Wildfires forced a mandatory evacuation in one North Carolina county as emergency crews fought separate fires in an area of the state still recovering from Hurricane Helene, while South Carolina’s governor declared an emergency in response to a growing wildfire. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety issued a mandatory evacuation Saturday night for parts of Polk County in western North Carolina. The agency warns residents could be trapped, injured, or killed if they remain in the impacted areas. In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency as part of an effort to stop a blaze in Pickens County called the Table Rock Fire that started Friday in the Blue Ridge Mountains

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports of a possible shooting on the 20,000 block of Botetourt Road.

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a warning due to critical fire conditions today, March 23.

A few furry friends received some protective gear over at the Virginia Department of Corrections!

Virginia athletics director Carla Williams announced that Ryan Odom will be leading the University of Virginia’s Dean and Markel Families Men’s Basketball team as Head Coach.

Mountain Gateway Community College is launching its Liberal Arts Associate of Arts degree program.

Winter Snow Totals

Today, March 21, the Salem Family YMCA is hosting a basketball skills clinic for its Y Afterschool (YAS) and Y PASS kids.

Mild weather looks to return for Saturday and Sunday

New River Trail State Park is steadily reopening sections of its trail that were significantly damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Norfolk State coach Robert Jones has a monster chip on his shoulder entering his team’s first-round NCAA Tournament game against No. 1 seed Florida.

A man is arrested after robbing a Truist Bank in Christiansburg Thursday morning, Christiansburg Police Department said.

God’s Pit Crew is preparing to send aid and relief to those impacted by the tornadoes that have impacted Mississippi and Missouri, and those impacted by the wildfires in Oklahoma.

Angela Stanford is the next American captain for the Solheim Cup.

A man is dead and a deputy has been placed on leave after a shooting early Thursday morning, according to the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office.

Spring Equinox! What Can We Expect?

Stay updated with WSLS's latest weather forecast as spring kicks off with sunny skies, warming temperatures, and high pollen counts across Virginia.

Dust off those resumes! Sheetz is looking to hire more than 365 across Virginia.

Dr Pepper Park in Roanoke, Virginia, has announced that Easton Corbin will perform live on Friday, May 16, as part of the Northwest ACE Summer Concert Series.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson are spearheading an amicus brief.

We are tracking a really warm day with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees above average.

Roanoke’s first Amazon facility has been operational since October, and today, we had the opportunity to see firsthand how your orders are processed from a click to your doorstep.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has ordered that the flags of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds.

Say Goodbye To Winter, Spring Is Here!

An Afghan father of two is among thousands of newly arrived refugees who lost financial assistance when the Trump administration cut off funding for the federal refugee program in January.

70s Return As Spring Nears

Gas prices have decreased across the country, with the national average now at $3.07 per gallon—a 9-cent drop from last month.

Did Something Inhibit Weekend Severe Weather?

Justice Lawrence Larkins Koontz, Jr., a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, passed away on Sunday, March 16. He was 85 years old.

Lisa Coons, Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction announced her resignantion on Friday,

A man is dead following a helicopter crash that took place in Pittsylvania County on Saturday, Virginia State Police said.

Mountain Gateway Community College has extended their application deadline for the MG-TEC IT Academy to May 1.

Washington and Lee University announced they will be lending their portrait of George Washington to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture for an upcoming exhibition.

Local Representatives Ben Cline, Morgan Griffith, and John McGuire, as well as U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner are reacting to the recent passing of the Trump-backed CR.

A judge finds that Virginia law does not consider frozen embryos to be property that can be divided up in a partition lawsuit.

Many people are expected to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all weekend, so the Virginia State Police is urging Virginians to stay safe on the road.

The potential for severe weather over the next couple of days is growing across the country.

Keeping Warm, But Showers/Storms Are On The Way

The popular convenience store and gas station chain Wawa announced that it would be hosting a Community Partnership Event to officially introduce itself to the Roanoke Community and share more details about its first wave of “Westward Virginia Expansion” on Tuesday, April 1.

The Cavaliers and Yellow Jackets battling in the second round of the ACC Tournament.

The Roanoke Police Department is actively searching for Tiffany Hoose, a 23-year-old woman last seen on March 7 at Kentucky Avenue NW in Roanoke, Virginia.

Warm & Sunny Before Weekend Storms

Spring break season here in southwest Virginia has already begun.

More than 100 local entrepreneurs are participating in the Gauntlet Business Program and Competition, now in its 11th year. This program offers an opportunity for local entrepreneurs and business owners, or those who want to start their own business successfully launch or expand.

The Behind the Badge seminar is happening today at the Radford City Office, and it’s all about tackling the tough issues of PTSD and suicide among law enforcement officers.

The warming trend continues for the rest of the week before rain and storm chances make a return.

Virginia’s statewide tornado drill is Tuesday.

Roanoke police identified the victims as Jose Rodrigo Yanes Barahona, 9, and Maria Domitila Nolasco Martinez, 69, both of Roanoke. Another boy was with the victims but was not struck by the train.

Warming Up This Week!

Grandin Theatre will be holding a special screening of Dope is Death to support accessible acupuncture in Southwest Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Health announced they are investigating a possible measles exposure that may have occurred at the Dulles International Airport (IAD), which is located in the northern portion of Virginia.

Zoe Yaeger hit two home runs in the Hokies 6-1 win Saturday.

The Orange maintained a double-digit lead for the duration of the second half.

Virginia's lieutenant governor is used to facing formidable obstacles in her political campaigns. And Winsome Earle-Sears' bid to be Virginia’s next governor is no exception. The Jamaican immigrant and Marine veteran will need to win the Republican primary in June at a time when her party has been taken over by the “Make America Great Again” movement. Then she'll have to woo moderate and independent voters in the November general election as Democrats look to tie her to President Donald Trump’s overhaul of the federal government. Two conservatives are trying to challenge her in the primary. Virginia has never elected a woman as governor.

The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office warns of a surge in scam calls and texts, advising residents to stay vigilant and protect their personal information.

High wind warnings and advisories are up

Ugonne Onyiah and Marta Suarez each had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

A Romanian man has been arrested after card-skimming devices were found in Walmart stores throughout Virginia and other states on the East Coast, according to the Bedford Police Department.

High wind warnings and advisories are up

Veterans questioned the local leadership during a quarterly town hall meeting, telling them care has greatly improved but that the layoffs have them concerned for the future.

Members of congress have mixed reactions to President Donald Trump’s address last night.

Cavaliers earn first win at the ACC Tournament since 2019.

While measles cases are on the rise across the country, there are no cases of measles in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Rohde hit a fade-away 3-pointer from the right baseline nearly falling into the stands to give Virginia the lead for good.

Stay informed about the severe weather alert for Virginia with gusty winds, thunderstorms, and cooling temperatures.

Randy Travis's "More Life" tour, featuring co-star James Dupré, will showcase the country legend's greatest hits at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in Roanoke on Oct. 25, 2025.

579,085 drivers were caught blasting through school zones and construction sites across the state, bringing in almost $34 million in fines, according to a January 2025 Virginia State Police Department report.

Stay updated with WSLS.com's latest weather forecast as a strong cold front brings potential storms to central Virginia.

We are tracking the first big system of the spring season that brings the threat for severe weather.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has commuted the sentence of a former Virginia police sergeant, stating that the court’s sentence is “unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system.”

Paris Clark and Kymora Johnson each hit two late foul shots to help Virginia beat No. 8 North Carolina 78-75. Latasha Lattimore had 23 points for 16-14 Virginia in its third consecutive win. Clark scored 17 points, and Johnson had 15 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Clark was fouled by Indya Nivar with 13.1 seconds left. She made two free throws to give her team a 76-75 lead. Johnson added two more foul shots with 3 seconds to go. The Tar Heels had a chance to tie, but Lexi Donarski misfired on a 3-point attempt before time expired.

Ian Schieffelin scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half to help No. 13 Clemson come from behind to beat Virginia 71-58. Schieffelin, coming off a 24-point outing against Notre Dame, also grabbed 13 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season, as the Tigers stayed a game behind first-place Duke in the conference standings. Isaac McKneely had 16 points for the Cavaliers. Virginia had hit 10 or more 3-pointers in seven of its last 10 games before Saturday, but went 8 for 19 from beyond the arc.

A Roanoke County man has been arrested after a burglary investigation conducted by multiple agencies, according to the Bedford Police Department.

Weekend weather forecast for Southwest and Central Virginia, highlighting clear skies and a temperature drop due to an upcoming cold front.

The temperature roller coaster continues as we head into the weekend!

Virginia Tech’s finest are preparing to brave the icy waters of the new river this weekend.

Gov. Youngkin signed Executive Order 47 on Thursday, titled "Keep Virginians Safe from Dangerous Criminal Illegal Immigrants."

A sneak peek at spring weather continues.

McNeely's 27 points sparks Virginia outburst in Cavaliers' 83-75 win over Wake Forest

The center's former director and three board members now face charges. A former staff member faces new charges of assault.

We took many of your questions to people who see it every day from judges to social workers.

A team of brave souls in Pulaski County is preparing to take an icy plunge this weekend—all for a good cause.

Some of America’s governors — mostly Democrats — have a message for the wave of fired federal workers: We want you.

Close to 70° this afternoon!

A committee of House of Delegates members are gathering more information on the impact federal budget cuts will have on the commonwealth.

Teams across the region are getting ready to take the plunge to support Special Olympics Virginia.

It’s called “relief of custody.” Hundreds of these cases have been filed in just the past five years.

A 28-year-old Roanoke man was arrested and charged on multiple charges of online child sex crimes after it was discovered he was in possession of child pornography.

The Supreme Court has found that people who score early court wins in civil rights cases won’t necessarily be able to recover their legal fees.

A lot of us get back into the 60s once again as skies will be mostly clear!

For those of us reeling from high power bills after this winter's bitter cold, relief may be on the way.

Giles County is known as Virginia’s Mountain Playground, and nestled between those mountains is the town of Narrows. Once a thriving town, Narrows has needed help for years.

Virginia legislators have passed the state budget and with it comes more money for flood recovery and grants for first time home buyers.

A look back at 2024 weather events

The Staunton Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing person.

Virginia is a state that is proud to be the home of many talented musicians, including the late great Ella Fitzgerald.

The suspect involved in the shooting of a Danville Police officer has been formally charged with Attempted Capital Murder, Virginia State Police said.

Why go for silver, when you can go for the ‘cold?’ That’s the question we’re asking, as we gear up for the New River Polar Plunge.

The Virginia legislature has ended its 45-day session by addressing a slew of budget amendments ranging from tax cuts to child care. But some lawmakers say they will likely need to return to the Capitol later this year to address a mounting threat: massive federal government layoffs planned by the Trump administration. Virginia in December was home to nearly 315,000 federal workers and many more government contractors, behind only Washington, D.C., and California. So far fewer than 300 Lawmakers said such sweeping changes to the state’s workforce by the White House would deeply impact the state’s economy.

Virginia is proud to be the home of the first elected Black governor in the United States, L. Douglas Wilder.