The Cardinal: News of Virginia

In this episode, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Dwayne Yancey, founding editor of Cardinal News, to explore 25 eye‑opening destinations across Southwest and Southside Virginia—places where gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle‑Sears could learn critical policy lessons firsthand.

They journey from the congested lanes of Interstate 81 (a traffic and infrastructure flashpoint) to booming solar farms in Southside that highlight the state’s renewable-energy divide. They unpack nuclear innovation in Lynchburg, the controversies around the Mountain Valley Pipeline, and the upcoming Rocky Forge wind farm in Botetourt County—all showcasing how energy, infrastructure, and rural development intersect.

📌 Highlights you'll hear about:

• I‑81 “trucktrap” traffic between Christiansburg and Salem—a transportation dilemma begging for policy attention.
• Solar farm surge in Pittsylvania County, and why it's both a lifeline and a lightning rod.
• The push—and opposition—to small modular reactors near Lynchburg, and what that signals for Virginia’s energy future.
• The Mountain Valley Pipeline’s decade‑long saga—where federal, environmental, and economic interests collide.
• A sneak peek at wind power in Botetourt, rural schools, hospitals, broadband, and more—illustrating the diversity of challenges western Virginians face.

🎧 Why it matters now: With both Spanberger and Earle‑Sears gearing up for statewide office, understanding these “real Virginia” issues is crucial. Shouldn’t our statewide leaders walk the roads, talk to the farmers, visit the schools?

Tune in for a candid, sharply informed conversation on regional resilience, energy transitions, infrastructure equity—and why visiting these places could shape policy in unexpected ways.

🔔 Subscribe and leave a review if you believe that no part of Virginia should be left off the map when it comes to governance. 📢 And don’t forget: share this with anyone who cares about rural communities and the real-world impact of policy decisions.

Host Dutchie Jessee is joined by Cardinal News reporter Tad Dickens to explore a surprising story growing in Southwest Virginia — vertical farming. In this episode, they dig into how controlled environment agriculture is taking root in rural towns, repurposing old tobacco warehouses and bringing tech-powered farming to unexpected places. Can this high-tech approach help revive Virginia’s agricultural economy — without ever touching soil or sunlight?

🎧 Tune in to find out how LEDs, sensors, and a lot of water are growing more than just crops — they might be growing a new future for rural America.

In this episode, Dutchie Jessee and Lisa Rowan dig into Virginia’s HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) fund — a 30‑year‑old program quietly financed by a 0.25% fee on comprehensive auto insurance. Learn how over $1 million per year is now funneled into license‑plate reader (LPR) surveillance tech from companies like Flock, widely deployed across rural and urban areas. We explore the controversial rise of surveillance cameras paid by drivers, examine FOIA reports, local law enforcement motivations, privacy and oversight challenges, and what it means for everyday Virginians. Tune in for an eye‑opening conversation on car theft, public safety funding, data privacy and accountability in modern law enforcement.

Join Dutchie Jessee on this revealing episode of "The Cardinal: News of Virginia," as she sits down with executive editor Jeff Schwaner and reporters Samantha Verrelli and Dean‑Paul Stephens to unpack Cardinal News’s latest investigation into the expansive use of license plate reader (LPR) cameras across Southwest and Southside Virginia.

• Discover how local law enforcement agencies are deploying LPRs — like Flock Safety and mobile unit networks — to crack crimes, recover stolen vehicles, assist in Amber Alerts and conduct missing‑person searches
• Learn what Virginia's new LPR law, effective July 1, mandates — fundamental limits on use, 21‑day footage retention, mandatory public policies and reports — alongside worrisome loopholes, such as “Other” search categories and reduced public oversight.
• Hear about the legal battle centering on a FOIA request by Cardinal News to access LPR data, led by Schwaner himself, culminating in a court decision affirming that at least some LPR footage must be publicly available.

In this illuminating episode, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Cardinal News reporters Matt Busse and Lisa Rowan to explore the transformative impact of solar apprenticeships in Southwest Virginia. As the region transitions from its coal-centric past to a renewable energy future, these programs are not just about installing panels — they're about installing hope and opportunity.

Discover how local partnerships are equipping young people with the skills needed for the burgeoning solar industry, offering pathways to sustainable careers and revitalizing communities. From hands-on training to real-world applications, learn how these initiatives are powering both homes and dreams.

Whether you're an energy enthusiast, an advocate for workforce development or simply curious about the future of Appalachia, this episode sheds light on the people and programs driving change under the Virginia sun.

Scott County, Virginia is small, quiet, and close-knit — the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. But lately, a string of rare pediatric cancer cases has left the community shaken and asking: "Is this just a heartbreaking coincidence… or something more?"

In this episode of "The Cardinal: News of Virginia", host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Cardinal News healthcare reporter Emily Schabacker, who’s been following the story as it unfolds. The state has launched an investigation, but official answers remain elusive. Meanwhile, families are grappling with fear, grief — and a growing sense of urgency.

Emily walks us through what we know, what we don’t know, and how a rural Appalachian community is demanding answers, one heartbreaking story at a time.

⚠️ Important Note: The investigation is ongoing, and no direct cause has been identified. This episode discusses the experiences of families and the questions being raised.

Early voting in Virginia's primaries has officially begun, and there's a lot to unpack. In this episode, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with Dwayne Yancey, executive editor of Cardinal News, to delve into the intricacies of the upcoming elections.

Drawing from his recent article, "Early voting in the primaries starts today. Here are 10 things to know," Dwayne provides a comprehensive overview of what's at stake, who the key players are, and how the primaries could shape Virginia's political landscape.

They'll also explore Cardinal News's updated Voter Guide, which offers detailed information on candidates, their platforms, and the critical issues on the ballot. Whether you're a seasoned voter or casting your ballot for the first time, this conversation aims to equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions.

Tune in to gain valuable insights and ensure you're prepared for the primaries.

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.