Christmas is just around the corner now, but Hallmark has been counting down to the big day since mid-October. And viewers love it.  Tuning in every weekend for another new movie.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

You don’t have to look far to find the perfect Christmas holiday.  Just turn on the Hallmark channel, or streaming services such as Hulu or Netflix.  As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno tells us the Holiday romcom has become big business.

As area high school students wrap up the first semester of their senior year, attention turns to college.  Leaders at VWCC want to remind students and parents there’s a free option to eligible students. WFIR’s Den

ise Allen Membreno has more.

The Community College Access Program or CCAP offers area high school students a chance to continue their education for free. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the deadline for applying to the program is approaching.

Around two decades ago New River Valley resident and animal lover Robin Yefko came up with an idea she even had trademarked and is patent pending – an “Animal Angel Tree,” for pets, akin to the Salvation Army Angel Trees which are decorated with wish lists from children. “Tessa’s Tree of Hope,” named after a cat Yefko once had, is decorated with gift ideas for pets – now at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Blacksburg – until December 23. The Animal Angel Tree located at the Marathon gas station on Tom’s Creek Road in Blacksburg features ornaments with pictures of each pet – and their wish list. Under ten dollars is fine says Yefko.

As the world grapples with the aftermath of Sunday’s mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Australia, Radford University’s political science chair is weighing in on the growing rise in antisemitism. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has details:

From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calendar – With a look at some of the local events coming up this weekend and in the near future. Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.

At least for now it appears the health care insurance premium subsidies for the past 5 years that made them more affordable millions have gone away. One of Virginia’s principal players in the market says its time to get to work, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:

An annual award recognizing an individual who goes above and beyond for the Roanoke community has returned with the announcement of the 2025 Roanoke Citizen of the Year. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has that story:

With the holiday travel season quickly approaching, a Virginia AARP community ambassador is urging travelers to stay vigilant at airports, where scammers often try to take advantage. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has that story:

A major American freight railroad company with strong ties to Roanoke has distributed $100,000 in grants to several local nonprofit organizations, aiming to help build stronger communities across the Valley as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports:

The RAM House day shelter that serves Roanoke’s homeless population is making significant progress on a capital campaign to renovate its new, larger space coming soon on Elm Avenue. WFIR’s Gene Marrano with an update: