News
David Bieri
A move by President Donald Trump that might have gone unnoticed by the public was his decision to not include the chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers in his cabinet. Some write it off as a short-sighted misstep, but an international economics professor says he’s optimistic. As WFIR’s Ian Price reports:
Robin Reed
With Chris Hurst leaving the WDBJ7 anchor desk to pursue a political campaign, the station will have a much different look at its 6:00 pm anchor desk starting one week from tonight. The question now becomes how long will Robin Reed choose to remain there. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Chris Hurst
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) – A former Virginia news anchor whose girlfriend was fatally shot during a live broadcast in 2015 says he plans to run for a seat in the House of Delegates.Chris Hurst tells The Roanoke Times that he will seek the Democratic nomination for the 12th House District seat. The seat is currently held by Republican Del. Joseph Yost, who says he will run for re-election.Hurst left WDBJ-TV on Friday. He was dating reporter Alison Parker in August 2015 when she was fatally shot while conducting an interview on live TV. WDBJ cameraman Adam Ward was also killed.Hurst has never held public office. He says that while reducing gun violence will be a big part of his campaign, he is also interested in many other issues.
Chris Hurst
Robin Reed
WDBJ7 reports news anchor Chris Hurst will run for political office, so he can no longer serve as a news anchor. In a memo to staff members, General manager Matt Pumo says longtime Meteorologist Robin Reed will become the 6:00 pm co-anchor with Jean Jadhon starting Monday the 20th. The memo does not indicate what political office Hurst intends to seek.
Here is the staff memo:
I am pleased to announce that Mr. Robin Reed will become the 6pm Co – Anchor joining Jean Jadhon beginning on Monday, February 20th. Robin brings to the desk 34 years of experience at WDBJ7 and is one of the most trusted figures in our community. Joining Robin and Jean on the area’s most watched newscast will be Chief Meteorologist Brent Watts. Today was Chris Hurst’s last day at WDBJ7. Chris informed us he is running for political office and that he can no longer serve as an on-air news anchor. We wish Chris well and thank him for his years here at Your Hometown Station.
Roanoke Fire-EMS is lowering its minimum hiring age from 21 to 18. Department recruiters say it helps them increase the applicant pool while helping attract additional qualified people before they land jobs elsewhere. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full Roanoke Fire-EMS hiring information.
Lawyers for the state of Virginia are challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration, arguing in federal court that its seven-nation travel ban violates the Constitution and is the result of “animus toward Muslims.”Michael Kelly, spokesman for Virginia’s Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring, said Friday’s hearing in federal court in a Washington suburb poses the most significant state challenge yet.He says in a statement ahead of Friday’s scheduled arguments in Alexandria, Virginia, that it “will be the most in-depth examination of the merits of the arguments against the ban.”Virginia’s challenge comes after a federal appeals court in San Francisco refused Thursday to reinstate the ban on travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations.