The Roanoke Weekly

The Roanoke Weekly
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Your week in the Star City, in about ten minutes. Every Monday, we cover the biggest local news and run down the best events happening around the Roanoke Valley. Locally curated, AI-narrated. We pull from great local sources like the Roanoke Times, WDBJ, WSLS, and Cardinal News — and we encourage you to support them.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    Roanoke's Budget Cuts, Evans Spring Returns to Council, and Moon Dirt in Rocky Mount | The Roanoke Weekly

    Roanoke City Council adopted a $421.5M FY27 budget in a 5–2 vote, closing a $19M shortfall without raising taxes by cutting roughly 30 positions and pulling $50M from the capital improvement plan. The real estate tax rate stays at $1.22 per $100 of assessed value. Days later, the Roanoke School Board unanimously approved its own slate of reductions: the PLATO gifted program gets trimmed, activity buses for after-school athletes will only run Monday through Thursday during spring sports season, preschool classes for 3-year-olds are reduced, and there are cuts to professional development. The school-side final budget vote is June 9. Plus: the controversial Evans Spring master plan is back before Roanoke City Council tonight at 7 p.m., with three options on the table including a community-driven push to add conservation as an acceptable use of the 150-acre tract. Cardinal News reports that Roanoke's planning department is one-third short staffed, and builders are waiting eight months for permits that take two weeks in Roanoke County or Salem. Columbia Gas of Virginia is asking the SCC for an 11% rate increase starting October, which would add about $10.81 a month to a typical residential bill. And the final piece of the Roanoke River Greenway opened at Explore Park, completing a vision first identified in 1995. Events this week, Memorial Day edition: Dark Star Orchestra at Elmwood Tuesday and Wednesday, the Cardinal News 250 Trivia Night and the Ride of Silence Wednesday, Lou Gramm in concert Friday, Festival in the Park at Elmwood Saturday and Sunday, the Memorial Day Urban Cookout at Century Plaza Sunday, and on Monday the 44th annual Vinton Memorial Day Parade on Park Avenue plus the Salem VA Medical Center ceremony. Community pools also open for the season. Closing the show: twenty-seven middle schoolers from Benjamin Franklin Middle in Franklin County won NASA's Plant the Moon Challenge — twice — on their first year competing, growing plants in simulated lunar regolith. Locally curated, AI-narrated. We pull from the Roanoke Times, Cardinal News, WDBJ7, and WSLS — and we encourage you to support them.

    16 min

  2. MAY 11

    The Redistricting Ruling Lands, Roanoke City Schools' First Rezoning in 50 Years, and the Cheesy Western Goes to NYC | The Roanoke Weekly

    The Virginia Supreme Court ruled 4–3 on Friday to strike down the April redistricting referendum, voiding the new 10–1 map voters had narrowly approved. The 2024 congressional maps stay in effect for November. The local impact is direct: Rep. Ben Cline (R-Botetourt) is back in his current Republican-leaning 6th District, where author Beth Macy is still challenging him. Tom Perriello is pivoting from the 6th back to the 5th District to face Rep. John McGuire (R-Goochland). Filing deadline is May 26, primary moved to August 4, early voting starts June 18. Plus: Roanoke City Public Schools is planning its first major elementary rezoning in more than 50 years — about 250 students moving between Preston Park, Monterey, Round Hill, Fallon Park, and Lincoln Terrace, with a school board vote on May 26. Virginia State Police are installing speed cameras on I-81 between mile markers 143 and 150 in Roanoke and Botetourt counties, with $100 fines after a 30-day warning period. The city is wrestling with what to do about the Berglund Center — about $30M in needed repairs, a $300M casino-anchored entertainment district offer on the table, and unanimous opposition from area state legislators except Del. Terry Austin. Cardinal News reports the Roanoke Valley uses 11% less water than it did 20 years ago despite a 26% jump in customers, which the county is using to argue the system can absorb Google's data center. And a Blacksburg nonprofit, The Secular Society, partnered with Undue Medical Debt to abolish $51 million in medical debt for 35,000 residents across 17 Southwest Virginia counties — no application required. Events this week: Cardinal News 250 Trivia Night Tuesday, Boogie on the Mountain and Black Label Society at the Berglund Wednesday, David Nail and Jackyl & Buckcherry Friday, and the headliner — the Local Colors Festival Saturday at Elmwood Park, free, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a Procession of Nations, multicultural performances, and an international beer garden. Plus the Gainsboro Neighborhood Block Party Saturday and Kids to Parks Day at Elmwood Sunday. Closing with Roanoke's own Texas Tavern: the Cheesy Western is the May "burger of the month" at Hamburger America in Lower Manhattan, complete with 27 gallons of secret cabbage-mustard relish shipped up from Roanoke. Locally curated, AI-narrated. We pull from the Roanoke Times, Cardinal News, WDBJ7, and WSLS — and we encourage you to support them.

    15 min

  3. MAY 4

    Redistricting at the State Supreme Court, Roanoke's Gunshot Detection Debate, and a Daisy Art Parade | The Roanoke Weekly

    The Virginia Supreme Court could rule any day on whether to throw out the redistricting referendum. Reps. Ben Cline of Botetourt and Morgan Griffith of Salem are among the plaintiffs trying to overturn the result, and former Roanoke delegate William Fralin is leading the opposition group. Last week, the court declined to lift a lower-court order blocking certification, and the State Board of Elections couldn't certify on Friday. The decision will determine which congressional districts Roanoke Valley voters live in for the November midterms. Plus: Roanoke City Council voted 5-2 to approve permits for 75 new Flock "Raven" gunshot detectors, sparking a real debate over surveillance, false positives, and where the cameras land. Governor Spanberger spent her 100th day in office at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, signing education bills including one that designates the Community Builders Program at Roanoke City Public Schools as a statewide model. The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $237 million contract to widen the next stretch of I-81 between Roanoke County and Salem, with construction starting spring 2027. Carilion opened a dedicated midwifery clinic in a region that's officially a maternity care desert. And the drought is biting local farmers, with Bryant Orchards in Botetourt hand-watering peach trees while Roanoke logs its 10th-driest September-through-April on record. Events this week: the Salem RidgeYaks are home all six nights against Delmarva (Bark in the Park Thursday, Country Night Friday), Jay Leno at the Berglund Performing Arts Theater Thursday, the 4th annual Daisy Art Parade Saturday at River's Edge Park North with giant puppets and a noon parade, Forkapalooza downtown Saturday, and Music on the Mountain on Mother's Day. Plus a Virginia Tech student who just identified a brand-new species of meat-eating dinosaur — three times older than T. rex. Locally curated, AI-narrated. We pull from the Roanoke Times, Cardinal News, WDBJ7, and WSLS — and we encourage you to support them.

    13 min

  4. APR 27

    Redistricting Reshuffles Roanoke's Congressional Race, Big Changes at Virginia Tech, and a Saturday of Festivals | The Roanoke Weekly

    Virginia voters narrowly approved a mid-decade redistricting referendum, redrawing Roanoke's 6th Congressional District from heavily red to slightly blue — and the local field is already shifting. Sam Rasoul announced he won't run, while former Congressman Tom Perriello pivoted from the 5th to the 6th. The Virginia Supreme Court hears arguments Monday on whether the amendment itself stands. Plus: Virginia Tech AD Whit Babcock is retiring after 12 years, just two weeks after President Tim Sands announced his own departure. Governor Spanberger named four new appointees to the VT Board of Visitors ahead of the presidential search. VDOT's I-81 widening project between exits 143 and 150 is now underway, with completion targeted for summer 2031. The Member One / Virginia Credit Union merger has left some longtime members locked out of their accounts — including a Vietnam veteran whose Social Security deposits are stuck. And Catawba's beloved Homeplace Restaurant is back open after five years. Events this week: Lake Street Dive at the Berglund, the Short Track Preview at Elmwood Park, Mill Mountain's Percy Jackson, World Ballet's Swan Lake, First Fridays at Five with 80z Nation, the 46th annual Strawberry Festival, and the Taco 'Ritas Festival. Locally curated, AI-narrated. We pull from the Roanoke Times, WDBJ, WSLS, and Cardinal News — and we encourage you to support them.

    11 min

  5. APR 20

    Blue Ridge Marathon Returns, Roanoke Closes a Budget Gap, and the Dogwood Festival Takes Over Vinton | The Roanoke Weekly

    The 2026 Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon brought thousands of runners downtown Saturday, with an estimated $2 million economic impact. Plus: Roanoke and Carilion Clinic launch RoVa Labs, a biotech incubator projected to create 250 jobs. The City of Roanoke closes most of a $19 million budget gap without raising taxes — cutting 100+ vacant positions and pulling $50M from the five-year capital plan. Virginia Tech raises tuition 2.9% for the second year in a row. The Rail Yard Dawgs split the first two games of the President's Cup semifinal at home. And the Botetourt Chamber formally endorses Google's data center project. Events this week: Melissa Etheridge at the Harvester, the Bellamy Brothers' 50th Anniversary Tour, a full RidgeYaks homestand against Fredericksburg, the Ernest "Pig" Robertson Fishing Rodeo in Salem, and the 71st annual Vinton Dogwood Festival. Locally curated, AI-narrated. We pull from the Roanoke Times, WDBJ, WSLS, and Cardinal News — and we encourage you to support them.

    11 min

  6. APR 13

    Virginia Tech's President Steps Down, Rail Yard Dawgs Sweep Playoffs, and Down by Downtown Returns | The Roanoke Weekly

    Virginia Tech President Tim Sands announces he's stepping down after 12 years — and questions swirl about whether the timing is political. Plus: the Rail Yard Dawgs sweep Birmingham 13-1 to advance in the President's Cup Playoffs. The 611 locomotive is running summer excursions. Salem Valley 8 closes after 50 years. Elbit Systems brings 288 jobs to Roanoke County. Star Trail parking closes for upgrades. And tax rates shift across the valley. Events this week: West End Farmers Market Pavilion opening, Takacs Quartet at the Jefferson Center, Down by Downtown Music Festival, Roanoke Earth Day Celebration, and the 25th Annual Blue Ridge Kite Festival. Locally curated, AI-narrated. We pull from the Roanoke Times, WDBJ, WSLS, and Cardinal News — and we encourage you to support them.

    9 min

  7. APR 6

    Google's Data Center Divides Botetourt, Vinton Opens a New Park, and Roanoke Crime Drops | The Roanoke Weekly

    The community responds to Google's $3 billion data center in Botetourt County — supporters see a generational investment, critics want answers on water. Plus: Vinton's new War Memorial Park opens with a playground, skatepark, and pickleball courts. Smith Mountain Lake faces drought, rising cyanobacteria, and an invasive species debate. Rising costs squeeze Southwest Virginia farmers. Carilion invests $1.25 million in Roanoke County's new career tech center. And Roanoke crime drops 23% in Q1.

    9 min

  8. MAR 30

    Pilot: Google Bets $3B on Botetourt, Budget Cuts, and the RidgeYaks Debut

    Our first episode — Google officially announces a $3 billion data center in Botetourt County, the city and schools face budget cuts, thousands rally for No Kings, Blacksburg preps for legal marijuana, UVA women make March Madness history, plus the week's events and a therapy dog named Maggie.

    11 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Your week in the Star City, in about ten minutes. Every Monday, we cover the biggest local news and run down the best events happening around the Roanoke Valley. Locally curated, AI-narrated. We pull from great local sources like the Roanoke Times, WDBJ, WSLS, and Cardinal News — and we encourage you to support them.

Information

  • Creator
    The Roanoke Weekly
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Roanoke Weekly
  • Show Website
    The Roanoke Weekly