" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/158516_Mamon_20260114_Freedmens-cemetery-Mark-Howard.jpg?fit=300%2C169&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/158516_Mamon_20260114_Freedmens-cemetery-Mark-Howard.jpg?fit=780%2C439&quality=89&ssl=1" /> For more than a century, Freedman’s Cemetery was the only place Black residents could be buried in Danville. What started as a beautification project at the overlooked cemetery evolved to include ground-penetrating radar work to find unmarked burials. The post Preservation project is bringing new attention to lost graves in Danville appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Preston-Library-1-scaled.jpg?fit=254%2C300&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Preston-Library-1-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C922&quality=89&ssl=1" /> Democrats in the General Assembly have made threats against the state-run military college in Lexington since VMI’s board of visitors voted to oust its first black superintendent. The post Pair of bills would look at stripping governance, funding from VMI appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/capitol-2.jpg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/capitol-2.jpg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> From elsewhere: Proposed state park at Oak Hill clears first hurdle in Senate. Smithfield Foods to acquire Nathan’s Famous for $450 million. Mecklenburg planners delay Turtle Cove resort vote after 250 people pack hearing. The post Headlines from across the state: Voting access bills move forward as Democrats block GOP early voting limits; more … appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/data-center-diesel-generators.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/data-center-diesel-generators.jpg?fit=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The tax incentive for data centers began with unknown expectations. It's now the state's biggest incentive, which has raised questions about whether it should be scaled back or whether it's doing exactly what it was intended to do. The post Tax abatement for data centers is now $1.6 billion a year. Is that a giveaway or a bargain? appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bridgewater_fa_martin.jpg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bridgewater_fa_martin.jpg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> A gaming site performed a statistical analysis of 3,000 communities across the country for their Hallmark Movie potential. The post Bridgewater ranks as the worst place in Virginia for a Hallmark movie. This insult cannot go unanswered. appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1MattWeddleCardinalSnowNERoanoke1208.jpg?fit=300%2C208&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1MattWeddleCardinalSnowNERoanoke1208.jpg?fit=780%2C542&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The moisture and cold air look sufficiently deep for a big snow — if sleet and freezing rain don’t get heavily involved. The post Weekend winter storm likely. Is it the ‘big one’ or just a big mess? It’s complicated appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/159471_Beyer_20260120_xgr-swva-lawmakers-talk-apco-1-scaled.jpeg?fit=300%2C215&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/159471_Beyer_20260120_xgr-swva-lawmakers-talk-apco-1-scaled.jpeg?fit=780%2C559&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The bipartisan group of legislators said Tuesday they will advocate for new laws to help Appalachian Power customers. The post 4 Va. lawmakers target rising Appalachian Power bills appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/156501_Mamon_20251229_Neal-Bowman-Echo-Valley.jpg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/156501_Mamon_20251229_Neal-Bowman-Echo-Valley.jpg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> Echo Valley will sit on land that has been in the James family for over 130 years. The owners expect it to open this spring. The post ‘Micro-resort’ will bring glamping to a quiet corner of Pittsylvania County appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BBGA0032.jpg?fit=264%2C300&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BBGA0032.jpg?fit=780%2C885&quality=89&ssl=1" /> Sen. David Suetterlein’s tax bill was continued on to the 2027 session, Del. Joe McNamara warned against Democratic lawmaker’s paid family medical leave bill and a bill to increase the minimum wage made it out of committee. The post A bill to extend standard deduction fails, Democrats and Republicans sound off on paid family medical leave, $15 minimum wage moves forward appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/roanoke_schools-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/roanoke_schools-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The superintendent warned that the change "will have a devastating impact" on the city's schools. The post Roanoke City Council votes to change school funding policy as city grapples with financial challenges appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/159476_Malinak_20260120_Crowd-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C227&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/159476_Malinak_20260120_Crowd-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C590&quality=89&ssl=1" /> At the candidates’ press conference Tuesday afternoon, audience members held signs that read “Make City Council Boring Again,” and speakers focused on the theme of civility. The post 3 Democratic candidates for Lynchburg City Council launch campaigns  appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6343-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6343-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The first mobile museum was so popular that the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission has added a second. The post Virginia now has two mobile museums devoted to the American Revolution. One is exclusively for Southwest Virginia. appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/houseBB.jpg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/houseBB.jpg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> Here's how the opening week of the legislature looked through the lens of photojournalist Bob Brown, with emphasis on the delegations from Southwest and Southside: The post Photos from the first week of action in Richmond appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/54535756945_ac7d428415_3k.jpg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/54535756945_ac7d428415_3k.jpg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> From elsewhere: Lobby Day draws larger pro-gun crowd as Virginia Democrats revive gun-safety agenda. Petersburg's tent casino readies for its big moment. Work resumes on Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project after court order ends federal pause. The post Headlines from across the state: Virginia Democrats target VMI’s funding after anti-DEI push; more … appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/84c5c1d7f756474c9573d8a68d4c4c4f-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/84c5c1d7f756474c9573d8a68d4c4c4f-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" /> Thomas Jefferson explicitly called for religious liberty for Muslims and other non-Christians. In 1785, so did petitioners from Chesterfield County; 240 years later, a Muslim woman from Chesterfield was elected Virginia's lieutenant governor. The post Alabama senator calls Hashmi ‘the enemy … inside the gates.’ Here’s the American history he apparently never learned. appeared first on Cardinal News.

On January 20, voters in House District 17 will vote in a special election to pick a successor to Del. Mark Sickles, who also has resigned to take a Cabinet position. Those candidates are Garrett M…

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/exchange4-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/exchange4-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The Exchange Music Hall is part of a complex that includes a boutique hotel and a restaurant, all inside a grand former bank building in downtown Roanoke. The music venue had its grand opening on New Year’s Eve. The post Roanoke’s newest venue fills a niche in the city’s music scene appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/158955_Malinak_20260116_DataCenterSummitt-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/158955_Malinak_20260116_DataCenterSummitt-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> Tuesday’s discussion of the proposed site comes in the midst of ongoing deliberations regarding how the county will govern data center development in the future. The post Petition to reverse zoning approval of data center site up for vote in Campbell County appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/158953_Malinak_20260116_VansAndBuses-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C221&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/158953_Malinak_20260116_VansAndBuses-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C574&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The reduction in service is needed because about 20% of the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company’s bus driver positions are vacant. The post Lynchburg transit service seeks public input on plan to suspend Sunday routes appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6253-scaled.jpeg?fit=300%2C230&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6253-scaled.jpeg?fit=780%2C597&quality=89&ssl=1" /> From elsewhere: LaCivita drops defamation lawsuit against Daily Beast. Spanberger appoints new director for state prisons. Science Museum of Western Virginia will leave Center in the Square. The post Headlines from across the state: In historic first for Virginia, Adam Spanberger becomes first gentleman; more … appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BBGAMONDAY00028-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C158&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BBGAMONDAY00028-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C411&quality=89&ssl=1" /> Pay atttention to both what she said and what she didn't say. The post 8 things to know about Spanberger’s first address to the General Assembly appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ford_quillen.jpg?fit=240%2C300&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ford_quillen.jpg?fit=780%2C780&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The former legislator and judge was known for helping create the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority. The post Ford Quillen, remembered as strong advocate for Southwest Virginia in General Assembly, dies appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BBGAMONDAY00027.jpg?fit=300%2C248&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BBGAMONDAY00027.jpg?fit=780%2C644&quality=89&ssl=1" /> Gov. Abigail Spanberger also committed to reentering the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and to maintaining Virginia’s so-called “right-to-work” status. The post Spanberger pushes affordability and unity in her first General Assembly address appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/span2.jpg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/span2.jpg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> Here's what the new goveror had to say in her first speech to the legislature. The post Full text of Spanberger’s address to the General Assembly (and the Republican response) appeared first on Cardinal News.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_9024-scaled.jpeg?fit=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_9024-scaled.jpeg?fit=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The monument lists the names of the 70 Franklin County-born members of the U.S. Colored Troops whom it honors. The post Rocky Mount unveils monument to Black Civil War soldiers appeared first on Cardinal News.