What happens when you request government surveillance footage of your own car? For Cardinal News Executive Editor Jeffrey Schwaner, the answer was a lawsuit. After driving over 300 miles across Southwest and Southside Virginia, Jeff tested how transparent local police departments are with their public surveillance data. only to find two localities fighting to keep the footage secret. In this episode, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Jeff to unpack his viral investigation, the legal battles that followed and what this means for transparency, privacy, and public access to government-collected data.

If you live in Southwest or Southside Virginia, your chances of developing kidney disease are higher than elsewhere in the state. Yet, access to care remains a bureaucratic battleground. Carilion Clinic wants to open a kidney transplant center in Roanoke, but the University of Virginia Health System is pushing back, arguing that it would threaten its existing program in Charlottesville. With state regulators set to weigh in, what’s really at stake for patients in the region?

Host Dutchie Jessee sits down with healthcare reporter Emily Schabacker to break down the debate, the policy behind it and what it could mean for those in need of life-saving transplants.

Virginia’s population is shifting in a surprising way — Northern Virginia is experiencing a decline, while Southwest and Southside Virginia are seeing growth. What’s driving this trend? Are people from NoVa moving to our region, and if so, why? This week on "The Cardinal: News of Virginia", host Dutchie Jessee sits down with founding editor and columnist Dwayne Yancey to break down the numbers, explore what’s fueling these demographic changes, and discuss what they mean for the future of the state. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the evolving landscape of Virginia!

Roanoke is growing — but is its budget keeping up? In this episode of "The Cardinal: News of Virginia", host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Roanoke Valley reporter Samantha Verrelli to break down the city’s latest budget discussions. With overcrowded high schools straining resources, what’s the plan for building new schools? How will funding decisions impact infrastructure, public services and residents? We’ll dive into what’s being prioritized, what’s being left out and what it all means for Roanoke’s future.

In this episode of "The Cardinal: News of Virginia", host Dutchie Jessee dives into the rising use of surveillance technology in Virginia with Cardinal News executive editor Jeff Schwaner and education reporter Lisa Rowan. As flock cameras and public-facing surveillance spread across Southwest and Southside Virginia, questions about privacy, transparency, and oversight come into focus. Who is watching? What data is being collected? And why have some police departments been hesitant to disclose this information? Join us as we explore the growing State of Surveillance and what it means for Virginians’ everyday lives.

In episode 9, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Cardinal News politics and policy reporter Elizabeth Beyer to break down the biggest takeaways from the 2025 Virginia General Assembly session. What bills made it through? Where is the state putting its money? And most importantly, what projects and initiatives are receiving funding in Southwest and Southside Virginia? Get the insights you need on the policies shaping the region.

Virginia is home to the world’s largest concentration of data centers, but now the industry is expanding beyond Northern Virginia into Pittsylvania County, Southwest Virginia, and beyond. What does this mean for local communities, businesses, and economies?

This week on The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Danville reporter Grace Mamon to break down the rise of data centers in “Cardinal Country.” From economic opportunities to concerns about infrastructure and land use, Grace explores the real-world impact of these massive facilities and what the future holds for Virginia’s data center industry.

This week on The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Cardinal News education reporter Lisa Rowan to unpack Sweet Briar College’s newly updated admissions policy. The historically women’s college has clarified its stance on who can apply, particularly when it comes to transgender and nonbinary students. What does this mean for the school’s identity, prospective students, and the broader conversation about gender in higher education? Lisa breaks down the details of the policy change, reactions from the Sweet Briar community, and how it compares to admissions policies at other women’s colleges. Tune in for an insightful discussion on tradition, inclusion, and the evolving landscape of college admissions in Virginia.

In this week’s episode of "The Cardinal: News of Virginia", host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Danville reporter Grace Mamon and Southwest Virginia reporter Susan Cameron to explore the impact of two major casino openings in the region — the Caesar’s Virginia resort in Danville and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Bristol, VA. They delve into the economic ripple effects, community reactions and the history behind these projects. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on how these developments are shaping the region’s future.

In this episode of The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Roanoke Valley reporter Samantha Verrelli to discuss the major leadership changes in Roanoke city government. With Joe Cobb stepping in as the new mayor and ValMarie Turner taking the helm as city manager, the city is poised for transformation. What key issues are these new leaders prioritizing? What experience do they bring to the table? And how might their leadership shape Roanoke’s future? Join us as we dive into the policies, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the Star City.