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Inside Spectrum: 34 Years of Connection and Conversation Across Roanoke’s Racial Divides

Inside Spectrum: 34 Years of Connection and Conversation Across Roanoke’s Racial Divides

The Rambler's latest Four Quadrants, One City Q&A, features a friendship built on a safe space.

  • Sinclair Holian - Report for America
Sinclair Holian - Report for America Mar 24, 2026 • 6 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 3/25 to 4/1.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 3/25 to 4/1.

No foolin' -- see what's happening on April 1 and the rest of the upcoming week!

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Mar 24, 2026 • 12 min read
Residents Worry Roanoke Is Backtracking on Neighborhood Investment Promises
Neighborhoods

Residents Worry Roanoke Is Backtracking on Neighborhood Investment Promises

The city fell short of its own spending goals last year in the Belmont-Fallon area, according to a federal report.

  • Sinclair Holian - Report for America
Sinclair Holian - Report for America Mar 17, 2026 • 6 min read
New Model for Cash-Strapped Jefferson Center Pursued Through Management Firm Idea
Arts

New Model for Cash-Strapped Jefferson Center Pursued Through Management Firm Idea

“I am very encouraged and very hopeful that there is a path forward,” the facility's board director said.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Mar 17, 2026 • 4 min read
Brief Valley Metro Stoppage Signals Key Bargaining Stage as Fare Increase Proposed
Transportation

Brief Valley Metro Stoppage Signals Key Bargaining Stage as Fare Increase Proposed

Bus drivers refused overtime on a Monday earlier this month.

  • Jeff Sturgeon
Jeff Sturgeon Mar 17, 2026 • 4 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 3/18 to 3/25.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 3/18 to 3/25.

As spring begins, find something to do in our weekly listings.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Mar 17, 2026 • 12 min read
Audit Finds Police Department Grant Overspent, Youths Treated Questionably, Contract Not Bid According to Policies
Policing

Audit Finds Police Department Grant Overspent, Youths Treated Questionably, Contract Not Bid According to Policies

"People didn't do their jobs -- that's the bottom line," City Councilwoman Evelyn Powers said.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Mar 10, 2026 • 4 min read
Roanoke's Main Street Initiative Aims to Rebuild 11th Street — and Community Trust
Neighborhoods

Roanoke's Main Street Initiative Aims to Rebuild 11th Street — and Community Trust

For residents and business owners who have endured years of disinvestment, the program could change the street’s trajectory.

  • Sinclair Holian - Report for America
Sinclair Holian - Report for America Mar 10, 2026 • 6 min read
Ramblings: Papa Issues Statement on Departure; Delay Approved for Fishburn Cottage; State Stingy on Roanoke Asks
Ramblings

Ramblings: Papa Issues Statement on Departure; Delay Approved for Fishburn Cottage; State Stingy on Roanoke Asks

Also, a historic house owned by Roanoke College may not be demolished after all.

  • Roanoke Rambler
Roanoke Rambler Mar 10, 2026 • 5 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 3/11 to 3/18.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 3/11 to 3/18.

Next Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day! Check out what there is to do.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Mar 10, 2026 • 12 min read
Roanoke Planning Director Exits As One-Third of Department's Jobs Remain Vacant
City Hall

Roanoke Planning Director Exits As One-Third of Department's Jobs Remain Vacant

Jillian Papa is the latest in a string of managers to leave City Hall.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Mar 3, 2026 • 3 min read
Money on the Mind: Roanoke's Finances Generate Debate Amid Meals Tax, Debt Decisions
City Hall

Money on the Mind: Roanoke's Finances Generate Debate Amid Meals Tax, Debt Decisions

The city needs revenue -- and the city council may leave a tax in place past its sunset to do that.

  • Todd Jackson
Todd Jackson Mar 3, 2026 • 6 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 3/4 to 3/11.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 3/4 to 3/11.

As winter changes to spring, find an event that interests you in our weekly listings.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Mar 3, 2026 • 14 min read
Water Authority Releases Google Data Center Records Ahead of Scheduled Contempt Hearing
Legal

Water Authority Releases Google Data Center Records Ahead of Scheduled Contempt Hearing

The case could have far-reaching implications in Virginia over the disclosure of information that governments once deemed proprietary.

  • The Roanoke Rambler
The Roanoke Rambler Feb 24, 2026 • 4 min read
Roanoke's Historic Huntingdon Gets Reprieve, Developer Backs Off Demolition Plan
Development

Roanoke's Historic Huntingdon Gets Reprieve, Developer Backs Off Demolition Plan

The home has been on the state and national historic registries for more than 30 years.

  • Jeff Sturgeon
Jeff Sturgeon Feb 24, 2026 • 4 min read
Harrison Museum Historian Brittney Flowers on Finding Belonging in Black History
Interview

Harrison Museum Historian Brittney Flowers on Finding Belonging in Black History

The Rambler's Four Quadrants, One City series continues.

  • Sinclair Holian - Report for America
Sinclair Holian - Report for America Feb 24, 2026 • 6 min read
Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 2/25 to 3/4.
Happenings

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 2/25 to 3/4.

If you're looking for something to do, we've got the place for you to look.

  • Lindsey Hull
Lindsey Hull Feb 24, 2026 • 16 min read
Thrifting in Roanoke? Don't Pass Up These Vintage Clothing Shops
Business

Thrifting in Roanoke? Don't Pass Up These Vintage Clothing Shops

With over a dozen listed secondhand businesses, Roanoke is a destination for sourcing quality vintage fashion.

  • Kaley Roshitsh
Kaley Roshitsh Feb 17, 2026 • 5 min read
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