State and National Government
Virginia’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is in full force for the holiday season. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports that means more officers on the road looking for impaired drivers.
Thirty-six percent of Christmas Day traffic fataliities in the United States involve driving under the influence. On New Year’s that number jumps to 40-percent. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports Virginia’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is working to make holiday roads safer.
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Virginia’s senior U.S. Senator says the state must provide for plenty of travel improvements for a major new sports and entertainment hub in the state to be successful. WFIR’s Alex Torres has more:
Del. Sam Rasoul
Roanoke Delegate Sam Rasoul will soon play a key role in state education matters when he becomes chair of the House Education Committee. Rasoul says there are many areas where Governor Youngkin and General Assembly Democrats can find agreement despite their many differences. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
A representative in our region spoke out against President Biden’s supplemental request for Israeli aid. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.
One of Virginia’s top elected officials says Israel is justified in responding as it has in Gaza — and the U.S. would respond the same. WFIR’s Alex Torres has that story:
A Congressman from our area asks the CDC director about conflicts of interest at the agency. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.
G Marrano photos
The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce held its 32nd annual Pre-session Legislative Meeting and Breakfast this morning at the Salem Civic Center. With the Democrats gaining control of both General Assembly chambers as of January – but with a Republican Governor, Glenn Youngkin, having veto power, Roanoke Democratic Delegate Sam Rasoul says there is still room for bi-partisanship. Rasoul,
Republican Delegate Joe McNamara and GOP State Senator David Suetterlein spoke about joint efforts to eliminate the local grocery tax, more public education and mental health funding and additional state money for transportation projects including I-81 improvements. Rasoul is optimistic.
A Roanoke-area congressman says special counsel David Weiss for the Hunter Biden investigation is changing his tune. WFIR’s Alex Torres reports: