DOJ Sues Virginia to Block Assault Weapons Ban, Fired Martinsville City Manager Documents Released, Heat ER Visits Surge | Roanoke Valley's Morning News – July 2, 2026

DOJ Sues Virginia to Block Assault Weapons Ban, Fired Martinsville City Manager Documents Released, Heat ER Visits Surge | Roanoke Valley's Morning News – July 2, 2026

Missed the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Thursday, July 2, 2026. In this episode of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News with Joey Self and Ian Price, we cover the widening legal battle over Virginia’s newly enacted assault weapons ban. Following localized court injunctions blocking enforcement in six jurisdictions, the U.S. Department of Justice has officially filed a lawsuit against the Commonwealth to permanently block the ban. We also cover critical health warnings as a dangerous, multi-day heatwave sends temperatures blazing past 100 degrees, prompting a massive surge in heat-related emergency room visits across Virginia. Local and Regional Stories Covered in This Episode: * Assault Weapons Ban Legal Battle: DOJ sues Virginia to block the ban permanently, following local court injunctions in Lancaster and Washington County that leave law enforcement and gun dealers facing confusion over local enforcement. * Martinsville Mismanagement Exposé: Newly unsealed documents reveal the startling reasons behind the firing of former City Manager Aretha Ferobe-Benavides, citing severe financial mismanagement and the near-loss of $4.4 million in pandemic relief funds. * Roanoke County Assault Arrests: Police arrest a 19-year-old and a juvenile for malicious wounding following a violent weekend assault in a former 7-Eleven parking lot on Plantation Road that left two elderly residents seriously injured. * Equality Virginia Pushes for Protections: Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding bans on transgender athletes in other states, Equality Virginia calls for state-level action to codify trans student-athlete rights. * Rural Broadband Expansion: Congressman Morgan Griffith highlights how recent policy shifts will allow low-Earth-orbit satellite internet providers like Starlink to receive federal funding and bring high-speed connectivity to rural Virginia. * Financial Insights: Roanoke-based Creekmur Wealth Advisors celebrates cracking USA Today’s top 20 national advisory firms, while offering warnings about unprecedented stock market overvaluations. * WFIR Sports: The U.S. Men's National Soccer Team advances to the World Cup Round of 16 with a thrilling 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina; plus a massive NBA trade sending Boston's Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, and the Chicago Cubs' historic 23-3 blowout over San Diego. Stay informed on the go—subscribe to the WFIR News Express feed for your daily Roanoke Valley news updates.

A Local Wealth Management Firm has Achieved National Recognition

Creekmur Wealth Advisors was recently named among USA Today’s Top 20 Best Financial Advisory Firms in the nation. The firm’s President and Founder, John Creekmur, says in a stock market facing unprecedented overvaluation, your financial security hinges on two things: planning and preparation.

As Roanoke Arts Commission crafts "Plan 26," they ask residents to weigh in via an arts and culture survey online

Its called "Plan 26," an upcoming revision to the City of Roanoke's Arts and Culture plan that's been in place since 2011. Before its finalized, the Roanoke Arts Commission wants to hear from citizens via an online survey. Funded by the city, the Roanoke Arts Commission will take the Plan 26 survey results to help craft a revised arts and culture plan, and then present it to the City's Planning Commission and City Council this fall.

New VA Budget Data Center Tax Takes Effect, Roanoke Wins 9th All-America City Award, Severe Triple-Digit Heat Wave | Roanoke Valley's Morning News – July 1, 2026

Missing the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Wednesday, July 1, 2026. In this episode of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News with Joey Self and Ian Price, we cover the newly approved Virginia state budget going into effect today. The bipartisan-approved budget avoids a historic government shutdown, delivers a record $2 billion in public education funding, and levies a landmark $1.2 billion energy consumption tax on data centers. We also have crucial details on a dangerous, multi-day stretch of First Alert Weather days with heat advisories pushing feels-like temperatures into the triple digits. Local and Regional Stories Covered in This Episode: * Virginia Budget & Data Centers: Lawmakers clash over grid impacts and the new energy consumption tax on data centers, while a new energy report details the billions saved by shifting data center grids to clean energy. * Roanoke National Honors: The City of Roanoke takes home the prestigious 2026 All-America City Award for the 9th time. Plus, details on how you can shape the city's future through the "Plan 26" Arts and Culture survey. * Tragic Update: The family of missing 29-year-old Lexington man Ian Traeger confirms his body has been recovered following a hiking trip in Peru. * Rideshare Safety Laws: New state safety requirements take effect today for rideshares as Virginia lawmakers push back against corporate federal liability shields. * Roanoke Police Investigation: Officers search for persons of interest after a weekend assault on Plantation Road leaves two elderly citizens seriously injured. * Around the Commonwealth: Martinsville updates its workplace investigation into a former city manager, local career firefighters get a $2 million boost for cancer screenings, and Mill Mountain Zoo alters routines to keep animals safe ahead of its 74th anniversary. * WFIR Sports: World Cup soccer updates as Mbappé and Messi lead the Golden Boot race, massive NBA Free Agency updates regarding LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, and local Carolina League baseball action. Stay informed on the go—subscribe to the WFIR News Express feed for your daily Roanoke Valley news updates.

Supreme Court Ends TPS for 350K Haitians, "Only a Man Can Win" Controversy in 9th District Race, Virginia Heat Wave Warning | Roanoke Valley's Morning News – June 30, 2026

A contentious Democratic primary is unfolding in Virginia's 9th Congressional District. Candidate Adam Murphy is pushing back against allegations from fellow Democrat Joy Powers that his campaign is using an “only a man can win” agenda. WFIR's Clark Palmer reports on the dispute between Murphy, Powers, and candidate Douglas Crockett as they vie for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Morgan Griffith. The US Supreme Court voted 6-3 to allow the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for around 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians who fled war and safety concerns. Many have lived and worked in America for a decade or more. Gene Marrano reports on the ruling and its implications. Virginia's two-year budget is now signed, investing more than $100 million toward affordable housing, $75 million for State Police recruitment, and establishing hundreds of millions in federal contingency funds. The Right to Contraception Act takes effect tomorrow. A heat wave moves in Wednesday through Friday with highs near triple digits — cooling centers open at all six Roanoke library branches and other locations. New details emerge about the Vinton home where 59 cats died in a fire. Botetourt County unveiled a historic marker honoring the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail in Daleville. Mill Mountain Zoo welcomes two new Patagonian cavies for the first time in nearly a decade. In sports: Austin Rotobush heads to the Fresno Falcons. NBA free agency opens tonight at 6 p.m. The World Cup knockout round continues. WFIR News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 | Roanoke, Virginia