Project aims to tackle housing shortage in Roanoke County

Worries of being uprooted from their jobs have returned for Laura Dodson and other federal workers, who have long been the economic backbone of the nation’s capital and its suburbs.

It looks like the region will be having a lot of visitors from Northern Virginia this year.

Influential labor groups now say they are opposing efforts to move two professional sports franchises from the nation’s capital to northern Virginia, partially due to the apparent inability to reach a satisfactory deal for union workers on the construction projects.

Fake pills laced with fentanyl are making their way into Virginia schools.

Virginia lawmakers are considering a bill that could provide free school meals to all public school children not just the ones that meet the income requirements.

A new study released Thursday examines the condition, use, and funding of the state’s transportation system.

The father of a Virginia student sexually assaulted in her high school bathroom has been pardoned after his arrest two years ago protesting a school board meeting became a flashpoint in the conservative push to increase parental involvement in public education.

With new district maps, Tuesday's primary is being considered a tricky election by some experts.

At Franklin County, two football standouts and one wrestler put pen to paper. Quarterback Eli Foutz will suit up for Emory & Henry. Wide receiver Ian England will play in the ODAC at Bridgewater College after a stellar senior season.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin says the state has reached a deal with Amazon Web Services for the company to invest $35 billion in new data centers.

A 2019 murder in the Star City is now one step closer to being solved.

Data analysts at the Virginia Department of Health are reporting a rise in HIV-positive cases in the City of Lynchburg.

Hundreds of miles away, crews in Virginia are preparing to deploy to Florida ahead of Hurricane Ian’s landfall.

Amtrak’s new departure times make for a more flexible and convenient way to travel from Roanoke to cities in Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia, and Washington D.C.

If everything goes as planned Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums across Virginia will have a new owner before the end of 2022.

With the race too close to call, analysts have their eyes on Montgomery County and Lynchburg - places where Trump lost in 2020, but Youngkin will need to win.

Republican Glenn Youngkin is highlighting cases of alleged sex crimes in schools to help repair the GOP's standing in the Virginia suburbs, where educated moms and dads have turned against Donald Trump’s Republican Party.

Democratic Virginia Gubernatorial Hopeful Terry McAuliffe along with other Democrats running in Virginia to launch the Get Out The Vote Bus Tour from Northern Virginia at 8:45am. The campaign says the bus tour "will criss-cross across the Commonwealth reaching voters in every corner of the state, firing up Virginians to get out and vote for Terry McAuliffe and the Democratic ticket."

Vice President Kamala Harris has traveled to the Washington suburbs to campaign for Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe in a Virginia governor’s race that she acknowledges looks closer than once expected.

Democrats are in the lead for governor as Election Day gets closer in Virginia, but a new poll shows that their lead is getting tight.

Green Hill Park in Salem will once again be awash in runners for the Knights Crossing Invitational.

A Northern Virginia sheriff is warning that counterfeit pills have led to two overdoses.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources gave an update Tuesday regarding the mortality event affecting birds across multiple states.

Authorities are asking for your help in locating a missing elderly woman out of Henry County.

ROANOKE, Va. – Tackling hate crimes and fostering inclusion, Virginia lawmakers form their first Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus. To comprise a list of priorities affecting the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American community, the caucus will hold virtual meetings. The caucus is expected to hold meetings in Northern Virginia, Central Virginia and Virginia Beach area. Virginia Tech’s Asian Cultural Engagement Center Director Dr. Nina Ha hopes the voices from southwest Virginia will not be overlooked. Kathy Tran, virtually April 22 when they pay homage to Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month.

The South African strand of the coronavirus is spreading in Virginia. of Health announced the first case of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.351 out of South Africa has been found in Northern Virginia. The case was identified in a sample from an adult Northern Virginia resident who had no history of travel during their exposure periods. Virginia has now identified 20 cases of the South African variant. The map below shows precisely how VDH defines the Northern region:Virginia Department of Health map of regions and districts (Virginia Department of Health)[Where are Virginia’s coronavirus cases?

Virginia State Police have responded to hundreds of crashes on Saturday during the ice storm that affected much of Central, Southeastern and Northern Virginia. From midnight to 9 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a total of 195 disabled vehicles and 366 traffic crashes across the Commonwealth. Here’s a breakdown of how many crashes and disabled/stuck vehicles police responded to as of 9 p.m. in each division:Richmond Division: 41 disabled vehicles and 77 traffic crashesCulpeper Division: 10 disabled vehicles and 47 traffic crashesAppomattox Division: 14 disabled vehicles and 45 traffic crashesWytheville Division: 15 disabled vehicles and 13 traffic crashesChesapeake Division: 51 disabled vehicles and 60 traffic crashesSalem Division: 22 disabled vehicles and 93 traffic crashesFairfax Division: 42 disabled vehicles and 93 traffic crashesPolice advise Virginians to avoid traveling through Sunday as road conditions remain dangerous. There have been no fatal crashes reported.

Ralph Northam announced that the South African COVID-19 variant was found in Virginia. [Where are Virginia’s coronavirus cases? The health department’s interactive map]The Virginian who was diagnosed with the strand lives in Eastern Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Health officials say the South African variant was first reported in the United States at the end of January 2021. [Virginia sees 5,069 new coronavirus cases, now reporting 521,467 statewide]Previously, a COVID-19 variant out of the U.K. was reported in the Commonwealth at the end of January when an adult in Northern Virginia tested positive for the strain.

It seems the UK strand of the coronavirus is beginning to spread in Virginia. On Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Health reported the fourth such case of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 and the first to be outside of Northern Virginia. The map below shows precisely how VDH defines the Northwest regionVirginia Department of Health map of regions and districts (Virginia Department of Health)[Where are Virginia’s coronavirus cases? AdWith its first case last month, Virginia became the 23rd state to report this new strain. As of Tuesday, 33 states are reporting a total of 541 cases of this strain, according to the CDC.

An adult in Northern Virginia tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7, the strain that emerged in the UK late last year, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The health department’s interactive map]VDH says that this strain is associated with increased person-to-person transmission of COVID-19. “Viruses change all the time, and we expect to see new strains as disease spreads,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. “We know this variant strain spreads more quickly between people than other strains currently circulating in our communities, but we still have more to learn about whether it causes more severe illness. In the United States, nearly 200 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant have been detected in 23 states as of Jan. 22.

Justin Fairfax directs the Senate at the Capitol, in Richmond, Va. An unusually broad field is vying to be the next governor of Virginia as the marquee political contest of 2021 gets into full swing. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)RICHMOND, Va. – An unusually broad field of candidates are vying for the governor's seat in Virginia as the marquee political contest of 2021 gets into full swing. The field of announced and likely candidates in the closely watched race is more diverse than anytime in modern history. “Folks, it is time for a new Virginia way,” he said at his campaign kick off in early December. The nomination fight, Kidd said, will be a key indicator of “whether or not the Trump fever has broken” among Virginia Republicans.

ROANOKE, Va – The future of the Affordable Care Act is a hot button topic that Virginia’s senators have been discussing leading up to the election. On Friday, Senator Tim Kaine held a roundtable discussion with health care providers in the Roanoke area to discuss the importance of the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court is set to soon hear a case that could eliminate the Affordable Care act entirely. Kaine heard from different non-profits that provide mental health and rehabilitation services in the Roanoke region, which he says are needed now more than ever. “As bad as it’s been, can you imagine how bad the last months would have been if there hadn’t been 400 thousand plus Virginians who had Medicaid because of the affordable care act?” Virginia Senator Tim Kaine said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A man who was tracked down with the help a public access DNA database and convicted of raping two lifeguards in Northern Virginia has been sentenced to 65 years in prison. An Alexandria Circuit Court judge handed down Jesse Bjerke’s sentence Friday, radio station WTOP reported. That pointed to Bjerke as a suspect. He pleaded guilty in October 2019 to six felonies, and then earlier this year pleaded no contest and was convicted in the rape of another woman, who was working as a lifeguard when she was attacked in 2014. This was not a crime of impulse.”Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 80 years; Bjerke’s attorney had asked for “a couple of decades.”

RAPHINE, Va. – If you’re driving down Interstate 81, you can now grab some wings and a burger at a truck stop in Raphine. Quaker Steak & Lube opened at White’s Travel Center on Wednesday. People can enjoy casual-dining menu items including wings, burgers and sandwiches as well as beer, wine and cocktails. We’re excited to announce the opening of our newest location in Raphine, Virginia! Stop by soon to see the new restaurant and pick your future favorites from our huge selection of irresistible steaks, wings, brews and more!

All rights reserved)FAIRFAX, Va. – Lines of voters stretched hundreds deep in northern Virginia and other parts of the state on the first day of early voting in the 2020 presidential election. Friday marked the first day of early voting across the commonwealth. In past presidential elections, Virginia voters needed a reason to cast an early ballot. Long lines were also evident in Virginia Beach, where voters waited in the rain. Early in-person voting continues through Oct. 31.

ARLINGTON, Va. A major piece in potentially bringing more Amtrak service to Roanoke passed a crucial step on Wednesday. The Long Bridge project would alleviate train traffic between Arlington and Washington with two new train bridges over the Potomac River. Virginia Department of Public Rail and Transportation director Jennifer Mitchell said the current bridge over the Potomac River is at 98% capacity, making it impossible to expand Amtrak service. She said the Long Bridge project will not only open up new Amtrak possibilities, but take freight traffic away from Interstate 81. We know people are looking for an alternative to I-81, so we hope we can continue to expand passenger service.The Long Bridge project is in its early stages.

ROANOKE, Va. – Four people are vying to represent Democrats on November’s ballot in the race for Virginia’s 5th US House District. Dr. Cameron Webb, Claire Russo, RD Huffstetler and John Lesinski are running to represent Democrats in a district that contains either all, or parts of 23 counties and cities in the state, stretching from Northern Virginia, all the way to the state border with North Carolina. Earlier this month, Bob Good won the Republican convention in Lynchburg, defeating Rep. Denver Riggleman. Good admits to missing an election filing deadline by a few days; however, he claims he was within the grace period so his name being on Novembers ballot should not be an issue. Here’s a breakdown of race results all 23 counties and cities that comprise the 5th District:Find more Virginia election results hereGet the latest election news here

RICHMOND, Va. – After two months of being closed, starting Monday, some DMV customer services centers across Virginia will be allowed to reopen. Northam announced Wednesday that 11 DMV centers will reopen in seven of eight regions. No centers in Northern Virginia will be open. As part of the DMV’s reopening plan, appointments will be required for specific in-person services[Where are Virginia’s coronavirus cases? Click here for more information about the DMV Reopening Plan.

Ralph Northam just announced that Virginia will will indeed enter Phase One on Friday. This was the plan, but the governor had previously stated if conditions changed, he would push back that date. While most of Virginia moves into Phase One, Northern Virginia will be able to remain in Phase Zero until May 29, despite the rest of the state moving into Phase One. As of Wednesday, there are 26,746 coronavirus cases in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health. [Where are Virginia’s coronavirus cases?

But he added while the same trends are moving in the right direction in northern Virginia, he is still concerned about the region's elevated number of cases. An example: Northern Virginia reported more than 700 cases in the previous 24 hours, Northam said, while the rest of the state reported less than 300. The region's political leaders wrote a letter to Northam on Sunday asking the governor to allow northern Virginia to move at a slower pace in easing restrictions. He also asked residents of northern Virginia to avoid traveling to other parts of the state, if their reopening schedules are different. The northern Virginia region shares a border with Washington, D.C. and Maryland, whose leaders have not given a specific date for reopening.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – A U.S. Navy civilian has tested “presumptive positive” for the coronavirus, according to the U.S. Navy. The Navy also confirmed to 10 News that this case is not a new case, but one of the previous eight cases already announced by the Virginia Department of Health. The purpose of the Navy’s announcement was, “just letting the public know that one of the individuals in the Virginia numbers is a Navy Civilian,” according to CDR Denver Applehans. [Where are Virginia’s coronavirus cases? Personnel that the individual immediately identified having close contact with have been notified and are asked to remain at their residence to self-monitor their health.

Richmond, Va. – A version of the controversial assault weapons ban passed one house in the Virginia legislature Tuesday. In another sign of the heated gun rights debate, the Democratic-backed House Bill 961 narrowly passed the House of Delegates by a 51-48 vote, which came on Crossover Day -- the final day for each house to pass or reject its own bills. Under the bill: “It is unlawful for any person to import, sell, transfer, manufacture, or purchase an assault firearm.” The legislation would make a violation a Class 6 felony. “'Large-capacity firearm magazine’ means any firearm magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has the capacity of, or can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 12 rounds of ammunition." Under the bill, before Jan. 1, 2021, anyone with an illegal magazine must do one of the following.

(Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia is set to invest in the tech talent pipeline, creating 31,000 new computer science graduates over the next two decades. The Tech Talent Investment Program, which will benefit students and tech employers, grew out of Virginia's proposal to Amazon, which will locate its second headquarters in Northern Virginia. The plan is for the program to create at least 25,000 new bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science and related fields over the next 20 years. The agreements with the 11 universities will create 31,000 new degrees in these fields, exceeding the legislative goal. "Virginia's tech sector will continue booming only if we can train the workforce those jobs require.

People around the nation kept an eye on elections results in Virginia on Tuesday night. Republicans are trying to keep their narrow majorities in both houses of the legislature, while Democrats are trying to flip both chambers. Leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties in Virginia told 10 News on Tuesday afternoon that they were optimistic that their party will come out on top. This would probably be the most important election in Virginia in many, many years," said Sen. John Edwards, (D) Roanoke. Many ads run outside of southwest Virginia and Southside have shown how heated the races have become particularly in northern Virginia, Richmond and the Tidewater region.

CNN Video(CNN) - More than 20 million US residents were living in areas under a tornado watch Thursday, forecasters with the National Weather Service said. Watches were in effect for parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The watch for Washington also included Northern Virginia, Maryland, central Pennsylvania and the eastern West Virginia Panhandle. The weather service's Twitter account for tornado information said there were warnings for about 3,000 people in West Virginia. A watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado to form.

Victim sent money to scam artist claiming he needed it for his business. Investigators say Dorpe pretended to be a widower from Virginia Beach when he met the victim, identified only as E.F., online in 2016. Dorpe went by Jerry Linus or Nils, and sent E.F. pictures making it seem like he was a 57-year old balding white man. In reality, he was calling from Africa, investigators say. Over the course of their online romantic relationship, investigators say E.F. sent Dorpe gifts and money, costing her $312,814.

RADFORD, Va. - A mother from Northern Virginia wants answers after her son died in police custody. Eduardo Lobo-Perez was 18 years old and just started his freshman year at Radford University. Virginia State Police say officers at the nearby jail found him unresponsive in his cell Thursday morning. His family in Culpeper held a yard sale over the weekend to raise money for his funeral. He was only 18 years old.

The state's off-year election will be closely watched because Virginia is the only state where control of the Legislature is up for grabs in 2019. GOP lawmakers abruptly ended the session after less than two hours and postponed any movement on gun laws until after the November election. Meanwhile, hundreds of gun-rights supporters filed through a legislative office building to meet with lawmakers and in a show of force against stricter gun laws. The General Assembly has rejected numerous gun-control bills - including several proposed for the special session - year after year. Richard Keene, a 51-year-old gun owner from Chesterfield, said the session turned out to be "a lot of hype for nothing."