Daily
Roanoke
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 19th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ United Way is organizing a Day of Caring later this week to connect local volunteers with community service projects+ details on time and location will be announced soon. WDBJ7
- ➤ Roanoke County leaders dedicated a new four-mile section of the Greenway on Monday afternoon along the Roanoke River - the trail will offer residents a scenic route to enjoy local nature. WSLS 10
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Dominion Energy plans a merger with Florida’s main electric utility to create the world’s largest regulated utility with 10 million customers and will offer $2 billion in customer credits over two years. Critics warn the deal may slow renewable energy progress and could take 16 months for regulatory review. WVTF
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Nearly a year after the meals tax rose by 1%, restaurant owners reported fewer visits and rising price concerns while city officials said the tax supports overtime wages and deferred maintenance; over $6.4 million was collected in early 2026. WDBJ7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke City Public Schools reconsidered using Canvas after a cyberattack exposed student data and disrupted online classes from April 25 to May 8. Officials removed access immediately, restored it May 13, and are now reviewing vendor security + alternative platforms to avoid repeat issues. Cardinal News
- ➤ Scouting America Day Camp returns to Salem after a COVID hiatus and is set to offer outdoor programs for local youth. Organizers say details on session dates and safety protocols will be announced soon. WDBJ7
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke City Council appointed Donna Littlepage & Derek Kaknes to the school board on Monday; their three-year terms start July 1 and end June 30, 2029. Cardinal News
- ➤ Residents pressed the council to preserve Evans Spring as a public park at Monday night's meeting — urging conservation over development. The council voted to remove the interstate connector and change Land Bay A's use to include parks and open space. WDBJ7
- ➤ Roanoke County started a full renovation of Hollins Library (one of its busiest community centers) to update facilities and boost community resources. The Roanoke Times
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Secular Society, a Blacksburg-based nonprofit, erased $31 million in medical debt for 35,007 Southwest Virginia residents on Monday, May 18. It worked with Undue Medical Debt to help people with income below four times the poverty level or debt exceeding five percent of their annual income avoid missing care. WVTF
- ➤ Hometown Health revised the name of a common fertility condition to cover a wider range of symptoms + improve patient diagnosis and treatment, with the update reported on May 15. WDBJ7
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Gasoline Alley Festival
8:30-11:30 p.m. — Elmwood Park — Free entry — Enjoy an outdoor celebration of music, arts, crafts, and family fun.
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1964 The Tribute
8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. — Elmwood Park — Ticket info not specified — Experience the magic of The Beatles with this authentic tribute band recreating a live concert experience.
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Boogie on the Mountain: Kerosene Willy
6-8 p.m. — Mill Mountain Discovery Center — Cost information not provided — Enjoy an evening of great music and food at the scenic Mill Mountain.
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68th Annual Sidewalk Art Show
10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Taubman Museum of Art — Free entry — Explore Southwest Virginia’s premier outdoor fine art show featuring diverse artwork from local artists.
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Josh Gates
8-11 p.m. — Berglund Center — Ticketed event — Experience an exciting evening with Josh Gates in Roanoke, VA.
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Tom Hamilton Live Concert
6:30-9:30 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Ticketed event — Experience a night of diverse musical exploration with Tom Hamilton, renowned artist and member of various bands.
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Journey: Final Frontier Tour 2026
7:30 p.m. — Berglund Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience an electrifying farewell performance by the iconic rock band Journey featuring their greatest hits.
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Lauren Alaina Concert
10:00 AM – 7:30 PM — Dr. Pepper Park, Riverwalk Parking Deck — Cost not specified — Enjoy infectious melodies and relatable lyrics from a rising country star.
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Talking Heads Tribute Concert
6-9 p.m. — Black Dog Salvage - Main Showroom — Kids 12 & under are free — Enjoy the definitive tribute to The Talking Heads with a seven-piece band performing hits from ’77 to Stop Making Sense.
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5PTS Legendary Brunch with Hoppie Vaughan and Friends
11 a.m.–4 p.m. — Black Dog Salvage - Main Showroom — Kids 12 & under FREE — Enjoy live music and local vendors at this community benefit series supporting non-profits.
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
The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.
~ Carl Sagan
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