All Episodes

• S01E06
  Redistricting at the State Supreme Court, Roanoke's Gunshot Detection Debate, and a Daisy Art Parade The Virginia Supreme Court could rule any day on whether to throw out the redistricting referendum, with Reps. Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith among the plaintiffs and former Roanoke delegate William Fralin leading the opposition. Plus: Roanoke City Council approved 75 new Flock gunshot detectors over real pushback, Governor Spanberger spent her 100th day signing education bills in Roanoke, the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $237M contract for the next stretch of I-81 widening, Carilion opened a midwifery clinic in a maternity care desert, and the drought is biting local farmers. Events this week: RidgeYaks home all six nights, Jay Leno at the Berglund, the 4th annual Daisy Art Parade Saturday, Forkapalooza, and Music on the Mountain on Mother's Day. Closing with a Virginia Tech student who identified a brand-new species of dinosaur — three times older than T. rex.
  May 4, 2026
• S01E05
  Redistricting Reshuffles Roanoke's Congressional Race, Big Changes at Virginia Tech, and a Saturday of Festivals Virginia voters narrowly approved a mid-decade redistricting referendum, redrawing Roanoke's 6th Congressional District from heavily red to slightly blue — and the local field is already shifting. Sam Rasoul announced he won't run; Tom Perriello pivoted from the 5th to the 6th. Plus: VT AD Whit Babcock is retiring after 12 years, Spanberger named four new VT Board of Visitors appointees ahead of the presidential search, VDOT's I-81 widening project is underway, the Member One / Virginia Credit Union merger has locked some members out of their accounts, and Catawba's Homeplace Restaurant reopened after five years.
  April 27, 2026
• S01E04
  Blue Ridge Marathon Returns, Roanoke Closes a Budget Gap, and the Dogwood Festival Takes Over Vinton The 2026 Blue Ridge Marathon brought thousands of runners downtown with a projected $2 million economic impact. Plus: Roanoke and Carilion Clinic launch RoVa Labs, a biotech incubator projected to create 250 jobs. The city closes most of a $19 million budget gap without raising taxes. Virginia Tech raises tuition 2.9%. The Rail Yard Dawgs split the first two games of the President's Cup semifinal. And the Botetourt Chamber formally endorses Google's data center project.
  April 20, 2026
• S01E03
  Virginia Tech's President Steps Down, Rail Yard Dawgs Sweep Playoffs, and Down by Downtown Returns Virginia Tech President Tim Sands announces he's stepping down after 12 years — and questions swirl about whether the timing is political. Plus: the Rail Yard Dawgs sweep their playoff series, the 611 locomotive is running summer excursions, Salem Valley 8 closes after 50 years, and Roanoke's music scene is having a moment.
  April 13, 2026
• S01E02
  Google's Data Center Divides Botetourt, Vinton Opens a New Park, and Roanoke Crime Drops The community responds to Google's $3 billion data center in Botetourt County — supporters see a generational investment, critics want answers on water. Plus: Vinton's new War Memorial Park, Smith Mountain Lake under stress, rising costs for farmers, Carilion's CTE investment, and Roanoke crime down 23%.
  April 6, 2026
• S01E01
  Pilot: Google Bets $3B on Botetourt, Budget Cuts, and the RidgeYaks Debut Our first episode — Google officially announces a $3 billion data center in Botetourt County, the city and schools face budget cuts, thousands rally for No Kings, Blacksburg preps for legal marijuana, UVA women make March Madness history, plus the week's events and a therapy dog named Maggie.
  March 30, 2026