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Latest news
As firefighters in Southwest and Southside spend most of their time responding to EMS calls, training evolves
The issue was featured during a recent statewide first responder symposium in Blacksburg.
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Politics
State may have inadvertently created a 1-year gap with no cannabis laws, but language was fixed after concerns arose
Some prosecutors had raised questions about whether the state had accidentally repealed all cannabis laws. A state commission intervened Wednesday to fix what one legislature called a routine error.
Local
Roanoke Valley Field Notes: Voluntary water measures now in place with persistent drought
Plus: Roanoke City Council votes to restrict data centers through zoning regulations.
Culture
Who defines a city’s image? A proposed mural celebrating Galax’s old-time music roots divides local leaders.
The city council voted 4-3 to nix the design for a mural depicting a multiracial group of four musicians.
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education
Virginia Tech braces for expected grad student enrollment decline
Fewer international students and waning interest in certain computer science programs are contributing to anticipated enrollment declines at colleges and universities across the country.
eCONOMY
Appalachian Power to hold open house on Valley Link substation plan
The utility said it plans to move the Joshua Falls substation in Campbell County. The substation would serve as one endpoint of a major electric transmission line proposal.
OPinion
By water use, Google’s Botetourt site would be its 8th largest data center complex in the world
Those figures come from the tech company’s annual environmental report. Here’s what else it says.
HealthCare
New state funding aims to help Virginians who were priced out of health insurance after loss of federal subsidies
Late last year, thousands of Virginians canceled their Marketplace insurance plans due to rising premium costs. The new state subsidy could provide relief for 200,000 consumers.
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news briefs
Headlines from across the state: How Virginia’s plans for the biggest data center in the world fell apart; more …
From elsewhere: Prince William supervisors reject Dulles Cloud South data center proposal. Virginia’s highest public earners come with a whistle or a corner office. Water authority begins voluntary water use restrictions for Roanoke and surrounding communities.
Sports
VHSL 2026: With victory in girls tennis, Bland County wins its first team championship ever in any sport
Meanwhile, Ridgeview High won the Class 2 girls championship Thursday at Liberty University with a 5-2 victory over Bruton.
WEATHER
The heat wave is over, but it’s still July, so the heat isn’t
Regular summer heat that pokes above 90 sometimes is on tap for Virginia, with spotty storms that probably won’t be enough to significantly dent the drought.
Cardinal 250
Not all of Virginia’s independence story was made by men in white wigs. Here’s what we’ve learned about our history.
Our Cardinal 250 series has shared stories about lesser-known people who helped Virginia, and the nation, secure independence.
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