Here’s a look at events happening in Central and Southwest Virginia where you can reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dozens of people gathered in the Church on Main in Blacksburg to honor Dr. King Sunday. An event hosted by the Montgomery County Radford city Floyd County branch of the NAACP.

People in Rockbridge County are preparing for their eighth annual parade to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is the second Cabinet member heading to Africa as part of President Joe Biden’s big push to engage with the world’s second-largest continent.

Here are some ideas on how you can serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day if you can’t make it to a live event.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church to celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In Lexington, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Parade is an annual tradition.

Sam Gooden, one of the founding members of the Chicago soul group The Impressions and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has died.

The Interior Department says it will phase out sales of plastic water bottles and other single-use products at national parks and on other public lands over the next decade, targeting a major source of U.S. pollution.

Virginia Tech is hosting an “Experience Black Love” exhibit until the end of February.

Happy Monday and welcome to another edition of Beyond The Forecast!

Several area schools are closing or delayed on Monday.

Many have planned for the possibility of having remote learning days if weather is an issue

He wants all Americans to be able to cast their ballots in the way that works best for them, regardless of what zip code they live in.

If here were still alive, Saturday would be the 93rd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is bringing in the New Year with some Winterland fun with the return of their annual Winter Weekends!

The teenager who pulled out her cellphone and recorded the police restraint and death of George Floyd has been awarded a special citation by the Pulitzer Prizes.

As the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder approaches, some people say the best way to honor him is for Congress to pass a bill in his name that overhauls policing.

President Joe Biden will host George Floyd’s family at the White House Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of his death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer.

Over the last several months, city council has discussed the possibility of permanently renaming Fifth Street, which was given the honorary designation of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in 2005.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.

(AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Atlantic City says it will redo a Black Lives Matter tribute on a street because the original painting of those words across the entire road confused motorists who didn't know where to drive on it. Instead, the words “Black Lives Matter” will be painted onto the repaved road in a manner that does not obscure lane divider markings, Mayor Marty Small said Thursday. “The words ”Black Lives Matter" will still be on the street." The road painting was a compromise that averted a potential confrontation between activists who wanted to paint the words “Black Lives Matter” on the famous Boardwalk, and city officials who would not allow it. City Council member LaToya Dunston accused the city of wasting taxpayer dollars by painting the road without knowing the rules governing it.

The New York Times first reported that a grand jury was hearing testimony against Chauvin. Floyd’s death sparked protests in Minneapolis and beyond and led to a nationwide reckoning on race. Like Chauvin, all three were fired soon after Floyd’s death. It’s unclear what specifically prompted the increased grand jury activity in the last few weeks, though most federal grand juries are discharged after about 18 months. Barr rejected the deal in part because he felt it was too soon as the investigation into Floyd’s death was still in its relative infancy, the officials said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg City Council is discussing the possibility of renaming one of its roads after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Council members say they’ve received inquiries for both Fifth Street and Memorial Avenue. In 2005, the roadway received an honorary designation of Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. Rename only Fifth Street Rename both Fifth Street and Memorial Avenue. “Ordinance requires that we notify every owner of property on the street, then council would have to schedule it for a meeting to consider it,” said Lynchburg City Planner Tom Martin. City leaders said before decisions are made, they would need to consider the cost of changing addresses for businesses and residents.

We want to know: What does Black History Month mean to you? Did you talk about it, growing up? Did you attend events? We want to hear, in your words, about your experience with the month.

American poet Amanda Gorman reads a poem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. In one of the inauguration's most talked about moments, poet Amanda Gorman summoned images dire and triumphant Wednesday as she called out to the world “even as we grieved, we grew." Did you catch the 2 @HamiltonMusical references in the inaugural poem? “That day gave me a second wave of energy to finish the poem,” Gorman told the AP. Two other books come out in September — the illustrated “Change Sings” and a volume of her inaugural poem and other works.

ROANOKE, Va. – Martin Luther King Jr. Day holds different meaning for different people. “It’s just a celebration of who we all are as humans,” said Kiera Toney, who just moved to Roanoke from Martinsville. His daughter, Sarah, said that everyone should treat each other “nicely and the same.”After the killing of George Floyd in May 2020 reignited the Black Lives Matter movement, Toney says she feels the weight of this day even more. “It’s 2021 at this point and I’d really hate to think that Dr. King’s legacy from the 60s and earlier haven’t changed anything,” said Toney. Newly-elected Roanoke City Council Member Robert Jeffrey Jr. said that it’s OK to pause and learn from King’s teachings.

ROANOKE, Va. – Athletes including brothers and friends of Kawuan Ray came together to play flag football on Martin Luther King Jr. Day-- one of many sports that the former Roanoke Catholic and Patrick Henry star excelled at. Monday’s game was about more than just the love of sport, but rather the love of each other. "Kawuan Ray Day" (WSLS)That prompted Monday’s flag football event, a way to give back to the community while also providing support through the grieving process. “I just know how great of a young man he was just by the effect he had on other young people in the community, his teammates, younger brothers and just his friends. So, it’s like we’re all going to carry the weight together, grieve together instead of doing it alone,” said Thomas.

We celebrate Martin Luther King Day around the activist’s January birthday, which is Jan. 15.

LEXINGTON, Va. – A pandemic will not stop one community from honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Instead of marching through the streets of Lexington, one group is asking people to take a stand in the road this year. Every year hundreds of people fill the streets of Lexington, shoulder to shoulder and march in memory of Dr. King. Law enforcement will block off the streets for the stand-up while the community sends a peaceful message. Everybody and all of their diversity coming together, working together, living together, enjoying one another,” said Rev.

Lumpkin, a Los Angeles native, died Dec. 26, according to a statement from Los Angeles City College, which he attended from 1938 to 1940. Theodore Lumpkin Jr. was just days short of his 101st birthday. Lumpkin, a Los Angeles native, died Dec. 26, according to a statement from Los Angeles City College, which he attended from 1938 to 1940. The Tuskegee Airmen escorted bombers in Europe. In 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Authorities in North Carolina had to temporarily close a road due to an unexpected visitor. In Wilmington, North Carolina, a massive alligator was found walking along a road, which obviously posed quite the safety risk to both people and the gator. For those familiar with the Wilmington area, the gator was seen on McRae Street near Cornelius Harnett Drive, underneath Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. After posting some pictures of the gator, the police department later posted a Facebook Live video, showing the gator safely getting off the road and down to the nearby creek. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.