Evan Jones

Will Hammer

Will Hammer

Congressman Bob Goodlatte faces a November challenge from a Libertarian. Will Hammer  wants the U.S. to open its immigration policy, reduce its global military reach, and curb its reach into the lives of Americans — everything from surveillance to offering student loans. And as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, Hammer believes drug use should be decriminalized.

Liberty University photo

Liberty University photo

The summer season is here, so how about some swimming, sunning — and “big air” ski stunts! Liberty University’s Snowflex ski center now has a giant airbag, and they’re finishing up a jump in front of it so skiing and snowboard competitors can safely practice aerial stunts before trying them out for real. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

OspreyNestSmith Mountain Lake State Park promises to show the good and bad in nature through its “ospreycam“, and in recent days, it’s been pretty cruel in the nest. The three chicks that were there a week ago are all gone, disappearing one by one on successive nights. Park officials say it’s nature at work, and as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, it’s not always pretty.

General-AssemblyThe State Senate will reconvene on Thursday to act on a new state budget, with expectations the months-long impasse will now be broken. It follows the resignation of State Senator Phil Puckett, shifting the balance of power.  And as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, it now appears the budget and Medicaid expansion will be voted upon separately, as Republicans have wanted all along.

 

I-81-AccidentState Police have identified the man they say was driving the wrong way on Interstate 81 over the weekend, leading to a head-on crash that seriously injured a Salem teen. Police say 39-year-old Kenneth Craft of Roanoke was driving south in the northbound lanes Saturday near the Roanoke-Montgomery County line. Sergeant Robert Carpentieri says they’re still working to determine why Craft ended up on the wrong side of the highway.

17-year-old Connor McCauley had to undergo open-heart surgery after the accident. No official word from Carilion on his condition. As for Kenneth Craft, a Carilion spokesperson says he has no information available.

election-2014The Virginia Senate race is now set: Republican Ed Gillespie and incumbent Democrat Mark Warner. Gillespie captured the GOP nomination over the weekend at the party’s state convention in Roanoke.   Political experts say Gillespie faces an uphill battle, but they expect him to run a strong campaign, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports.

Republican Party of VARepublicans from across Virginia are converging on Roanoke this weekend to select their U.S. Senate candidate. Four people are seeking the nomination, and former GOP National Chairman Ed Gillespie is widely considered the favorite to prevail. Whoever wins will take on incumbent Democrat Mark Warner this fall. WFIR’s Evan Jones looks ahead to Saturday’s convention.