Henri Gendreau - The Roanoke Rambler

Roanoke Botched Funding for After-School Contractor, Lost Out on Grant Money, Audit Finds

The city failed to budget enough money for youth programs run by The Foundry, leading to discord and lost revenue, an audit found.

Letter

Letter From the Editor: We're Hiring a Segregation Reporter Thanks to Report For America

Report For America has selected The Rambler as a 2025 host newsroom to bring a segregation reporter to Roanoke.

Arts

Roanoke's Black History Museum Plans To Leave Downtown for Melrose Plaza

Center in the Square was not planning on renewing the Harrison museum’s same lease, which is up in 2026.

Development

New Life Proposed for Walker Foundry Land in Apartments, Restaurant, Pickleball Courts

Apartment complex, restaurant and pickleball courts could forge a new community in Roanoke’s Norwich neighborhood.

City Hall

For City Manager, Roanoke Hires Northern Virginia Official with Background in Housing

Valmarie Turner, Fairfax’s deputy city manager, becomes Roanoke’s next city manager next month, replacing Bob Cowell.

Policing

Roanoke Gun Violence Rates Fall to Pre-Pandemic Levels, One Year into Police Chief's Tenure

“I found a department that was hungry for leadership,” Police Chief Scott Booth said about arriving in Roanoke a year ago.

Politics

As Cobb Is Elected Mayor, Roanoke City Council Is Poised To Appoint a New Member

David Bowers has until Monday to request a recount, though an analysis of recounts nationwide shows it's unlikely to change the outcome.

Investigation

'Unfounded': Virginia Museum of Transportation Says Probe Finds Nonprofit Accounted for State Grant Money

Some board members who resigned in June said they remain skeptical that the museum is in good hands.

Politics

Cobb Expands Lead To 69 Votes Over Bowers As Roanoke Mayor's Race Nears Finish Line

The city’s electoral board must certify the final results by Friday, but a recount may be likely.

Politics

Roanoke Mayor's Race Too Close To Call As Bowers Holds 19-Vote Lead Over Cobb

It could take another week before Roanoke residents learn who their next mayor is.

Politics

Republican Wins First Roanoke City Council Seat Since 2000 As Wave of Young Leaders Elected

Republican Nick Hagen and Democrats Terry McGuire and Phazhon Nash represent a wave of younger leaders elected to Roanoke City Council.

Politics

Cobb Leads Roanoke Mayor's Race By Double Digits, Roanoke College Poll Shows

For City Council, Democrats Terry McGuire and Phazhon Nash lead the field, with the third open seat statistically close.

Politics

3 in 4 Roanoke Voters Say New Council Should Pick Next City Manager: Roanoke College Poll

The poll gauged voters on various local issues, including on reforms that ended single-family-only zoning and potential development of Evans Spring.

Feature

'He Genuinely Cares': Joe Cobb, Proudly Spiritual and Gay, Sees Progress in Roanoke Mayor Bid

Openly gay and deeply spiritual, Cobb has focused on tackling two of Roanoke’s thorniest issues: gun violence and public transit.

Interview

David Bowers, Roanoke Mayoral Candidate, on Police Pay, Zoning Reforms, and Why He Thinks Roanoke Isn't Segregated

We sit down with David Bowers, Republican nominee for Roanoke mayor.

Interview

Joe Cobb, Roanoke Mayoral Candidate, on Tackling Gun Violence, Boosting Housing, and Why He Owns 54 Bow Ties

We sit down with Joe Cobb, Democratic nominee for Roanoke mayor.

Interview

Stephanie Moon Reynolds, Roanoke Mayoral Candidate, on Debt, Amazon Jobs, and Why She Spurns the Gun Violence Panel

We sit down with Stephanie Moon Reynolds, an independent candidate for Roanoke mayor.

Transportation

Roanoke Transit Plan Calls For Extending Bus Service into County, Expanding 'Microtransit'

What public transit looks like in Roanoke over the next decade is the focus of the strategic plan.