The Roanoke Star has been Southwest Virginia’s most trusted local news source for nearly 20 years. Our mission is to provide our community with timely, independent journalism that illuminates the stories that affect area residents every day.
Our Values
We are committed to uncovering – and reporting – the unbiased truth. To that end, we believe in the following:
Honor
We hold sacred the trust of our readers. It is our duty and privilege to earn that trust, every day, by reporting the news in a straightforward, honest, and unbiased manner.
Transparency
We cannot expect your full trust unless we provide you with complete information. Thus, we promise to always be clear and forthright about our sourcing, funding, and any potential conflicts of interest our stories may have.
Courage
The stories that are most difficult to write are often the ones that are most important to write. We vow to report the truth as we know it, even if that truth is difficult or unpopular.
Accountability
We may not always get it right, but we will always make it right if we are wrong. We take full responsibility for our reporting and will promptly correct errors and issue apologies as circumstances demand.
Public Service
Our primary focus will always be stories that matter to local residents — the stories that affect you every day. We also strive to be a part of the community, making a difference where it matters most.
Our History
Founded as the Roanoke Star Sentinel in 2007, our paper was built on the belief that important local news stories were falling through the cracks. From the beginning, our aim was to shine light on everyday issues that affect the residents of the Roanoke Valley.
Whether in print or online, each issue of The Roanoke Star is crafted with this focus in mind, and we look forward to serving our readership for many years to come.
Our Focus
If it matters to our readers, The Roanoke Star will be there. This focus includes:
- Local News — Reporting on what’s happening in our community now, with emphasis on public safety, infrastructure, and city legislation.
- Civic Accountability — Investigative reporting on local government, public officials, and the institutions that shape our day-to-day lives.
- Education — Extensive coverage of local schools, academic performance, and the issues affecting our children and those we trust to educate them.
- Arts, Culture, and Events — Things to do and see in our community, with a spotlight on local artists, venues, and restaurants.
- Human Interest — Profiles of the local heroes we live and work with; the stories that need to be told and which form the very fabric of our community.
- Local Sports — A spotlight on our sports teams and athletes, including high school athletics, amateur competitors, and competitive city leagues.
- Opinion and Editorials — Stories and insights submitted by readers like you. We always invite our readers to be a part of the conversation, not just a witness to it.
Our Commitment To Independent Journalism
Trust in journalism can only exist when there’s transparency and independence.
That’s why the Roanoke Star is not – and will never be – influenced by political parties, advertisers, corporations, or other outside influences.
Our reporters are empowered to seek the truth, not follow an external agenda. Likewise, our editorial board is commissioned to ensure that our journalists follow our mission and guidelines, and we do that via strict fact-checking, meticulous sourcing, and by drawing a clear line between facts and opinions.
Except where otherwise noted, the stories and opinions in these pages are our own, and we stand by them.
Reach Out to Us
Want to reach out to the Roanoke Star? Please direct all inquiries to:
1000 North Jefferson Street
Roanoke, VA 24019