Luanne has worked in local news for four decades as a reporter, editor, editorial page editor, and commentary editor at newspapers in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Tennessee.

She took an early retirement from The Roanoke Times in April 2021, after 16 years there, when she learned continued staff cutbacks meant little ability to do in-depth reporting. She then cofounded Cardinal News to create a sustainable news organization to tell the important stories of Southwest and Southside Virginia.

She transitioned to the business side of news, and has led Cardinal News to be recognized nationally, including being named startup of the year in 2023 by the Institute for Nonprofit news.

She has won dozens of journalism awards, including national honors, and several fellowships but is most proud of her awards from non-journalism organizations that recognize the significant role that independent reporting plays in healthy communities.