Good morning, Roanoke.

Autumn Bushman, a 10-year-old student at Mountain View Elementary, took her own life on Friday after suffering from bullying that dimmed her bright spirit.

Her parents urge the community to check children’s phones and feelings closely—hoping to prevent similar loss in the future.

Roanoke Police are searching for a man accused of punching a teenage runner in the face during a Monday morning attack in Southwest Roanoke near the 1800 block of Brandon Avenue SW after security cameras captured him wearing a yellow jacket, gray pants and yellow shoes.

On April 2 at 7 p.m., the documentary Triumph of Hope will screen at the Grandin Theatre where three local Holocaust survivors (Helga Morrow, Regine Archer and the late Arye Ephrath) share their stories of hiding from the Nazis as children and finding hope after the war.

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine will host its free Medical Student Research Symposium from noon to 5 p.m. on March 28 in Roanoke — the event will feature 2025 Letter of Distinction recipient Farwah Iqbal, whose research on blood vessel cell interactions aims to guide better treatments.

Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that would legalize retail marijuana sales, saying he would not sign it.

The decision means that unless voters choose a governor who supports legalization this November, legal sales may be delayed until 2030 — a setback for proponents.

Residents of Richfield Living attended the county board meeting on Tuesday and urged supervisors to restore the community’s tax exemption removed after its sale to Friendship.

They said the loss has led to a steep tax increase and could force rent hikes and cuts in services—pressures that spurred a lawsuit against the county.

Roanoke City Manager Valmarie Turner presented a proposed budget before City Council on Monday that recommended raising the meals tax from 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent to fund urgent building repairs — addressing a $4.6 million shortfall.

She recommended keeping school funding at last year’s level and City Council will hold two public meetings next month and adopt a final version in May as the city aims to stabilize its more than $400 million budget.

Harlem Globetrotters 2025

7-11 p.m. — Berglund Center — Family-friendly fun — Watch the Harlem Globetrotters showcase their extraordinary basketball skills and comedy in a thrilling performance.

Star Quilters Guild 2025 Quilt Show

1 PM — Read Mountain Preserve — Free entry — Discover stunning quilts and community creativity at this annual showcase.

Warrior Women's Conference 2025

3:00 – 4:30 PM — Salem Civic Center — Check website for costs — Experience powerful testimonies and discussions on spiritual leadership from dynamic women.

Virtual Tour at Clearview Apartments

9 AM - 7 PM | Clearview Apartments | Free entry | Explore the best in senior living with nutritious meals and engaging activities.

Tribute to John Prine by Tree of Forgiveness Band

6:30-11:00 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Ticketed event — Celebrate the legendary songs of John Prine performed by an all-star lineup of North Carolina musicians.

Carmina Burana: O Fortuna

8 p.m. — Berglund Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the powerful choral music of Carmina Burana under the direction of renowned conductor David Stewart Wiley.

Joanne Shaw Taylor Live

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Jefferson Center — $6 box office fee — Experience an electrifying night of pop, soul, and blues-rock with Joanne Shaw Taylor and her stellar band.

Reflections on Water: Art, Music & Science Evening

7-9 p.m. — Taubman Museum of Art — Free entry — Dive into an interdisciplinary evening blending local art, music, and community reflections on water.

Ripe Concert in Roanoke

6:30-11:00 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Ticket information available — Experience indie pop grooves and anthems for better days ahead with Ripe's live performance.

Of Good Nature Concert in Roanoke

6:30-11 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Check venue for cost — Experience vibrant tunes and heartfelt grooves from Of Good Nature and opener Cam Clark.