Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education | News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR

A Downtown Roanoke Attraction is turning 42 and getting a little work down to keep it fresh.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more on what’s happening at Center in the Square.

Center in the Square has been carrying out its mission of attracting visitors to downtown Roanoke for 42 years.  To celebrate some changes are in the works to make it even more visitor friendly.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports.

The curtain goes up this weekend on another holiday tradition.  The Southwest Virginia Ballet’s presentation of the Nutcracker is at the Berglund Center.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

The cast and crew are preparing for this weekend’s performances of the Nutcracker at the Berglund Center.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

More than a dozen Roanoke County businesses got a boost from the county.  As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the Economic Development Authority Business Equipment Acquisition Program or BEAP Grant handed out 108-thousand dollars.

Roanoke County Development Authority has awarded more than 100-thousand dollars in grants to businesses in the county and the town of Vinton.  As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the matching funds are meant to help the businesses hire new workers or enter new markets.

BEAP grant recipients for 2025 include:

A Roanoke City councilman is standing his ground on multiple city proposals, including potential speed cameras and the idea of a new Berglund Center casino, as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports:

One signature achievement of the outgoing Youngkin administration are the 15 “Lab schools” created in conjunction with four and two year colleges across the state, partnering with high schools that send students to the lab for part of their school week. Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera toured the Explore at RC lab school at Roanoke College this morning. Lab school students can earn college credits as well, and Guidera hopes the incoming Spanberger administration will look to establish more Lab School programs.

Virginia’s Senior US Senator Mark Warner announced this morning that he intends to run for re-election. In an announcement video, Warner said if he gets another term in the Senate, he will push for big ideas to help families in the Commonwealth have a fair shot at success.

As of now, current State Senator Bryce Reeves and Fairfax County resident Kim Farington are the only Republicans running to challenge Warner in November.

The day after Thanksgiving maybe Black Friday for retailers, but for plumbers it’s Brown Friday, a busy day full of clogged pipes caused by grease and greasy food.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

The Bedford Regional Water Authority and Lynchburg Water Resources are ramping up for their annual “Enjoy the Feast, Recycle the Grease” Campaign.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno explains why the campaign is important.

Citizens can pick up at-home recycling kits during the holiday season, November 10 to December 31, at

Lynchburg locations

Bedford County locations

Cooking Oil & Grease Recycling

Although many tourists visit Bedford’s D-Day Memorial each year, a retired U.S. Army colonel is inviting the public to the Bedford County Courthouse this weekend for the dedication of the Bedford Vietnam Veterans Memorial. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has that story:

A West Virginia State Delegate is claiming some Southwest Virginia localities have been wanting to move to the Mountain state for years. A bill in the West Virginia legislature could help make that happen. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has details.

Actor Michael Keaton, who starred as Batman in 1989, has endorsed 6th District democratic candidate Beth Macy’s campaign to unseat Republican incumbent Ben Cline. Keaton, who starred in a mini-series based on Macy’s book Dopestick, had this to say about the former Roanoke Times reporter:

Macy raised 350-thousand dollars within 24 hours of announcing her run for Congress. That is close to Cline’s 400-thousand dollars cash on hand.