Roanoke Pulls All Gunshot Detection Devices, City Cracks Down on Vape Shops, CNN Ranks Roanoke a Top 10 Town | Roanoke Valley's Morning News – July 7, 2026

Roanoke Pulls All Gunshot Detection Devices, City Cracks Down on Vape Shops, CNN Ranks Roanoke a Top 10 Town | Roanoke Valley's Morning News – July 7, 2026

Missed the morning broadcast? Catch up on the top stories impacting the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia for Tuesday, July 7, 2026. In this morning's update of Roanoke Valley’s Morning News with Joey Self and Ian Price, we lead with a major reversal from city leadership as Roanoke completely pulls the plug on its controversial gunshot detection network following a critical "process error." We also dive into sweeping local policy changes from Roanoke City Council, including a unanimous crackdown on new vape and tobacco shops, alongside newly updated zoning laws for future data center projects. Local and Regional Stories Covered in This Episode: * Gunshot Sensors Removed: City Manager Valmarie Turner addresses Roanoke City Council regarding the complete deactivation and removal of all local gunshot detection devices. The decision comes after a process error severely damaged public trust. * Vape Shop Restrictions: City Council votes unanimously to impose strict 2,000-foot buffer zones around schools, churches, daycares, and public parks to prevent new vape and tobacco shops from opening. * Data Center Zoning Updates: Roanoke updates its industrial zone guidelines, officially requiring data center developments to secure a "special exception" to move forward. Meanwhile, housing density amendments are sent back to planning. * Birthright Citizenship Debate: Congressman Morgan Griffith reacts to a recent 6-3 Supreme Court ruling. Griffith discusses potential legislative "guardrails" to address international birth tourism in U.S. territories. * Roanoke Earns Top CNN Honors: CNN ranks the Star City the 10th "Best Town in America to Visit". Vice Mayor Terry Maguire credits years of dedicated investment in outdoor infrastructure, trails, and a vibrant downtown. * Elder Care Panel Initiative: Experts from Pinnacle Living and Hermitage of Roanoke discuss the "third stage of life," highlighting resource preparation for Roanoke's rapidly aging demographic. * Around the Valley: AARP Virginia issues a fresh warning over stealthy gas pump card skimmers; the scenic overlook at Smith Mountain Lake temporarily closes for structural upgrades; and Beacon Credit Union expands with a new branch on Orange Avenue. * WFIR Sports: Heartbreak on the pitch as Belgium eliminates the U.S. Men's National Team from the World Cup with a 4-1 victory. Plus, contract details on Nikola Jokić's potential historic $350 million supermax extension with Denver. Stay informed on the go—subscribe to the WFIR News Express feed for your daily Roanoke Valley news updates.

Preparing for the "third stage" of life

Are you or a loved one ready for the post-retirement "third stage of life," with plans in place to reduce isolation, eat better and figure out the financials of living well past retirement? Two panelists from a recent information session on what Eldercare and living longer might look like speak out.

WFIR News Express 7-6-2026

Here is the latest news from around the Roanoke Valley and Commonwealth of Virginia.

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.