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Roanoke Valley Buddhists' Goal Is New Temple: 'Many Trees Form a High Peak'
Religion

Roanoke Valley Buddhists' Goal Is New Temple: 'Many Trees Form a High Peak'

Roanoke’s Vietnamese Buddhists have long wished for a place where they could meet, worship, and share their beliefs with a larger community.

  • Christina Nifong
Christina Nifong Aug 26, 2025 • 9 min read
Four Quadrants, One City: Q&A with E.B. Smith, Director of Roanoke's Harrison Museum of African American Culture
Interview

Four Quadrants, One City: Q&A with E.B. Smith, Director of Roanoke's Harrison Museum of African American Culture

In this new Q&A series, we invite the community to reflect on living in a divided city. We sit down with E.B. Smith, executive director of the Harrison Museum of African American Culture.

  • Sinclair Holian - Report for America
Sinclair Holian - Report for America Aug 26, 2025 • 10 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 8/27 to 9/3.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 8/27 to 9/3.

Find something do in our extensive Happenings listings.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Aug 26, 2025 • 10 min read
With Malfeasance Issue Closed, Task Force to Dive into Future Roanoke School Funding Matters
Education

With Malfeasance Issue Closed, Task Force to Dive into Future Roanoke School Funding Matters

The situation was prompted by pointed letters between the city manager and school superintendent in April.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Aug 19, 2025 • 4 min read
Phone Ban: Will Roanoke Valley   Students Have Withdrawals?
Education

Phone Ban: Will Roanoke Valley Students Have Withdrawals?

Teachers will be on the frontline to enforce a state-mandated cell phone ban that includes high schools.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Aug 19, 2025 • 4 min read
Ramblings: Lawsuits Drop Like Flies: Homeowners Over Zoning, Accusers in Cowell Cases, and Volosin Seek To Dismiss Suits
Ramblings

Ramblings: Lawsuits Drop Like Flies: Homeowners Over Zoning, Accusers in Cowell Cases, and Volosin Seek To Dismiss Suits

What are Ramblings? Ramblings are a collection of short items that have caught our attention for one reason or another.

  • Roanoke Rambler
Roanoke Rambler Aug 19, 2025 • 6 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 8/20 to 8/27.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 8/20 to 8/27.

Find something to do using our comprehensive Happenings calendar.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Aug 19, 2025 • 11 min read
As Roanoke Neighbors and Police Gather, Gun Violence Takes Uneven Toll
Gun violence

As Roanoke Neighbors and Police Gather, Gun Violence Takes Uneven Toll

Roanoke's National Night Out arrived after a weekend of shootings. While gun violence is trending downward citywide, Northwest remains the most impacted quadrant.

  • Sinclair Holian - Report for America
Sinclair Holian - Report for America Aug 12, 2025 • 7 min read
Roanoke County Tried to Axe Retirement Home's Tax Exemption. A Judge Said No.
Business

Roanoke County Tried to Axe Retirement Home's Tax Exemption. A Judge Said No.

The county promptly asked the judge to reconsider the decision involving Friendship Retirement.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Aug 12, 2025 • 3 min read
Roanoke Sheriff Candidate Quietly Retires from Agency, on Road to Loud Campaign
Politics

Roanoke Sheriff Candidate Quietly Retires from Agency, on Road to Loud Campaign

Republican James Creasy has criticized a new inmate center located in the home of GOP Councilman Nick Hagen, who has not endorsed him.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Aug 12, 2025 • 4 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 8/13 to 8/20
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 8/13 to 8/20

Find something to do in the next few days in our weekly Happenings calendar.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Aug 12, 2025 • 13 min read
Longtime Ballet Director's Decision To Leave U.S. Based in Part on Political Fear
Federal Effects

Longtime Ballet Director's Decision To Leave U.S. Based in Part on Political Fear

Pedro Szalay, the longtime Southwest Virginia Ballet director, said the U.S. doesn't feel like the welcoming country he embraced.

  • Christina Nifong
Christina Nifong Aug 5, 2025 • 7 min read
Corner Booth: Henrietta's Cafe Opens, Chris's Coffee & Custard Relocating, Cigars and Hot Dogs, a Look at Leonore's Pizza
Food

Corner Booth: Henrietta's Cafe Opens, Chris's Coffee & Custard Relocating, Cigars and Hot Dogs, a Look at Leonore's Pizza

In our monthly Corner Booth food column, we feature restaurant openings, closings, changes, a first-impression review and more.

  • Layla Khoury-Hanold
Layla Khoury-Hanold Aug 5, 2025 • 8 min read
Ramblings: Roanoke Zoning Clash Returns To Dais with a Bang; Homelessness Task Force Forms; Vape Shops Targeted
Ramblings

Ramblings: Roanoke Zoning Clash Returns To Dais with a Bang; Homelessness Task Force Forms; Vape Shops Targeted

Roanoke leaders aim to adjust, but not completely gut, controversial zoning reforms.

  • Roanoke Rambler
Roanoke Rambler Aug 5, 2025 • 6 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 8/6 to 8/13
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 8/6 to 8/13

Looking for something to do? Find an event in our comprehensive Happenings.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Aug 5, 2025 • 11 min read
Potential Botetourt Data Center Could Be Google's Thirstiest in Virginia, Prompting Water Wars
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.

  • Henri Gendreau
  • Todd Jackson
Henri Gendreau, Todd Jackson Jul 29, 2025 • 7 min read
Roanoke City Manager Acknowledges Using AI in Writing Inaugural Speech
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.

  • Henri Gendreau
Henri Gendreau Jul 29, 2025 • 6 min read
40 Years After The Flood: A Question Now of When, Not If
Climate

40 Years After The Flood: A Question Now of When, Not If

The city of Roanoke is seeking stories and pictures from the epic flood while preparations continue in wait of the next.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Jul 29, 2025 • 6 min read
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