Good morning, Roanoke.

RAM House moved to a larger space on Elm Avenue and hired new staff to provide recovery services in private rooms—services that include health care, housing, and job search help.

Daniel Cox, the new director who has personal experience with addiction, will lead these efforts.

The Week Without Driving challenge invites residents to try alternate transportation for one trip, one day or the entire week as Mayor Cobb rode his bicycle today to show the planning needed for public transit and safe walkways.

Local developers announced that several new businesses will open soon at the planned retail development in southwest Roanoke County.

The project will bring more shopping options to the area.

Parkway Brewing Company celebrated its new downtown location today with a ribbon-cutting at The Bower mixed-use development on Campbell Avenue.

Brew master Mike Pensinger said the move connects local apartment residents—avoiding the drive to Salem—with a taste for craft beer and food.

Actor David Arquette is set to lead a live conversation event on Oct.

8 at 7 p.m. at the Berglund Center celebrating Scream's 30th anniversary. The program will include a film screening, moderated discussion and audience Q&A, with limited VIP tickets available for an exclusive post-show photo opportunity.

W.E. Cundiff Elementary completed a renovation—replacing open-concept classrooms with smaller ones and adding a new administrative wing and cafeteria—to create a better learning space.

County officials approved $24K in extra funding to start cleaning up a collapsed building in Eagle Rock nearly three years after a windstorm — pending FEMA authorization as residents remain frustrated with the delay and await conversion into a passive park for flood management.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger released Virginia’s 2026 energy plan on Thursday in Richmond.

The nearly 200‑page document models five policy paths — guiding rising power demand and future renewable investments that will require legislative and regulatory approvals.

Virginia is upgrading SNAP cards to chip-enabled versions in pilot areas (including Roanoke today) to reduce stolen benefits amid rising food costs; recipients must set up a new PIN as old cards deactivate 60 days after mailing, with all cards sent by Dec.

31.

Megan Jackson, a breast cancer survivor & Hotel Roanoke manager, will speak at the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation’s Power of Pink Luncheon on Monday, Oct.

19, at 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to share her journey and inspire hope while an auction and fashion show aim to raise $85,000.

Virginia’s new data center electricity tax will lower marketplace premiums for roughly 200,000 residents in 2027 by funding the Healthcare Affordability Fund.

Lawmakers explained that the tax, set at $0.011 per kilowatt hour and capped at $600 million, builds on a recent $150 million allocation (Cardinal News reported).

On Oct. 1, housing advocate Allison Wolf joined 7@four to share practical homeownership tips — guidance designed to help prospective buyers navigate today’s market in Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia.

Radford, Blacksburg and Auburn high schools moved their varsity football home games to Thursday night to avoid clashing with Virginia Tech's Friday game against Pitt.

Athletic directors said the change lets fans and helpers support both teams while keeping game day routines on track.