News

Freight Car America’s Roanoke facility has a big order that will mean about 200 jobs. And local economic development officials hope this time, these jobs will last.  The story from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.

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The announcement came Monday at a news conference in Richmond.

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The need for foster parents continues to rise. News/Talk 960’s Timothy Martin has more on an orientation session coming up a week from today.

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Click here to find out more about becoming a foster parent.

If you’re thinking about opening a restaurant, a free seminar in Roanoke next week could offer you a recipe for success. Business development specialists will show you how to launch a restaurant–and keep it open. Lisa Soltis, economic development specialist with the City of Roanoke, says the seminar to mark National Entreprener Week will cover everything form taxes to tips to customer service. It will look at why 60% of new restaurants fail, and will offer other information on the business of eating out.

Register on-lineVirginia Business One Stop

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Virginia Democrats await word from former governor Tim Kaine on whether he will run for the Senate seat Jim Webb will leave in 2012. If Kaine does jump in, he’ll have to do some of the very things that, by most accounts, Webb does not seem to savor. More on that from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.

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UnitedHealthCare says it will be renovating and expanding its Roanoke call center to accommodate about 125 new employees over the next two years. The company’s Matthew Burns says it’s a multi-million-dollar expansion, and says the strength of the work force in the Roanoke area is making it possible.

The story from News/Talk 960’s Jim Kent:

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The Elm Avenue interchange of I-581 saw 59 crashes last year. Many accidents started because drivers ignored traffic signals and blocked the intersections. News/Talk 960’s Timothy Martin says police conducted a special traffic operation in that area Wednesday and stayed pretty busy.

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If you haven’t picked a final resting place yet, Virginia Tech is now an option.  News/Talk 960’s Timothy Martin reports.

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An atheist and agnostic group appears ready to file suit against Giles County schools for posting the Ten Commandments inside school buildings. The Freedom from Religion Foundation says it has two families with children in the school system ready to act as plaintiffs. The word came out during the foundation’s recent “Freethought Radio” program. News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones has more on the the broadcast and the group behind it.

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