Parts of Salem Avenue, along with the streets on both sides of the City Market building will be occupied by more than 130 artists this Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 5pm both days, with works for sale at all different price points. Its also a fundraiser for the Taubman Museum, which collects the booth fees for its art education programs.

The 68th annual Sidewalk Art Show in the streets near the Taubman Museum of Art returns this Saturday and Sunday. 130 or more artists - local, regionally and from a number of states, The 5th annual Star City Rockabilly Festival returns to the Virginia Museum of Transportation this Saturday, featuring local groups like the Jesse Ray Carter Band and the Screamin' Rebel Angels from New York

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers a shooting investigation in Northwest Roanoke, continued protests over the proposed Google data center in Botetourt County, and growing legal opposition to Virginia’s new assault weapons ban. We also report on Virginia’s redistricting controversy, Roanoke City Council races, and a $100,000 timber theft investigation in Rockbridge County. Plus weather updates, the return of the Sidewalk Art Show at the Taubman Museum, Salem baseball, regional high school tournaments, NHL and NBA playoff coverage, and more local sports from across Virginia.

Its become a foodie favorite over the past 25 years and attracts thousands of people over three days of food, music and community. The Lebanese Festival returns this weekend. It begins at 11am this Friday and runs through Sunday, opening at 11am each day. The Lebanese Festival at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church on Cove Road in NW Roanoke now attracts thousands every year during the weekend after Memorial Day,

As the Star City continues its use of Flock Safety license plate readers, some residents are concerned about the potential use of audio sensors designed to detect gunshots. Roanoke City’s mayor responded to those concerns as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports:

Visitors to the valley may come and go - but “Family Stays” when they are hear with a child needing serious medical attention at a local hospital or special clinic. Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia and other “Houses,” want to make sure people understand their mission.

FULL INTERVIEW -- Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb joined the Roanoke Valley's Morning News LIVE in-studio to discuss $35 million in budget cuts (school and city cuts combined), the future of Evans Spring and the city’s FLOCK pilot program for gunshot detection technology in an exclusive interview with WFIR.

After a 2022 fire destroyed several properties in Downtown Vinton, the town is acquiring the sites for revitalization. More from WFIR’s Conner Arthur:

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.com.

Tyler Lyons from the Grandin Film Lab, "At the Movies" ... with what's playing at the historic Grandin Theatre, Hugh Jackman in "The Sheep Detectives."