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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.