Google Water Demand, Inmate Sentencing, College Sports Shift – 7/30/25

Roanoke leaders question Google's proposed Botetourt data center that may draw up to 8 million gallons of water daily from Carvins Cove. A Roanoke man is sentenced to 17 years in prison for killing his brother and two dogs. A Grandin Theatre screening sparks dialogue about the dangers of social media. A Salem teacher’s indecent exposure charge is dismissed. A judge orders the removal of eight Youngkin-appointed university board members, with praise from the NAACP.Traditional Medicinals breaks ground on a $47M East Coast facility in Franklin County. Virginia Tech AD Whit Babcock addresses revenue-sharing in college sports. Roanoke College and VWCC launch a new four-year biotech degree. More than $60M in Hurricane Helene relief heads to Virginia farmers. Roanoke City Manager admits using AI in her inauguration speech.Also: The Day of Play arrives in Roanoke, Touch-A-Truck returns to Green Hill Park, and Salem schools respond to legal developments. Catch all the top headlines and local sound from across the region in today’s WFIR News Express.