Radford University leaders have started a program to educate and keep Western Virginians in the region.

A treasured Star City staple has announced more closures and repairs as it continues to face the impacts of water damage.

The Science Museum of Western Virginia is celebrating the grand opening of the Eye Planetarium on Feb. 14.

It’s tax time, and while you’re filing this year, keep an eye on tax-related scams.

An astronomical addition is coming to The Science Museum of Western Virginia that’s hoping to take Star City residents to infinity and beyond.

The Better Business Bureau serving Western Virginia has recently learned of a scam that is impacting local businesses.

A Bedford County man was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison for his role in a drug distribution conspiracy and discharging a firearm, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for Western Virginia.

Chocolate, candy hearts and flowers for Valentine’s Day? So last year.

An exciting new exhibit is coming to the Science Museum of Western Virginia. A Parakeet Garden is opening later this month.

People in Roanoke will now have the opportunity to explore Virginia Tech’s newest scientific discoveries.

Tips on how to avoid a scam when looking to donate during a disaster.

There’s still a few weeks left of summer and if you’re planning a last-minute vacation, the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Virginia is warning against vacation rental scams.

A popular Downtown Roanoke attraction is back open.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Science Museum of Western Virginia isn’t wasting any time when it comes to prepping the world’s future scientists. Registration is now available for The LAB Jr., where kids 3 to 5 years old can learn and practice their scientist skills. This is the younger version of The Lab, which the museum launched last summer for students grades K-5. The eight-week program starts Tuesday, April 6 if parents choose the Tuesday classes or Thursday, April 8 for the Thursday classes. Baako told 10 News as a staff, they saw a gap in early STEAM education.

ROANOKE, Va. – Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, but if you’re not into the romance of the holiday, here’s another way you can celebrate. Once again, the Science Museum of Western Virginia in downtown Roanoke is giving you the chance to name a cockroach after someone special. “This year, I think what we’re trying to do is obviously raise some money but also spread a bit of joy and happiness this Valentine’s Day. This will be the third year that we’ve done the cockroach fundraiser and we just want people to have some fun with it,” said Koren Smith, director of marketing for the Science Museum of Western Virginia. It only costs you $5 and you’ll get an e-card that you can send to that “special” someone.

Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, but don’t let it make you vulnerable to scams. With love in the air, Julie Wheeler, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau Serving Western Virginia said people become more vulnerable and the number of romance scams become more popular. Beware of demands by a match to send money . For a look at the BBB’s study on romance scams and the different stages, click here. The BBB advised to keep your guard up for multiple types of flower delivery scams.

The Better Business Bureau Serving Western Virginia warns this is a time scammers take advantage of with lottery and sweepstakes scams. Lottery and sweepstakes scams have been around for years. Wheeler said people let their guard down they hear scam artists use well-known names like Publishers Clearing House for a sweepstakes win, sometimes they even use BBB to create credibility. It should be noted the real Publishers Clearing House is BBB accredited. Bradford paid a total of $1,600 in four pre-paid visa gift cards.

SALEM, Va – Prisons and jails have been targets for COVID-19 outbreaks since the pandemic started, but priorities for vaccination in Virginia could soon change that. Western Virginia Regional Jail Superintendent Bobby Russell and his staff were the next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday. The health department’s interactive map]“It allows us to be able to protect both the staff and the inmate population,” explained Russell. Russell said the vaccine is the best way to protect the population as a whole. “We are fortunate enough to be able to vaccinate the inmate population utilizing our medical staff,” said Russell.

ROANOKE, Va. – The First Lady of Virginia’s third annual back-to-school tour is underway with a visit to Roanoke County. Pamela Northam stopped by Burlington Elementary to read to masked students who were socially distanced in a classroom. We want to help our teachers continue to keep our kids healthy, safe and learning,” said Northam. Northam called teachers unsung heroes of the pandemic as they’ve adjusted to so many changes over the past several months. “My fellow educators, I am so proud of them, they are truly our superheroes, because they have stepped right up.

ROANOKE, Va. In the mad rush to find child care this fall, the Science Museum of Western Virginia is offering one alternative. The museum is launching The LAB, an in-person, educational program that will supplement childrens virtual learning when theyre not in school. There is still a lot up in the air for the childcare centers: from staffing, to space, to hours and availability. One community partner, United Way of Roanoke Valley, is working to put all the puzzle pieces together. Not a single program, not a single agency will be able to help all that needs to be served, said United Way of Roanoke Valleys CEO Abby Hamilton.

ROANOKE, Va. The Science Museum of Western Virginia cleaned out its closet and gave away educational materials in Market Square Saturday morning, but the items did not last long. Executive director Rachel Hopkins said their surplus ran out within half an hour. She said about a hundred kids and their parents came to their sidewalk social, and some lined up an hour before the event started. I think theres a demand for such items.The items included books, board games, and other assorted materials to help elementary-age children learn. The Science Museum of Western Virginia is still closed to the general public, although it is offering summer camps for children.

ROANOKE, Va. Pick up free, but fun, educational activities for your young scientist this weekend at Sidewalk Social. Its a new event the Science Museum of Western Virginia is hosting Saturday, July 9. We want a way to connect with them again so if we could meet they can take away one of the items or two items or however many they want and they take a piece of the science museum with them, said Koren Smith, director of marketing at the science museum. The Science Museum of Western Virginia is also renovating its food science and plant exhibit, Hidden Garden. Staff dug up some plants and will be giving those away at Sidewalk Social too.

ROANOKE, Va. Governor Northam is expected to unveil a facemask policy later today. If you have questions about COVID-19 or wish to request an appointment for testing, call the New River Health District's COVID-19 public health call center at 540-267-8240. On the agenda is continued discussion on the school budget. In its latest budget, the school board agreed to cut an additional $1 million from its pre-COVID-19 request of level funding. On the agenda is an update on the proposed city budget.

ROANOKE, Va. - There's a new way for you to experience the Science Museum of Western Virginia. Your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card will now get you in for free. The program was started this week by the Roanoke Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, click here. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

ROANOKE, Va. - Fundraising for a new high-tech upgrade to a local science museum is about halfway complete. The Science Museum of Western Virginia has been raising money for about four months for the planetarium upgrade, which will be known as "The Eye." It will be where the planetarium currently is and will allow content to pop off the screen, giving people a 3-D experience. We also have a matching grant of up to $100,000," Mary Roberts-Baako, the museum's philanthropy director, said. The goal is to collect all the money by the end of the year and have The Eye ready in June of next year.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - A man awaiting trial for first-degree murder and other charges in Franklin County died in jail on Friday morning, according to Western Virginia Regional Jail Superintendent Col. Bobby Russell. On Friday morning, Eames reportedly began experiencing medical complications while being treated by the jail medical staff. During this evaluation and treatment, Eames lost consciousness and medical personnel called 911, Russell said. From the jail, Eames was taken by Roanoke County Fire-EMS personnel to Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Roanoke's medical examiner performed an autopsy and rendered a preliminary finding that Eames died of natural causes.

ROANOKE, Va. - There will soon be a new way for kids to learn about outer space in downtown Roanoke. The Science Museum of Western Virginia is excited to announce a new traveling exhibit called Be The Astronaut. Kids will make their own space mission, learning about what it takes to explore the unknown. The state-of-the-art technology mixes an exhibit with video games and highlights Standards of Learning (SOL) topics. We're really trying to get kids involved in science through something they enjoy, so video games, but making it educational," said marketing director Koren Smith.