Virginia voters could start casting ballots next month for an unusually timed August primary. WFIR's Ian Price has more.

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is pursuing an upset victory before the U.S. Supreme Court over a redistricting ruling previously thrown out by Virginia's highest court. While that appeal unfolds, Jones is celebrating a separate federal win on tariffs. A 24-state coalition including Virginia successfully challenged President Trump's sweeping import tariffs in the Court of International Trade, which ruled the duties unlawful and ordered the administration to refund more than $160 billion in collected tariffs. Jones told WFIR's Gene Marrano that a second round of tariffs is also being challenged, arguing the levies force everyday Virginians to choose between paying their mortgage and putting food on the table.

Governor Abigail Spanberger is breaking ranks with fellow Democrats, announcing plans to veto a collective bargaining bill that would have allowed state and local government employees to unionize. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell — who learned of her decision Wednesday — says he's disappointed and perplexed. Republican Senator David Suetterlein called it great news for local taxpayers. The governor faces a May 23rd deadline on several other high-profile bills, including an assault weapons ban, a prescription drug affordability board, and a ban on police officers wearing face coverings. Any bill she does not act on becomes law automatically after that deadline.

In local Roanoke news: construction on Tanglewood Crossing — a new development at Starkey and Electric Roads featuring restaurants, retail, and 98 apartments — is set to begin by early June. Roanoke's Planning, Building and Development Department is nearly a third understaffed, stretching permit wait times from three weeks to three-to-six months and stalling home construction. One Roanoke builder completed 12 houses in the city in 2025 but only two so far in 2026. A Mechanicsville man with 17 prior felony convictions, Kyle David Hinkle, was arrested after breaking into a Bedford County home, assaulting a resident, and was found with a firearm. Botetourt County residents packed a public hearing on the proposed $159 million county budget, pushing for nearly $3 million more in school funding citing aging facilities — including Lord Botetourt High School, built in the 1960s — and a need for teacher pay raises. A new report shows Virginia lost more than $2 billion in potential tax revenue from data center exemptions in 2025, adding pressure to an already stalled state budget fight with direct implications for the Roanoke Valley.

The Roanoke City Sheriff's Office is hosting a Seniors Expo this Saturday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Pilgrim Baptist Church Family Life Center — featuring health screenings, resource vendors, safety information, and scam prevention resources for older adults. DePaul Community Services will be among the vendors on site.

Hosted by Joey Self. Anchor: Ian Price. Reported by Gene Marrano and Evan Jones. Central and Southwest Virginia's Morning News — News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR, Roanoke, Virginia. An 8-time Associated Press Best Newscast winner.

Its been about a decade in the making and after being vetoed twice in the last administration it goes live in 2028. Virginia's paid family and medical leave program will pay about 80 percent of the leave taker's average weekly wage, for up to 12 weeks ... time off to welcome a new welcome a new child, to care for loved ones or to recover from a long term illness

Today’s WFIR News Express covers Virginia becoming the first Southern state to approve paid family and medical leave, along with Roanoke City school program cuts tied to budget pressures. We also report on the zoning fight involving The Least of These Ministries homeless shelter, Virginia’s emergency Supreme Court appeal over redistricting, and concerns over future education funding in Bedford. Plus updates on Local Colors, Martinsville Speedway, and new drone detection research at Virginia Tech. Get fast, reliable local news from Roanoke and across Virginia.

A local festival celebrating the region’s diversity returns this weekend. Local Colors will be commemorating three decades of cultural celebration by highlighting more than 50 nations through performances, food, and fun.

Democrats have until tomorrow for any last-ditch effort to revive Virginia’s redistricting push for this year’s elections. WFIR’s Ian Price has details on the fast-approaching deadline.

Virginia State Police are urging Roanoke Valley residents to slow down as speed safety cameras on Interstate 81 become active starting today. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has that story:

Virginia’s Department of Transportation has released afirst-in-the-commonwealth plan that could place more than 4-million Virginians within walking distance of a multiuse trail.

In honor of mental health awareness month, a bipartisan mental health advocacy organization launches a campaign across Virginia. Inseparable’s ‘Care That’s Fair’ campaign highlights what insurance companies are getting wrong about mental healthcare.

Black Dog Salvage will make room for Jeff Todd and Roanoke Mountain Adventures by opening their Ashlawn Street warehouse to the public again, where they will store and sell their larger architectural pieces that have been salvaged. Todd will have 10,000 square feet in RMA's new home at the main Black Dog location, hopefully he says by early September