Social Issues

Tagged

A collection of 55 posts

Roanoke City Nets Highest Score in LGBTQ Equality Index After Years of Failing Grades

The city joins six other Virginia localities in scoring 100 on the Municipal Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign.

Henri Gendreau Nov 21, 2023 • 3 min read

LGBTQ

'You're There To Help': Meet Roanoke Police Department's First LGBTQ Liaison

Roanoke police created the role in part to improve the city's score on a measure indicating how LGBTQ-friendly a locality is.

Lindsey Hull Oct 3, 2023 • 6 min read

Policing

Roanoke Valley Police Have New Helpers Responding to 911 Calls: Mental Health Therapists

The Marcus Alert system, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020, went live last month in the Roanoke Valley.

Henri Gendreau Aug 1, 2023 • 5 min read

Addiction

Drug Recovery Home Moves Into Longtime Roanoke Homeless Shelter That Shuttered

Trust House, which focused on veteran homelessness, has become a 26-bed halfway house from Anderson and Associates.

Henri Gendreau Aug 1, 2023 • 4 min read

LGBTQ

Roanoke's Drag Scene Is Booming, and Performers Are Taking the Show on the Road

Drag performances have become increasingly common in Roanoke and beyond, with performances at breweries, coffee shops and hip new restaurants.

Lindsey Hull Jun 13, 2023 • 10 min read

Housing

Roanoke Started a Land Bank in 2019. It's Just Now Getting Off the Ground.

Officials hope a change to the program run by the nonprofit Total Action for Progress will get more abandoned homes restored.

Henri Gendreau Jun 6, 2023 • 4 min read

Homelessness

Roanoke Valley Homelessness Count Reflects Highest Annual Increase Since 2007

While homelessness has declined in the region since it peaked in 2009, this January’s point-in-time count reflects a 54-percent increase, the sharpest yet.

Henri Gendreau May 30, 2023 • 4 min read

Housing

Roanoke's Public Housing Authority Plans First New Major Development in Decades

The city’s housing authority hopes to construct an initial 86-unit complex in Northwest Roanoke.

Henri Gendreau May 23, 2023 • 4 min read

Homelessness

Roanoke Chamber Opposes Plan Moving City Homeless Aide Office To Amtrak Station Site

The city still plans to provide some sort of Amtrak station in the 4,000 square-foot building, which can contain other tenants.

Henri Gendreau May 2, 2023 • 6 min read

Homelessness

From Parks to Parking, Roanoke City Is Spending More — To Crack Down on Homelessness

The city has directed more funds to less typical agencies now tasked with cracking down on an influx of people living outdoors.

Henri Gendreau Apr 18, 2023 • 5 min read

Addiction

Fallout from Opioid Crisis Sparks New Interest in Ancient Practice: Acupuncture

As the opioid epidemic rages, an increasing number of patients are seeking alternatives to painkillers.

Henri Gendreau Mar 28, 2023 • 5 min read

Gun violence

Roanoke Started A Commission To Reduce Gun Violence. It’s Become A Political Lightning Rod.

“All I see is gun violence increasing in the Black neighborhoods,” Councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds said.

Henri Gendreau Feb 22, 2023 • 10 min read

Addiction

As Overdoses Spike in Roanoke Valley, Localities Must Decide How Best To Spend Opioid Settlement Money

Roanoke must decide by early May how it will spend roughly $575,000 it will receive by this summer, city manager says.

Henri Gendreau Feb 22, 2023 • 3 min read

Housing

Roanoke Needs Thousands of Affordable Housing Units, Study Says. Why Does the City’s $7-Million Plan Promise 40?

Even with the record government investment, officials acknowledge it can only go so far to address Roanoke's affordable housing needs.

Henri Gendreau Feb 14, 2023 • 4 min read

Racial justice

Site of Roanoke's Second Lynching Marker Changes After More History Uncovered

Recently uncovered history — in part brought to light by The Rambler — reveals William Lavender was more likely hanged near the Wasena Bridge.

Henri Gendreau Feb 7, 2023 • 6 min read

Photography

These 7 Historical Photographs Offer A Glimpse Into Roanoke's Winter Holiday Past

We dove into the archives at the Virginia Room to find moments of our community's Christmases and winters past.

Roanoke Rambler Dec 27, 2022 • 2 min read

LGBTQ

Roanoke Valley Schools Take Wait-and-See Approach As Governor's Policy on Trans Students Goes Into Effect

If the past is any guide, school districts may largely ignore aspects of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s policy.

Henri Gendreau Oct 25, 2022 • 4 min read

Education

At One Roanoke Elementary School, 2 in 5 Students Were 'Chronically Absent' Last Year, Data Show

Effects from the pandemic contributed to more than 3,500 students missing weeks of instruction, data show.

Henri Gendreau Oct 18, 2022 • 5 min read