Daily
Roanoke
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025
Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 30th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke’s Hope Center will host its fourth annual Dinner Under the Stars on Saturday to raise funds for holiday gifts for children — a community event designed to brighten the season — and local residents are invited to join in the celebration. WFIR News
- ➤ Cox Communications employees—donating their own funds through the company grant program—awarded $15,000 in grants to three local nonprofits to support youth STEM activities, financial literacy workshops, and a youth employment initiative. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia, The Hope Center, and Total Action Against Poverty received a portion of the funds—each aligning with a specific community need—and their awards bolster community programs. The Roanoke Star
- ➤ PORCH Roanoke is a volunteer organization that collects food donations from porches to fight hunger in the valley – it has partnered eight neighborhoods with six food pantries and collected over 8,000 pounds of food to help more than 560 people a month. The group seeks more volunteers and funding amid rising demand from food pantries due to SNAP cuts and high food prices. WDBJ7
- ➤ Cave Spring Baptist Church marked 150 years on September 7 with a service that opened a time capsule and a picnic that celebrated its long history and deep community ties—offering a look at past photos and artifacts to show its lasting strength. The event underscored the church’s ongoing work to serve and unite Roanoke families. The Roanoke Star
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Former WDBJ7 news and sports staffers posted messages yesterday to mark the station’s 70th anniversary and share memories of their work. The collection shows their appreciation and hope for what comes next—serving as a heartfelt tribute to the milestone. WDBJ7
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A Brookings report and UVA forecast show that Virginia is facing deep job losses and growing economic challenges due to federal downsizing—experts warn that up to 32,000 jobs could be lost and key sectors like ports and mining may suffer. State leaders are now under scrutiny for not taking the swift action needed to help workers and support a struggling economy. Cardinal News
- ➤ Martinsville’s population grew younger as the 65-plus group declined and the 25-44 group increased from 2020 to 2024, lowering the city’s median age by 3.6 years from 39.7 to 36.1. This demographic shift is expanding the local labor pool—an economic benefit that promises to attract new employers. Cardinal News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The new Roanoke County Career and Technology Center on Peters Creek Road will reach a major milestone in late September 2026 when the tallest part of its frame is installed—marking the topping out of the project. Hundreds will attend a beam-signing ceremony as the center replaces the current facility with 123,000 square feet of modern career training space. The Roanoke Star
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke's Del. Salam Rasoul said he would keep his campaign free of outside influence but VPAP reports show he took 60% of his $438,663 from out-of-state donors—much more than challenger Maynard Keller, who received only 2% of his funds from outside Virginia. Early voting is underway with the last day to vote on Nov. 4. The Roanoke Star
- ➤ Pulaski County officials announced a broadband expansion project that will improve internet speeds and coverage in rural areas. The county plans to begin the upgrades later this month to boost connectivity for residents. WDBJ7
- ➤ Starting Monday, Williamson Road will be reconfigured to one lane with a center turning lane in a six‑month demonstration to improve safety after 49 deaths from 2019 to 2023—18 of them pedestrians. Transportation Division Manager Dwayne D’ardenne said the city will review the change after the trial while some business owners worry detours may bring heavy traffic into nearby neighborhoods. WDBJ7
- ➤ The Virginia Board of Elections approved regulations banning personal use of campaign funds at a meeting held on September 29, with the new rules set to take effect for the 2027 elections—this move ends a 12-year effort led by Delegate Marcus Simon and mirrors federal law to curb misuse. WVTF
-
Béla Fleck Concert
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Cost information not provided — Experience the virtuosic banjo skills of one of the world's premier players.
-
Sugaray Rayford Live
8 PM – 2 AM — Jefferson Center — Tickets available — Experience a night of electrifying blues and soul with the commanding voice of Sugaray Rayford.
-
Local Colors Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
12-4 p.m. — John Nolen Plaza — Free entry — Celebrate the vibrant cultures of Latin America with dance, music, food, and artisan crafts.
-
Elvis Costello and The Imposters Concert
8:00-9:30 PM — Berglund Center — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an unforgettable evening with legendary singer-songwriter Elvis Costello and his band.
-
Million Dollar Quartet Live
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Mill Mountain Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the iconic music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins in this electrifying tribute.
-
Kendall Street Company Live Concert
7-11 p.m. — Fork in the Alley — Ticket prices not specified — Enjoy the genre-fluid sounds of Virginia's eclectic rock ensemble, Kendall Street Company.
-
Heritage Arts Tattoo Show 2025
12 PM – 10 PM — Berglund Center — $30 per day, $75 weekend pass, $120 VIP — Explore tattoo artistry with talented artists and local brews at Virginia's premier tattoo convention.
-
Con Tumbao & Jstop Latin Soul Celebration
8 PM – 12 AM — Jefferson Center — Cost details not specified — Experience a night filled with vibrant Latin music, dance lessons, and community celebration.
-
Million Dollar Quartet
2-5 p.m. — Mill Mountain Theater, Trinkle MainStage — VIP ticket options available — Experience the legendary musical featuring Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.
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
Most smart people overrate the value of intelligence and underrate the value of consistency.
~ Sam Altman
About 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