Consumer sentiment remains strong across the Commonwealth – according to a Roanoke College phone survey … that’s usually good news for retailers  … WFIR’s Gene Marrano spoke with pollster and economics professor Alice Kassens:

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A connection from the South Peak development in southwest Roanoke County to the Western Virginia Water Authority main line is the source of some controversy – and a lawsuit… as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:

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Many in Congress are upset with President Obama’s announced plan to use executive action that would protect more than 4 million illegal aliens from deportation … a local U.S. Representative says its a sign that the President will not work with the new Congress. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

Click below for an extended conversation with Congressman Morgan Griffith (and WFIR’s Gene Marrano)

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Never seen Mozart’s “Abduction”? … it was the Master’s first major opera hit … and its coming to Jefferson Center tomorrow night…as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:

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Measureable results show a dramatic increase in the number of unique visitors to its website … the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitor’s Bureau says its 6-month “Blue Ridge Standard Time,”  campaign was a big success.More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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Former Virginia
U.S. Sen. Jim Webb

Jim Webb … for president? The former one-term U.S. Senator announced on-line today that he is launching an exploratory committee. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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The Kirk Avenue Music Hall is no more … in its place “CoLab on Kirk” opens today. The Kirk Colab, which is set up like a lounge with chairs and tables, is only open to members of the Grandin CoLab. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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Thomas Gates – call him Tom – takes over as Roanoke County administrator at the end of December. He has been Deputy City Manager in Alexandria. Gates is a former journalism student at Maryland who turned to government and politics as a major.  He was announced as the choice for County Administrator yesterday – after the Board voted to hire him on Tuesday … and he spent a few minutes on the phone with WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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Thomas Gates- Roanoke County

Thomas C. Gates, a deputy city manager and Chief of Staff for the City of Alexandria, VA, as been named as Roanoke County’s new County Administrator.  Board of Supervisors chairman Joe McNamara made the announcement a short time ago:

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Its been a long time coming but the hotel promised for the South Peak development in Roanoke County will finally open … More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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