal layoffs as the shutdown drags on. 🕵️‍♀️ Ridg...