Governor Abigail Spanberger has vetoed legislation that would have created a retail marijuana sales market in Virginia. WFIR’s Ian Price reports.

Miss part of the Roanoke Valley’s Morning News on WFIR? This update catches you up on the top local and Virginia stories for Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Pizza Den’s Salem location is closing, but the owner says it may not be goodbye for good. Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoes Virginia’s retail marijuana bill and a prescription drug affordability board proposal. Roanoke leaders move forward with Vision Zero street safety plans, and Festival in the Park returns to Elmwood Park this weekend.

Also this morning: diesel prices hit local school districts, Roanoke Police search for a vehicle tied to a Peters Creek Road shooting, a local ovarian cancer awareness event, Olde Salem Brewing changes its dog policy, ACC baseball tournament coverage, NASCAR Hall of Fame news, and more.

Several generations of Roanokers always mark it on their calendars for the Memorial Day weekend if they are staying close to home. This Friday through Sunday night, Festival in the Park is back in downtown Roanoke. Once again its packed with live music, special performances and activities for the young ones

Festival in the Park is back at Elmwood Park this Friday afternoon through Sunday .. free live music, Artemis Journal poetry readings, Southwest Virginia Ballet performances, and vendors all day - 15 dollar ticketed Concerts at night Friday through Sunday.

A local nonprofit is rising up to raise awareness about an under-studied and overlooked form of cancer with a community outreach event planned for June 6th.

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Conductor David Stewart Wiley announces he will retire in 2028 after 31 seasons — the longest tenure in RSO history. Plus: Governor Spanberger signs Virginia's assault weapons ban, and Roanoke City Council adjourns without finishing its agenda.

Wiley, who has led the RSO since 1996, says travel and time with his wife Lea top his retirement list. He remains the fourth — and longest-serving — music director in the orchestra's 73-year history and a past Roanoke Citizen of the Year.

Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a new law banning the future sale and manufacture of certain firearms and high-capacity magazines in Virginia beginning July 1st. Legal challenges have already been filed.

Roanoke City Council's Monday night meeting hit the four-hour mark and adjourned before acting on proposed amendments to the city's 2024 zoning overhaul, leaving public speakers unheard. The Evans Spring tract vote passed, potentially clearing a path for conservation funding.

Also: Roanoke's meals tax impact on local restaurants. Ben Cline officially enters the race for Virginia's 6th Congressional District. A Clifton Forge woman faces drug charges after a Botetourt County traffic stop turned up over 100 grams of meth and 85 grams of fentanyl. A Peters Creek Road shooting leaves one hospitalized. Roanoke County Food Truck Week runs through Thursday.

It's a First Alert Weather Day — mid-90s this afternoon, storms possible Wednesday. Forecast from WDBJ7 Meteorologist Eva Herrera.

Hosted by Joey Self. Anchor: Ian Price. Reported by Gene Marrano. The Roanoke Valley's Morning News airs weekday mornings on News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR, Roanoke, Virginia.

Today’s WFIR News Express covers Senator Mark Warner’s warning of a possible energy crisis tied to the Iran conflict and rising gas prices, along with heated debate in Roanoke over Flock surveillance cameras and Raven audio detection technology. We also report on Virginia’s new assault weapons ban, Roanoke City Council zoning and data center discussions, and the opening of a new four-mile Roanoke River Greenway section at Explore Park. Plus Local Colors Festival highlights, Memorial Day travel forecasts, Virginia Tech graduation, extreme heat concerns, and sports updates including NCAA softball and the PGA Championship.

Virginia Republicans and Democrats remain sharply divided over how to address gun violence after Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a new assault weapons ban into law. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.

Patterned in part after similiar initiatives elsewhere the Roanoke Foodshed Network has worked with local partners to create a network of local farms and food businesses. The Roanoke Region Food and Farm Trail had its official launch yesterday. More from WFIR's Gene Marrano:

Today’s WFIR News Express covers the NAACP joining Virginia’s emergency Supreme Court appeal over redistricting, along with Roanoke’s zoning ruling against The Least of These Ministry homeless outreach services. We also report on Delegate Sam Rasoul opposing expanded Flock surveillance technology, Franklin County pausing its zoning rewrite tied to data center concerns, and the unexplained closure of a longtime Roanoke dance studio weeks before its recital. Plus the launch of the new Roanoke Region Food and Farm Trail, a preview of warm weekend weather, and the Scott Robertson Memorial golf tournament in Roanoke. Get fast, reliable local news from Roanoke and across Virginia.