Government and Politics - The Roanoke Rambler

City Hall

Who Is Roanoke's Mayor? City's AI Chatbot Stumped for Now.

A new AI chatbot - Virtual Assistant Virginia - is now at work on Roanoke’s municipal website.

Housing

City Seeks Dismissal of Zoning Lawsuits; Housing Data Shows Little Impact Based on Changes

The city released data that shows the zoning changes, so far, have had little impact on housing permits.

Politics

Push for Cline Town Hall Ramps Up in Roanoke, As Congressman Remains Uncommitted

A group of protesters continues to pressure 6th District U.S. Rep. Ben Cline to hold a town hall with them; he has yet to agree.

Federal Effects

Roanoke Equity Board Will Meet, Online Scrubbing Aside

The Roanoke Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board will continue to meet and pursue its mission, its chair says.

City Hall

Knives Out: Restaurant Owners, School Advocates Pick Apart Proposed City Budget

City Council has two significant decisions ahead: whether to raise the meals tax and to keep school funding level.

Legal

Roanoke Pastor, a Former City Council Candidate, Faces Felony Election Fraud Charges

Jackson, who ran as a Democrat in 2024, dropped out of a party primary after questions arose over campaign-related filings.

Transportation

Pedestrian Death Prompts Williamson Road Sidewalk Project — 4 Years After Crash

Hundreds of crashes have occurred on Williamson Road, including another fatality this month.

Politics

Prosecutor Runs as Democrat For Commonwealth's Attorney; Absent 'Craziness,' Caldwell To 'Bow Out Gracefully'

Roanoke prosecutor John McNeil is running for commonwealth’s attorney, meaning Don Caldwell, the longest serving commonwealth’s attorney in the state, plans to retire.

Federal Effects

Christiansburg Institute Joins Washington Park Cottage Effort, But Uncertainty Looms After Federal Funding Cuts

The Christiansburg nonprofit was gutted by Trump administration budget cuts last week and that prompted a layoff of its staff.

Federal Effects

Afraid of Losing Federal Money, Roanoke Removes Diversity, Equity from City Webpages

An official with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development told Roanoke leaders the city's funding was at risk.

City Hall

Higher Meals Tax, Flat School Funding Feature in Roanoke Budget Proposal

City Manager Valmarie Turner began flashing warning signs last month that the city needed to tighten its belt.

Federal Effects

Refugee Resettlement Agency Lays Off Roanoke Staff After Federal Funding Cuts

Refugees living in Roanoke are facing an increasingly unstable future in the wake of federal funding cuts and executive orders.

Education

Roanoke School District May Cut Positions If City Funding Remains Level, Officials Say

Roanoke could also consider raising its meals tax rate to help pay for a backlog of deferred maintenance, a financial advisor said.

City Hall

Roanoke May Need To Slash Millions in City Spending As Budget Woes Emerge

The shortfall could affect schools, public transportation and parks.

City Hall

Roanoke Sues Residents Who Cut Down City-Owned Trees

It’s a rare case for the city to bring to court. In recent years, Roanoke has tried to protect and expand the city’s tree canopy.

City Hall

Powers Sworn In on Roanoke City Council After Council Reverses Earlier Deadlock

The swearing-in capped an intense lobbying campaign to fill the rest of Mayor Joe Cobb’s City Council term.

Politics

As Roanoke City Council Deadlocks Over Filling Vacancy, Judge Says 'It's a Shame'

Roanoke’s political and legal establishment is reeling after a deadlocked City Council said it couldn’t agree on who should become its seventh member.

Transportation

Roanoke's Valley Metro Bus System Still Struggles with Financial Issues, Audit Finds

Problems persist one year after an external audit unearthed issues that could imperil funding and services if not addressed.