RVA’s Got Issues

Richmond's Transformational Mural Movement Feb 19, 2025

Hamilton Glass is seen by many as the founding father of Richmond's mural movement. He instigated a huge public mural project featured in the PBS Doc called Mending Walls. The project brought 30 artists from different cultural backgrounds together to collaborate on 16 murals in Richmond. The slogan for the effort was "we need to talk" about race and the artists' formative experiences. On the project's 5th anniversary, Glass talks about the origins of Mending Walls and how the project continues to evolve.

The Community Spotlight shines on Silly Genius, a mural artist who brings his love of graffiti and hip-hop together in the large murals he and his partners paint - bringing life, color and vibrancy to vacant buildings in rundown areas of Richmond.

RVA's Got Baggage Feb 12, 2025

It's no secret: Richmond's got some baggage.

Case in point, the #GreatRichmondWaterCrisis. 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?

Thad Williamson is the coauthor of a new book about the history of Richmond city government. More than anyone, he knows how the mayor's office works... and the baggage that comes with.

Lonely No More: Finding Connection in RVA Dec 25, 2024

It's the holidays! The fire is delightful, chestnuts are roasting, people are wassailing (whatever that is). But for some folks, this is a time of year that hits hard, where the pain of addiction, of isolation, or even just loneliness, can make it much less joyful. So what can we do to close the loneliness gap in RVA?

Why Are Black Homeowners Being Lowballed? Dec 11, 2024

Redlining has been illegal for more than half a century. But Black homeowners today are still feeling its impact through appraisals that undervalue their homes. Rich unpacks recent findings on appraisal bias in Richmond with two housing experts, as well as their undercover method for addressing housing discrimination today.

If you live in Henrico, chances are you pay bills! But have you ever wondered why those payments have to be mailed out of state? Shouldn’t we keep the money and jobs in our own community?

Finally, we look at a farmers market in Chesterfield that serves everything from arepas, to nopal, to fresh coquito. America DeLoach founded the Latino Farmers Market to help vendors who felt left out of other markets.

Chasing the Green Energy Dragon Nov 27, 2024

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?

A listener asks Rich: am I being gaslit by these door knockers? After a canvasser says a "no soliciting sign" doesn't apply to them, one listener is stumped about how to tell people to bug-off (although Rich hopes you don't do this to everyone)

If TV taught us anything, it's that when something bad happens, the only thing to do is put on a show. Tariq Karriem, a local Henrico high school graduate, took this to heart after feeling students of color were being left out of local theatre productions. So he and others started their own theatre group, the Black Virginia Theatre Alliance

Mayor-Elect Danny Avula on What's Next Nov 13, 2024

In his very first sit-down interview since the election, mayor-elect Danny Avula joins Rich to discuss what Richmonders can expect from his administration.

What are his top priorities and how will he start to tackle them? How will he bring more people into the political process? And how will he advocate for the city on both the State and Federal level?

Vote! Vote! Vote! Nov 05, 2024

Need some 11th hour candidate info for election day? We have you covered! Check out any of our recent episodes on the mayoral contest, what it takes to be on city council, a plan to shake up the school board race and much, much more. We'll be next week with a new episode. Until then, see you at the polls!

Who's Got Your Vote: Meet Andreas Addison Oct 30, 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.

For our final week of our series, Rich talks with Andreas Addison, the current Richmond City Council representative for the first district. Hear how his tutelage under Governor Wilder and Mayor Dwight Jones opened his eyes to what public leaders can accomplish, why the "karass" is an integral part of his political outlook, and how he plans to bring City Hall's technology up to speed.

Who's Got Your Vote: Meet Danny Avula Oct 23, 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 Danny Avula, a pediatrician who was also recently the state commissioner for the the Virginia Department of Social Services. He says the connections he formed while overseeing the state's COVID rollout can help in amassing more financial support for the city and maintains his support for LGBTQ and abortion rights, despite support from prominent social conservatives in Richmond.

Who's Got Your Vote: Meet Michelle Mosby Oct 16, 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 Michelle Mosby, Richmond City Council's first Black female president. She says she won't need training wheels to tackle the mayor's job. She also tells us how her past bouts with bankruptcy inform her financial views, and what she'll do to establish stronger oversight when it comes to dysfunction in City Hall.

Watch a longer version of this interview on VPM's YouTube channel.

Who's Got Your Vote: Meet Maurice Neblett Oct 09, 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.

Watch a longer version of this interview on VPM's YouTube channel.

Who's Got Your Vote? Meet Harrison Roday Oct 02, 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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

School's Not So Out Jul 17, 2024

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?

One thing you WON'T find in RVA is a major league sports team. A listener asks, what would it take to change that?

Anyone can be a ballerina according to Susan Massey. This week's community spotlight looks at her adult ballet class that's included everyone from doctors, college students, and yes, truck drivers.

Lawsuits and Ghosting: The Wild West of... Public Records Jul 03, 2024

What do an attempted coup in Cuba and secrets from the Vietnam War have in common? They both led to the creation of the Freedom of Information Act. This law allows people to access public documents and hold their government accountable. But it doesn't always work that way, as two Richmond woman recently discovered when they put the states public record laws to the test. Food insecurity is a growing issue in Central VA, with demand for food pantry items climbing as grocery store prices remain high. For this week's Community Spotlight, we talk with Änna Ibrahim from Shalom farms, a non-profit that's working to increase access to fresh produce -- and the know-how on how to cook with these ingredients. Finally, for RVA's Got Questions: What is a board of supervisors, and what do they even do?

Trigger Warning: Breaking the Cycle of Gun Violence Jun 19, 2024

Last year, the city of Hopewell notched a huge victory in the fight against gun violence. Now cities like Petersburg and Richmond want in. We talk with Maurice Washington and Sarah Scarbrough about the strategy they've brought to the region.

This week's listener question: Who is Dillon, and why does he get a rule? The Dillon Rule restricts what cities and counties can do in Virginia, and it's all because of a guy in Iowa during the 1800's.

Finally, a community spotlight... about mindfulness. We talk to Ashley Williams. She’s the founder of the Well Collective, a place – and a movement – that brings history and healing to Shockoe Bottom and beyond.

More Buses, Free Fares, No Problem Jun 05, 2024

Most cities struggled with bus ridership coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not RVA. We talk with Faith Walker, Executive Director from RVA Rapid Transit, about what GRTC is doing right - and where there's room for improvement.

This week's listener question is about a Maymont resident and his enemy: Richmond Sidewalks. Why do the suck? (his words, not ours). But seriously, why do sidewalks have so many issues in Richmond, and what's being done about it?

Finally, for our community spotlight we talk cookies with Elizabeth Redford, owner of Tablespoons Cafe in Forest Hills. This baker helps adults with developmental disabilities find work and community through delicious sweets.

RVA's Housing Woes May 22, 2024

We hear it everywhere, everyday: Housing is expensive. But with so many new apartments and homes being built in RVA, why do costs continue to rise? And what can local government do about it? To answer that question we talk with Jovan Burton from the Partnership for Affordable Housing.

For this week's listener question, we talk speed cameras. How are they being used in Richmond, and why aren't there more?

Finally, a community spotlight about gardens -- and the woman who creates them wherever she goes.

Introducing: RVA's Got Issues May 15, 2024

Launching May 22, 2024, RVA’s Got Issues delves into the politics and big issues defining life in and around Richmond, Virginia.

What’s being done to keep housing affordable? How do we combat gun violence? Will longer school years resolve decades-long education gaps? Host Richard Meagher connects with guests to discuss the past, present, and future impact of these questions so YOU know what’s happening in the news.

RVA’s Got Issues will also spotlight people who are pushing for change in their communities. You’ll hear stories of people who are making a difference, despite widespread civic apathy. Who knows, maybe you’ll get some ideas. If you do, or if you have questions about your community, write to us at rvasgotissues@vpm.org.

Episodes drop biweekly on Wednesdays.

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