RVA’s Got Issues
RVA’s Got Issues delves into politics and big issues in the news that are defining life in and around Richmond, Virginia. Should taxes be raised to build a new baseball stadium? Should old schools get a makeover or be replaced? Are more bike lanes a good idea? Host Rich Meagher will speak with guests who shed light on the present, past and future implications of these questions.
And in a time when faith in government is at an all-time low, many people say they can’t make a difference in politics. RVA’s Got Issues will counter this feeling of civic alienation by featuring guests who share stories of how they are making a difference. Listeners will gain new insights and ideas for how to become more engaged in their communities. The upshot is a podcast that helps listeners understand not only what’s happening around them but what they can do about it.
26
RVA Revisited: School's Not So Out
RVA Revisited! Four elementary schools in Richmond are reopening in July for the start of their extended school year. This "grand experiment" aims to reverse COVID-related learning loss in struggling schools. But will keeping kids (and their teachers) in a classroom fuel burnout?
28 min
27
RVA Revisited: Chasing the Green Energy Dragon
RVA Revisited! A flood of renewable energy projects are hitting the RVA region. What does it mean for households in the region? And is it enough to satiate our soaring energy demands?
28 min
28
RVA Revisited: It's Getting Hot In Here
RVA Revisited! Climate change is here, in RVA, today. But some neighborhoods are much more vulnerable to excessive heat and flooding than others. Rich talks with a local climate scientist about inequities in our climate vulnerability, as well as the city's plan to address them.
28 min
29
Is the Water Crisis Over?
When can we trust our water supply - and our city government? Rich sits down with Richmond DPU Director Scott Morris to find out.
27 min
30
Virginia’s Energy Future
How will Dominion Energy meet Virginia’s high power needs and clean energy goals, while still keeping rates affordable? Rich sits down with CEO Bob Blue to find out.
27 min
31
Rezoning Richmond
The city’s 50-year-old zoning code is being revised. Rich sits down with experts to learn how to balance the urgent need for more housing with preserving the Richmond we love.
27 min
32
Who's Got Your Vote: Richmond Commonwealth's At...
Rich talks to the candidates for Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney, Colette McEachin and Tom Barbour, about their vision for the office – and the future of justice in Richmond.
36 min
33
What's Ahead for the Economy?
Rich sits down with Richmond Fed economist Sonya Waddell. What are the numbers really telling us about Virginia’s economy, and what’s next?
27 min
34
A Bold, New Voice on City Council
Rich sits down with new Richmond City Council member Sarah Abubaker. She’s been vocal about calling for change – can she help make it happen?
27 min
35
Mayor Avula on Steering Richmond Forward
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula talks with Rich about budgets, federal funding cuts, and what it’s like to steer the city of Richmond.
28 min
36
The Corrections Crisis
State prisons and juvenile facilities are facing claims of violence, neglect, and unsafe conditions, and lawmakers are demanding answers. Rich talks to two local reporters who have been investigating the Corrections crisis.
30 min
37
Immigrants' Fears Run Rampant in RVA
Rich talks with advocates about how the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants is raising fears in RVA.
28 min
38
The Feds vs. Higher Ed
Rich talks with Virginia Congressman Rob Wittman about Trump’s challenges - and threats - to higher education, and what the Congressman has been doing to help VA universities. Is it enough?
27 min
39
What's Next for Henrico County?
Henrico County: what's it all about, where is it going, and how is it going to shape the future of RVA? Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas answers Rich’s questions – and YOURS, from our listener voicemail line – on everything from federal funding cuts to the Richmond water crisis.
28 min
40
The People's Budget: What's Got Your Vote?
Rich talks to the decision-makers shaping the People’s Budget of Richmond. The city has set aside $3M of YOUR money – and now YOU get to decide what to do with it.
21 min
41
Sports Tourism Aims High in RVA
Rich talks to two local sports czars about the business of sports tourism. From youth to the pros, RVA is building a sports infrastructure that’s meant to help both residents and visitors score big.
23 min
42
A World First in Chesterfield County: Nuclear F...
Fusion energy is how the sun powers itself. But humans have never been able to recreate it... until now. Will it be enough to solve Virginia's energy crisis?
25 min
43
Jason Kamras on What's Ahead for RPS
Rich sits down with RPS Superintendent, Jason Kamras, to talk about the potential impact of federal funding cuts. What happens if the Department of Education is abolished? Kamras also answers YOUR voicemail questions.
29 min
44
Addiction to Evictions
It's great to see RVA on another top 10 list... unless it's for evictions. Today, Rich sits down with a housing researcher and lawyer to figure out why it's so easy to be evicted in RVA.
16 min
45
Public Housing Makeover
RVA leaders have plans... to END public housing as we know it. Rich sits down with Steven Nesmith of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to talk about his "tough love" approach to redevelop public housing.
22 min
46
Who's Your... Momnibus?
What's 45 days long, based in Richmond, and shapes the future of the state of Virginia? On this episode, Rich unpacks this year's General Assembly with veteran state politics reporter Michael Pope.
25 min
47
Richmond's Transformational Mural Movement
Hamilton Glass, considered by many to be the founding father of Richmond's mural movement, talks about how he and other artists like Silly Genius are bringing new life to old buildings through public art.
25 min
48
RVA's Got Baggage
Less than a week into new city leadership, hospitals ran low on water and people boiled snow to flush their toilets. Was it a fluke, or is this the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unresolved issues in city government?
24 min
49
Lonely No More: Finding Connection in RVA
Virginia ranks third in the U.S. for people who report feeling lonely according to the US Census. What explains the pain of this affliction, especially in RVA? And what are some ways to connect more easily with others?
28 min
50
Why Are Black Homeowners Being Lowballed?
27 min