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.

Ten hospitals in Virginia have been labeled “at risk” of closure. But what does that actually mean, and how close are they to shutting their doors?

In this episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee talks with healthcare reporter Emily Schabacker to break down the data behind the headlines. Drawing from her reporting at Cardinal News, Emily explains why “at risk” is not the same as closing, and how federal policy changes, funding shifts, and patient trends are putting real pressure on rural hospitals.

For many communities, the impact is already being felt. Services are being cut. Travel times are getting longer. Access to emergency care is becoming less certain. The bigger question is not just whether hospitals will close, but what happens if they cannot keep up.

Listen now for a clear look at what is happening and what it could mean for rural Virginia.

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.

Virginia Redistricting Showdown: What the April 21 Referendum Means for Your Vote

A major decision is coming in Virginia, and it could reshape how political power is drawn for years to come.

In this episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Cardinal News founding editor and columnist Dwayne Yancey to break down the upcoming April 21 special election and the controversial redistricting referendum at the center of it. From the rise of the slogan “Don’t Fairfax my vote” to deeper tensions between rural communities and Northern Virginia, this conversation explores the political messaging, economic realities, and regional divides driving the debate.

They also unpack concerns over ballot language, especially the use of “restore fairness,” and why it is raising questions among critics who say it could influence voters. You will learn how Virginia’s current bipartisan redistricting system works, what happens when it reaches a deadlock, and how the proposed change would temporarily give map drawing power back to the General Assembly.

With legal challenges already filed and the Virginia Supreme Court choosing to weigh in after the election, there is also the possibility that the results could face uncertainty even after votes are cast.

If you want a clear, fact based understanding of Virginia redistricting, the April 21 referendum, and what it all means for your vote, this episode breaks it all down.

Stay informed with Cardinal News’ nonpartisan voter guide at cardinalnews.org.

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.

A $330 million casino proposal in the heart of Roanoke is sparking one of the most heated local debates in years—and it could completely reshape the future of the Berglund Center.

This week on The Cardinal Podcast, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Roanoke Valley reporter Samantha Verrelli to break down what’s really at stake. City leaders say an entertainment district with a casino, hotel, and restaurants could transform a struggling, 50-year-old civic center into a major economic driver. But critics warn the risks—crime, addiction, and harm to local businesses and the arts community—may outweigh the reward.

Behind the scenes, the city is facing budget cuts, a hiring freeze, rising maintenance costs, and tough financial decisions. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are pushing back, key funding proposals have already failed, and any casino plan would still need General Assembly approval and a public referendum.

So what happens next? And what does this mean for the people who live, work, and invest in Roanoke?

👉 This episode dives into:

• The full Berglund Center casino proposal and entertainment district plan
• Why city leaders say Roanoke needs a “big bold idea”
• The growing opposition from lawmakers and community voices
• Economic realities shaping the decision
• The deeper conversation around equity, history, and redevelopment in Roanoke

This isn’t just about a casino—it’s about the future identity of Roanoke.

🎧 Watch or listen now and decide for yourself: Is this Roanoke’s next big opportunity… or a gamble the city can’t afford?

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.

Why are HIV support services disappearing across parts of Virginia?

In this episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee talks with Cardinal News health care reporter Emily Schabacker about how funding cuts and a billing error within the Virginia Department of Health slashed support for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The changes have forced office closures and reduced case management for hundreds of low-income clients in Southwest and Southside Virginia — raising questions about what happens next for people who rely on these services.

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.

Virginia voters approved redistricting reform in 2020 to end partisan gerrymandering and take map-drawing power away from the General Assembly. But when the bipartisan commission deadlocked, the Virginia Supreme Court stepped in to create the current congressional and legislative districts.

In this episode, host Dutchie Jessee talks with Politics and Policy reporter Elizabeth Beyer and Founding Editor Dwayne Yancey about how Virginia’s political maps were drawn, why Democrats are pushing new redistricting efforts and what it means for voters across the Commonwealth.