A study highlighting the states with the most underprivileged children ranks VA among the top ten states with the most privileged kids.

Here is the latest news from around the Roanoke Valley and Commonwealth of Virginia.

As schools scramble to find ways to keep AI tools out of the classroom, one Virginia Tech education expert suggests finding ways to implement them safely.

Free food, fun and games - even pointers from local High School golfers for those that want to take a few swings on the Par 3 Brookside course. The Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association is co-hosting this years Day of Play on Saturday from noon until 4pm.

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. 

Miss the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

In this episode of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News, hosts Joey Self and Ian Price cover proposed solutions to downtown Roanoke's parking challenges, the official results of Tuesday's Democratic primary elections, and a federal lawsuit filed by Virginia hemp companies against Governor Abigail Spanberger.

• Downtown Roanoke Parking Options: Roanoke City Council reviewed survey results showing 83% of respondents feel one-hour parking limits are insufficient. Consultants presented potential solutions including parking meters, extended free street parking, or free parking in garages.

• City Council Democratic Primary: Newcomers Rayquan Moore and Danny Clausen won Democratic nominations for Roanoke City Council alongside incumbent Vivian Sanchez Jones, while incumbent Peter Volasinn and newcomer Harvey Brookins were eliminated.

• GOP US Senate Primary: Bert Mizisalla secured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate with 51% of the vote, defeating David Williams and Kim Farington to advance against three-term Democratic incumbent Mark Warner this November.

• Broadband Contract Reassigned: A Moneta-based internet provider is taking over a massive broadband expansion project in Franklin, Henry, and Patrick counties after state officials removed River Street Networks.

• Hemp Companies Sue Governor: Seven Virginia hemp businesses, including Simply Hemp in Henry County, filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Abigail Spanberger to block upcoming state regulations capping THC levels starting August 15.

• Walker Foundry Demolition: Heavy machinery began clearing five acres of concrete at the historic Walker Foundry site in Norwich for a $45 million project featuring 130 workforce housing units and a commercial Greenway hub.

• Brambleton Avenue Armed Robbery: Roanoke County Police released surveillance photos and are searching for a short, stocky man who robbed a Brambleton Avenue business at gunpoint on July 31.

• Salem Historic Preservation Push: Resident John Bream urged Salem City Council to establish an architectural review board and create grant funding to protect historic homes from demolition.

• Day of Play on Williamson Road: The Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association will host its free 2nd Annual Commonwealth Day of Play this Saturday at Brookside Par 3 Golf Course.

• Lynchburg Expressway Overhaul: VDOT is preparing a $60 million project starting next month to reconstruct the Lynchburg Expressway and Kemper Mountain Road interchange into a partial cloverleaf.

• AARP Loneliness Warning: AARP Virginia is promoting local coffee socials to help middle-aged and older adults combat chronic isolation.

• Salem Ridgeyaks Win Big: Powered by a two-run homer from Luis Andujar, the Salem Ridgeyaks defeated Fayetteville 10-4 in Game 1 of their home stand.

• Former Liberty Coach Passes Away: Former Liberty Flames baseball coach Jim Toman passed away at age 64 following a battle with cancer after leading the program from 2008 to 2016.

• WNBA Unveils Cleveland Sirens: The WNBA officially revealed the Cleveland Sirens as its 16th expansion franchise, set to begin play in 2028.

• NFL Preseason Kickoff: The NFL preseason kicks off tomorrow night with the Hall of Fame Game between Carolina and Arizona on Sports Radio 101.1 FM.

Stay informed on the go—subscribe to the WFIR News Express feed for your daily Roanoke Valley news updates.

📌 Local & Regional Headlines🏆 WFIR Sports Wrap-Up

The "high, steep mountain to climb," that is challenging Democratic US Senator Mark Warner for his seat this fall begins tonight after one of three Republicans vying for the party's nomination is declared the winner of today's primary election. The polls are open until 7 tonight if you're registered to vote. WFIR's Gene Marrano has more:"

Miss the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Friday, July 31, 2026.

In this episode of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News, hosts Joey Self and Ian Price cover a bipartisan Senate pushback against dismantling the Department of Education, Virginia Tech's new AI model to balance data center water consumption, and Roanoke Police Chief Scott Booth being named a finalist for a top law enforcement position in South Carolina.

• Department of Education Shutdown Blocked: In a bipartisan vote, the Senate HELP Committee passed legislation co-authored by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine to prevent the White House from dismantling the Department of Education, preserving core programs like K-12, rural, tribal, and special education.

• Virginia Tech AI Water Optimization: Associate Professor Ferass Batarseh and a VT research team developed an AI model to simulate and optimize water usage scenarios for high-demand semiconductor plants and data centers nationwide.

• Chief Booth Myrtle Beach Finalist: Roanoke Police Chief Scott Booth has been named one of four finalists for the Police Chief position in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with final interviews scheduled for the week of August 10.

• Melrose Avenue Convenience Store Burglary: Roanoke Police are investigating an overnight break-in at Dove & Cardinal's Convenience Store on Melrose Avenue, where an intruder cut A/C unit wires to enter and stole a month's worth of cash and slot machine revenue.

• Henry County Data Center Water Buffer Proposed: During a three-hour meeting, Henry County residents urged supervisors to enact a 1,500-foot buffer requirement between data centers and local waterways, though officials confirmed there are currently no active data center proposals for the county.

• Mill Mountain Star Scaled for Film: Professional climber and filmmaker Chad Heddleston scaled the Mill Mountain Star early Thursday morning as part of a promotional film showcasing Roanoke's outdoor recreation.

• New Hemp & THC Enforcement Unit: Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced the creation of the Regulated Products Enforcement Unit to inspect retailers and crack down on illegally or deceptively packaged liquid nicotine and hemp-derived THC products.

• Vince Maiden Named Virginia Energy Director: Governor Abigail Spanberger appointed Radford University graduate Vince Maiden as the new Director of the Virginia Department of Energy.

• Parkway Brewing Opens Downtown Roanoke: Parkway Brewing Downtown Roanoke officially opens today at 11 a.m. on the ground floor of The Bower development on Campbell Avenue.

• Glenn Youngkin Speaks on Civility: Former Governor Glenn Youngkin addressed the Reagan Civility and Democracy Forum, calling Virginia a "purple wildcard state" and urging political leaders to maintain civil debate.

• Appalachian League Playoff Action: Pulaski plays Danville tonight in the Appalachian League East Division Championship, with the winner advancing to Saturday's title game against Kingsport or Johnson City at Calfee Park.

• Salem RidgeYaks Update: The Salem RidgeYaks defeated Kannapolis 6-2, staying within a half-game of Fayetteville in the Carolina League Northern Division.

• Rail Yard Dawgs Schedule Released: The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs officially released their 2026–2027 season schedule, featuring a home opener on October 16 against Fayetteville at the Berglund Center.

• UVA Football Practice Underway: Cavalier football began fall practice this week ahead of their August 29 opener against NC State in Charlottesville, while Virginia Tech and Liberty prepare to start camp next week.

Stay informed on the go—subscribe to the WFIR News Express feed for your daily Roanoke Valley news updates.

📌 Local & Regional Headlines🏆 WFIR Sports Wrap-Up

There is no shortage of interest in dental hygiene programs in Virginia, what there is, is a shortage of is dental hygienists.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno explains.

Virginia is in desperate need of dental hygienists. But as Denise Allen Membreno tells us it’s not as simple as getting more students interested in the curriculum.