Winston-Salem asks residents to delay lawn mowing until April
Winston-Salem leaders are encouraging residents not to mow their lawns next month. City officials say mowing too early can be devastating to North Carolina’s native pollinators. Lawn equipment can destroy ground-nesting bee habitats. And cutting down so-called “weeds” like dandelions, violets and clover removes some...
Franklin County attorney responds to discrimination lawsuit
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Rena Clark Jennings, a 21-year veteran in the Franklin County Public Safety Department, started her career as a firefighter and paramedic. After years in the role, she was promoted to the rank of captain. But in a lawsuit filed Feb. 13, 2026, she says the then-Public Safety Chief told...
Mayor Joe Cobb on Roanoke City’s budget squeeze and the $16.5 million school gap
ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City Council’s decision to change the school funding formula from 40 percent to 34 percent of tax revenue has left Roanoke City Public Schools facing a $16.5 million deficit. Roanoke city council has been receiving a lot of criticism for that change. 10 News...
Christiansburg Town Council approves rezoning request, nearly 100 homes to be built
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - New developments are happening in Christiansburg, where residents can expect to see almost 100 new houses coming to their hometown. That comes after town council’s most recent meeting, where dozens residents showed up to share their disapproval of this project. “This process has been...
Harrison Museum Historian Brittney Flowers on Finding Belonging in Black History
The Rambler's Four Quadrants, One City series continues. Roanoke’s four quadrants reveal a deep and persistent divide. The city’s legacy of segregation continues to cast a long shadow, with access to education, job opportunities and even life expectancy varying widely depending on zip code. In our recurring Q&A...
Google Data Center’s expected water use made public
BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - The Western Virginia Water Authority this week released records detailing Google’s projected water use at a planned data center in Botetourt County, following a months-long court battle with the Roanoke Rambler. The records show the data center will use 2 million gallons of water...
Bedford County educator announced as Virginia AITC Teacher of the Year
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – Cindy Watson, a teacher at Forest Middle School in Bedford County, won the Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) 2026 Teacher of the Year title. The award highlights a Virginia educator who integrates agriculture science into their core curriculum. Watson uses agriculture education...
Hometown Health: Healthcare workers facing unusual barrier with measles
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - U.S. hospitals are facing more measles cases. According to a KFF health report, health care workers are facing an unusual barrier. Many don’t know what it looks like right away, leading to more infections. A morbilliform rash is a measles-like rash, but other viruses can cause this same exact...
Two community colleges expand CDL training to address driver shortage
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - A nationwide shortage of truck drivers is creating ripple effects across supply chains, including in Southwest Virginia. Now, two community colleges are working together to help fill that gap. Virginia Western Community College and Mountain Gateway Community College have launched a partnership...
Taziki’s showcases new menu items on 7@four
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe is bringing back Grilled Fish with Caper-Dill Sauce now through April 5th. They joined 7@four to give Logan and Melissa a taste of what they are cooking up this Spring. You can view the menu here.
