Gene Marrano
A new Wason Center poll of likely Virginia voters statewide that focuses on 4 key State Senate districts – none are in this region – reveals that 59 percent of respondents say they are less likely to vote for a pro-Trump candidate. But will those same candidates get any type of “bump” from the killing of ISIS leader al-Baghdadi in Syria – announced yesterday by President Trump? Ed Lynch chairs the political science department at Hollins University:
(Lynch was a staffer in the Reagan White House). A strong turnout by Democratic voters on November 5th could help “flip” the state senate,where Republicans now hold a slim majority.
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine is conducting its 10th annual “Best of the Blue Ridge Awards” with online voting through November 7th. There are a number of categories, including best outdoor destination, Food and Drink venue – and best business, where Runabout Sports on Brambleton Avenue is one of the nominees, as are several other Roanoke area outdoor-oriented entries.
The Salem Planning Commission gave its recommendation but many residents around Upland Drive want City Council to “pump the brakes” tonight on a development proposal – when City Council holds a public hearing at the Salem Civic Center. WFIR’s Gene Marrano spoke with one homeowner in that neighborhood:
Joe Cobb – Ian Price photo
The joint effort announced yesterday to combat the rising threat of gangs in Roanoke includes an emphasis on prevention – attempts to recruit new members – and that fits in well with the city’s task force to reduce gun violence. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
CARE coalition /G Marrano photo
A decade ago then-police chief Joe Gaskins declared there were no organized gangs operating in Roanoke but this morning United States Western District Attorney Thomas Cullen and the new CARE coalition said that’s not the case now. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
