Latest news with #WFXR
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger unveils ‘Growing Virginia Plan'
(WFXR)- WFXR is your local election headquarters. And the candidates for governor are focusing on financial issues. Democrat Abigail Spanberger made a campaign stop in Suffolk on Tuesday. She announced what she called her new 'Growing Virginia Plan.' Spanberger said that her plan would grow Virginia's workforce, business investment, and trade opportunities. 'We need a leader who understands what brings new businesses to Virginia,' said Abigail Spanberger, democratic candidate for Governor. 'I will be focused on aligning education and workforce training initiatives. As Virginia's next governor, I will work aggressively to promote Virginia as the best state in the country to do business.'(w Spanberger's republican challenger Winsome Earle-Sears told WFXR that Spanberger spent six years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, voting for bills that led to higher inflation and lost jobs. 'She was never in any of the rooms when the decisions were made on how we attract business,' said Winsome Earle-Sears, republican candidate for Governor. 'She was never in any of the rooms or being asked for advice on what do you think about talking with the legislature on how we can progress in Virginia. She was never there so she can't continue our polices.' The latest poll by Virginia Commonwealth University shows Spanberger leading the race over Earle-Sears, 49 percent to 37 percent among registered Virginia voters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia lawmakers discuss FEMA restructuring following deadly Texas flooding
(WFXR)- Central Texas has been dealing with dangerous flooding this month and more than one thousand miles away in Virginia, the tragedy is being felt. 'These people are like family to us, deep relationships,' said Governor Glenn Youngkin. More than one hundred people have died in the Texas floods and at least as many are still missing. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and his family were in Texas at the start of the flooding. He says the Commonwealth, which regularly experiences flash flooding, has assisted in helping the Lone Star State. Federal funding at risk: what it means for public broadcast in Roanoke 'The Commonwealth of Virginia has sent swiftwater rescue teams to go support them.' said Youngkin. 'You all know from the efforts we've had in order to manage natural disasters here, that the teams get tired. The flooding comes amid talks by President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to either remake or wind down FEMA. '[FEMA] is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens,' according to a recent FEMA statement. However, a New York Times report claimed FEMA did not answer thousands of emergency calls from Texans struggling during the flooding. Republican state lawmaker John McGuire said the communication issues began before Trump took office. ''If you do what you always did, you're going to get what you always got,' said Rep. John McGuire of Virginia's fifth district. 'We've all heard that phrase, right? The Biden Administration refused to help homes during the flooding from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.' Not everyone in Congress shares McGuire's opinion. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program, which helped local governments reduce hazard risks, was cut from FEMA in April. Virginia Dems join Planned Parenthood to launch 'Bros for Repro' U.S. Senator Tim Kaine said FEMA provides a crucial service to Americans. 'If you didn't have that, and every state had to have their emergency management teams at kind of surge level to prepare for a hurricane it would be very wasteful,' said Kaine. 'So, I think it's actually a better bang for the buck.' According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, it is too early to think about what will happen if FEMA is restructured. WFXR's Paul Hess contributed to this article. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pinpoint Weather: Tropical Storm Chantal to bring some rain tomorrow
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Tropical Storm Chantal will be moving inland and over the Carolinas during the next 24-36 hours which will influence our weather and increase rain chances for some tomorrow. Some areas of patchy fog will be possible tonight, mainly in the valleys west of the Blue Ridge. Low temperatures will range from the upper 50s to mid 60s. Tomorrow will begin to feel a bit more humid as dewpoints rise with high temperatures in the 80s. The morning will be dry as high clouds on the outskirts of Chantal stream in from the south. Into the afternoon, showers and a few storms will be possible with the outer bands moving in from the south along and east of the Blue Ridge into the Piedmont. Overall rainfall amounts will be modest with up to 1″ through Monday possible over far southeastern portions of our area. The heaviest will remain to the south over the Carolinas. Showers remain possible into the night as well for eastern areas. As what is left of Chantal moves away Monday, a frontal boundary from the northwest will approach and will likely stall out near or over the area. This will return the chance for daily showers and storms across the region through most of the week. Temperatures will remain warm and hot in the mid 80s to lower 90s. Humidity will be elevated which will increase the heat index values to the upper 90s near 100 degrees east of the Blue Ridge by mid-week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The 'Span Virginia Bus' rolls into Roanoke as Spanberger rallies supporters on key issues
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)- Democratic nominee for governor, Abigail Spanberger, is continuing her eight-day, 40-stop 'Span Virginia' bus tour across the commonwealth. With just 89 days until early voting begins, the bus rolled into the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, as local supporters gathered. Spanberger took the stage to highlight the key priorities of her campaign. Those include strengthening Virginia's economy and expanding affordable housing through her newly unveiled housing affordability agenda. Which she rolled out just a couple weeks ago. She spoke on protecting reproductive rights and improving healthcare access across the commonwealth. But Spanberger says she's looking to make a change. Spanberger in Norfolk to announce plan to lower Virginia energy costs 'I do not accept what I am seeing and therefore I will work to change it. I am working for, what we are working for is a Virginia that is one that our kids deserve. One that we will be proud to leave to the next generation,' Spanberger said. Her fellow democratic leaders spoke on issues and emphasized Virginia not going backwards. 'We are going to protect our federal workers, we are going to protect our veterans, we are going to protect every vulnerable community that is about to be impacted by that chaos from D.C ,' said lieutenant governor candidate Ghazala Hashmi. Spanberger plans to look into every challenge and reaffirms her commitment to bipartisan leadership. She stated she built coalitions while serving in congress and plans to do the same if elected governor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2025 Virginia June 17 Primary Election
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Primary elections in Virginia are tomorrow on June 17, and all 133 Virginia counties and cities will have a Democratic primary, but only 31 will have a Republican primary. On the ballot this year in Virginia are Democratic Party primaries for lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well as primaries for both Democratic and Republican nominees for House of Delegates seats and local races. Spanberger in Norfolk to announce plan to lower Virginia energy costs Since only one gubernatorial candidate for each party qualified for the ballot, there will be no primary election for governor. Only those House of Delegates districts where more than one candidate qualified for the ballot will have a primary election. Important dates for the June 17 election cycle: June 17 – ELECTION DAY June 20 – All mailed ballots must be received by the general registrar's office by noon. June 23 – Deadline for the local electoral board to certify provisional ballots. July 1 – State Board of Elections certifies results. Is the GOP ticket unified in Virginia ahead of November? A full list of candidates in all 2025 races can be found online. Virginia Dept. of Elections: Candidates & Referendums. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
