Budget talks stall over data centers, Roanoke comes up empty in Richmond, and rabies confirmed in Bedford and Campbell — WFIR News Express 3/12/26

This WFIR News Express update was recorded for Thursday, March 12, 2026, and is being posted late on Friday, March 13, 2026. A separate new update for Friday will be posted later.In this episode, Virginia lawmakers face the prospect of a special session as budget negotiations stall over data center tax exemptions, with Governor Abigail Spanberger floating a compromise tied to energy consumption. We also cover a press conference from high-profile Virginia Democrats and the Virginia NAACP raising concerns about deceptive mailers tied to the April 21 redistricting referendum.Health officials confirm multiple rabid animals in Bedford and Campbell counties, and we report on a Roanoke woman sentenced in federal court for a nearly $2 million COVID-19 PPP fraud scheme. We also look at fallout for Roanoke at the General Assembly, where the city’s funding requests — including airport and Amtrak-related projects — received no state support this year.Plus: Roanoke College lands federal funding for its Explore@RC dual enrollment lab school; the Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport renews its Care Cupboard donation drive to support TSA employees affected by the government shutdown; a new Virginia Tech study highlights the economic impact of the Creeper Trail; the Bedford County School Board weighs closing Stewartsville Elementary; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Virginia hosts “Handbag Hullabaloo” in Vinton; and Congress recommends Radford native Col. John Ripley for a posthumous Medal of Honor.That’s the latest from WFIR News Express.