Good morning, Roanoke.

More than 400 Roanoke College freshmen are building Habitat's first Salem home since 2014 for a single mother and child.

The two-story house on Chapman Street is part of the 21st R-House build (assembled on site) and will be transferred to its new owner after 250 hours of sweat equity.

Roanoke-based ministry The Least of These is asking residents to volunteer for an annual fundraiser in a few weeks and to assist with an affordable housing renovation project amid ongoing zoning challenges.

The ministry invites community members to sign up for various service roles.

The Bear Theatre stages the final weekend of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof this Friday through Sunday, a Tennessee Williams classic about a family feud.

Meanwhile, Jefferson Center and Roanoke Ballet Theatre begin their 2026–27 seasons and the new Exchange Music Hall announces a slate of fall shows.

The Virginia Department of Education released its annual Standards of Learning report for the 2025–2026 school year yesterday — the report details reading and math performance for schools in the ABC13 viewing area.

Virginia researchers and local sheep farmers are testing wool as insulation to offer a safer, waste-free alternative to fiberglass in Southwest Virginia.

The project could turn unused wool into a marketable resource & help reduce health risks associated with traditional insulation.

Arielle Roth, head of NTIA, visited Bedford County on Tuesday and announced that all 56 state and territory contracts have been signed for the BEAD program.

The initiative will supply at least $613 million + support 85,000 connections in Virginia to boost broadband access.

Roanoke Valley Collective Response will host a 25th anniversary event for International Overdose Awareness Day at Taubman Museum of Art on Wednesday, Sept.

2 from 5 to 7 p.m., while Wells Fargo Tower will be lit in purple on Monday, Aug. 31 and Wednesday to spread awareness.

Roanoke held a vigil Wednesday night for overdose awareness where India Robinson honored her mother's struggle with addiction, urging families to keep Narcan on hand + first responders stressed its lifesaving role.

Sleep specialist Brian Chen (Cleveland Clinic) said older adults often experience lighter, fragmented sleep and may wake too early.

He advised anyone with troubling daytime sleepiness to speak with a doctor since sleep supplements are not FDA approved.

A young Pit Bull named Oreo is waiting at Angels of Assisi for adoption today.

The 4-year-old pup is very well behaved + loves cuddles and walks and is available for a $100 fee for families ready for a new best friend.

Julie Rickmond of the Roanoke Valley SPCA said giving pets a job (such as puzzle tasks or scheduled play) can ease boredom, as she advised on Pet Talk yesterday.