WFIR

11/09/2025

From Red Sox to RidgeYaks: Salem’s minor league team unveils new identity

SALEM, Va. – The Salem Red Sox are now the Salem RidgeYaks. The Single-A ball club announced its new name and branding Saturday at a public event at Salem Memorial Ballpark, trading its classic identity for one deeply rooted in the Roanoke Valley’s outdoor culture. The new name honors the Blue R...

11/07/2025

Roanoke airport feels effects of longest U.S. government shutdown

As the U.S. government enters its 37th day of the shutdown - now the longest in the nation’s history - federally funded services like food stamps have already been affected. And now, the impact is reaching the airport, as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports:

11/06/2025

Huddle Up Moms co-founder honored as Social Entrepreneur of the Year by JA

Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia honors a maternal-health leader tonight at its Business Hall of Fame. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:

11/06/2025

United Way of Virginia's Blue Ridge launches Emergency Relief Fund campaign

There’s ongoing uncertainty these days for non-profit agencies and organizations that count to some extent on federal grant funding often passed through the state. United Way of Roanoke Valley recently conducted a survey to find out how those funding cuts or potential cuts are impacting them – a...

11/06/2025

President of United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Abby Hamilton joins us live in studio.

11/05/2025

Redford Political Science Professor Chapman Rackaway joins us by phone.

11/05/2025

Jeff Sturgeon with the The Roanoke Rambler joins Morning Anchor Ian Griffin Price live in studio to discuss a proposal for a strip club on Franklin Road, and a quick look at a restaurant opening in downtown Roanoke.

11/05/2025

Two plays open this weekend; RSO with Beethoven at Jeff Center, artist receptions and the Blue Ridge Potter's Guild show and sale

From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calendar - With a look at some of the local events coming up this weekend and in the near future. Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.

11/05/2025

Narrow 2023 loss turns into victory for Lily Franklin in Virginia’s 41st District

Amid a wave of Democratic victories across the Commonwealth last night, the 41st District stood out as one of several delegate seats to flip as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports:

11/05/2025

McNamara will return to Richmond; says he can work with Democrats

The party at the top has changed - the Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General will all be Democrats after a clean sweep on election day - but Republican delegate Joe McNamara will return to Richmond in January, as WFIR's Gene Marrano reports:

11/05/2025

The votes are in. While the statewide races drew national headlines, the real impact for our communities comes from the local level. We've broken down the unofficial results for key races in Botetourt, Bedford, Floyd, and Roanoke counties, plus the city of Salem. Find out who will be representing you on the school board, board of supervisors, and in the House of Delegates.

While Democrat Abigail Spanberger was projected to win the Virginia governor's race statewide, voters across Botetourt, Bedford, Floyd, and Roanoke counties, along with the city of Salem, cast their ballots decisively for Republican candidates in statewide contests. In local races, several in

11/05/2025

ABC News projects Democrat Abigail Spanberger will win the 2025 Virginia governor's race against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in a closely watched contest often seen as a national political bellwether.

ABC News is projecting that Democrat Abigail Spanberger will win the Virginia gubernatorial election, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in a closely watched contest. The race is widely viewed as a national bellwether for the upcoming midterm elections. While official results have