In this episode of "The Cardinal: News of Virginia", host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Southwest Virginia reporter Susan Cameron to revisit one of the most devastating events to hit the region in decades: the catastrophic flooding brought by Hurricane Helene in fall 2024 and the relentless storms that followed in February 2025. Entire neighborhoods were wiped off the map, families displaced, and lives forever changed.

But amid the destruction came powerful stories of resilience and hope. Susan shares on-the-ground reporting and emotional interviews with families who lived through the disaster — including the McMurrys, whose home was torn from its foundation with them still inside. One family member clung to a tree for hours; another survived while trapped in a rocking chair carried by the floodwaters.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the strength of Southwest Virginia’s communities, the scars left behind by natural disasters, and what recovery looks like months later.

In this eye-opening episode, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with reporter Dean-Paul Stephens to delve into his recent article, "Welcome guests: Churches hosted KKK recruitment a hundred years ago," published on CardinalNews.org. Together, they explore the unsettling history of how, in November 1924, the Ku Klux Klan held recruitment events in churches across Martinsville, Virginia, during a period of resurgence for the Klan. Stephens shares insights from his research, shedding light on how religious institutions, which are typically seen as places of refuge and moral guidance, were co-opted by hate groups to further their agendas. The conversation also touches on the broader societal implications of this history and reflects on how far we've come—and how far we still have to go—in confronting and understanding the complex intersections of faith, community, and racism.

Join us as we uncover a chapter of Virginia's past that challenges our perceptions and underscores the importance of remembering history to inform our present and future.

This week on The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with education reporter Lisa Rowan for a deep dive into how Trump administration policies are reshaping higher education across the Commonwealth. From research funding shifts at major institutions like Virginia Tech, to new hurdles for international students, to growing concerns over DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs, we explore the real-world impacts now facing universities. What does it mean for students, faculty and the future of Virginia’s colleges? Tune in for an inside look at the changing landscape.

This week on The Cardinal: News of Virginia, host Dutchie Jessee dives into one of the most explosive local government stories in recent memory — the Pittsylvania County vs. Balico showdown. Cardinal News reporters Grace Mamon and Tad Dickens join the table to unpack how a proposed data center project sparked six months of controversy, confusion and ultimately, rejection.

But this isn’t just about one county. This is about what happens when the tech industry sets its sights on rural Virginia — and what’s at stake when it does. From rezoning chaos to the looming threat of energy shortages, we explore how data centers are reshaping the future of Southside and Southwest Virginia.

Is this economic development, or is it a ticking time bomb? Tune in for an inside look at the story behind the headlines — and what it means for your power bill.

Virginia’s fire and EMS services are facing a crisis: costs are rising, calls for help are increasing and yet, funding remains stuck in place. In this episode of "The Cardinal: News of Virginia", host Dutchie Jessee sits down with reporter Elizabeth Beyer to break down the data, the dangers and the real-life consequences of this growing emergency. With firefighter and EMT shortages worsening, what does this mean for the people who rely on these life-saving services? Tune in for a deep dive into the perfect storm threatening public safety.

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.