I-81 speed cameras, Roanoke housing development, firearm background check ruling & D-Day remembrance — Roanoke Valley’s Morning News 6/4/26

Nominations open for Kendig Arts and Culture Awards

Named after a former president at Roanoke College who was a big supporter of local arts and culture, this is the 41st year for the Kendig awards, now a joint venture between RC and Hollins University, where the ceremony will take place this tear on October 20. Individuals artist from all disciplines are eligible to be nominated, as are arts or cultural organizations, and individuals or businesses that support the arts, with separate awards in each category.

not everyone in the Roanoke Valley and southwest Virginia jumped on the American Patriot bandwagon early during the Revolution

There were plenty of loyalists, and sometimes it was hard to figure out who was on the side of the rebellion - and who remained a "Tory." Here is WFIR's Gene Marrano with the third in a series of VA-250 stories with a local twist,"In Depth."

Data Centers are here to stay says proponent

As Botetourt County gets ready for the construction of three planned Google data centers on the Greenfield industrial park campus - despite some local opposition - Doug Kelly CEO of the American Edge Project, says data centers and Artificial Intelligence - relied on by more and more Americans - go hand in hand, And this is a global competition for AI supremacy adds Kelly. ---------------------------------------- [N:\Newsroom\Active\6-22 Data#1.wav][00:25] Outcue= ---------------------------------------- Botetourt county says Google's investment at the Greenfield Center is worth at least 18 million dollars over the first five years, which includes funding for capital projects. Kelly says local government leadership is key to future growth:

Roanoke Valley Water Officials Say No Crisis Despite 38-Year Low at Carvins Cove — Even With Google's Data Center Demands Factored In | Roanoke Valley's Morning News + Sports on WFIR

Botetourt County is moving forward with three planned Google data centers at the Greenfield industrial park — despite some local opposition — and Doug Kelly, CEO of the American Edge Project, says it's the right call. Kelly argues data centers and AI go hand in hand, and that the race for global AI supremacy means local government leadership is essential to future growth. Botetourt County says Google's Greenfield investment is worth at least $18 million over the first five years, including funding for capital projects. WFIR's Gene Marrano has the story. Carvins Cove is at its lowest level since February 2008 — but water officials say the valley's now-interconnected reservoir system means it's far from a crisis. Spring Hollow sits at roughly 80% capacity, and even a worst-case drought scenario combined with Google's planned Botetourt data center usage would still leave meaningful reserves. The bigger concern, experts say, may be the enormous electricity demands data centers require. A Radford native is being posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Marine Colonel John Ripley — a 1957 Radford High School graduate — is being honored for single-handedly destroying the Dong Ha Bridge under three hours of heavy enemy fire during a 1972 North Vietnamese advance. Ripley later led Hargrave Military Academy before his death in 2008. Congressman Morgan Griffith called his courage a model for future generations. Also: Governor Spanberger announces a cannabis retail deal — legal sales could begin July 1st, 2027, with possession limits doubling to two ounces. The ROAD to Housing Act passes the Senate with more than 40 provisions, including several authored by Senator Mark Warner, aimed at expanding affordable housing. Three Republicans are vying to challenge Warner in November's general election, with early voting already underway. GO TEC — a hands-on engineering program that has reached 39,000 Virginia middle schoolers — faces a funding cliff after being left out of the state budget. Montgomery County's interim sheriff wins the GOP nomination. Hidden Valley's Matt Neale — Virginia's 2026 Teacher of the Year — shares how he built lessons around the opioid crisis. Roanoke hosts the Miss Virginia pageant June 25th–27th at Berglund Center. A motorcyclist is dead after a DUI crash on Colonial Avenue Friday night. And a dog named Moose is doing just fine after Galax firefighters freed his paw from a park bench. Plus your morning sports rundown. Roanoke Valley's Morning News with Joey Self on WFIR, News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3.

“It’s time for change,” Republican candidate says in U.S. Senate primary race

With early voting officially underway for Virginia’s primary elections in August, one Republican challenging Virginia’s senior U.S. senator says it’s time for a change in the seat. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has more: