The Cardinal: News of Virginia

A massive Google data center is coming to Botetourt County, and it’s already sparking intense debate across the Roanoke region. In this episode, Dutchie Jessee sits down with Roanoke Valley reporter Samantha Verrelli to break down what’s known about the project and why so many residents are raising concerns.From millions of gallons of daily water use drawn from Carvin’s Cove to questions about noise, energy demand, and long-term environmental impact, the stakes go far beyond county lines. At the same time, local leaders are pointing to major tax revenue and economic potential, even as details around jobs and regional benefits remain unclear.Is this a turning point for growth in Southwest Virginia, or a deal that could reshape local resources in ways we don’t fully understand yet? This conversation digs into what’s fact, what’s still unknown, and why this project has people paying close attention.

What happens when a billion-dollar casino lands in the middle of a small city?This week on The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Danville reporter Grace Mamon to unpack the real impact of Caesars Virginia — beyond the flashing lights and headline numbers. Since opening its full resort in late 2024, the casino has brought jobs, visitors, and tax revenue to Danville, but the ripple effects aren’t reaching every corner of the community equally.Grace shares what she’s hearing from business owners on the ground—from those seeing a surge in foot traffic just steps from the casino, to others in the River District still waiting for that promised boost. They also dig into what Caesars and the city are doing next to connect visitors with the broader community—and whether optimism is holding strong or starting to wear thin.

This week on The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with founding editor and columnist Dwayne Yancey to break down a high-stakes stretch in Virginia politics. With a critical April 13 deadline looming, the governor must decide the fate of dozens of bills, choosing to sign, veto, or send them back to the General Assembly. Expect fewer headline-grabbing vetoes and more behind-the-scenes maneuvering as legislation returns for revisions in a same-party power dynamic.They dig into the issues driving debate across the Commonwealth. Cannabis legalization remains stuck in a gray area, with retail sales still out of reach despite legislative movement. Skill games are back on the table, casino expansion is inching forward, and the long-promised gaming commission is once again delayed. Meanwhile, a major budget standoff over data centers and tax incentives has brought lawmakers to a standstill, raising big questions about economic growth, energy consumption, and who really benefits.The conversation also turns to a surprising political subplot. Early voting is surging ahead of the April 21 special election tied to redistricting, with turnout patterns already raising eyebrows across party lines. What it signals, and what it could reshape, is still unfolding.From legislative deadlines to election momentum, this episode delivers a clear, sharp look at where Virginia politics stands right now and where it’s headed next.

How transparent are Virginia’s local governments when citizens ask for public records?In this episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Cardinal News executive editor Jeff Schwaner to break down the newsroom’s ambitious Sunshine Week “public audit” project—a real-world test of how local governments respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.To conduct the audit, 24 students from Radford University submitted basic public records requests across communities including Roanoke, Danville, Martinsville, Lynchburg, Bristol, and Radford. They asked for information taxpayers should be able to access easily—documents like school superintendent contracts, city budgets, and spending on outside legal counsel. The goal: measure government transparency, response time, and openness while reminding citizens that public records belong to the public.Jeff explains how the project worked, why FOIA laws matter for democracy, and what happens next as Cardinal News prepares report cards grading local governments on transparency and responsiveness. The investigation will also reveal patterns in what information is easy to obtain—and what government agencies resist sharing.If you’ve ever wondered how to request public records, how FOIA works in Virginia, or whether your local government is truly transparent, this conversation pulls back the curtain.Watch or listen now to learn how journalists—and everyday citizens—can hold government accountable.

For more than a century, Virginia Baptist Hospital has been a Lynchburg landmark — a place where generations were born, trained as nurses and built careers in health care. Now, Centra’s modernization plan will phase services out of the Rivermont campus by 2028, leaving the historic 30-acre property empty and the community asking: What comes next?Host Dutchie Jessee talks with Lynchburg reporter Emma Malinak about the hospital’s deep roots, its Georgian architecture in the Rivermont Historic District and the logistical challenges of practicing 21st-century medicine in a 100-year-old building. They explore the preservation rules, the redevelopment possibilities — from housing to retail to community space — and why local voices will shape the future of one of Lynchburg’s most meaningful touchstones.

Cardinal News is expanding into the New River Valley in a big way — and this is just the beginning.In this episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Lisa Rowan talks with Audience Engagement and Retention Manager Laura Kebede-Twumasi about the launch of Cardinal’s first location-specific weekly newsletter dedicated to the New River Valley, now the newsroom’s second-largest readership region after Roanoke. Covering Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Montgomery County, Pulaski County, Floyd County, Giles County, Wythe County, Carroll County and Bland County, this expansion marks a major investment in local journalism, nonprofit news and community-driven reporting across Southwest Virginia.They discuss how stronger New River Valley coverage will mean more agenda stories before public meetings, deeper community engagement, in-person conversations to rebuild trust in media and a region-wide audience survey to shape future reporting. The goal is clear: build lasting support, listen first and lay the groundwork for a dedicated full-time reporter serving the New River Valley.If you care about the future of local news in Virginia, community accountability and growing trusted journalism in rural communities, this episode is a front-row seat to what’s next.

Host Lisa Rowan sits down with Cardinal News reporter Grace Mamon to explore Echo Valley, a new micro resort coming to Pittsylvania County that’s bringing glamping — glamorous camping — to southern Virginia. The resort will feature dome-style units, walking trails, spa amenities, yoga retreats, and farm-to-table meals, all tucked into a wooded property that’s been in the same family for over a century.They also unpack why tourism is booming in the Danville region, how Echo Valley navigated rezoning hurdles, and what residents had to say about traffic, land use, and growth. It’s a story about rural innovation, changing travel habits, and how small-scale development is reshaping local economies — one dome at a time.

What happens when the cost of caring for a pet rises faster than families can afford, and animal shelters are left to absorb the impact?In this episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Lisa Rowan speaks with Cardinal News reporters Emma Malinak and Grace Mamon about two deeply connected animal welfare stories unfolding in Central and Southside Virginia. As veterinary costs continue to climb, pet owners are facing difficult decisions, and shelters are feeling the strain.Emma Malinak reports on a new affordable care veterinary clinic being built by the Lynchburg Humane Society. Set to open in November, the clinic will expand access to vaccines, spay and neuter services, and basic surgeries through flexible, tiered pricing. The goal is to keep pets healthy and in their homes by removing financial barriers before families are forced to consider surrender.Grace Mamon takes listeners inside the ongoing and often emotional debate surrounding Danville’s only animal shelter. As an open intake facility, the shelter accepts every animal regardless of space, which can lead to heartbreaking outcomes when resources are stretched thin. The conversation explores what is driving high euthanasia numbers, what solutions are being proposed, and how community responsibility plays a critical role in reducing shelter intake.The episode also highlights the work of Homeward Trails, a Northern Virginia nonprofit now operating in Danville. Through foster coordination and a pet pantry that helps families afford food and supplies, the organization aims to prevent owner surrenders and relieve pressure on the municipal shelter.Together, the reporters reflect on why these stories resonate so strongly with readers and listeners, and why objective, community-focused journalism is essential when emotions run high and the stakes are personal.

Virginia landfills millions of tons of waste each year — much of it food. In this episode, host Lisa Rowan talks with Cardinal News reporter Samantha Verrelli about what really happens to food scraps, why composting struggles to gain traction, and how small operators are pushing back against a system designed to bury waste, not reuse it.

Virginia politics is heading into winter with a historic shift — and things are about to get busy in Richmond. Host Lisa Rowan sits down with political reporter Elizabeth Beyer, Cardinal News’ one-woman bureau in the capital, to break down what’s coming before lawmakers gavel in on January 14.With Democrats now holding the House, Senate, and the governor’s office — a trifecta not seen in roughly four decades — the stage is set for a transformational General Assembly session. Elizabeth walks us through the big-ticket items: affordability plans, a slate of constitutional amendments on abortion access, same-sex marriage, voting rights, and a potential redistricting overhaul.They also dig into the upcoming budget battle, the impact of the federal shutdown on Virginians, and the new faces representing Southwest and Southside. And, of course, Elizabeth gives a peek at what her “60-day sprint” looks like as she triages hundreds of bills from the heart of Capitol Square.A smart, timely look at the policies and power dynamics shaping Virginia’s future.

This week’s episode dives headfirst into one of the most gripping stories Virginia has seen in years — the case of the missing baby giraffes from the Natural Bridge Zoo. What began as a routine state inquiry has spiraled into a full-blown criminal investigation, court orders, public outrage, and even a celebrity-backed reward. With the zoo’s manager choosing jail time over revealing the animals’ whereabouts, questions are mounting and patience is wearing thin.Host Lisa Rowan sits down with Dwayne Yancey who has covered every turn of this unfolding saga. Together, they unpack the timeline, the legal stakes, the mystery at the center of it all, and why these young giraffes have captured statewide — and national — attention. From investigative findings to courtroom showdowns to that headline-grabbing offer from Alicia Silverstone, this episode pulls together everything we know so far and what’s likely to come next.

In this episode, Lisa Rowan and Samantha Verrelli explore how a breakdown in communication and enforcement allowed a major Roanoke property to operate without fire protection for more than a year. They unpack the policies that failed to prevent disaster, the timeline city leaders must now answer for, and how journalists bring transparency to local oversight systems that often go unseen.

It’s been one year since Hurricane Helene tore through Southwest Virginia, leaving behind collapsed bridges, vanished homes, and entire communities forced to start over. In this episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Lisa Rowan sits down with Southwest Virginia reporter Susan Cameron to revisit the towns hit hardest by the storm — and to hear how people are rebuilding not just their homes, but their lives.From neighbors helping neighbors to the tireless volunteers still on the ground, this is a story of resilience, community, and hope amid the wreckage. And as recovery continues, Susan and Lisa also explore what can be done to prepare for future floods — and how lessons from Helene may help protect Virginia’s mountain communities the next time disaster strikes.