The primary election in Ohio has set up what is expected to be one of the most expensive races for U.S. Senate this year as Republicans try to hold on to the chamber, while biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy will face a challenge from the state’s former health director as he seeks to keep the governor’s office in GOP hands.

There is no word yet on when the name of the new business will be released

A Roanoke neighborhood advocate passed away at 95 years old, but her legacy radiates joy.

Runners are racing to celebrate the Fourth of July by raising money for kids in the community.

City council voted 7-0 Monday night to change downtown zoning code to allow the relocation and construction of the bus station by right, rather than through a special exemption. “We’re committed to getting a bus station that all of our citizens can utilize and deserve," Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea said. The current bus station, Campbell Court, pre-dated current zoning code and was grandfathered in. The two republican candidates, Peg McGuire and Maynard Keller, both expressed concern over the project, as did the Roanoke City Republican Committee. The new bus station will first be a temporary station at the new site, and then be built in sections around it.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke City Council is looking for applicants to fill an empty seat on the council after Djuna Osborne resigned last week. Djuna OsborneThe new appointee cannot be anyone already on the ballot to fill one of three open city council seats this fall. Council will accept applications until Oct. 1, announce the candidates they plan to interview on Oct. 2 and interview those candidates during a public meeting on Oct. 5. Council is also accepting public comments about the appointment process and questions to ask the applicants. Council will make the final vote on who to appoint to fill the seat on Oct. 19.

ROANOKE, Va. Roanoke County schools will be meeting both in-person and virtually this school year, a plan that doesnt work for everyone. Recognizing that, Roanoke County Public Schools created a task force with the YMCA, The United Way of Roanoke Valley, Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Virginia, Prevention Council of Roanoke County and area churches to establish new day programs for parents who are impacted by this major change. With the current schedule we are having to adopt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that parents are facing some significant challenges when it comes to child care, said Dr. Ken Nicely, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. This new partnership will help provide low-cost day programs for students ages 12 and under. We are excited to partner with Roanoke County Public Schools, our area out-of-school time providers and others in the community to create a feasible solution for students and families in Roanoke County as schools start.

ROANOKE, Va. Heres one Independence Day tradition you can still do, run in the Four on the Fourth race. However, itll be a bit different because this years race, which supports the Boys and Girls Club of SWVA, is virtual. All the proceeds from Four on the Fourth go to Boys and Girls Club of SWVA. Your race registration can make a big difference to Boys and Girls Club. Race registration numbers are low this year, which is a concern, especially given that the race sold out in 2019.

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City Council approved next year’s budget, despite requests from the pubic to delay the vote, hold a public hearing and defund the police department. City leaders ultimately said that delaying the vote isn’t an option because it would delay all public services, not just police. The FY21 budget is nearly $1.4 million short compared to last year’s budget due to economic losses from COVID-19. Education is still the biggest piece of the budget: $82,788,981 million will go to Roanoke City Public Schools and maintain funding levels for Early Childhood Learning programs through Libraries. Ideas included holding town halls, sending out a trust survey, starting new public safety departments that are run by unarmed citizens, or finding ways to be more transparent.

ROANOKE, Va. - Monday's Roanoke City council meeting got unusually heated over whether the city should move election day for council members from May to November. Those in favor said it will increase voter turnout, while those opposed said local elections would get lost in elections for Congress and president. Council voted to get the wheels moving on the issue, on a 4-2 vote. Councilman Bill Bestpitch and Councilwoman Michelle Davis voted no. Odd-year voting would put local elections in line with state elections rather than federal ones, which some were in favor of.