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

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.

Andrew Lewis - if you live in the valley the name is probably familiar

You've may have seen his statue outside the Salem Civic Center - but who was General Andrew Lewis? Lewis had been a loyalist fighting under Lord Dunmore - England's Royally-appointed Governor for Virginia - until Dunmore was a no-show on the battlefield. Here is WFIR's Gene Marrano with the first in a series of VA250 stories, In Depth."

Andrew Lewis - if you live in the valley the name is probably familiar

You've may have seen his statue outside the Salem Civic Center - but who was General Andrew Lewis? Lewis had been a loyalist fighting under Lord Dunmore - England's Royally-appointed Governor for Virginia - until Dunmore was a no-show on the battlefield. Here is WFIR's Gene Marrano with the first in a series of VA-250 stories, In Depth."

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

Today’s Roanoke Valley’s Morning News takes a closer look at the impact of Virginia Tech’s record-setting donation and what it could mean for the university’s future. We also report on financial pressures facing rural hospitals in Virginia, growing artificial intelligence adoption in Montgomery County and across the Commonwealth, and how state officials are encouraging residents to prepare for hurricane season. Plus updates on the redistricting battle, expanded air service at Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport, Valley Metro’s proposed fare changes, Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days, local weather, high school state tournaments, the College World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Final, and more sports from across the Roanoke Valley and Virginia.

Virginia Tech secures record $75 million gift for athletics and academics

In Blacksburg, it’s not just the university that’s “investing to win” in athletics; it’s major donors as well — pitching in a record amount of money, as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports: