Good morning, Roanoke.

Local leaders emphasize the need for strong community safety nets that offer mentoring & tutoring in schools and community centers to support youth growth.

These programs aim to build resilience and empower young residents to pursue brighter futures.

Recent school cyber incidents show our community’s growing reliance on secure digital systems for schools, hospitals, and utilities.

Roanoke City Public Schools earned the Trusted Learning Environment Seal and bolstered its defenses with multi-layered measures — a step to protect sensitive data.

On Aug. 20 at Round Hill Elementary, a five-year-old mistakenly boarded a bus instead of a car pickup, resulting in a 17-minute wait before his safe return.

The school district investigated the mix-up and is reviewing its bus versus car rider procedures with its contractor.

Roanoke City Public Libraries and the Junior League are carrying on Dolly Parton’s legacy by expanding her Imagination Library program for kids aged zero to five; nearly 2000 children have signed up and registration is available at the Community Empowerment Center.

Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy has hired Sharon Hicks as its new high school principal, replacing Lincoln Bryan.

A Roanoke native with more than 30 years of experience (including teaching, mentoring and administration) she is set to guide the academy toward a more personal approach to student learning.

Hollins University announced three senior leadership appointments effective Sept.

1 to steer growth and sustainability—Kerry Edmonds as executive VP of strategy and revenue, Ashley Browning as VP of administration and operations, and Madeline Aliff as VP of enrollment management.

Governor Abigail Spanberger issued Executive Order 20 to help protect Virginians from losing health insurance coverage when Medicaid work requirements take effect in January.

The order creates a program worth 150 million dollars to make private health plans affordable & expands case management and job connection resources.

Malachi Coleman (a running back from Syracuse) returned home to William Fleming on Saturday, July 25 to be honored as the school’s all-time leading rusher at the George C.

Miller Football Camp. He rushed for 5,143 yards and 62 touchdowns and spoke with young athletes and community leaders.