Rural hospital concerns, Virginia Tech funding impact, AI growth & new ROA flights — Roanoke Valley’s Morning News 6/8/26

100+ arrests in Roanoke drug crackdown, Google data center meeting & Virginia Tech lawsuit — Roanoke Valley’s Morning News 6/11/26

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers Operation Combined Resolve, a major multi-agency law enforcement effort that led to more than 100 arrests and nearly $2 million in drugs seized across the Roanoke Valley. We also report on a lawsuit challenging Governor Spanberger’s removal of a Virginia Tech Board of Visitors leader, a community open house on Google’s proposed Botetourt County data center, and Roanoke police investigations into recent shootings. Plus a local book fair and swap, a debate over Roanoke’s feather flag ordinance, the Excel Center’s workforce training efforts, healthcare pricing transparency issues, a major parks investment at Eureka Recreation Center, World Cup excitement in Roanoke, local weather, the Stanley Cup Final, the NBA Finals, and more sports from across the Roanoke Valley and Virginia.

From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calenda

With a look at some of the local events coming up this weekend and in the near future. Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment. See more at Roanoke Cultural Endowment.org.  This weekend only - the play Land and Liberty - a Virginia 250 Commemoration - based on an the land grant that led to the creation of the town of Vinton - 4 shows this Friday night through Sunday afternoon. See bear theatre.com for tickets. Its also a fundraiser for the Vinton Museum.  The last Roanoke Symphony Orchestra event of the season is a pops concert at the Salem Civic Center this Friday night .... Nashville Meets the Symphony

Virginia Tech study finds pet dogs outperform humans in spotted lanternfly searches

Virginia Tech researchers say ordinary pet dogs may be better at finding spotted lanternfly egg masses than trained human searchers. WFIR's Ian Price report

Bedford cold case search, Roanoke school cuts & cannabis talks — Roanoke Valley's Morning News 6/10/26

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News covers renewed FBI activity at a Bedford County property tied to decades-old missing persons investigations, major budget cuts approved by Roanoke City Public Schools, and concerns about Medicaid funding under the new federal budget law. We also report on the Roanoke Parks Foundation stepping back from work with the city, Virginia’s ongoing discussions about a legal recreational cannabis market, a shooting investigation in Northwest Roanoke, and new gun violence legislation. Plus two orphaned bobcats at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center, Broadway in Roanoke’s new season announcement, local weather, high school state tournaments, the Stanley Cup Final, and more sports from across the Roanoke Valley and Virginia.

Baby Buri author brings her illustrated books to Roanoke

Many parents know how hectic and disruptive it can be to bring a new child into a family with older children, where everyone - in this case the parents, a teenager and a "tween," are already in a groove. That's the setting for a new series of colorful illustrated books for young readers, and parents who like to read to their children. The author of the Baby Buri series will tell stories and sign copies in downtown Roanoke today.