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KTSDESIGN/Science SourceThe final episode of fifth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things is out this week, and the concept of a wormhole figures largely into it. While the show is a work of fiction, theoretical wormholes have making appearances for decades not only in science fiction but in actual science. -
Izhar Khan/Getty ImagesAs fireworks light the sky and crowds count down together, communities around the globe welcome 2026. -
Alex BoersmaA bumpy snailfish, Andean mouse opossum and ancient sea cow were just some of the many species described in 2025. -
Adam Gray/Getty ImagesShirley is a 23-year-old self-described "independent YouTube journalist" who made prank videos in high school before pivoting to politics. He participated in a White House roundtable in October.
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Harrisonburg’s housing authority wants to keep Court Square Theater open… One Staunton family faces the likelihood they will have to leave the country after being denied asylum… The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown costs Virginia thousands in lost tuition….
WMRA Local News Features
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Throughout this year, WMRA has followed the story of a young family of four living in Staunton. The father, Olman, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since June. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi attended his wife's asylum hearing earlier this month and discussed the outcome with Bob Leweke. -
Last month, Harrisonburg City Council member Laura Dent travelled to Belém, Brazil, to participate in the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, better known as COP30. Currently in her second term, Dent has advocated for environmentally-friendly initiatives in the city since she was elected in 2020. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn asked Dent what led to her attendance at COP30. -
The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro treats hundreds of injured animals every year, from possums, to eagles, to bear cubs. But one fledgling barn owl that fell from its nest in a grain silo in Augusta County has a unique story. WMRA's Meredith McCool reports. -
After an election recount on Thursday, incumbent Jackie Lohr maintained her victory in the Rockingham County School Board race for the District 1 seat. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports. -
Testimony concluded on Wednesday in the trial over the Shenandoah County school board's decision to reinstate Confederate names on two schools – but a federal judge won't rule on the case until next year. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports. -
Tuesday marked the fourth day of trial over the Shenandoah County School Board's decision to reinstate Confederate names on two schools last year. Three witnesses testified, including two school board members. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports. -
Workers at the Starbucks on Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg are in the process of unionizing. They went on strike last week and are expected to vote on unionization this Friday, December 19. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn spoke with barista and union rep Michael Hulleman and asked what led to the decision to unionize. -
Two organizations in Charlottesville, Central Virginia Violence Interruptors, and Wartime Fitness Warriors, work together to prevent conflict in the city, in addition to helping young people develop in a positive way. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
The trial over the Shenandoah County School Board's decision to restore Confederate names to two schools resumed on Monday with a full day of testimony. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports. -
Gabrielle Cerberville otherwise known as "The Chaotic Forager," joins us for WMRA’s next Books & Brews on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 7pm in Harrisonburg at Pale Fire Brewing. -
Friday (Dec. 12) was day two of the trial between the Shenandoah County School Board versus the Virginia Chapter of the NAACP and several Shenandoah County students. It was filled with emotional testimony and more historical context. WMRA’s Bridget Manley reports. -
A court case filed against the Shenandoah County School Board for its decision to revert two schools to their original Confederate names began on Thursday morning. WMRA’s Bridget Manley reports.
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Watch WMRA’s December 2025 Books & Brews, featuring Gabrielle Cerberville discussing Gathered: On Foraging, Feasting, and the Seasonal Life.
When WMRA reports on topics primarily about our Spanish-speaking community, you can read Spanish translations of those stories here.
The loss of $170,000 in federal funding is a significant challenge for WMRA, but it does not define our future. The heart of WMRA has always been the collaboration and resilience of our listeners, neighbors, and supporters. Even as we adapt to changing circumstances, our mission to serve our region of Virginia with trusted journalism and inspiring stories remains unwavering.
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