Roanoke Pulls All Gunshot Detection Devices, City Cracks Down on Vape Shops, CNN Ranks Roanoke a Top 10 Town | Roanoke Valley's Morning News – July 7, 2026

Missed the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Tuesday, July 7, 2026.In this morning's update of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News with Joey Self and Ian Price, we lead with a major reversal from city leadership as Roanoke completely pulls the plug on its controversial gunshot detection network following a critical "process error."We also dive into sweeping local policy changes from Roanoke City Council, including a unanimous crackdown on new vape and tobacco shops, alongside newly updated zoning laws for future data center projects.Local and Regional Stories Covered in This Episode:Gunshot Sensors Removed: City Manager Valmarie Turner addresses Roanoke City Council regarding the complete deactivation and removal of all local gunshot detection devices. The decision comes after a process error severely damaged public trust.Vape Shop Restrictions: City Council votes unanimously to impose strict 2,000-foot buffer zones around schools, churches, daycares, and public parks to prevent new vape and tobacco shops from opening.Data Center Zoning Updates: Roanoke updates its industrial zone guidelines, officially requiring data center developments to secure a "special exception" to move forward. Meanwhile, housing density amendments are sent back to planning.Birthright Citizenship Debate: Congressman Morgan Griffith reacts to a recent 6-3 Supreme Court ruling. Griffith discusses potential legislative "guardrails" to address international birth tourism in U.S. territories.Roanoke Earns Top CNN Honors: CNN ranks the Star City the 10th "Best Town in America to Visit". Vice Mayor Terry Maguire credits years of dedicated investment in outdoor infrastructure, trails, and a vibrant downtown.Elder Care Panel Initiative: Experts from Pinnacle Living and Hermitage of Roanoke discuss the "third stage of life," highlighting resource preparation for Roanoke's rapidly aging demographic.Around the Valley: AARP Virginia issues a fresh warning over stealthy gas pump card skimmers; the scenic overlook at Smith Mountain Lake temporarily closes for structural upgrades; and Beacon Credit Union expands with a new branch on Orange Avenue.WFIR Sports: Heartbreak on the pitch as Belgium eliminates the U.S. Men's National Team from the World Cup with a 4-1 victory. Plus, contract details on Nikola Jokić's potential historic $350 million supermax extension with Denver.Stay informed on the go—subscribe to the WFIR News Express feed for your daily Roanoke Valley news updates.