The Cardinal: News of Virginia

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.

Lynchburg is getting its highest level of soccer yet — and it’s not just about goals and game days. Host Lisa Rowan sits down with Cardinal News reporter Emma Malinak to unpack the arrival of Hill City FC, a new USL 2 team bringing elite competition, community investment and real sports momentum to central Virginia.

From hometown co-founder Anthony Catalano’s full-circle journey back to Lynchburg, to what this team means for young athletes, sports tourism and the city’s growing soccer culture — this episode is a crash course in how one team can change the game.

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.

Roanoke just got a major new player in its live music scene — and it’s housed inside a century-old bank vault.

In this episode of the Cardinal News of Virginia podcast, host Lisa Rowan sits down with technology reporter Tad Dickens to explore the Exchange Music Hall, a brand-new 1,200-capacity venue in downtown Roanoke. Built inside the former First National Exchange Bank, the space is part of a major redevelopment that also includes a boutique hotel and a Spanish restaurant — and it’s already earning praise for its surprisingly excellent acoustics.

Tad shares what it was like attending the venue’s New Year’s Eve show headlined by Grace Potter, why the sound quality stood out, and how the Exchange fits into Roanoke’s broader concert ecosystem — landing perfectly between small club gigs and arena shows. With roots in FloydFest and plans to book everything from bluegrass and Americana to rock and soul, this venue could reshape how Roanoke experiences live music.

🎶 From bank lobby to bass lines — this is the story of Roanoke’s newest stage.

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.

Host Lisa Rowan and Cardinal News Executive Editor Jeff Schwaner look back at the stories that mattered most in 2025. From accountability reporting to investigative work, they discuss how Cardinal News covers power, policy, and people across the region. The conversation also turns forward, with a look at what the newsroom is watching and planning for 2026.

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 has made a big bet on cybersecurity—and it’s paying off in some surprising places. In this episode of the Cardinal News podcast, host Lisa Rowan talks with technology reporter Tad Dickens about his deep dive into the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, a statewide effort connecting colleges, universities, and businesses to strengthen digital security. From a virtual water treatment plant at VMI to students helping small businesses in Wise protect their payment systems, Dickens explains how these projects are preparing students for real-world cyber threats and why Southwest Virginia is playing a key role.

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.

Rural maternity care in Virginia is shrinking — and fast.

In this week’s episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Lisa Rowan sits down with health care reporter Emily Schabacker to unpack the closure of the obstetrics and gynecology department at Centra Southside Community Hospital in Farmville. It’s the latest in a troubling trend: since 2018, five rural labor and delivery units have shut down across the Commonwealth, leaving only seven of Virginia’s 28 rural hospitals still offering obstetrics care after December 19.

Emily breaks down what’s driving these cuts, from long-standing financial pressures to the pandemic-era challenges that pushed hospitals to rely on costly traveling providers. She explains how low birth numbers, staffing shortages, and shifting healthcare economics have made it harder for rural communities to maintain access to safe, local maternity care.

What does this mean for families in Farmville and across rural Virginia? And what are the long-term consequences when essential services disappear from local hospitals?

We dig into the data, the context, and the human impact behind the headlines.