A student is taken into custody after a gun is found at Franklin County High School. A deadly pedestrian crash in Blacksburg leaves a community shaken. Plus, a Salem church opens its doors for a powerful town hall on bullying after the tragic loss of a Roanoke County child.

Also in this episode: A lingering odor raises new safety questions at Covington Middle, FDNY trains at Smith Mountain Lake, VDOT seeks your voice on I-81 improvements, and world-renowned photographer Delphine Diallo opens her first U.S. solo show in Roanoke.

This is your local update from Roanoke to Radford — all in under 10 minutes.

A tale of two Roanoke's: Police investigate a deadly shooting near the Melrose Library in Northwest Roanoke, while officials tout safety improvements and boosted patrols in South Roanoke following the tragic death of a beloved community volunteer. Plus, parents raise new concerns at Covington Middle, Pete’s Deli says goodbye after nearly 60 years, and Congressman Ben Cline honors a championship basketball team from Roanoke Valley Christian.

Also in this update: a Franklin County shooting investigation, a troubling increase in outside money in Virginia elections, and a deep dive into how international doctors may soon fill key healthcare gaps in the Commonwealth.

WFIR News Express for Monday, March 31, 2025 – A fast, ad-free local newscast for the Roanoke Valley and beyond.

🎧 In Today’s Episode:

• **Roanoke Arrest Controversy** – A mother says her son, who is hearing-impaired, was traumatized after being arrested outside her daycare. Police say he was resisting arrest.

• **Feeding Southwest Virginia Faces Crisis** – Emergency food assistance programs are paused, and local pantries could feel the effects.

• **Payday Loan Scams Return to Virginia** – Out-of-state fintech lenders are skirting state laws.

• **Botetourt County Arrest Update**, **Melrose Library Shooting Investigation**, and **Roanoke Boater Rescue**

• **Political News** – UVA’s Larry Sabato weighs in on the Signal chat leak and potential fallout.

• **Virginia Tech Ends DEI Office** – Reaction from state leaders and what this means for higher education.

• **Economic Update** – Virginia’s unemployment rate edges up slightly to 3.1%.

• **New City Website** – Roanoke launches onboard.roanokeva.gov to simplify public service applications.

📍 Covering local and statewide stories other Roanoke Valley outlets miss — all in under 15 minutes.

📱 No ads. No filler. Just the news you need, when you need it.

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👂 Subscribe & follow WFIR News Express for daily updates.

🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your news.

🌐 Visit WFIRNews.com for more coverage.

On this Thursday, March 28 edition of the WFIR News Express, we bring you the day’s top stories from across the region:

• A tragic toddler death in Lynchburg is under investigation

• MS-13 gang leader arrested in Virginia, as Governor Youngkin targets sanctuary policies

• A Roanoke County suicide prompts new anti-bullying efforts in Lynchburg

• McAfee Knob’s new pedestrian bridge is officially open after over a year of construction

• Prescription drug affordability veto by Governor Youngkin sparks pushback from physicians

• Spring tourism marketing gets a boost from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

• Updates on the New River Valley Passenger Rail station, stock exchange switch for HomeTrust Bank, and more

🎧 Catch your local news in minutes—fast, focused, and factual—with the WFIR News Express.

On today’s WFIR News Express for Wednesday, March 27th — we’re covering key stories across the Roanoke Valley and beyond:

• A Roanoke family is demanding answers after a 3-year-old was found alone in a daycare bathroom with two boys — no adult supervision

• The White House pushes back hard against Senator Mark Warner, after he slammed a security lapse involving a group chat and U.S. airstrikes in Yemen

• Governor Youngkin signs bipartisan legislation to fight food insecurity on college campuses with a new Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program

• Virginia Safari Park launches new sloth, penguin, and rhino encounters — and remains the only U.S. location with a king cheetah

• Supreme Court ethics take center stage tonight as expert Alicia Bannon visits Roanoke College

• A house fire displaces residents in SE Roanoke, and local officials react to a variety of legislative updates

• Democrats raise red flags over plans to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and what that could mean for Virginia schools

🎧 All the day’s top stories in just minutes — fast, local, and trusted.

On today’s WFIR News Express, we cover major headlines shaping Roanoke and surrounding areas:

• A 15-year-old runner slashed in Roanoke — a suspect is behind bars

• DEI policies rolled back at Virginia Tech and scrubbed from Roanoke City webpages

• New electric buses hit Roanoke roads as Valley Metro celebrates 50 years

• Senators Warner and Kaine press for answers on a national security group chat mishap

• $30M expansion in Botetourt County brings 270 new jobs

• And a closer look at the debate surrounding DEI, defense protocols, and economic development in Southwest Virginia

🎧 Catch up in under 10 minutes with the latest local news — from City Hall to Capitol Hill.

Today on the WFIR News Express:

• Roanoke Police are investigating after a teenage runner was punched near Patrick Henry High School

• In Henry County, a preschooler is accused of making a bomb threat

• Valley Metro unveils Roanoke’s first electric buses since 1948

• U.S. Senator Tim Kaine questions national security breaches involving Trump Cabinet members

• Virginia’s SNAP benefits and school meal regulations draw executive action

• Layman Family Farms launches Flower Fest with 50,000 tulips

• Plus: Budget talks at Roanoke City Council, a tree-climbing trespasser, and a new Fire & EMS Chief in Salem

🎧 Listen now for a fast local update packed with impact.

On today’s WFIR News Express:

• 🔥 Brush fires in Roanoke County and near the Craig County line fully contained; downed power line likely cause.

• 📚 Virginia Tech education expert says marginalized students would suffer if the U.S. Department of Education is eliminated.

• 🔫 Botetourt County Sheriff's Office searching for shooting suspect following a violent domestic dispute.

• 🏃‍♂️ Blue Ridge Marathon returns for its 16th year—with races and downtown Roanoke festival action.

• ⚠️ Second measles exposure confirmed in Northern Virginia; VDH tracking contacts.

• 🐝 A William Byrd Middle School 7th grader wins the regional spelling bee—headed to the Scripps National Spelling Bee!

• 🗳️ Bill banning voter purges near elections heads to Governor Youngkin’s desk.

• 🎭 Roanoke playwright David Walton’s new drama “Closing Arguments” premieres April 4th.

• 📫 Protesters gather on Williamson Road to oppose USPS privatization.

• 🧭 New “Let’s Go BOCO” tool launched to explore outdoor recreation across Botetourt County.

• 🎨 Artspace’s affordable housing plan for artists in Roanoke falls through—but plans for alternatives continue.

🎧 Listen to the full update now on WFIR News Express.

Today's WFIR News Express dives into key stories across Roanoke and Southwest Virginia:

• 🚨 A 7-year-old boy hospitalized after being hit by a car in Northwest Roanoke.

• 🐱 Two arrested after 47 cats found in “unsanitary” conditions at a Roanoke home cat rescue.

• ☣️ Acid spill injures six workers at Celanese chemical plant in Giles County—two in critical condition.

• 💵 Fatal crash in Botetourt County caused by detached truck brake part.

• 🏛️ Governor Youngkin signs $2.1B semiconductor investment bill.

• 🥫 SNAP benefits for thousands of Virginians could be at risk under a proposed House budget.

• 🧍‍♂️ Bank robbery suspect caught in Christiansburg.

• 🦴 Human remains found in Appomattox—linked to a man missing since 2022.

• 🧒 City priorities and safety discussed after murder of Roanoke advocate Susan Williams.

• 📉 Salvation Army fell short of Red Kettle goal—fundraiser planned to recover funding.

🎧 Listen for the full update now on WFIR News Express!

Today’s top stories in Roanoke & Southwest Virginia:

• 🐾 Roanoke animal rescue owners arrested—47 cats found in “deplorable conditions,” with felony animal neglect charges filed.
• 📉 Virginia unemployment claims surge 40% in one week, raising economic concerns.
• 🏀 March Madness meets fitness! Local trainer shares easy ways to stay active while watching the games.
• 🗳️ Senator Mark Warner urges the DOJ to protect election officials from growing threats.
• 🏛️ Governor Youngkin signs 180 new bills—including a $2.17 billion semiconductor investment.
• 🏠 Human remains discovered in Appomattox County during a search for a missing person in a cold case.
• 🔍 AARP warns of ‘gold bar scam,’ where victims are tricked into withdrawing their savings.
• 📚 New data science training program for high school students could be coming to the Roanoke Valley.
• 🚀 Local business alliance VERGE rebrands, aiming to better support the region’s tech economy.

🎧 Listen now for full details on WFIR News!