🌱 How does Salem’s 3.7% unemployment rate stack up in Virginia?

Coffee in hand, Salem? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How does Salem's 3.7% unemployment rate stack up in Virginia?
• How a Salem High grad became a national linebacker standout

Also on today's calendar: Nitro Circus 2.0 at Salem Memorial Ballpark and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Humid; heavy p.m. t-storms, with a high of 86 and low of 66 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Friday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, temps: high: 83, low: 67.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 82 and low of 66 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• What is the unemployment rate in Salem city, VA right now? (usafacts.org) — Salem residents are seeing an unemployment rate of about 3.7% as of August 2025, a modest 0.4-point rise from a year earlier. The report explains how local jobless numbers are calculated, where Salem ranks among Virginia localities, and why month-to-month swings can be misleading without a longer-term view.
   

• Salem's Cole is Dick Butkus award candidate (salemtimes-register.com) — A standout Salem High School graduate, Chris Cole is now a preseason candidate for the prestigious Butkus Award after a breakout season as a Georgia Bulldogs linebacker. Coaches and teammates praise the Salem, Va., native for elite athleticism, relentless effort, and growing leadership as he heads into a bigger role this fall.
   

📸 Around Salem

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday August 27
• Nitro Circus →
  Salem RidgeYaks, 1004 Texas St, Salem
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday August 27
• Nitro Circus 2.0 at Salem Memorial Ballpark →
  1004 Texas St, Salem, VA, 24153
  9:00 am
Friday August 28
• Salem After Five: Frequency →
  Salem, VA Calendar, 3 E. Main Street, Salem
  5:00 pm
Friday September 4
• Movies in the Park: Elio →
  Salem, VA Calendar, 731 Indiana St, Salem
  7:00 pm
Saturday September 5
• 39th Annual Mopars in the Valley Car Show →
  Salem, VA Calendar, 1001 Roanoke Blvd., Salem
  8:00 am
Sunday September 6
• Hill City Howlers at Salem RidgeYaks →
  Salem Stadium, 1008 Texas St, Salem
  2:05 pm
Thursday September 10
• Justin Moore →
  Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem
  7:30 pm
Saturday September 12
• Yonder Mountain String Band →
  5 Points Music Sanctuary, 1217 Maple Ave SW, Roanoke
  5:00 pm
Thursday September 17
• Family Paint Party →
  Hanging Rock Tavern, 1790 Thompson Memorial Dr, Salem
  6:00 pm

📣 Salem Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 27
• 2026 State of the City Address →
  Roanoke County, VA Calendar, 110 Shenandoah Avenue NE, Roanoke
  7:30 am
• solacoustix duo@ 419west 7-9:30 →
  419 West, 3865 Electric Rd, Roanoke
  7:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Northside Vikings vs Glenvar Highlanders →
  Northside High School, 6758 Northside High School Rd, Roanoke
  5:30 pm
• Planning Commission Public Hearing →
  Roanoke County, VA Calendar, 5204 Bernard Drive SW First Floor, Roanoke
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Salem PatchAM possible:

• techtronics world — (540) 529-5829

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Has anyone had work completed by G.
  S.L. Building Innovations in Salem, Va.? Are you please with their work? Do you know if the business is licensed, and is he insured? Thanks in… (Nextdoor Karen Hills)

• YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge posted a job opening for Housekeeping Staff - Salem YMCA in Salem. Apply here.
• Capstone Logistics posted a job opening for Warehouse Sanitation Associate in Salem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.

🗞 Nearby News

Roanoke

• Roanoke mental health center remembers International Overdose Awareness day (wdbj7.com)
• Virginia Tech: Sale of Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center 'best positioned' with current use (cardinalnews.org)
• Roanoke-Area Music Figures Recall Dolly Parton's Warmth and Professionalism (theroanokestar.com)

Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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