Episodios

  • Who's Got Your Vote: Meet Maurice Neblett
    Oct 9 2024
    Our series "Who's Got Your Vote?" takes you inside Richmond's race for mayor. Rich talks with each candidate to bring you closer to the issues and faces that want to shape the future of Richmond. So, who's got your vote? This week Rich talks with Maurice Neblett, an entrepreneur and community leader in the city. Hear what being "a true son of Richmond" means to him, how he says a non-political background gives him an edge in the race, and why transparency and accountability mean so much to his campaign.
    Más Menos
    22 m
  • Who's Got Your Vote? Meet Harrison Roday
    Oct 2 2024
    Our series "Who's Got Your Vote?" takes you inside Richmond's race for mayor. Rich talks with each candidate to bring you closer to the issues and faces that want to shape the future of Richmond. So, who's got your vote? We kick off with Harrison Roday, a leader in the nonprofit and industrial manufacturing space. He says his "get things done" attitude, experience in politics under Senator Tim Kaine and his aptitude for budgeting and finance sets him apart from the other candidates. Watch a longer version of this interview on VPM's YouTube channel.
    Más Menos
    24 m
  • "Like Batman and Robin"
    Sep 25 2024
    There are 18 candidates running for Richmond City Council this November, but Rich has just one question for this week's guests: what's the job of a city council member actually like? For an honest answer, he brings in former council president, Mike Jones, and current council president, Kristen Nye. This week, RVA’s Got Questions... about who RUNS for city council. With only 6 of 9 seats having a competitive race – why aren’t more people trying to grab a spot? Finally, if you live in the Northside of Richmond, chances are Don Polaski has knocked on your door. He spends his Saturdays going door-to-door as the "Happy Canvasser." Rich wants to know what knocking on all those doors has taught him about democracy.
    Más Menos
    33 m
  • School Board Shakeups
    Sep 18 2024
    It's Rich's FAVORITE time of year, local election season. But what makes this year different? A plan to end dysfunction on the Richmond Public School board. Next up: the little-known quirk that determines how Richmond elects its mayor. One listener wants to know how voting actually works in RVA, and whether we'll catch the ranked-choice bug. Rich wraps things up with his election heartthrob, the Virginia Public Access Project. This free, non-partisan website is a go-to resource for anyone trying to understand elections in Virginia. And this year, K-12 students are invited to the party.
    Más Menos
    31 m
  • Would You Swim in the James?
    Sep 11 2024
    The James River is the heart and soul of Richmond. But it's also the dumping ground for the city's sewage when it rains too much. What will it take to fix this issue? One frustrated listener asks us: why is it so hard to open a business in Richmond? Rich runs through the litany of applications you need to complete to set up shop in RVA. But it's not as bad as you might think. The Broadberry Entertainment Group is neither street nor berry. Rather, it plays a major role in booking up and coming talent in Richmond's local music scene. Owner Lucas Fritz joins us to talk about what he looks for in a musical act, and where he thinks the region's scene is headed.
    Más Menos
    31 m
  • It's Getting Hot In Here
    Aug 28 2024
    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. Everyone seems to have a DOT these days. That is, a department of transportation. But why isn't there one in Richmond, and is that necessarily a bad thing? Richmond has a lot going for it. Should it add regional tech hub to that list? Richard Wintsch of Startup Virginia says yes. In fact, he's actively courting entrepreneurs to the River City to, in his words, prevent us from falling behind.
    Más Menos
    32 m
  • "The People's Budget"
    Aug 14 2024
    What would YOU do if you controlled how your government spends its money? Richmond City Council is doing exactly that as part of a new $3 million public budget. Outgoing council president Kristen Nye talks about how this works... and whether it's here to stay. This week's listener question: How do you dispose of guns? The answer is easier than you may think. Finally, our community spotlight is about... SPAGHETTI. We'll talk to an activist and mom who fights cystic fibrosis by reaching people’s hearts... and stomachs.
    Más Menos
    31 m
  • En Pointe: A Major Pirouette at the Richmond Ballet
    Jul 31 2024
    It takes two to tango, but only one artistic director to lead the Richmond Ballet. For the first time in over 40 years, the official ballet for the state of Virginia is coming under new leadership. What does this mean for the future of the region's cultural institution? A listener asks Rich...what happened to all those anti-litter campaigns we use to see on TV? Is this something RVA still cares about? Finally, law enforcement keeps an eye out for RVA's safety. But who keeps watch on the watchmen? After an impactful encounter with police in 2020, Alice Minium has made it her mission to be that watchdog.
    Más Menos
    30 m