News

Virginia labor leaders say a proposed natural gas pipeline would bring thousands of jobs to the state as it goes in — and more jobs once it is completed.  The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is the longer of two proposed to cross much of Virginia. It would deliver natural gas from the gas fields of West Virginia to utilities and manufacturers in the southeastern U.S. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.

Mark Herring

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia is joining a federal lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order on refugees and immigration.Attorney General Mark Herring announced the legal action on Tuesday, calling Trump’s executive order “unlawful, unconstitutional and un-American.”Trump’s order suspends immigration for citizens of seven countries for 90 days and blocks refugees from entering 120 days.Virginia is intervening in a case that focuses primarily on lawful residents affected by the ban. Administration officials have since said that lawful permanent residents, typically known as “green-card” holders, will routinely receive waivers from the ban.Herring argued that the ban is already hurting Virginians, saying that are students at the state’s colleges and universities who are currently unable to return to Virginia. He declined to take questions from reporters, citing the pending legal action.

A Charlottesville area craft brewery will open a tasting room and pilot brewery this year in Roanoke, one that will serve in part as a testing room for its new beers. Starr Hill is one of Virginia’s original craft brewers. The Starr Hill pilot brewery will open its Roanoke location at The Bridges, which is near the Virginia Tech-Carilion medical complex along Jefferson Street. The opening is scheduled for September. Robbie O’Cain is the brewmaster:

A source tells WFIR the brewery that’s opening up a tap room at the Bridges is Starr Hill Brewery out of Charlottesville. Founded in 1999, Starr Hill is one of Virginia’s first craft brewing operations. No one connected to the Bridges has confirmed the brewery is indeed Starr Hill. An official announcement on the brewery that’ll sit between Starbucks and Moe’s is set for this afternoon at 1 pm.

Roanoke Police are investigating an armed robbery that took place yesterday at the BNC bank at the intersection of Keagy Road and Virginia 419. Authorities responded to the call just before 11 a.m. after a man walked into the bank near LewisGale medical center displaying a handgun and left on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. Contact Police if you have any information about the incident.

 

  

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Kroger is making the opioid overdose antidote naloxone available without a prescription at its Virginia pharmacies.The supermarket chain announced the decision Monday. It comes after the state health commissioner declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in November.The company says it has given its pharmacists extra training on substance abuse and made education materials for patients.The Roanoke Times reports CVS and Walgreens pharmacies also offer naloxone without a prescription.Naloxone, which is also known by the brand-name Narcan, can quickly revive someone who has stopped breathing after overdosing on opioids, which include prescription painkillers like Vicodin as well as illegal narcotics like heroin. In the past, naloxone was available mostly through clinics, hospitals or first responders, but many states and retailers have been easing access.