Local News

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week, and work zones continue to be a dangerous area for workers, WFIR’s Alex Torres reports:

From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calendar – With a look at some of the local events coming up this weekend and in the near future. Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.

An adaptation of a controversial Shakespeare play will be on stage in Southwest Virginia, WFIR’s Alex Torres has more:

The General Assembly will reconvene tomorrow to discuss the fate of the skill games bill, WFIR’s Alex Torres has more:

The NAACP plans to sue Governor Youngkin for not responding to public records requests concerning DEI – or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – classes at several universities in Virginia. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.

Hotel Roanoke Facebook

More space for events and up to date amenities for guests – like pickleball – will move Hotel Roanoke from the design phase to construction after City Council passed a resolution for the bonds to fund that project yesterday. The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

Acquired Through MGN Online on 04/22/2022

The Virginia NAACP 2024 Legislative Agenda released ahead of the reconvene session set for tomorrow includes youth justice reform that would make the minimum age to be charged with a crime in Virginia 11 years old. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.

Virginia Tech women’s basketball stand out Elizabeth Kitley was drafted by the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces with the 24th pick in the second round of  tonight’s WNBA draft.

Hundreds of convenience stores will reportedly stop Virginia lottery sales today in response to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s skill games amendments. The amendments proposed by the Governor last week place restrictions on the arcade-style games, banning them within about a half-mile of churches, and banning them from metro areas that have gambling establishments, like Rosies Gaming Emporium. No word on how long  stores will halt Virginia Lottery sales.

A group of panelists – from academia, regional partnerships, private development and public housing government agencies – met for a 90 minute “think tank,” session late last week, with affordable housing on the agenda. The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

There’s a new community theater in town. “Exit Pursued by a bear theatre” plans to offer 4 plays in its inaugural season. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports.

A community theater with an unusual name is bringing community theater back to Roanoke CITY. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more on “Exit Pursued by a bear theatre” which is branding itself as downtown community theater.

http://beartheatre.com/

The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs scored two late goals in the 3rd period on Friday night in a comeback 3-2 over the Quad City Storm to tie their SPHL first playoff round series at 1-1. The two teams will face off at the Berglund Center again on Saturday night in the deciding Round 1 game. The Dawgs came back twice to tie the score against the Storm on their way to a victory.

We are one week away from the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon weekend – “America’s Toughest Road Races.” Last year the races – a full marathon, a half marathon and 10k – were officially canceled about 80 minutes in, due to a brief thunderstorm period. Kait Pedigo (left in photo) with Roanoke Outside says next Saturday they’ll launch a new weather alert system. Hear the complete conversation below about race weekend:

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra is offering a rare treat for the region’s music lovers. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno explains.

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s “From Italy with Love” concert features Italian composers and offers the RSO the opportunity to incorporate classical guitar. WFIR Denise Allen Membreno has more.

https://rso.com/

A creation in this year’s parade

Looking for something to do this weekend? A parade in downtown Roanoke is one of many artsy events are going on in the Valley for World Art Day, WFIR’s Alex Torres has details:

A local storytelling festival is returning for its 23rd year, WFIR’s Alex Torres reports:

[Click here for more details on the event]

A campaign branding the Roanoke Valley as a Metro-Mountain Adventure might mean more tourism from the DC/Metro area, which could mean more business for Southwest Virginia, WFIR’s Alex Torres has more:

A Roanoke area muralist is encouraging residents to take risks when embracing their creative side. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story.