This WFIR News Express update was recorded and dated Monday, February 9, 2026, and is being posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

In this edition, the Virginia Supreme Court is set to weigh in on the legality of Democrats’ proposed congressional map and whether an April referendum can move forward, as former Attorney General Jason Miyares raises concerns about representation and the state’s voter-approved bipartisan redistricting process.

In Roanoke, police investigate a double homicide after two men were found shot inside a car in the back parking lot of Refreshing Church on Carroll Avenue Northwest. In Richmond, lawmakers debate a gun storage bill requiring locked storage in homes with minors or prohibited possessors, as Republicans argue it could create financial burdens for gun owners.

We also have multiple rescue stories from winter conditions — two hikers pulled from the backcountry near Thomas Knob in Grayson County, and Bedford County firefighters saving a cow stuck in a cold-water spring. In Rockbridge County, indictments are announced in the Natural Bridge Zoo animal cruelty case, as a national animal rights organization responds and lawmakers consider related animal welfare legislation.

Plus, the Speaker of the House voices support for Governor Spanberger’s directive ending state law enforcement assistance to ICE, and a Northern Virginia delegate introduces a bill aimed at transparency in college NIL deals. We also have updates involving UVA football, Virginia Tech facility renovations, and a Salem City Council vote on downtown Roanoke Boulevard improvements.

That’s the latest from WFIR News Express.

On this Friday, February 6, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, Virginia Democrats release a proposed 10-1 congressional map that would reshape districts across the Commonwealth ahead of the midterm elections, with Southwest Virginia and the New River Valley shifting into a newly drawn 6th District. We hear reaction from legislative leaders as the State Supreme Court weighs whether the map will go to referendum. Congressional candidates Beth Macy and former Congressman Tom Perriello both say redistricting won’t change their commitment to voters.

In Richmond, a Republican delegate warns a bill extending the waiting period for evictions could backfire on tenants and landlords alike. In Botetourt County, plans for three massive Google data centers spark political and environmental debate, as concerns grow over power usage, water demand, and electric bills.

We also report on the death of former 9th District Congressman Charles Poindexter at age 83, federal funding negotiations in Washington as Homeland Security funding remains unresolved, and Senator Tim Kaine’s push for changes to ICE enforcement practices. Plus, prosecutors allege a Roanoke bridal shop was used as a hub for human trafficking and drug distribution, Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors approves planning for major campus renovations, Beale’s taproom in Bedford prepares to reopen under new management, and new state wildlife data shows deer harvests up while bear and turkey numbers decline.

That’s the latest from WFIR News Express.

On this Thursday, February 5, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, prosecutors say a Roanoke bridal shop was used as a hub for a human trafficking and drug operation with more than 50 victims identified, as five people face racketeering charges spanning multiple counties. We also cover Governor Abigail Spanberger’s decision to end Virginia’s statewide 287(g) agreement, cutting off state law enforcement cooperation with ICE — while local agreements in parts of Southwest and Southside remain in place.

From Washington, Senator Tim Kaine criticizes what he calls the vilification of immigrants and points to their economic impact in Virginia. In Richmond, Democrats roll out their “Virginia You Can Afford” agenda focused on lowering costs for medicine, housing, childcare, and electric bills, while labor advocates push to repeal Virginia’s decades-old right-to-work law — a move facing political uncertainty.

We also report on Senator Mark Warner’s reaction after President Trump ordered the FBI to seize 2020 election records in Fulton County, Georgia. In Campbell County, a drug suspect is taken into custody after a week-and-a-half search following a major cocaine seizure. In Smyth County, a doctor is arrested on federal child sexual abuse material charges. And we highlight Youth Mental Health Awareness Month, with Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare’s “Break the Stigma” campaign and creative contest aimed at encouraging young people to seek help.

That’s the latest from WFIR News Express.

Big new details are emerging about Google’s planned data center campus in Botetourt County — and Roanoke’s casino push just got a lot murkier.

On today’s On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler, reporter Jeff Sturgeon joins WFIR by phone (still snowed in by Winter Storm Fern) to break down newly obtained documents showing Google’s campus is envisioned as three data center buildings totaling nearly one million square feet on a 312-acre site near Daleville. The records tie the project to major permitting steps involving wetlands, and point to a much larger footprint than many residents expected — along with the performance targets already linked to the deal: up to $3 billion in investment and 150 jobs if the first center is completed by 2030. We also discuss the ongoing legal fight over data center water-use records, as The Roanoke Rambler’s case continues to trend in its favor while the dispute plays out on appeal.

Then we shift to downtown Roanoke, where The Rambler uncovered a $75,000 payment from a casino developer to the city connected to the Berglund Center “entertainment district” effort. The twist: City Hall won’t say who paid it or what it’s for, citing non-disclosure agreements — and officials insist it’s not being used for the city’s $6,000-a-month lobbying contract. With public skepticism still high and state-level support looking shaky, we dig into what the city is willing to confirm, what remains out of public view, and how this intersects with the still-unresolved question of Berglund Center naming rights.

To read the full reporting, visit RoanokeRambler.com and sign up free.

On this Tuesday, February 3, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, we follow up on the planned shutdown of Salem’s longtime Yokohama tire plant, with new help for workers facing layoffs — including free resume and skills services and a job fair this Thursday at the Salem Civic Center.

We also look at how medical cannabis suppliers are positioning for Virginia’s future retail marketplace, including expansion plans as companies estimate the potential size of an adult-use market. In Richmond, an area distillery backs legislation that would change how Virginia distilleries can sell certain products at farmers markets, while lawmakers continue the debate over whether the Commonwealth needs a study before repealing the car tax.

In Southwest Virginia, Buchanan County considers multi-million-dollar support for the Appalachian School of Law amid a financial crunch. A new housing report highlights how immigrant labor supports construction trades — and what tighter immigration policy could mean for building costs and affordability.

We also have a milestone for Traditional Medicinals’ new Franklin County facility, Pulaski County’s first fire marshal now on the job, and an entertainment note as country artist Ella Langley brings her tour to the Salem Civic Center this summer.

That’s the latest from WFIR News Express.

On this Monday, February 2, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, we start with Groundhog Day — and Roanoke’s own long-running tradition, from the historic Roanoke Groundhog Club to Mill Mountain Zoo’s former “Tweeter” and today’s prairie dog prediction.

We also cover a high-speed I-81 police chase that topped 100 miles per hour, ending with a Georgia woman arrested on felony eluding, DUI, and reckless driving charges. In Franklin County, a major boundary adjustment expands the Town of Rocky Mount by about 700 acres and more than 500 residents, with timelines set for police patrols, street maintenance, and trash pickup.

In Washington and Richmond, Congressman James Walkinshaw weighs in on oversight of federal funds tied to daycare fraud allegations, while former Attorney General Jason Miyares and former Congressman Eric Cantor criticize Democrats moving forward with an April 21 redistricting referendum despite a recent court ruling.

In Henry County, a Bassett man is arrested after a poodle was shot and left blind, and in Lynchburg, firefighters rescue a dog that fell through ice into a storm drain. At the General Assembly, lawmakers consider legislation giving medical professionals more say in where lab samples are sent for testing, and a Roanoke-area delegate raises concerns over a bill tied to housing grants for government workers.

And finally — an injured pet kangaroo is safely captured along Route 29 in Nelson County, and Danville City Council considers directing excess casino revenue toward economic development at Tuesday night’s meeting.

That’s the latest from WFIR News Express.

On this Friday, January 30, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, our top local story centers on a dangerous house fire in Roanoke:

• Two Roanoke City firefighters are hospitalized after being injured while responding to a house fire in the 2700 block of Courtland Road NW, where crews rescued one person and treated multiple injuries on scene.

• Fire officials say a mayday was called from inside the structure, with firefighters from Engine 5 and Ladder 5 sustaining injuries ranging from minor to serious.

• In Bedford, firefighters report no injuries after a chimney fire displaced residents from a home on Longwood Avenue, with crews finding heavy smoke and fire inside a wall above a first-floor fireplace.

Developments in Washington and Richmond highlight ongoing debates over immigration enforcement and federal funding:

• Senate Democrats block a test vote on funding the Department of Homeland Security, raising the possibility of a partial government shutdown as deadlines approach.

• Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine call for changes to ICE enforcement tactics, including limits on roving patrols, mask use, and requirements for body cameras.

• The Virginia NAACP condemns the establishment of ICE detention centers in Hanover and Stafford Counties, citing concerns over human rights and dignity.

• Democratic lawmakers in the General Assembly advance legislation limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE without a valid judicial warrant.

• Another proposal would restrict ICE arrests at sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and attorney’s offices, drawing criticism from Republican leaders who argue public safety should remain the priority.

Additional headlines from across the Commonwealth:

• U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman Don Beyer introduce the Cost of Police Misconduct Act, aimed at increasing transparency around settlements and judgments tied to law enforcement misconduct.

• The Virginia DMV earns international recognition for its business transformation efforts, reporting millions in savings and significantly reduced customer wait times.

• Donnie D’s Bagels remains open during recent winter weather, offering warm meals to Roanoke Valley residents despite staffing and travel challenges.

• Braden Schenck is named the 2026 play-by-play voice of the Salem RidgeYaks, continuing a partnership between Minor League Baseball and Virginia Tech’s School of Communication.

That’s the latest from WFIR News Express — delivering breaking local news, state and federal developments, and stories from around our region.

On this Thursday, January 29, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, a Virginia-based gun rights organization calls for an independent investigation into the shooting death of concealed handgun permit holder Alex Pretti by federal border agents in Minnesota, urging the release of body camera footage to clarify what happened.

In Hanover County, local leaders push back against plans for a proposed ICE processing facility, criticizing federal officials for a lack of early communication. A Tazewell Circuit Court judge also rules a proposed Democratic constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting illegal, dealing a major setback to efforts to redraw Virginia’s maps ahead of upcoming elections.

New polling from the Wason Center suggests Virginians may be leaning toward moderation as the General Assembly session gets underway. Lawmakers also advance legislation to examine whether Virginia Military Institute should continue receiving public funding and move forward with a proposal to study the potential elimination of Virginia’s car tax.

On Capitol Hill, Senator Tim Kaine delivers sharp criticism during a public hearing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing concerns over transparency on U.S. foreign actions. In Henry County, investigators search for the person responsible for shooting a dog and leaving it permanently blind, while plumbers warn residents about frozen and burst pipes following prolonged extreme cold.

That’s the latest from WFIR News Express, covering the legal, political, and public safety issues shaping Virginia and beyond.

Questions about Roanoke’s future — downtown, online, and on the streets — take center stage this week.

On today’s On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler, reporter Jeff Sturgeon joins WFIR by phone as winter weather keeps him at home, walking through three of the Rambler’s most closely watched stories.

First, we dig into the uncertain future of the Berglund Center, where a new city focus group is exploring redevelopment ideas — even as momentum appears to be stalling in Richmond for a casino license. Jeff explains what city leaders are now saying publicly, why the civic center has become a financial burden, and what alternatives may be on the table if the casino plan goes nowhere.

Next, we turn to Roanoke’s new AI-driven, gateless parking system, now operating in city garages. Supporters say it’s faster, cheaper, and more convenient — but critics raise concerns about privacy, accuracy, and lawsuits involving the private company behind the technology. We break down what the city is paying for, what data is collected, and what could change as a broader parking study moves forward.

Finally, we discuss a wide-ranging One City Q&A with Roanoke Police Chief Scott Booth, who addresses declining gun violence, deep mistrust in parts of the city, and the department’s stance on ICE and immigration enforcement. Booth also talks candidly about community policing, equity across Roanoke’s four quadrants, and why building trust is central to public safety in 2026.

A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation on development, technology, and trust in local government — all in this week’s On The Record.

On this Tuesday, January 27, 2026 edition of WFIR News Express, Governor Abigail Spanberger thanks Virginians for staying off the roads during Winter Storm Fern as cleanup efforts continue across the Commonwealth. Cities including Roanoke, Salem, Danville, and Lynchburg outline neighborhood snowplowing schedules, while Virginia State Police report hundreds of crashes statewide. Appalachian Power continues restoration efforts, and local governments announce service changes, including suspended parking enforcement and canceled trash pickup.

AAA offers safety guidance for freeing vehicles from snow and ice, as roadside calls surge following the storm. State health officials also warn of increased risks from carbon monoxide poisoning and hypothermia as residents remain indoors during extreme cold.

In Richmond, Roanoke Delegate Sam Rasoul calls for ICE to be abolished following a deadly federal shooting in Minnesota. Lawmakers also debate legislation that would allow public employees — including those responding to winter emergencies — to collectively bargain for improved contracts.

We also highlight the annual Docs for Morgan basketball game, which raises scholarship funds in memory of Morgan Harrington, honoring her legacy through education and community support.

That’s the latest from WFIR News Express, covering storm recovery, public safety, and the issues shaping Virginia.