Social Issues

Tagged

A collection of 85 posts

Roanoke Valley Homelessness Count Reflects Highest Annual Increase Since 2007

While homelessness has declined in the region since it peaked in 2009, this January’s point-in-time count reflects a 54-percent increase, the sharpest yet.

The Roanoke Rambler May 30, 2023 • 4 min read

Housing

Roanoke's Public Housing Authority Plans First New Major Development in Decades

The city’s housing authority hopes to construct an initial 86-unit complex in Northwest Roanoke.

The Roanoke Rambler May 23, 2023 • 4 min read

Homelessness

Roanoke Chamber Opposes Plan Moving City Homeless Aide Office To Amtrak Station Site

The city still plans to provide some sort of Amtrak station in the 4,000 square-foot building, which can contain other tenants.

The Roanoke Rambler May 2, 2023 • 6 min read

Homelessness

From Parks to Parking, Roanoke City Is Spending More — To Crack Down on Homelessness

The city has directed more funds to less typical agencies now tasked with cracking down on an influx of people living outdoors.

The Roanoke Rambler Apr 18, 2023 • 5 min read

Addiction

Fallout from Opioid Crisis Sparks New Interest in Ancient Practice: Acupuncture

As the opioid epidemic rages, an increasing number of patients are seeking alternatives to painkillers.

The Roanoke Rambler Mar 28, 2023 • 5 min read

Gun violence

Roanoke Started A Commission To Reduce Gun Violence. It’s Become A Political Lightning Rod.

“All I see is gun violence increasing in the Black neighborhoods,” Councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds said.

The Roanoke Rambler Feb 22, 2023 • 10 min read

Addiction

As Overdoses Spike in Roanoke Valley, Localities Must Decide How Best To Spend Opioid Settlement Money

Roanoke must decide by early May how it will spend roughly $575,000 it will receive by this summer, city manager says.

The Roanoke Rambler Feb 22, 2023 • 3 min read

Housing

Roanoke Needs Thousands of Affordable Housing Units, Study Says. Why Does the City’s $7-Million Plan Promise 40?

Even with the record government investment, officials acknowledge it can only go so far to address Roanoke's affordable housing needs.

The Roanoke Rambler Feb 14, 2023 • 4 min read

Racial justice

Site of Roanoke's Second Lynching Marker Changes After More History Uncovered

Recently uncovered history — in part brought to light by The Rambler — reveals William Lavender was more likely hanged near the Wasena Bridge.

The Roanoke Rambler Feb 7, 2023 • 6 min read

Photography

These 7 Historical Photographs Offer A Glimpse Into Roanoke's Winter Holiday Past

We dove into the archives at the Virginia Room to find moments of our community's Christmases and winters past.

Roanoke Rambler Dec 27, 2022 • 2 min read

LGBTQ

Roanoke Valley Schools Take Wait-and-See Approach As Governor's Policy on Trans Students Goes Into Effect

If the past is any guide, school districts may largely ignore aspects of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s policy.

The Roanoke Rambler Oct 25, 2022 • 4 min read

Education

At One Roanoke Elementary School, 2 in 5 Students Were 'Chronically Absent' Last Year, Data Show

Effects from the pandemic contributed to more than 3,500 students missing weeks of instruction, data show.

The Roanoke Rambler Oct 18, 2022 • 5 min read

Racial justice

130 Years After Roanoke's First Lynching, Community Begins To Acknowledge City's Violent Past

Few places in Virginia have gone through the process of acknowledging their lynchings through the Equal Justice Initiative.

The Roanoke Rambler Sep 6, 2022 • 7 min read

Incarceration

This Roanoke Neighborhood Has One of the Highest Rates of Imprisoned Residents in Virginia, New Data Show

Across Roanoke, predominantly Black neighborhoods have disproportionately high rates of incarceration, data show.

The Roanoke Rambler Aug 30, 2022 • 5 min read

Addiction

Roanoke's New First Responders to Overdose Calls: People in Addiction Recovery

The Roanoke Valley Collective Response is hiring three peer recovery specialists who will respond to calls with police and paramedics.

The Roanoke Rambler Aug 9, 2022 • 3 min read

Feature

For Roanoke's Forgotten Dead, City Makes Final Arrangements

When a person dies in Roanoke and officials can’t find the person’s family, it becomes the city's responsibility to arrange for a cremation.

The Roanoke Rambler May 24, 2022 • 6 min read

Homelessness

Overall, Homelessness in Roanoke Region Has Declined. But Count of Those Living Outdoors Projected To Reach Record Highs.

Officials who track homelessness are finding more people eschewing shelter life in favor of living outdoors.

The Roanoke Rambler Apr 26, 2022 • 5 min read

Business

This Roanoke Couple Has Launched A 'War on Books.' Don't Worry, It's Not What You Think.

War on Books is a pop-up, mobile bookstore focused on just the kind of controversial literature being challenged across the country.

The Roanoke Rambler Apr 20, 2022 • 5 min read