Many areas of the country are experiencing drought right now – including southwest Virginia, where the Town of Pulaski recently put mandatory restrictions in place. With the Roanoke Valley looking to grow its business and residential population, eventually additional water supply planning will be needed. The public has the chance to get a sneak peek at that process during an Open House meeting on August 25. Water has been on a lot of people’s minds in the area recently, especially with the proposal from Google to build three data centers on a campus in Botetourt County that could require as much as six million gallons a day to cool the chips that power artificial intelligence functions. Laura Schirmer, the public relations program manager for the Western Virginia Water Authority, says right now the current storage and distribution should be adequate until at least 2060. WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:

And the winner is … The Town of Floyd and Floyd County. The readers of Blue Ridge Country magazine voted for the 2026 Best of the Mountains awards – and Floyd took home more than 40 top finishes. 29 in the Platinum category, 11 more gold silver or bronze recognitions. for categories like Best place for Agritourism, Farmer’s markets, to savor southern cooking, to hike or go antiquing, for the arts and much more. The Director of Tourism for Floyd County Kathleen Legg says with gas prices and living expenses higher, come check out Floyd as a nearby getaway destination.  WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:

A two year, 27 million dollar project at Glen Cove Elementary School in western Roanoke County celebrated its completion today with a ribbon cutting – one day before the students will be back in class – which are now all enclosed in separate, walled in rooms – replacing the outdated “open classroom” concept from the 1970’s. A new administrative wing was added as well.  Roanoke County School Board vice chair Brent Hudson lauded all involved for juggling three construction projects over the past two years – including a similar upgrade at W.E. Cundiff Elementary and the new CTE Center that will open soon.

Glen Cove and WE Cundiff Elementary – where a similar upgrade was completed in 2025 – and the new CTE center under construction along Peters Creek Road were all part of a 130 million dollar capital projects plan approved by the school board several years ago. Principal April Brubaker saluted the patience demonstrated by students and staff during the upgrade process:

The Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech opened in 2013 as the Moss Arts Center. One thing that has been a constant since then is the annual Fall-through-early spring slate of events covering a wide range of artistic genres. The 2026-27 season gets under way in late September and may be the best ever says its director. Take for example 15 time Grammy winner and cellist YoYo Ma – he’s at the Center for the Arts next March. An Australian Cirque group brings Ten Thousand Hours to the stage – and the space above it – this October 13th. Center for the Arts executive director Ruth Waalkes says a live reading and reflections from author David Sedaris on November 4th will be an event to remember. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has that story:

Amanda Marko is looking to be elected to Roanoke City Council this Fall when three seats are up for grabs – the economic development specialist and chair of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission would become just the second Republican elected to Council in two decades. Marko says that GOP label shouldn’t stop some voters from considering her credentials – or her stance on bread-and-butter issues like parking.  Hear much more from Roanoke City Council candidate Amanda Marko about housing, economic development and other key points by clicking the link to this Longer Listen below:

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. See more at Roanoke Cultural Endowment.org. Tickets are on sale now for the new season at Jefferson Center, featuring a range of music genres, not to mention Latin dance parties, comedians, the Barter Players and more. One week from this Friday night at the Bear Theatre in downtown Roanoke, Tennessee William’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof comes to the stage for 2 weekends beginning August 21st, as the family gathers at their Mississippi plantation for “Big Daddy’s” 65th birthday, there’s family strife and personality clashes, questions about inheritance, intimacy – and sexual orientation that were bold when the play was written in the 1950’s.  Single event tickets are now on sale for the 2026-27 season at the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, which debuts next month with classical music – and featuring renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma next March – jazz, dance, live theatre and guest speakers including David Sedaris on November 4th. Ruth Waalkes is executive director at the Center for the Arts:

Virginia attorney general Jay Jones was in Roanoke today, holding a “Public Safety Roundtable,” with local law enforcement agencies, Roanoke City officials and private organizations, with a focus on reducing gun violence and intervention programs that help young people avoid that path forward – and incarceration.  Jones also visited Carilion Clinic’s Violent Injury recovery and support program, to learn how the hospital-based staff helps survivors of gun violence, stabbings and assault regain their health. He heard about a number of different approaches to gun and gang violence intervention in Roanoke:

The Department of Motor Vehicles says that in 2025 Virginia recorded 233 drugged driver fatalities – 117 of those deaths were related to cannabis use. By this time next year a retail market operation for legal sales of marijuana should be in place – but the DMV isn’t waiting until then to get the message out – Don’t Drive High. A new, slickly-produced video that will be aired on TV, radio and social media platforms between today and Labor Day carries a simple message for cannabis users – if you get high, relax – but not while driving. In the “Relaxx” video people at all different ages are portrayed as high – but they are not in a vehicle, they’re at home chilling on the couch watching TV or gaming, out in the garden, or satisfying their urge to snack. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has the details:

CHIP of Roanoke Valley held its 5th annual Back to School Celebration today, providing school supplies and other services to hundreds of children and families. At today’s Back to School celebration community partner booths offered information on wellness activities and other services. Tiffany Dennis is the major gift officer for CHIP, an early childhood visiting program in downtown Roanoke focused on mothers-to-be and low income children:

The head of the Virginia Tech School of Education says there are several factors contributing to the drop in reading comprehension skills among young people. Details from WFIR’s Clark Palmer: