Community Corner
🌱 How does Salem’s 3.7% unemployment rate stack up in Virginia?
Coming up on the Salem Patch calendar: Nitro Circus
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
Today's Salem Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Salem Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Salem. 
- 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
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Nitro Circus →
Salem RidgeYaks, 1004 Texas St, Salem
7:00 pm
Thursday August 27
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Nitro Circus 2.0 at Salem Memorial Ballpark →
1004 Texas St, Salem, VA, 24153
9:00 am - Salem After Five: Frequency →
Salem, VA Calendar, 3 E. Main Street, Salem
5:00 pm - Movies in the Park: Elio →
Salem, VA Calendar, 731 Indiana St, Salem
7:00 pm - 39th Annual Mopars in the Valley Car Show →
Salem, VA Calendar, 1001 Roanoke Blvd., Salem
8:00 am - Hill City Howlers at Salem RidgeYaks →
Salem Stadium, 1008 Texas St, Salem
2:05 pm - Justin Moore →
Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem
7:30 pm - Yonder Mountain String Band →
5 Points Music Sanctuary, 1217 Maple Ave SW, Roanoke
5:00 pm - Family Paint Party →
Hanging Rock Tavern, 1790 Thompson Memorial Dr, Salem
6:00 pm
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Friday September 4
Saturday September 5
Sunday September 6
Thursday September 10
Saturday September 12
Thursday September 17
📣 Salem Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- 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 - 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
Thursday August 27
Tuesday September 1
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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