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Virginia Votes "Yes", Williamson Rd Debate May Take a Turn, Does New State Funding "GO" to Roanoke?

Happy Wednesday! Thank you so much for your subscription to the Roanoke Rambler. This week, we took a ride down Williamson Road and talked to steering committee members about their outlook; Virginia voted "Yes"; and Virginia got $15M in new funding but where will it GO? First, Roanoke

What does $15.3 Million in GO Virginia Funding to Grow Virginia’s Economy mean for Roanoke

Can State Grant Money Turn Training Into Real Wages? Last week, Governor Abigail Spanberger announced, more than $15.3 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants to support a new portfolio of projects across the Commonwealth focused on workforce development, advanced manufacturing, unmanned systems, life sciences, and

Virginians Vote Yes - Officials and Citizens React while Candidates Emerge

With 95% reporting, Virginia narrowly votes to temporarily redistrict with 51% of the vote. According to the Associated Press, over 1.5M Virginians voted to redistrict yesterday. Some speculate that this will lead to further seats by the Democrats, giving them "a better chance" to win ten out

A Divided Road, Changing Lanes: A Steering Committee Drives Williamson Rd Debate

The data and experiences are mixed as the steering committee is asked to have an authentic consensus by August Earlier this year in January, a nine year old girl was struck by a drunk driver on Williamson Road in Roanoke, VA. Police say the girl was hit after "trying

Fears Rise Over Broad Scoping Pressures due to the War, It is Public Safety Week as Crime Numbers Show Improvement, and Misinformation Among The Yes-or-No Vote Leads to a Deep Dive with City and State Leaders

We’ve once again found stories this week, digging beyond the obvious to give you the full facts and history on news that matters to you. Echoes of Conflict Abroad Are Resonating Here At home, in Roanoke As the war in Iraq continues shaping global headlines and military policy, we

The Real Stakes Behind Virginia’s Redistricting Yes-or-No Vote

Roanoke Has Seen Redistricting Change Power Before. Voters Now Decide If It Can Happen Again Roanoke Rambler Newsroom In Virginia, the most powerful political act isn’t always casting a vote. Sometimes, it’s drawing the line around it. A century of shifting district lines, from separate representation to a

Public Safety Week in Roanoke

In Roanoke, a quieter shift: Crime is falling, but not gone Data shows improvement, but challenges remain as policing evolves and communities weigh safety and surveillance By The Roanoke Rambler Staff ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — On a spring morning in Roanoke, Public Safety Week does not arrive with sirens. It comes

What the Iran War Means for Roanoke and Southwest Virginia

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 4/15 to 4/22

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 4/15 to 4/22. We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) so you didn’t have to. From live music to theatre, lectures to drag shows, we’ve got you covered. We encourage folks to contact

Legal

Water Authority Releases Google Data Center Records Ahead of Scheduled Contempt Hearing

The case could have far-reaching implications in Virginia over the disclosure of information that governments once deemed proprietary.

Development

Google Aims To Build 3 Data Centers, Totaling Nearly 1 Million Square Feet in Botetourt, Records Show

If the plan is carried out, Google should invest no less than $3 billion, according to a performance agreement with Botetourt County.

Legal

Water Authority Seeks Emergency Appeal Pause As Clock Ticks on Releasing Google Data Center Information

A failure to deny the accuracy of already released information is confirmation of its accuracy, a lawyer said.

Legal

Google Strives To Keep Data Center Water Use Secret After Judge Orders Records Released

A Roanoke judge has ordered the Western Virginia Water Authority to release information related to a potential Google data center.

Business

Water Authority Prepares Key Vote on Potential Data Center, After Botetourt Spent Months Wooing 'Project Raspberry'

Google will pay for water hookups if it builds a data center. Newly released records show how county staff spent months catering to the tech giant's needs.

Environment

Potential Botetourt Data Center Could Be Google's Thirstiest in Virginia, Prompting Water Wars

With the chance of a major data center, the Roanoke region faces one of the most territorial tests over water since Roanoke and Roanoke County formed the water authority in 2004.

City Hall

Roanoke City Manager Acknowledges Using AI in Writing Inaugural Speech

As AI becomes more prevalent, local governments are among the many workplaces and institutions grappling with how to regulate its use.

City Hall

The $64-Million Question: How Will Roanoke End Up Spending Its Pandemic Relief Money?

Roanoke steered the biggest chunks of its pandemic relief money to food, fun and affordable housing.

Housing

Roanoke Board Denied Volosin's Request To Host an Airbnb. Here's an Inside Look.

There’s a four-poster bed, De’Longhi coffee maker and ensuite bathroom — but nobody to stay at Councilman Peter Volosin’s house. Most people find it pretty easy to get a city license to run an Airbnb out of their home. But not for Volosin and his husband, Malcolm Quigley.