Clark Palmer
Governor Glenn Youngkin is again fielding questions about whether or not he will run for the White House next year. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has more on the Governor’s answer.
(From Mama Jean’s BBQ Facebook page)
It’s your last week for a while to get Mama Jean’s, but the owner says they’re hoping to be back soon in a new location. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has details on the future home of Mama Jean’s Barbecue:
Statement From the Operators of Mama Jean’s BBQ: This is our last week at 2545 Sanford Avenue in Roanoke. We will be off until Memorial Day weekend. We will then reopen at 3404 Brandon Ave in Roanoke (the old Jimmy Vs) with the same type service. First come first serve, walk up style, outside seating. We are currently planning our build out. When it is done, we will open inside. The building is not ready for the public to eat inside, currently. There is no working kitchen etc. We have a ton of work that needs to be done. We are here for it and we are ready. We are so excited to be able to announce this today. We would like to thank Carey Shaffner, Realtor for being an amazing real estate agent (without him this would not have happened) and the wonderful folks at Bank of Botetourt …you know who you are, THANK YOU. Onward and upward!
The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs took down Birmingham 4-2 on Thursday night to take a 1-0 lead in the SPHL President’s Cup Final. Stephen Alvo, Jason Lavallée, Nick Ford, and Matt O’Dea all scored goals for the Dawgs, while Austyn Roudebush made 25 saves. Game two will be tomorrow night in Birmingham.
State Democrat lawmakers are calling on the Youngkin administration to reconsider a policy that changes how felons restore their voting rights. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has more.
Northern Virginia Democratic US Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton announced yesterday that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In a video posted to Twitter, Wexton said the disease has primarily affected her speech and how she walks and keeps her balance.
Wexton revealed her diagnosis on World Parkinson’s Day. She says she hopes to continue serving in Congress for years to come.
Roanoke College is partnering with Virginia Tech to give students a pathway to a master’s degree. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story.
March 24, 2023/Salem, Va. Roanoke College and Virginia Tech have entered a partnership that will benefit students in science fields and serve as an engine for economic, workforce and educational development in Virginia. The two agreements that make up the partnership will allow Roanoke College students to pursue graduate programs at Virginia Tech and facilitate an early transition to graduate school.
The announcement comes amid a larger, historic investment being made by state leaders, employers and philanthropic donors to grow Virginia’s workforce in high-priority tech fields. The Tech Talent Investment Program has marshaled more than $2 billion to date to support initiatives designed to more than double the number of students statewide who are earning computer-related degrees and capitalize on major opportunities such as the Amazon HQ2 project in Northern Virginia.
The new Direct to Tech program provides Roanoke College students direct admission into Virginia Tech Master of Engineering programs in either computer science and applications or computer engineering upon graduation from Roanoke College. Direct to Tech is open to all Roanoke College seniors with a 3.0 GPA, regardless of major, who have completed certain required courses. The partnership will reduce the timeline for admission and give students an early transition into the Virginia Tech graduate programs, which are delivered from the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia. The first building of the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, located just outside the nation’s capital, opens to students in fall 2024. Students currently enrolled in Innovation Campus master’s degree programs are attending classes at the university’s Falls Church location.
“This program will provide students with the opportunity to take advantage of the best that Roanoke College and Virginia Tech have to offer. We’re thrilled that Roanoke is the first college in Virginia to sign on to this program. The Roanoke College and Virginia Tech partnership is about access for our students and opportunities for their incredible futures,” said Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr. “Maroons and Hokies are celebrating, and the pathways and possibilities to and from Roanoke College are even stronger. This is a tremendous arrangement and partnership for us, for Virginia Tech and for the commonwealth.”
Asecond agreement between the two schools allows Roanoke College students to take advantage of an accelerated 4+1 undergraduate/graduate program in computer science or computer engineering at Virginia Tech. This partnership enables students to take courses that apply toward a bachelor’s degree at Roanoke Collegeand an accelerated master’s degree at Virginia Tech. This means students can earn a Bachelor of Science in four years, then complete the master’s with just one additional year at Virginia Tech. This program is open to any Roanoke College computer science major who has earned at least a 3.3 GPA and completed certain courses, including Calculus II, as part of their undergraduate degree.
“We are thrilled to partner with Roanoke College to launch our first Direct to Tech program and additional 4+1 opportunities,” said Lance Collins, vice president and executive director of the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus. “The Innovation Campus is dedicated to increasing opportunities for underrepresented students while expanding access to tech talent in the national capital region. We look forward to welcoming Roanoke College graduates to our Master of Engineering program.”
As part of both the Direct to Tech and accelerated 4+1 agreements, Roanoke College students will not have to pay application fees or submit GRE scores to Virginia Tech. For the 4+1 program, Virginia Tech may provide significant financial support for students, particularly through state and industry funding earmarked to support women, underrepresented minorities, first-generation students and veterans.
Current Roanoke City Councilman Luke Priddy yesterday announced he plans to run for State Senator John Edward’s 4th district seat. Priddy has been Edward’s long time chief of staff. In a Facebook statement, Priddy says this has been one of the easiest decisions of his life and this campaign needs a candidate who is hungry, young, and has the energy and experience to deliver policies that will improve people’s lives and protect their rights and interests.This is in response to Senator Edward’s decision not to seek re-election.
You can read Priddy’s full statement below:
Some Roanoke residents went before city council to raise concerns about work being conducted by the gun violence prevention commission. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story:An international film series has returned to the Star City and organizers hope it provides an eye opening experience. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story.
https://www.roanoke.edu/a-z/international_film_series