BY WESLEY P. HESTER

President Barack Obama’s campaign has confirmed that the president will make stops in Roanoke and Virginia Beach on Friday, the first of his two-day swing through the battleground state.

Obama will visit Roanoke’s Fire Station No. 1 on Church Avenue in Roanoke and Green Run High School Dahlia Drive in Virginia Beach, according to the campaign.

Both stops are described by the campaign as “small, grassroots” events. Details on times and tickets will be available later today.

Obama is also expected to visit the Richmond area Saturday, but no details are yet available.