There’s significant turnover in the General Assembly this year. New candidates should throw out the outdated negative stereotypes about our region, and take the time to learn about our region’s economy — just as a start.

Dwayne Yancey
Yancey is editor of Cardinal News. His opinions are his own. You can reach him at dwayne@cardinalnews.org or 540-529-1136.
How an inland port could be part of Youngkin’s legacy in Southwest Virginia
The legislature has approved money for planning but not for construction.
Oliver Anthony’s ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ puts Farmville in the spotlight
The song has been polarizing but Farmville and surrounding Prince Edward County are quite purple, politically speaking.
What the fiscal crisis at West Virginia University means for Virginia schools (and what it doesn’t)
The school’s enrollment is falling, creating a $45 million deficit. This is the worst case scenario of the coming “enrollment cliff.”
Here’s why the Atlantic Coast Conference is adding teams in California and Texas
The geography makes no sense, but Virginia Tech fans should embrace this expansion because one alternative is winding up in a lesser conference.
In Lynchburg, some conservatives want to defund the regional economic development group
They object because the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance once had a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page. One also cites slow economic growth as a reason to discontinue funding.
Roanoke College poll contains bad news for both Democrats and Republicans
Joe Biden is increasingly unpopular, even in a state that voted for him. But Donald Trump is even more so.
Democratic vote is increasing in some rural counties but Republican vote is growing much faster
Was the 2021 Republican turnout a fluke? How many more votes can Republicans produce out of rural Virginia? A closer look at the numbers.
The five luckiest candidates for the General Assembly this year
Redistricting — and other political circumstances — have worked out very well for these candidates.
Sen. Surovell may be from Fairfax County but has family ties to Roanoke’s famous star
His grandfather was the lead electrician on the star atop Mill Mountain. The state senator still owns part of the family farm near Smith Mountain Lake.