Data Center Backlash, VMI Shooter False Alarm, Congressional Age Debate | Roanoke Valley's Morning News — July 15, 2026

This is the Roanoke Valley's morning news with Joey Self on WFIR, Roanoke. Good morning. It is 705 traffic rolling along smoothly. We have dropped back to 69 degrees. The weekend ahead, looking to bring some pretty soggy conditions. And our top local story residents living in the so-called Dadsonor alley area joining Datas Center opponents in Southwest Virginia. A calling for stricter environmental protections. WF.I.R.'s clock Palmer explains. Presidents in Botan County this week held a protest during a county planning commission meeting over the handling of the future environmental footprint of the potential Google Data Center campus at the Botan Center at Greenfield. The project would draw up to 2 million gallons of water a day for each building on the campus from Carvin's Cove, which is currently 14 feet below its full pond level due to the ongoing drought conditions. During a recent Loudoun County Town Hall meeting, residents voiced similar concerns about the environmental impacts. The 250 data centers built in the data center alley of Eastern Loudoun. Now, unsurprisingly, studies are coming out that highlight the health risks associated with living near data centers. And what do data centers require? More high voltage power lines and electrical substations, which studies have shown health risks associated with living near those since the 1970s. But some residents use that meeting to defend data centers and suggest criticisms may have been fueled by misinformation campaigns. I could go on and talk about some of the other. Data centers nearby, cloud HQ, of which I can say the only sound I've ever heard from that direction comes from airplanes flying in and out of Dallas Airport every three minutes. Rone Oak City last week voted unanimously to approve updates that allow data center projects by special exemption in certain industrial zones. The updates will allow for the highest amount of public input when it comes to bringing in a potential data center. Clark Palmer, WFIRE News. Coming up now details after a major active shooter scare at a nearby university. In residence, courage to weigh in on the Commonwealth's future energy plan of Choway Self. I'm Ian Price. Still ahead. The man accused of killing a Southwest Virginia sheriff's deputy in the line of duty will remain behind bars. After a stretch of mild air, heat, and humidity are back this afternoon. Dewpoints aren't unbearable by any means, but they do give us a pretty sticky feel as you step out the door. Highs this afternoon reached the mid to upper 90s and we'll see a mild overnight with lows only cooling to the 70s this evening. Tomorrow, looking to bring toasty conditions as well with temperatures in the upper 90s and a heat index as warm as 103 degrees. From WDBJ7, I'm First Alert meteorologist Ava Herrera on WFIR. Right now it's fair 69 degrees. More news, any in price. Joey, a major active shooter scare at VMI has turned out to be a complete false alarm. Virginia Military Institute officials confirmed that law enforcement responded to the Lexington Post overnight after reports of gunshots in the area sparked widespread concern and a shelter-in-place order at neighboring Washington and Lee University. An active investigation determined an unknown object was used to make a loud banging noise outside of barracks, sounding highly similar to gunfire. All students have been accounted for and there's no ongoing threat to the community.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham's passing over the weekend as sparked fresh discussions regarding what some political scientists call a gerontocracy in Washington. Lindsey Graham's death marks the sixth loss of a sitting lawmaker during a congressional term where the oldest serving member is 91. Radford University, political science chair, and WFIR political analyst Chapman Rackaway. says this graying of government stretches beyond Capitol Hill. Pretty much always been older than the general population. But the gap between the average age of an American and the average age of a member of Congress has been growing, especially over the last 15 years. And when you consider that you not only have that, that you have the last couple of occupants of the White House have been on the cusp of... 70s and 80s. So there's a lot of people using that term gerontocracy that you have kind of a rule by older folks. You certainly see that in the way younger people are talking on their social media about the state of the economy, about how previous generations have pulled the ladder up. Critics argue that having power so heavily concentrated among older generations makes recruiting younger candidates to keep the system moving a much harder sell. While Lindsey Graham's sudden illness has renewed public debate over age limits, analysts argue that the current political system's seniority rules will continue to favor older established lawmakers. Residents have until July 31st to comment on an online survey that will help the Abigail Spanberger administration put together the Commonwealth's 2026 energy plan, which looks to ensure Virginia will affordably meet demand while maintaining reliability and working towards a net zero carbon energy economy for all sectors by no later than 2045. Virginia's chief energy officer. Joseph Almond spoke about the plan in video posted as social media last week. Virginia is at an inflection point. Demand is rising faster than it has in generations, and costs are climbing for the people who can least afford it. The decisions we make now will shape our energy future for decades. The energy plan is scheduled to be released in October. Another local municipality asking residents to cut back on their water usage as an extreme regional drought continues to worsen. Martinsville Water Resource Authorities issued a formal request last night for voluntary water conservation measures throughout the city. The state drought monitoring task force has officially classified the region in an extreme drought, although local water levels at the Beaver Creek Reservoir are not yet critically low. Martinsville city leaders are urging customers to practice smart water habits now to prevent the need for mandatory restrictions later. Downtown Rocky Mountain business has reopened after contractor crews accidentally uncovered an underground fuel leak. Town officials say workers smelled fuel during an excavation project on North Main Street, forcing an immediate work stoppage.

The local C-Mart store was briefly evacuated and closed yesterday while state emergency teams performed soil test, confirming there was no immediate hazard to the public. Municipal leaders emphasized that the town's drinking water system was never impacted because the water lines operate in a separate closed, pressurized loop. After racing at Carvins Cove over the weekend, the USA Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships moved to a course centered at Elmwood Park today and tomorrow, just as temperatures climb back into the 90s with the humidity making it seem even hotter. Gordon Wadesworth is technical director for Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge. Andy tells WDBJ7 he's a mountain bike racer himself. I mean, the thing about hot weather and mountain bike racing, like some people will love it. There are athletes who are going to be looking at that forecast salivating because they do well in heat. There are others who are going to be packing their coolers full of ice and getting their ice vest ready and all those things. Racing both days at spectator-friendly Elmwood Park starts at 9 a.m. On Friday, the final leg of the USA Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships moves to the trails at Explore Park. The rest area along Interstate 81 has reopened following a major hazardous materials response. Montgomery County fire and EMS crews worked alongside state emergency officials to secure the scene at mile marker 129. Authority shut down the rest stop for several hours yesterday to investigate the hazmat situation, but confirmed there was no wider danger to the traveling public. Live in the WFIR News Center, I'm Ian Prey. 7.38 coming up this morning, local health officials are urging families to book required back-to-school medical appointments before the summer slots run pride. On the way, in sports recap, the All-Star game last night from Major League Baseball and an update on Soccer's World Cup. WFIR, depend on it. News updates at the top and bottom of the hour and when it breaks. On WFIR. Sunny today, 97, up to 99 by tomorrow. Right down's fair, 69 degrees. Once again, Ian Price. Joey, local communities are opening public cooling centers as intense summer heat builds back across the region. Emergency management officials in Roanoke, Clifton Forge, and Danville are establishing designated cool zones to offer relief from these soaring temperatures. The State Department of Social Services is also accepting applications for its summer cooling assistance program to help eligible low-income families cover the cost of running air conditioners. About two dozen mostly young adults are employed in three-hour shifts by Three Balloons, a retail arts and crafts workshop and retail store on Franklin Road. Three Balloons opened earlier this year, selling what employees with intellectual challenges are turning out. Now, via a special promotion, they hope to get more people in the door to learn about the Three Balloons Mission.

as WFIRS G Morana reports. Saturday, July 25th from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. It's Christmas in July, with heavily discounted prices up to 50% on Christmas items, discounts on all other arts and crafts, and children's book giveaways. Three balloons employs around two dozen mostly young adults. Many are artistic or have Down syndrome. Commercial artist Steve Stinson says he has a waiting list of people who want to work at three balloons with options limited for those with intellectual challenges. Everything we do has two purposes. One is for more people to come in and see what we do because people are surprised at how good the work that we do is. And the second is to sell. The best thing about being a charity like ours is that you can support it simply by shopping. You don't have to mail us a donation. You can just buy something. Stinson says the big event on July 25th, from 1 to 5 p.m., Santa Claus will visit three balloons during the Christmas and July sale. This is not just any Santa Claus. He sings. He plays a guitar. He tells stories. He's written a couple of books. A commercial artist and children's book illustrators, Stinson says the people that work at Three Balloons are looking forward to Christmas in July, a week from this Saturday. It's a one-day sale, and the staff's already all jazzed up about it. We're going to have Christmas music, and we'll turn the air conditioning as low as we can. Stinson also says there are not enough places in the valley where capable younger people with intellectual challenges can find work. It's one major reason why he opened three balloons earlier this year. Bernie Moreno, WFIR News. Local health officials are urging families to book required back-to-school medical appointments before summer slots run out. The Roanoke City and Allegheny Health District warns that slots for mandatory immunizations and physicals are already filling up fast. Under Virginia law, student physicals and specific vaccines are strictly required before kids can start classes. Local health departments are offering required vaccines at no cost, and physicals are available on a sliding scale at multiple upcoming community events across the region. Here are never more than 10 minutes from local news. Morning's here on WFIR. I'm Ian Price. Five-day weather forecast at 23 and 53 past the hour. WFIR. Sunny, today we get a high at 97. Right now it's fair, 69 degrees. Once again, Ian Price. Joey, the man accused of killing a Southwest Virginia sheriff's deputy in the line of duty will remain behind bars. A Carroll County District Court judge denied bond yesterday for suspect Michael Puckett. Ruling his release would pose an extreme danger to the community. Puckett is facing felony charges, including the aggravated murder of 31-year-old deputy Logan Utt during a routine welfare check on May 29th. The Commonwealth's attorney's office says it is seeking mandatory life sentence in the case, and Puckett's defense team has already filed an appeal of the bond decision. Here are never more than 10 minutes from local news. Mornings on WFIR. I'm Ian Price.

716. We go to sports. We begin with soccer. The first spot in the FIFA World Cup final is now been filled. The semifinals of the FIFA World Cup got underway Tuesday with France taking on Spain in Arlington, Texas. Spain got on the board early in this one with Mikhail Oyersabble, converting a penalty in the 22nd minute to put them up 1-0 at the half. And then in the second half, Spain scored the dagger. The call on Fox, Pedro Porro with the goal in the 58th minute to make it 2-0, France could not get any attacking going as Spain's defense shut them down. Spain wins it 2-0 to advance to the final for the second time in its history. The country won it all back in 2010. Tony Genualdo, Fox News. And this afternoon, the other spot in the final will be filled 3 o'clock, going to be Argentina against England. Baseball, the American League beat the National League 4-0 to win the All-Star game. The Yankees, Cody Bellinger, a two-run single, and his teammate Ben Rice follow with an RBI single in the first inning. Miguel Vargas and the White Sox hit a home run in the eighth. Excuse me, Bellinger was named MVP. Regular season resumes tomorrow with the Mets at Philly. Carolina League, Salem and Hill City off till Friday. Salem will host Elmar, Hill City of Fredericksburg. Avalanche League last night, Pulaski beat Greenville, 15 to 5. College football, the ACC kickoff beginning today and Charlotte this afternoon. UBA head coach Tony Elliott and three of his players who will address the media. Tomorrow morning at 10, it will be Hokies head coach James Franklin and three players. Cavaliers open the season August 29th against NC State in Charlottesville. Tech will open up September 5th against VMI in Blacksburg. NBA, the investigation into a contract involving Kauai Leonard continues, affecting a tray from the Clippers to Toronto. WNBA winners, Washington and Connecticut among the games tonight, Golden State at Indiana. Golf the Open Championship against tomorrow, Royal Burkdale in England. Racing on Sunday, IndyCar in Nashville, NASCAR will be at North Wolfsboro. You're up today with sports. This is WFIR. This is the Roanoke Valley's morning news with Joey Self on WFIR.ROWAWROWK. The heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge. This is WFIR, Roanoke.