Daily
Roanoke
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 8th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Food Lion Feeds partnered with 54 college basketball teams during the 2025-26 season to turn free throws into meals by delivering over 1.7 million meals to campus pantries and Feeding America partners; Liberty University and Virginia Tech men’s teams each added about 30,000 meals for local communities. WSLS 10
- ➤ The United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge will hold a ribbon cutting and open house at its new headquarters on Electric Road on Wednesday, April 14 at 11 a.m. The event marks the start of its Opening Doors Campaign to boost access to critical services across the region. WFIR News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Business owners in Boones Mill say repeated building issues, such as a broken HVAC and water leaks, forced them to close their shops, raising tenant protection concerns. The landlord disputes the claims, noting that inspections approved the property for reopening. WSLS 10
- ➤ Sheetz earned its 11th consecutive spot on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For after achieving its highest rank ever at 32nd, and the chain announced plans to hire 1,540 employees & over 810 locations following last week’s hiring events. WSLS 10
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Lebanese Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary May 29–31 at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 4730 Cove Road, NW with free admission and parking. Visitors can enjoy live music + traditional folk dancing and a wide selection of Lebanese dishes. WFIR News
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ The Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce will host a spring job fair on Friday, Apr. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blue Ridge Community Church in Forest — job seekers can enjoy free admission, childcare, bagels, and networking with 30 local employers from Bedford, Lynchburg, and Roanoke. WSLS 10
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke city public schools face a projected $14 million gap for the upcoming fiscal year, prompting plans to cut roughly 170 positions as officials deal with rising costs while waiting on state budget decisions. Roanoke County has also reduced school funding by $3 million amid similar challenges (detailed funding constraints). WVTF
- ➤ Governor Spanberger signed a series of bills to strengthen schools—focusing on easier financial aid applications, better career programs, and increased parent involvement—to ensure students receive safe, modern education. The new laws also support long-term school construction and modernization planning. WDBJ7
- ➤ Roanoke’s seventh annual traffic safety event, the Walk & Roll Ready Rally, is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westside Elementary School (1441 Westside Blvd NW) where families and students will engage in hands-on activities to learn road safety skills. WSLS 10
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City officials will begin construction on April 20 on pedestrian improvements along Riverland Road and the Star Trail parking lot — adding a new sidewalk and a Garden City Greenway connection. The $2.8 million project will install a storm drain system — drivers should follow signed detours. WSLS 10
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Health groups released new guidelines that use a risk tool called the PREVENT calculator to help doctors decide when to start early treatment for patients with high cholesterol. The recommendations suggest healthy lifestyle changes + medications to lower cholesterol for those in the very high risk group. WDBJ7
- ➤ Graco is recalling select models of its SnugRide Turn & Slide infant car seats sold January through March because a design flaw was found in the seat base during post-production testing. The recall affects major retailers (Amazon, Target, Walmart) and affected customers will receive free replacement bases. WSLS 10
- ➤ Virginia Tech was awarded $1.65 million in federal grants to boost research on neurological disorders, depression and pancreatic cancer. U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith announced the funds, which will support clinical trials and treatment studies at the university. WSLS 10
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ A historic Roanoke church was transformed into affordable senior housing for local residents, preserving original features + offering new living options. The project was completed yesterday. WDBJ7
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Bre Warren, a transfer from Texas A&M and South Carolina, is suing the NCAA & asking a Montgomery County court to consider an injunction that would let her play at Virginia Tech after she says faulty advice made her ineligible. A hearing is scheduled next week. WDBJ7
-
Squeaky Feet Jam Band Performance
6:30-9:30 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Ticket prices vary — Experience the full-flavor sonic marinade of a modern jam band from Denver.
-
That's So 70's Live Concert
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. — Mill Mountain Theatre — Group discounts available — A high-energy celebration of 1970s music featuring the best disco hits, classic rock anthems, and funk grooves.
-
Local Author Fair
Join us for the Local Author Fair on April 11 from 11–2 at the South County Library, where you can meet local authors, explore a variety of books, and hear the stories behind their work. It’s a great opportunity to connect with the writing community, discover new reads, and support local talent.
-
Shakedown Citi - Grateful Dead Tribute
6:30-9:30 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Tickets available — Experience the vibrant sounds of Shakedown Citi, a Grateful Dead tribute known for their high-energy performances and unique setlists.
-
2nd Ever Screamiverse Expo
10 AM - 5 PM — Terror Manor — Check website for entry details — Explore the haunted tour with music in a lively midway atmosphere.
-
Gareth Pearson Live Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Spot on Kirk — Ticket prices vary — Experience the explosive fingerstyle guitar mastery of The Welsh Tornado, Gareth Pearson.
-
Leonard Blush and the Camelcals
5:30-9:30 p.m. — Parkway Brewing Company — Not specified — Experience a vibrant rock and roll performance by a versatile live band from Roanoke, Virginia.
-
Roanoke Valley Holistic Expo
10 AM – 5 PM — Salem Civic Center — Free admission — Experience a day of holistic discovery with inspiring vendors and wellness activities.
-
Swan Lake
7-10 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the world’s most iconic ballet brought to life by a cast of international dancers in a stunning performance.
-
2026 Community School Strawberry Festival
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. & 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Elmwood Park — Free entry — Enjoy delicious strawberry shortcakes and local music amidst artisan vendors.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Start with repetition, not perfection.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Roanoke
Welcome to the Daily Roanoke, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Roanoke, Virginia community. If you like the Daily Roanoke, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Roanoke.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Roanoke and across Virginia. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Roanoke
A free Roanoke community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyroanoke.com/sitemap