WFIR News Express

A manhunt is underway in Henry County after a high-speed chase. Over 200 graves of enslaved African Americans are being respectfully relocated in Pittsylvania County. Big changes to Roanoke City’s student cell phone policy are coming, and questions swirl over delayed teacher bonuses. We hear from Senators Kaine and Warner on FBI Academy plans, and a Virginia Tech expert on solving the housing crisis. Plus: a drowning at Smith Mountain Lake, college athletes getting paid, a 7-year-old Roanoke MENSA member with a Lego mission, and more local headlines.

A lower cost housing option for adults who travel from out of town to the Roanoke Valley to receive medical treatment is the idea behind "Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge," which is closer to having its own building, hoping to close on a property near Carilion Roanoke Memorial in the near future. Meanwhile a 5.5 million dollar capital campaign continues. Hospitality House executive director Emily Reburn (Ree-burn) spoke recently with WFIR's Gene Marrano, and here is a "Longer Listen."

A former Cave Spring High School student speaks out about past encounters with ex-athletic director Randall Meck, who recently pled guilty to federal charges. One person has died and another hospitalized after separate water emergencies at Smith Mountain Lake. Juneteenth and Flag Day celebrations are coming together this weekend at McCadden Park. Five people are hospitalized after a crash involving a Bedford County ambulance. Bedford County names its first-ever female command staff captain. Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb regains clergy credentials from the United Methodist Church. Roanoke City ends the fiscal year with a $2.4 million surplus despite previous overspending. The Roanoke City School Board approves a $317 million budget for the upcoming year. A Roanoke Police recruit reflects on the moment she helped save a fellow officer’s life. A Campbell County shelter dog detects a man mid-seizure, helping him get medical care. Solar tax credits and green energy incentives face elimination in the latest federal budget bill. A new Joint Economic Committee report warns over 300,000 Virginians could lose health insurance. Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge inches closer to securing a building to host out-of-town medical patients. Roanoke residents can drop off unwanted electronics this Saturday. And a region-wide summer food drive will be held Friday to combat hunger.

A judge dismisses child abuse charges against three Rivermont Roanoke Southwest School staffers. Governor Youngkin honors a fallen deputy with a bridge renaming. Virginia’s U.S. Senators push back on Trump Administration plans to downsize Job Corps. Plus: a new mead tasting room opens downtown, a fire billing policy starts in Henry County, and Virginia tops a new income ranking. Listen to today’s full WFIR News Express for all the stories making headlines in the Roanoke Valley and beyond.

• WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports that United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge is warning of a funding crisis for Roanoke nonprofits

• WFIR’s Clark Palmer spotlights the urgent need for volunteer advocates to support Virginia foster children through CASA

• WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno shares why actor C. Thomas Howell is visiting the Grandin Theatre this week to celebrate The Outsiders

• Virginia State Police seize over $1.3 million in drugs during a weeklong operation

• A Roanoke man is charged with possession of child pornography

• A beloved cat dies and several residents are displaced in a SW Roanoke apartment fire

• A Humvee crash in Dinwiddie sends two people to the hospital with life-threatening injuries

• Washington Park Pool officially opens in Roanoke City

• A Revolutionary War hero from Salem finally gets recognition at a new museum exhibit

• A stolen truck investigation spans Bedford to Roanoke County

• Mill Mountain Zoo launches a Sloth Naming Contest to welcome its newest resident

• WFIR’s Clark Palmer reports on new concerns from the family of a 10-year-old Roanoke County student who died by suicide

• WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno marks the 81st anniversary of D-Day from Normandy

• WFIR’s Gene Marrano introduces Nokefest, a new music and arts festival for the Roanoke Valley

• WFIR’s Conner Arthur looks at new developments at Melrose Plaza in NW Roanoke

• A Virginia Tech professor explains the drop in summer air travel bookings

• VDH confirms a third case of measles in Virginia this year

• Pulaski police say a suspect tried to destroy drugs during an arrest — and exposed officers to fentanyl

• Botetourt celebrates new pickleball and tennis courts with ribbon cutting

• Parade participants needed in Blacksburg for July 4th

• Radford names Todd Meredith as its next city manager

• A person is recovering after a fire in SE Roanoke

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• Search underway for man and his 5-year-old daughter in Campbell County

• Youngkin touts $100 billion in investments, unveils new executive order

• Disturbing arrest in Henry County: man found with teen girl

• Abortion comment backlash: Lt. Gov. Sears under fire from Democrats

• Spanberger vs. Sears: tension over right-to-work stance

• Senator calls Trump’s budget bill “ugly” as Senate debate begins

• Motorcyclist injured in Botetourt crash; charges pending

• Pulaski’s Calfee Park kicks off River Turtles season in its 90th year

• Roanoke’s Rainbow Run returns June 14 to benefit Diversity Center

• New pickleball/tennis courts unveiled in Botetourt — ribbon cutting set

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• Gunfire reported near Valley View Blvd — no injuries, investigation ongoing

• Friends mourn 2 teenage girls killed in DUI crash; justice demanded

• Giles Co. man charged with attempted murder after domestic incident

• Roanoke drug bust yields over 1,800g of fentanyl, meth, and $16K cash

• City renews "Focused Driving, Safe Arriving" campaign against distractions

• Carilion to end school nurse contract with Roanoke City Public Schools

• Musk out of DOGE dept — local Congress members weigh in on the fallout

• Covington paper mill named top U.S. climate polluter by watchdog group

• Rolling Stone contest: Roanoke artist needs votes to advance

• VA Tech to test anti-drone tech with $5M Army grant

• UVA Alzheimer’s research sees breakthrough using molecule STING

• Dr. Janet Womack named next Botetourt County Schools Superintendent

• T-Mobile Fiber launches in Roanoke County June 5th — perks, no contracts

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• Police search for two endangered 16-year-olds: Alysia Trigg & Amiracle Lynn

• Roanoke’s mayor launches new task force to address 54% spike in homelessness

• Bedford County crash kills Maryland motorcyclist; second crash under investigation

• FEDUP marks 20 years of anti-violence advocacy in Roanoke

• Protesters demand town hall as Rep. Ben Cline visits local school

• Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears says state bracing for 32,000 federal job losses

• Adoption expert says Virginia LGBTQ+ couples should not be discouraged

• AARP warns of scam texts over unpaid tolls — do NOT click links

• Virginia DMV issues warning over fake fine collection texts

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• DUI manslaughter charge filed after two teens killed in NW Roanoke crash

• Trump’s “Big Beautiful Budget” bill heads to the Senate amid internal GOP tension

• “Operation Summer Shield” targets repeat and violent offenders in Roanoke

• Two major child pornography arrests in SWVA — one involving 100 counts

• Bell-to-Bell cell phone ban now mandated statewide in all Virginia public schools

• VBR Restaurant Week kicks off to spotlight regional dining

• Jerry Seinfeld to perform in Roanoke this September

• Bedford gas station vehicle fire; Bullitt Ave SE house fire investigated

• Virginia tops national rankings for job opportunity metrics

• Washington Park Pool ribbon cutting scheduled this week

Fast, local news for Roanoke and Southwest Virginia.
On today’s WFIR News Express:

• A Roanoke man pleads guilty to killing two people with an illegal machine gun at a Melrose Avenue party

• City officials respond after an audit reveals Roanoke overspent by $5 million — a violation of state law

• A former Pulaski County school employee faces charges for misconduct involving a student

• A serious motorcycle crash in NW Roanoke

• Rocky Mount’s mayor under scrutiny after a dismissed lawsuit and allegations of unethical conduct

• Roanoke College reports a drop in Virginia’s consumer sentiment as tariff uncertainty looms

• New TMEIC scholarship aims to boost engineering opportunities at Roanoke College

• Virginia Tech alum Nic Enright makes MLB debut after battling cancer

• Remembering Brian Wishneff, a driving force behind Roanoke’s downtown transformation

Listen now or catch us live every weekday morning from 6–9 a.m. on WFIR: 960 AM, 107.3 FM in Roanoke, and 94.5 FM in Botetourt.

Top local news, fast and on-demand.
In today’s WFIR News Express:

• A store clerk shot during a robbery in Vinton — two suspects arrested

• Roanoke overspent $5 million — and broke state law doing it

• Lynchburg Council kills a plan to double hotel taxes

• Congressman Ben Cline defends Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”

• The Senate passes a new “No Tax on Tips” act

• Roanoke Lebanese Festival returns this weekend

• Broadband expansion hits a legal roadblock

• Early voting begins across Virginia

Brought to you by WFIR: 960 AM, 107.3 FM, and 94.5 FM — always live, always local.

• A Roanoke neighbor describes rushing to perform CPR on a shooting victim in NW over the weekend; a suspect has been arrested.

• Virginia State Police search for a suspect after a fatal Bedford County hit-and-run involving a cyclist.

• New Roanoke College poll finds Virginians deeply concerned about the national debt — but divided on how to fix it.

• Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins receives a pardon from Donald Trump after bribery conviction.

• No injuries reported after a fire at Donnie D’s Bagels; owner plans a comeback with community support.

• Former CIA and Secret Service employee Anthony Sabio announces congressional challenge to Rep. Don Beyer.

• “A Thread Through Roanoke,” a portrait exhibition by Whitney C. Brock, opens June 1 at Art on First.

• Christiansburg man critically injured after reportedly shooting himself during a domestic incident.

• Radford University named Top Adventure College by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine.

• Roanoke County Police investigate after a car crashes into a building on Brambleton Ave.

• Funeral services planned for Tommy Fuqua, Roanoke County’s first Fire and Rescue Chief.

• Roanoke artists invited to design signal boxes as part of a new distracted driving safety campaign.

• Virginia University of Lynchburg earns top national ranking for its online Doctor of Healthcare Administration program.

• New Roanoke College poll shows Abigail Spanberger with a wide 17-point lead over Winsome Earle-Sears — but another poll shows a much tighter race.

• Over 1 million Virginians expected to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend; AAA offers travel tips.

• Mill Mountain Zoo mourns the loss of Snow Leopard Bali to aggressive cancer.

• Publix to begin construction on 50,000+ sq ft store in Roanoke County, expected to employ around 130 people.

• Roanoke’s Williamson Road project aims to improve pedestrian safety after 23 crashes since 2020.

• A Wythe County deputy injured in a crash on I-77; tractor trailer driver charged with reckless driving.

• Five teens escape mental health facility in Staunton; all recaptured and charged.

• President of Goodwill Industries of the Valleys thanks Roanoke EMS for saving his life after cardiac arrest.

• Congressman Gerry Connolly dies at age 75 after battle with cancer; tributes pour in from Kaine, Warner.

• AFL-CIO report ranks Virginia among safest states for workers, but unions warn proposed rollbacks may reverse progress.

• Governor Youngkin announces $16.9M for workforce housing across Virginia, including in the New River Valley.

• Comcast to bring high-speed internet to over 4,500 homes and businesses in the Town of Bedford.

• “Run for the Wall” veterans ride stops at the National D-Day Memorial today.

• Virginia’s employment numbers edge up while unemployment slightly increases.

• Two parents arrested in Nelson County after the death of their 6-week-old baby is ruled a homicide.

• A Salem City PE teacher is charged with indecent exposure for an incident reported in Vic Thomas Park.

• A vigil is held for 22-year-old Brooklin Goff, who died in a vehicle crash in Roanoke; the suspect faces DUI and manslaughter charges.

• Trial for murder suspect in Susan Williams case postponed until September.

• A Roanoke woman urges City Council to focus on affordable housing options for senior citizens.

• Proposed federal spending bill could slash Medicaid funding and impact rural hospitals in Virginia.

• Two Navy SEALs from Virginia disciplined over racist memes targeting a fellow team member.

• WFIR’s in-studio guest Ed Lynch discusses U.S.–Qatar relations and the controversial luxury jet offer.

• Sen. Mark Warner pushes legislation to increase penalties for misusing personal information held by the government.

• New report finds beef labeled "antibiotic-free" still testing positive; includes products sold in Virginia.

• The Harrison Museum of African American Culture prepares to move to its new Roanoke home.

• Liberty University to pay Jerry Falwell Jr. a reported $15 million settlement following his resignation.

• Dr. Laura Treanor named the next president of Virginia Western Community College, effective July 1.

• Smith Mountain Lake businesses brace for a record-breaking summer season, starting with Memorial Day.

• Former Cave Spring High School AD Randall Meck pleads guilty to distributing child porn while living in Singapore; sentencing to follow.

• Roanoke mother criticizes City Council over arrest footage of her son, who was allegedly put in a chokehold despite a hearing disability.

• Roanoke City Council approves 3% pay raise for city employees.

• Redevelopment plans for the old Sunlight Bakery Building get a green light.

• A 22-year-old woman dies in a fatal crash; DUI and manslaughter charges filed against a 21-year-old man.

• Book on President Biden's final months and cancer diagnosis sparks national controversy.

• Rep. Jennifer McClellan warns proposed GOP budget could result in loss of Medicaid coverage.

• Traffic alert: Franklin Road lane closure in Roanoke for Appalachian Power utility work this week.

• VDOT seeks public input on studies for Prices Fork Road and Melrose/Orange Avenue improvements.

• New Yale survey reveals overwhelming support for climate action in Virginia, but a widespread "false social reality" holds back progress.

• VWCC expands JMU biotech partnership, offering clear transfer pathways for life sciences careers.

• Radford University earns Carnegie recognition for supporting lower-income students with strong economic outcomes.

• Bradshaw Road in Montgomery County closes for four days for bridge work over Bradshaw Creek, with detours in place.

• A rifle-wielding suspect robs a 7-11 store in Lynchburg; police are searching for the individual.

• GOP LT. Gov. nominee John Reid blasts Democrats after Arlington County limits local police cooperation with ICE.

• 52 golf carts are destroyed in a fire at Copper Cove Golf Club in Franklin County; no injuries reported.

• President Trump’s budget proposal could hurt senior services in the Roanoke Valley, warns the Local Office on Aging.

• Two teens are killed in a Botetourt County crash on I-81; charges are pending.

• Beale's Brewery in Bedford announces it will close its taproom but continue distribution.

• Melrose Plaza in Roanoke will soon be transformed with murals, community art, and more tenant upgrades.

• Virginia State Police seize 68 pounds of narcotics and 32 guns during a statewide operation.

• A Ridgeway woman is arrested for meth possession; more drug charges are expected.

• Preliminary 2024 data shows a 43% drop in Virginia drug overdose deaths; Roanoke’s non-fatal overdoses are also down.

• Elevation Church donates $10,000 to The Least of These Ministries to support local transitional housing and aid.

• Broadway in Roanoke announces 2025-26 season with Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol and more.

• Appalachian Power moves forward on plans for a Small Modular Reactor and other renewable projects in Virginia.

• Area nonprofits brace for looming budget cuts as the Council of Community Services welcomes new leadership.

On this Friday, May 16th edition of WFIR News Express:
A downtown Roanoke restaurant owner calls out city leaders over a controversial meals tax increase. Political experts weigh in on local fallout — and the economic impact. Plus:

• Book No Further may close without a buyer by June 1
• New courthouse project underway in Fincastle
• Alpha-Gal therapy shows promise for food allergy sufferers
• Downtown Roanoke’s 800-foot summer waterslide returns June 28
• Virginia’s animal shelter, business development, and highway travel updates

📻 Reminder: Wake up with The Roanoke Valley’s Morning News — live weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. on WFIR 960 AM & 107.3 FM in Roanoke, and 94.5 FM in Botetourt. Live radio is free, reliable, and never buffers.

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.

• A 12-year-old child swept away by floodwaters in Crozet has been found deceased, according to Albemarle County officials.

• Roanoke formally begins construction on the In-River Play Park and a first-of-its-kind Wasena Skatepark.

• Former Roanoke City Council candidate Jamaal Jackson pleads not guilty to election fraud related to forged petition signatures.

• Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears expresses moral opposition to a reproductive rights bill, reigniting political tensions.

• John Clair is appointed the new police chief of Blacksburg, following the retirement of Chief Todd Brewster.

• Virginia International Raceway opens its 2025 season with Hyperfest, drawing Roanoke-area motorsports fans.

• Roanoke County hosts Kids to Parks Day this Saturday at Explore Park, including ziplining and a movie night.

• Roanoke Diversity Center invites the community to the 2025 Gayla fundraiser this Sunday at Fishburn Mansion.

• Governor Youngkin orders all flags in Virginia to be lowered for Peace Officers' Memorial Day.

• A free grief workshop by Good Samaritan Hospice uses art to help those coping with loss.

• Bedford County begins culvert replacement work on Atkins Hollow Road with delays expected into July.

• Lynchburg VA Clinic is officially renamed after WWII hero Desmond T. Doss.

Bio (SEO-Optimized Teaser Format):Floodwaters trap two women in Bedford — hear how first responders got them out safely. A Franklin County teacher accused of misconduct will soon face a grand jury. Roanoke City School Board braces for painful budget cuts after changes in city funding. Botetourt County Schools investigate a cyberattack disrupting services. Roanoke’s Homeless Assistance Team moves to improve access to care. Humanities groups sue over federal cuts to NEH grants in Virginia. The NTSB releases its findings on last year's fatal Augusta County plane crash. Trump stirs controversy by considering Qatar’s Air Force One replacement offer — Senator Warner says it might be illegal. A beloved Botetourt farm helping veterans with PTSD prepares to close. QualiChem expands operations in Salem, bringing new jobs and investment. Roanoke County's economic development chief wins national recognition for attracting major business growth. Crews respond to a fire in a Southeast Roanoke abandoned building. A historic Pulaski County civil rights case gets renewed recognition via the 23/54 Project. And Blacksburg’s Warm Hearth Village is named one of SWVA’s top retirement communities.

Monday, May 13, 2025 — A controversial meals tax hike in Roanoke sparks frustration from local restaurant owners. Plus, Route 311 in Roanoke County sees a multi-vehicle crash that sends two to the hospital. And a new bipartisan bill could reshape SNAP benefits and job training across Virginia. All that and more on today’s WFIR News Express — your trusted source for breaking local news across Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, and the New River Valley.

Also in this episode:

• Governor Youngkin speaks at Liberty’s largest-ever graduation

• GOP’s Lt. Governor race shakes up again after Tumblr scandal

• KALEO and Napoleon Dynamite Live heading to Berglund Center

• Campbell County launches branding project to unify public image

• Pickleball with Police: Roanoke County PD connects with community

• Drug dealers now face harsher penalties under new overdose law

📲 Stay informed with WFIR News Express — the Roanoke Valley’s daily audio digest. Find us on Spotify, Anchor, Alexa, and Apple Podcasts.

Monday, May 12, 2025 — A man is under arrest after a deadly shooting in southeast Roanoke. Plus, big changes in northwest Roanoke as Melrose Plaza welcomes a new community bank—and Metallica gets a taste of local flavor, thanks to a farm in Blacksburg. WFIR’s News Express has these top local stories and more, including a Sub Station revival, Griffith’s Gulf of Mexico theory, and a salute to National Police Week.

Stories Covered:

• Arrest made in fatal Dollar General shooting on Jamison Ave SE

• Metallica dines on locally-sourced food from Glade Road Growing in Blacksburg

• Bank of Botetourt opens first Roanoke City branch in Melrose Plaza

• AEP construction bringing closures to key Roanoke intersection

• Lynchburg purse snatcher caught

• Medicaid cut concerns for Virginia military families

• Griffith’s take on Gulf of Mexico name change

• National Police Week tributes from SWVA leaders

• Sub Station restaurant returning to Blacksburg

👉 Stream WFIR News Express anywhere you get your podcasts: Alexa, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Anchor.

In today’s WFIR News Express (5/9/25): Roanoke Police are investigating a deadly overnight shooting on Jamison Avenue SE, and five suspects have now been arrested following last weekend’s downtown shooting that injured three people. A Bedford man is facing serious child sex crime charges, and Carilion Clinic has received state approval to establish a kidney transplant program—the first of its kind in Southwest Virginia.

We also cover U.S. Senator Mark Warner’s renewed push for a housing bill to help rehabilitate blighted homes, the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, and new developments in Pulaski’s conflict-of-interest case. Plus: Roanoke’s meals tax hike heads to a vote Monday, the Street Performer Expo brings international talent downtown, and pancakes, seniors, and a new bank branch round out this packed Thursday.

In today’s WFIR News Express (5/8/25): Lynchburg Police identify a former EC Glass athlete as the victim of a Tuesday night homicide. Roanoke’s air quality earns mixed grades in a new American Lung Association report. New data shows most Roanoke-area job switchers stay in-state. Demolition begins on Botetourt County’s aging courthouse as part of a $35 million replacement. Roanoke celebrates art and culture with the Daisy Parade and the upcoming Local Colors Festival. A Hidden Valley teacher earns Virginia’s top education honor, and a Glenvar senior wins the region’s top academic-athletic scholarship. Plus: a new soap shop coming to downtown Roanoke, Food Truck Thursday in southwest Roanoke County, and more.

Real news, real fast — every weekday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Today on WFIR News Express:

• YMCA child porn charges expand

• Crystal Spring tenants face eviction

• Roanoke schools battle for budget

• Callaway woman found shot

• Bus driver faces 25 assault charges

• Griffith blasts trucking mandates

• EPA rollback on tire emissions

• Logan’s Roadhouse closes abruptly

• 22 miles of BRP to be repaved

• Valley Metro audit begins

• Parkway Brewing expands downtown

🎧 Catch all the local headlines in under 10 minutes — listen now.

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.

Today on WFIR News Express (4/29/25): A Cardinal News investigation into Flock camera surveillance sparks a court battle over public records. The search continues for Timothy Bryant after the death of K-9 Knox. Governor Youngkin orders flags at half-staff for Fentanyl Awareness Day. Congressman Gerry Connolly announces he will not seek reelection after a cancer diagnosis. Russia proposes a three-day truce as Ukraine pushes for a month-long ceasefire. Two Roanoke residents are identified after a fatal crash on Route 460 in Bedford County. Roanoke’s Riverland Road residents turn to skeleton signs to battle dangerous speeding. A striking new mural brightens 12th Street NW. Roanoke County invites residents to weigh in on the Glenvar Center Plan. Plus: Planning notices shift to Cardinal News and The Roanoke Rambler, and an update on the latest community, business, and international headlines.

Real news, real fast — subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts!

Today on WFIR News Express (4/29/25): Virginia's Lieutenant Governor race erupts into chaos as John Reid defies Governor Youngkin’s demand to drop out over an alleged extortion scandal involving explicit photos. Virginia State Police announce a $2 million drug and gun seizure during a statewide crackdown. Hitachi Energy brings 120 new jobs to Bland County. A car crashes into a Roanoke home. Roanoke City real estate appraisers go high-tech with iPads. A groundbreaking ceremony launches the New River Valley Rail Project. Lynchburg police arrest a teen for armed robbery — and a separate hit-and-run crash leaves a juvenile seriously injured. Plus: Virginia’s Invest529 program rebrands, the Washington Commanders close in on a D.C. stadium deal, and VTPD warns students after a rash of scooter thefts. Real news, real fast — subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.

In today’s WFIR News Express: Two inmates found dead on the same day at a regional jail. Roanoke restaurant owners and school board members push back against the city’s proposed budget and tax plans. Plus, Virginia confirms its first measles case of the year, a nitric acid spill is contained at the Radford Arsenal, and Democratic Lt. Governor candidates weigh in on the future of Southwest Virginia. Catch all your top local stories in under 10 minutes — real news, real fast.

Local restaurant owners push back on a proposed meals tax hike in Roanoke, while city school leaders warn of major classroom cuts if budget plans move forward. Plus: immigration rights groups say new federal policies are disrupting lives across Virginia, including revoked visas and Social Security issues.

Also in this episode:
– A gun found in a student’s backpack prompts charges against a parent
– A new Christiansburg arrest at a massage therapy clinic
– Missing person alert in Roanoke County
– Updates on the Homeland Security gang crackdown
– And a major scientific hint at possible alien life from a Virginia Tech perspective

🎧 All this and more — in today’s WFIR News Express. Real news, real fast.

A Roanoke City Police K-9 officer is tragically killed in the line of duty during a vehicle theft pursuit. The Salem Red Sox honor a local teen battling stage four cancer. We cover new developments in the Radford shooting, a major layoff announcement from Volvo in Dublin, and what one new report reveals about Virginia’s growing food insecurity crisis. Plus: oral cancer awareness in the Valley, a major drug bust by State Police, the Commonwealth’s first measles case of the year, and a scam warning from the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.

All that and more in today’s WFIR News Express — real news, real fast.

A Texas school district has banned the Virginia state flag, claiming its imagery violates school policies. A major local media shift as longtime Roanoke Times journalist Todd Jackson joins the Roanoke Rambler team. Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick returns to Virginia as a head coach—and BET is turning it into a docuseries. Also in this episode: an update on a double shooting near Radford University, a new solar energy push in Roanoke, a community response walk following a tragic South Roanoke homicide, and Christiansburg residents rallying against a controversial deportation. Plus: Dog Bowl concerts return, Google loses a major antitrust case, and Roanoke ranks among America’s Top 100 Best Places to Live.

Roanoke Police are searching for a missing 15-year-old girl with a mental disability. Two immigration-related stories dominate today’s headlines—ICE arrests a Honduran man accused of incest after his release from a Virginia jail, and a federal judge dismisses charges against the alleged MS-13 East Coast leader. Senator Mark Warner visits Salem to hear from veterans about VA funding cuts. Plus: Salem Red Sox’s Blair Hoke donates part of her liver to save a child’s life, Roanoke hosts a Chief’s Walk in South Roanoke, and biotech takes center stage in a new economic series. Also featured: a teacher honored, election finance scrutiny, a beloved local business changes hands, and playoff hockey in Wytheville.

Immigration enforcement headlines today's update: a high-profile MS-13 case is dismissed just weeks after a federal takedown, and ICE arrests a Honduran man released despite an active detainer. Plus, what Governor Youngkin says about job cuts to the federal workforce, election fraud charges in Roanoke, and major medical manufacturing expansion in Salem. Also today: scams tied to Social Security policy confusion, new jobs and fire training in Roanoke, and a big retail transition for a century-old local clothing store.

From a fatal fire on Hollins Road to a massive infrastructure update on Salem’s Apperson Drive Bridge, today's WFIR News Express has what you need to know. Roanoke County's top prosecutor is sounding off on bullying policy, Virginia's Attorney General joins a national push to rein in pharmacy middlemen, and allergy season is officially here. Plus: Why a true crime class at Virginia Tech is making headlines, how Baroque music is making a local comeback, and what new statewide initiatives are pushing Virginians to unplug. Your 10-minute catch-up on everything happening in Southwest Virginia — brought to you by WFIR News.

In today’s WFIR News Express:

📦 What does the China–U.S. tariff war mean for the average American? Virginia Tech economist Jadrian Wooten explains how rising tensions could hit your wallet—and whether a recession is on the horizon.

🚨 A major drug bust in Roanoke nets over 6 kilograms of cocaine, crack, marijuana, firearms, and more than $75,000 in cash. The DEA and state task force led the April 5th raid.

⚖️ The Justice Department drops its case against a suspected MS-13 gang leader — just weeks after federal agents announced his arrest in Virginia.

🧡 Hundreds gather at the Berglund Center to celebrate the life of 10-year-old Autumn Bushman, with renewed calls to address bullying in schools.

🧪 Roanoke College launches a national marrow donor drive to support a student with leukemia, and Carilion’s ER expansion nears completion.

Also in today’s episode:
🏠 House fire in Bedford
🛣️ Blue Ridge Parkway closures begin
🛑 Virginia’s "Thank a Trooper" program
📞 It’s Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

🎧 Real news, real fast — every weekday from WFIR News.

In today’s WFIR News Express:

🚨 Roanoke County’s school board meeting turns emotional following the suicide of 10-year-old Autumn Bushman. Despite public outcry, only small edits were made to the district’s bullying policy.

💥 A car slams into a Southeast Roanoke home — sending one person to the hospital and displacing a family.

🌍 Virginia Tech confirms nine members of its international community had their immigration records revoked — echoing a concerning national trend.

💼 Senator Tim Kaine reacts to tariff turmoil and a rollercoaster Dow, while federal job cuts threaten Northern Virginia’s economy and tax base.

⚖️ Lawsuits continue to stack up — from Covington parents suing their school district to a legal challenge of Virginia’s primary law.

Also in today’s episode:

• Roanoke meal tax hike on the table

• A major student data breach tied to Radford

• Day of Remembrance at Virginia Tech

• Blue Ridge Marathon traffic impacts

• And: the Salem Red Sox plan a big identity change

🎙️ Real news, real fast. Listen now and follow us on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or Google Podcasts so you never miss an update.

In today’s WFIR News Express:
Roanoke Fire-EMS has determined what caused the major Riverdale fire, the Roanoke Police Department arrests a man on child pornography charges, and a lawsuit is filed on behalf of dozens of Covington Middle School families following a carbon monoxide leak. Plus, Senator Warner reacts to tariff whiplash, zoning lawsuits in Roanoke, trash troubles behind the Berglund Center, and Danny Meyers is back on the air — just not where you remember him.

Tap follow on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or Google Podcasts so you never miss an episode of real news, real fast.

🎙️ WFIR News Express – Daily Roanoke Headlines in Under 10 Minutes

Stay plugged into Roanoke and Southwest Virginia with WFIR News Express — a fast, no-fluff, daily news update from the award-winning WFIR News team. Each weekday, we bring you the latest local stories, original reporting, and exclusive sound from area leaders, officials, and residents — all in less than 10 minutes.

From crime and politics to economic shifts, community stories, and cultural events — this is where Roanoke starts its day. Hosted by WFIR journalists and powered by trusted local sources, WFIR News Express is essential listening for anyone who lives, works, or cares about Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

📍 Based in Roanoke. Streaming everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Virginia will receive over $6.6 million from a national opioid settlement with Mylan — we break down the attorney general’s announcement. Plus: parents in Covington speak out through legal counsel after more troubling symptoms surface at the middle school. New Mill Mountain trails are officially under construction, a fun-sized petting zoo is headed downtown, and Roanoke celebrates savings week with free financial seminars. Also in today’s episode: REAL ID reminders, campaign finance records, and the future of multicultural food in Roanoke.

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

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

In today’s WFIR News Express:
📍 Roanoke police are investigating reports of hacked EBT cards and drained SNAP benefits
🚨 A 17-year-old is facing charges after a loaded handgun was found at Franklin County High
🕊️ We preview a community celebration of life honoring Autumn Bushman
🏛️ State lawmakers respond to Governor Youngkin's vetoes on minimum wage and paid sick leave
🌍 Virginia Senators push back on Trump's tariffs and foreign trade policy
🚧 Plus: Wawa is coming to Roanoke, Clean Valley Day kicks off, and a historic Roanoke locomotive gets national recognition

🎧 All in under 10 minutes. Start listening now.

A student is taken into custody after a gun is found at Franklin County High School. A deadly pedestrian crash in Blacksburg leaves a community shaken. Plus, a Salem church opens its doors for a powerful town hall on bullying after the tragic loss of a Roanoke County child.

Also in this episode: A lingering odor raises new safety questions at Covington Middle, FDNY trains at Smith Mountain Lake, VDOT seeks your voice on I-81 improvements, and world-renowned photographer Delphine Diallo opens her first U.S. solo show in Roanoke.

This is your local update from Roanoke to Radford — all in under 10 minutes.

A tale of two Roanoke's: Police investigate a deadly shooting near the Melrose Library in Northwest Roanoke, while officials tout safety improvements and boosted patrols in South Roanoke following the tragic death of a beloved community volunteer. Plus, parents raise new concerns at Covington Middle, Pete’s Deli says goodbye after nearly 60 years, and Congressman Ben Cline honors a championship basketball team from Roanoke Valley Christian.

Also in this update: a Franklin County shooting investigation, a troubling increase in outside money in Virginia elections, and a deep dive into how international doctors may soon fill key healthcare gaps in the Commonwealth.

WFIR News Express for Monday, March 31, 2025 – A fast, ad-free local newscast for the Roanoke Valley and beyond.

🎧 In Today’s Episode:

• **Roanoke Arrest Controversy** – A mother says her son, who is hearing-impaired, was traumatized after being arrested outside her daycare. Police say he was resisting arrest.

• **Feeding Southwest Virginia Faces Crisis** – Emergency food assistance programs are paused, and local pantries could feel the effects.

• **Payday Loan Scams Return to Virginia** – Out-of-state fintech lenders are skirting state laws.

• **Botetourt County Arrest Update**, **Melrose Library Shooting Investigation**, and **Roanoke Boater Rescue**

• **Political News** – UVA’s Larry Sabato weighs in on the Signal chat leak and potential fallout.

• **Virginia Tech Ends DEI Office** – Reaction from state leaders and what this means for higher education.

• **Economic Update** – Virginia’s unemployment rate edges up slightly to 3.1%.

• **New City Website** – Roanoke launches onboard.roanokeva.gov to simplify public service applications.

📍 Covering local and statewide stories other Roanoke Valley outlets miss — all in under 15 minutes.

📱 No ads. No filler. Just the news you need, when you need it.

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👂 Subscribe & follow WFIR News Express for daily updates.

🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your news.

🌐 Visit WFIRNews.com for more coverage.

On this Thursday, March 28 edition of the WFIR News Express, we bring you the day’s top stories from across the region:

• A tragic toddler death in Lynchburg is under investigation

• MS-13 gang leader arrested in Virginia, as Governor Youngkin targets sanctuary policies

• A Roanoke County suicide prompts new anti-bullying efforts in Lynchburg

• McAfee Knob’s new pedestrian bridge is officially open after over a year of construction

• Prescription drug affordability veto by Governor Youngkin sparks pushback from physicians

• Spring tourism marketing gets a boost from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

• Updates on the New River Valley Passenger Rail station, stock exchange switch for HomeTrust Bank, and more

🎧 Catch your local news in minutes—fast, focused, and factual—with the WFIR News Express.

On today’s WFIR News Express for Wednesday, March 27th — we’re covering key stories across the Roanoke Valley and beyond:

• A Roanoke family is demanding answers after a 3-year-old was found alone in a daycare bathroom with two boys — no adult supervision

• The White House pushes back hard against Senator Mark Warner, after he slammed a security lapse involving a group chat and U.S. airstrikes in Yemen

• Governor Youngkin signs bipartisan legislation to fight food insecurity on college campuses with a new Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program

• Virginia Safari Park launches new sloth, penguin, and rhino encounters — and remains the only U.S. location with a king cheetah

• Supreme Court ethics take center stage tonight as expert Alicia Bannon visits Roanoke College

• A house fire displaces residents in SE Roanoke, and local officials react to a variety of legislative updates

• Democrats raise red flags over plans to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and what that could mean for Virginia schools

🎧 All the day’s top stories in just minutes — fast, local, and trusted.