Plus: Order says data centers to pay for new energy transmission; AI Decoded event to feature Blacksburg-based marketing studio founder.
Tad Dickens
Tad Dickens is technology reporter for Cardinal News. He previously worked for the Bristol Herald Courier and The Roanoke Times and likes to bang on his drums when he can. Reach at tad@cardinalnews.org or 540 293-6018.
Posted inEconomy
Internet provider ZiTel approved to finish broadband deployment work in Patrick, Franklin, Henry counties
RiverStreet Networks was removed from the project with thousands of locations unfinished.
Posted inNew River Valley
Tech Briefs: Virginia Tech research team gets $20 million grant for cloud-based semiconductor lab
Plus: Virginia Tech receives healthcare-related state and federal grants; court order restarts digital equity act funding.
Posted inNew River Valley
Tech Briefs: 3 Virginia Tech projects win ‘Genesis Mission’ grants
Plus: Blacksburg company graduates from state trade accelerator program.
Posted inEconomy
Google to use electric cooling instead of water in at least 1 of 3 data centers on Botetourt campus
It is unclear what impact an air-cooling system would have on the project’s overall water demand, according to a spokesperson for the Western Virginia Water Authority.
Posted inCulture
Growing gardens of happiness at FloydFest
Danielle Ward manages landscaping at the annual music festival, a job that includes mitigating rain’s effects on the site’s wetlands, keeping pollinators happy — and using goats to get rid of poison ivy.
Posted inEconomy
Tech Briefs: Virginia Tech researchers’ AI model is meant to manage water use
Plus: #AppalachiaBuiltThis event scheduled in Abingdon bills itself as “a hands-on community build night” for AI.
Posted inCulture
Tedeschi Trucks Band cancels FloydFest appearance, citing singer’s illness
The group was atop the bill for the 2026 festival in Floyd County and was scheduled for a two-hour main stage set on Friday.
Posted inEconomy
Virginia Tech researchers look to AI to ease difficult workplace conversations
Need help navigating a tough talk with your employees? Researchers are developing an AI training tool that offers coaching and customizable scenarios.
Posted inEconomy
RiverStreet Networks removed from multiple broadband deployment projects in rural Virginia after years of delays
The company informed the state’s broadband office that it was unable to secure funding to complete connections to more than 30,000 potential customers.
