This was a big year for The Roanoke Rambler. We doubled our staff — we hired Todd Jackson as our managing editor and brought on board Sinclair Holian, thanks to support from Report for America, to cover the effects of segregation.

And 2025 was a big year for local news, too. We broke news of explosive letters between Roanoke's city manager and school superintendent over the future of school funding; brought to light compelling lawsuits that never would have been covered; and reported on grassroots organizing, homelessness and strip clubs.

It just so happens that each of this year's top 7 stories were ones that The Rambler either broke first — to be copied later by other media outlets — or that we covered exclusively. In both cases, the community likely never would've known without us.

Not one of these stories is possible without the support of readers, whose monthly and annual memberships make up the bulk of our journalism-powering revenue. If you want to see more stories in 2026, please become a member today! We have an end-of-year goal to create 100 new reader-members, and we still need your help.

Thanks, as always, for your readership and support. Here's to a news-filled 2026.

— RR

7. Northwest Roanoke Leaders Aim To Change Narrative of a Once-Notorious Street. Now the City Wants To Get Involved, Too. (Sept. 10)

6. Lust or Bust: Roanoke Strip Club Planned But Questions Abound (Nov. 5)

5. Roanoke City Manager Eyes Future of Berglund Center's Name — and Operations Overall (Sept. 17)

4. Debate Over Homelessness Finds a Flash Point: A City Bench in South Roanoke. (Oct. 15)

3. Roanoke City Manager Accuses Schools of Possibly Breaking Law As Superintendent Blasts 'Veiled Threats', Letters Show (April 30)

2. Roanoke Councilwoman Settles Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit Against Downtown Restaurant (Sept. 17)

1. Jury Finds Brandon Bell, Former Roanoke Valley State Senator, Defamed Daughter's Ex-Girlfriend in 2022 Letter (Aug. 27)