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Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner) profile picture

Ben Orner

@Ben_Orner

Editor: Bristol Herald Courier, Danville Register & Bee, Martinsville Bulletin. Assistant Editor: The Roanoke Times. Student Newspaper Advisor: Roanoke College.

 Roanoke, VA 🔄 Bristol, TN/VA
roanoke.com/users/profile/ben%20orner/
Joined July 2015
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Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)Photo by Ben Orner (@Ben_Orner)
As we cover the Nov. 3 general election, we want to know the races and campaign issues you're most interested in. Take our short survey and help inform our coverage of what matters to voters in the Roanoke and New River valleys.
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Ben Orner retweeted
Sam Mostow (@bySamMostow) profile picture
Sam Mostow@bySamMostowJul 19
How will the Berglund Center find the $28 million it needs? A casino is still on the table. However, a year after city official proposed the idea, it still faces strong opposition. roanoke.com/news/local/busin…
The Berglund Center needs $28 million. A casino might be the only way to get it.

The Berglund Center needs $28 million. A casino might be the only way to get it.

A potential casino has faced strong opposition from state lawmakers.

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The Roanoke region and Southside the hardest hit by the ongoing drought, Gov. Abigail Spanberger says in visit to Smith Mountain Lake. roanoke.com/news/local/gover…
Governor visits Smith Mountain Lake to emphasize water conservation in drought

Governor visits Smith Mountain Lake to emphasize water conservation in drought

The Roanoke region and Southside the hardest hit by the ongoing drought, Gov. Abigail Spanberger says in visit to Smith Mountain Lake.

roanoke.com
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Ben Orner retweeted
Sam Mostow (@bySamMostow) profile picture
Sam Mostow@bySamMostowJun 29
Hello! I have a job. I started last week as a business reporter at @roanoketimes. Super excited for the opportunity and to be staying in the area. Send story pitches/general thoughts/restaurant recommendations/proof of life my way!
Image from Sam Mostow (@bySamMostow)
Image from Sam Mostow (@bySamMostow)
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Roanoke City Public Schools Superintendent Verletta White announced Thursday afternoon she will retire at the end of next school year. roanoke.com/news/local/educa…
Verletta White, Roanoke schools superintendent, retiring next year

Verletta White, Roanoke schools superintendent, retiring next year

Roanoke City Public Schools Superintendent Verletta White announced Thursday afternoon she will retire at the end of next school year.

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Ben Orner retweeted
Sam Mostow (@bySamMostow) profile picture
Sam Mostow@bySamMostowMay 6
After 123 years, The Collegiate Times is ending its print edition. It’ll still be around digitally — so don’t worry, we aren’t going anywhere! The staff put together a Goodbye Print issue, where we reflected back on those 123 years. Grab a copy in newsstands around Blacksburg.
Image from Sam Mostow (@bySamMostow)
Image from Sam Mostow (@bySamMostow)
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Two weeks after Tim Sands announced he will soon be leaving as the #Hokies president, Whit Babcock announced his retirement effective June 30. On Babcock's 12-plus year tenure and the legacy he's leaving behind. roanoke.com/sports/college/f…
Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock set to retire

Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock set to retire

Whit Babcock’s tenure as Virginia Tech’s athletics director will end after 12-plus years.

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Virginia Democrats made a national statement on Tuesday with a narrow victory in a voter referendum on a constitutional amendment to redraw congressional maps before midterm elections in November. roanoke.com/news/state-regio…

Virginia voters narrowly pass redistricting referendum

Virginia Democrats made a national statement on Tuesday with a narrow victory in a voter referendum on a constitutional amendment to redraw congressional maps before midterm elections in November.

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On the front page of Sunday paper and online now: Skydiver crashes into Lane Stadium video board and needs to be rescued after his parachute got caught on the top of the board. The ground safety specialist from the skydiving team discusses what happened. roanoke.com/sports/college/f…
Skydiver rescued after crashing into Lane Stadium video board

Skydiver rescued after crashing into Lane Stadium video board

The skydiver's parachute got caught on the top of the video board.

roanoke.com
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Ben Orner retweeted
Semafor (@semafor) profile picture
Semafor
@semaforMar 30
The oldest job in journalism: New York Post ‘runners’ defy AI semafor.com/article/03/29/20…
The oldest job in journalism: New York Post ‘runners’ defy AI

The oldest job in journalism: New York Post ‘runners’ defy AI

In an age of shrinking newsroom budgets, mass layoffs, and AI, sending human beings to physical locations is something of a luxury.

semafor.com
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Hi! I wrote a cool story if you'd like to read it! In 2019, late model legend Lee Pulliam abruptly retired. But after returning last year, Pulliam caught the attention of Dale Earnhardt Jr. who offered him his first NASCAR ride at Martinsville Speedway. martinsvillebulletin.com/spo…
Lee Pulliam 'already hungry' to live his NASCAR dream at Martinsville Speedway

Lee Pulliam 'already hungry' to live his NASCAR dream at Martinsville Speedway

After abruptly retiring in 2019, late model legend Lee Pulliam called it "a complete dream" to make his NASCAR debut at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports.

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The demise of any radio legend…. is the demise of an irreplaceable fine artist
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"All the Empty Rooms" has won the #Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film. The documentary follows CBS News’ @SteveHartmanCBS and photographer Lou Bopp as they meet the parents of school shooting victims, who open their doors and share what it’s like to live alongside their children’s bedrooms, left just as they were. Directed by @JSeftel, the short film was originally featured on CBS Sunday Morning in November 2024.
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There have been no reports of injuries among VCUarts Qatar students, faculty, or staff, according to VCU spokesperson Michael Porter.  commonwealthtimes.org/2026/0…
VCU Qatar students shelter, classes moved online following Iranian missile strikes

VCU Qatar students shelter, classes moved online following Iranian missile strikes

There have been no reports of injuries among students, faculty or staff, according to VCU spokesperson Michael Porter. 

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Reduced funding and rising costs have combined to create a $16.5 million budget shortfall heading into the upcoming fiscal year, school staff said during a meeting Tuesday night. roanoke.com/news/local/educa…
Roanoke school budget cuts: 156 jobs plus programs and resources at risk

Roanoke school budget cuts: 156 jobs plus programs and resources at risk

Reduced funding and rising costs have combined to create a $16.5 million budget shortfall heading into the upcoming fiscal year, school staff said during a meeting Tuesday night.

roanoke.com
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“I cannot stress enough that this has the potential to be a serious winter weather event," said Jason Bond, a VDOT spokesperson. roanoke.com/news/local/weath…
Here's how the Roanoke Valley is preparing for this weekend's major winter storm

Here's how the Roanoke Valley is preparing for this weekend's major winter storm

“I cannot stress enough that this has the potential to be a serious winter weather event," said Jason Bond, a VDOT spokesperson.

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Ben Orner retweeted
Scott Nover (@ScottNover) profile picture
Scott Nover@ScottNoverJan 20
Delicious prose from @ChuckCulpepper1 on Indiana's triumph. washingtonpost.com/sports/20…
Image from Scott Nover (@ScottNover)
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Ben Orner retweeted
Scott Nover (@ScottNover) profile picture
Scott Nover@ScottNoverJan 7
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is shutting down.
Image from Scott Nover (@ScottNover)
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Indiana vote is a reminder that plenty of GOP state legislators out there - especially in the midwest and south - are either old-timers or just parochial politicians focused on their districts & potluck dinners instead of national politics
Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) profile pictureJake Sherman
@JakeSherman11 Dec 2025
INDIANA STATE SENATE has rejected redistricting. 19-31. TRUMP's push for a 9-0 map failed. Big defeat for the Trump administration.
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Big Stone Gap focuses on its undefeated team, not its fugitive coach cardinalnews.org/2025/12/01/…
Image from Cardinal News (@CardinalNewsVA)
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