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With State Action on Casino Unlikely, Roanoke Focus Group Hears Berglund Needs Help
Development

With State Action on Casino Unlikely, Roanoke Focus Group Hears Berglund Needs Help

A new group is tasked with helping the city decide what to do with the civic center.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Jan 27, 2026 • 4 min read
Roanoke Police Chief Scott Booth on ICE, Crime Disparities in Four Quadrants, One City Q&A
Interview

Roanoke Police Chief Scott Booth on ICE, Crime Disparities in Four Quadrants, One City Q&A

In our monthly Q&A series, Scott Booth sat down with The Roanoke Rambler to answer questions about the city's crime numbers - and he didn't duck others.

  • Sinclair Holian - Report for America
Sinclair Holian - Report for America Jan 27, 2026 • 9 min read
Roanoke's AI-Driven Parking Offers Easy Access, City Says — But Not All Agree
City Hall

Roanoke's AI-Driven Parking Offers Easy Access, City Says — But Not All Agree

The city contracted with the largest private parking firm in the country to provide the latest AI-driven technology.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Jan 27, 2026 • 5 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 1/28 to 2/4.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 1/28 to 2/4.

As January turns to February, see what's on the calendar in our weekly listings.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Jan 27, 2026 • 13 min read
Roanoke Plans To Clear-Cut Forest Near Read Mountain for Potential New Industry
Business

Roanoke Plans To Clear-Cut Forest Near Read Mountain for Potential New Industry

Once given the green light to begin, it will be one of the largest tree-felling episodes in recent memory to alter the landscape of the city.

  • Jeff Sturgeon
Jeff Sturgeon Jan 20, 2026 • 4 min read
Proposed Reparations Fund for Urban Renewal Is Hazy Amid Roanoke Fiscal Mess, Council Members Warn
Racial justice

Proposed Reparations Fund for Urban Renewal Is Hazy Amid Roanoke Fiscal Mess, Council Members Warn

Multiple Roanoke council members said that strained finances could limit the city’s ability to follow an apology with concrete investments.

  • Sinclair Holian - Report for America
Sinclair Holian - Report for America Jan 20, 2026 • 4 min read
Ramblings: Roanoke Council Votes To Cut School Funding; White-Boyd Seeks Senate Rematch; Zoning, Vape Stores, Evans Spring Meetings Set
Ramblings

Ramblings: Roanoke Council Votes To Cut School Funding; White-Boyd Seeks Senate Rematch; Zoning, Vape Stores, Evans Spring Meetings Set

Council members speak their minds on school money; positioning for 2027 election begins; city wants feedback on three major issues.

  • Roanoke Rambler
Roanoke Rambler Jan 20, 2026 • 7 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 1/21 to 1/28.

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 1/21 to 1/28.

Break up the winter doldrums by finding something to do in our weekly calendar.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Jan 20, 2026 • 12 min read
Judge Fines Owner of Eyesore Parking Garage, Lawyer Says City Is Interested in Buying It
Legal

Judge Fines Owner of Eyesore Parking Garage, Lawyer Says City Is Interested in Buying It

The city is also seeking $10 million from the state for new train station.

  • Jeff Sturgeon
Jeff Sturgeon Jan 13, 2026 • 4 min read
Water Authority Seeks Emergency Appeal Pause As Clock Ticks on Releasing Google Data Center Information
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.

  • The Roanoke Rambler
The Roanoke Rambler Jan 13, 2026 • 4 min read
Roanoke School District Returns $20.5 Million, Council Weighs Using Portion for Other Needs
Education

Roanoke School District Returns $20.5 Million, Council Weighs Using Portion for Other Needs

The city council is now a about a year into using a private attorney's advice. The schools recently asked for $8.3 million for high school trailers and council agreed on $4.3 million.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Jan 13, 2026 • 5 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 1/14 to 1/21.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 1/14 to 1/21.

Find something to do in our weekly calendar!

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Jan 13, 2026 • 12 min read
A Ferris Wheel in Downtown Roanoke? Center in the Square Pitches Plan to Local Leaders
Business

A Ferris Wheel in Downtown Roanoke? Center in the Square Pitches Plan to Local Leaders

There's a video pitch. And an international company is offering thoughts.

  • Jeff Sturgeon
Jeff Sturgeon Jan 6, 2026 • 3 min read
Corner Booth: Roanoke Food and Drink Trends for 2026
Food

Corner Booth: Roanoke Food and Drink Trends for 2026

Also this month, Layla brings the scoop on upcoming restaurant openings.

  • Layla Khoury-Hanold
Layla Khoury-Hanold Jan 6, 2026 • 9 min read
Ramblings: Another City Hall Manager Exits; Brandon Bell To Appeal Defamation Case; Real Estate Tax Pain Should Abate
Ramblings

Ramblings: Another City Hall Manager Exits; Brandon Bell To Appeal Defamation Case; Real Estate Tax Pain Should Abate

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

  • Roanoke Rambler
Roanoke Rambler Jan 6, 2026 • 5 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 1/7 to 1/14.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 1/7 to 1/14.

See what you can get into during the first part of 2026 in our weekly calendar.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Jan 6, 2026 • 8 min read
Hailed as Visionary, Roanoke Libraries Director Sheila Umberger Retires after 43 Years
Feature

Hailed as Visionary, Roanoke Libraries Director Sheila Umberger Retires after 43 Years

Sheila Umberger, who began working for the city in 1982, leaves behind a transformative legacy.

  • G. Samantha Rosenthal
G. Samantha Rosenthal Dec 30, 2025 • 9 min read
Four Quadrants, One City: Q&A with Former Mayor and Historian Nelson Harris
Interview

Four Quadrants, One City: Q&A with Former Mayor and Historian Nelson Harris

In this Q&A series, we invite the community to reflect on living in a divided city. We sit down with Nelson Harris, whose experience brings a unique look at where Roanoke stands.

  • Sinclair Holian - Report for America
Sinclair Holian - Report for America Dec 30, 2025 • 10 min read
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