Join us in Roanoke for the third annual Cardinal Way: Civility Rules luncheon at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 3 featuring Virginia House leadership. Tickets are $25
Public audit of 12 of our communities tells us about how responsive they are to information requests from the public
A group of student auditors asked a dozen localities for public information. The responses clarify where local government deserves credit for transparency and where it falls short of its responsibilities as keepers of the people’s information, as well as how local governments understand and execute their responsibilities under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Politics
Attorney general asked to weigh in on Lynchburg Republicans’ firehouse primary attempt
Del. Dan Helmer, who authored a state law that effectively bans such nominating contests, has asked for an opinion from Attorney General Jay Jones.
Local
The number of ICE detainees in the Roanoke jail more than tripled last year
An immigration attorney said though the number of ICE agents in Roanoke has not changed, changes on the federal level are causing this spike locally.
Culture
Beyond the cardinal numbers: Have you heard about the state bird?
A swooping survey of all things cardinal.
education
Roanoke City School Board approves preliminary budget in preparation of cuts
The school board’s budget is not final and does not yet detail cuts to programs or personnel that will need to be made in the upcoming fiscal year, but it did include 2% raises for RCPS employees.
eCONOMY
Rare earth mineral production at center of pilot project involving Virginia Tech
Canadian company Aclara Resources’ manufacturing facility at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center is a precursor to a large-scale plant that company officials say will provide 75% of the United States’ rare earth minerals.
OPinion
Roanoke’s Berglund Center was built for the entertainment landscape of 1971. That world doesn’t exist today.
The lack of big shows or big games is not a failure of management or marketing, it’s simply a fundamental change in the entertainment market. Roanoke needs to keep that in mind as it contemplates an “entertainment district.”
news briefs
Headlines from across the state: Virginia joins national push for refunds after U.S. Supreme Court voids Trump tariffs; more …
From elsewhere: State OKs all 3 Chesterfield hospital projects, overruling staff on HCA. Virginia aging advocacy groups praise new nursing home rules but fear budget cuts. Appeals court examines Liberty University firing of transgender IT worker.
Sports
VHSL basketball: Abingdon girls win state title, Salem girls come up short
Also winning state titles Saturday were the John Handley boys and the Petersburg boys. Full list of state championship winners, scores and box scores.
WEATHER
How does snow accumulate after it’s been so warm?
Twice in the past week, parts of Cardinal News’ coverage area have experienced accumulating snow hours after much warmer temperatures.
Cardinal 250
Freedom was paved with confiscation
Virginia eventually seized and sold off an estimated 53,000 acres, plus personal property, which in some cases included enslaved Africans.
Do you have a news tip or story idea? Send us your tip anonymously by clicking on the “Submit A Tip” button.