RVA’s Got Issues

Fans love Carmax Park, the new home of the Flying Squirrels. But with disputes behind the scenes and questions about costs, is the investment we’ve made worth it? Featuring: Scott Bass, News Editor of Richmond Magazine Michael Phillips, Founding Editor of The Richmonder

Danny Avula’s campaign for Richmond Mayor is in the rear view mirror, and he’s digging deep into governance. Can he keep the trust of Richmonders while turning campaign promises into reality? Featuring: Danny Avula, Mayor of Richmond

After YEARS of negotiations, state lawmakers passed a bill to create a retail market for marijuana. Then the Governor got out her veto pen. Can legalization advocates find another way? Guests: Dean Mirshahi, VPM News reporter Chelsea Higgs Wise, Executive Director of Marijuana Justice Barbara Biddle, co-founder of the Cannabis Small Business Association Valerie Slater, Executive Director of RISE f...

We used to do higher education in Virginia prisons, but not so much anymore. What happened? And what’s being done now... to bring it back? Featuring: Terri Erwin (Director) and Kenneth Hunter (Organizer) with the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison Scott Richeson (Deputy Director of the Division of Programs, Education and Reentry) and Zacc Allen (Chief Information Officer) for the Vi...

In Virginia, a felony conviction can lead to a lifetime ban on voting. This November, a constitutional amendment might change this. Rich talks to VPM News reporter Whittney Evans about how big those changes might be. Will the amendment help returning citizens... actually return as citizens. To learn more about returning citizens read VPM's Curious Commonwealth: https://www.vpm.org/news/2026-05-28/...

From Francine the cat to drunken raccoons, we love our animals in RVA. But how are they doing, especially the most vulnerable: the ones who need new homes? On this episode, we talk animal adoptions. Plus: bears. Fat ones. Featuring:  Christie Chipps Peters, Director of Richmond Animal Care and Control Larry Eason, Executive Director of Richmond Animal League Robin Keegan, Reading Interventionist a...

Virginia Commonwealth University is Richmond’s urban university. But it's sometimes hard to know where Richmond ends and VCU begins. How does VCU grow and thrive while the city does the same? Can Richmond and VCU... grow together? Featuring: Max Wasserman, RVA's Got Issues Producer Andrew Kerley, outgoing Executive Editor of the Commonwealth Times

It's all anyone seems to think about - how can we develop our economy? But do we actually need to build more to get more? On this episode, the answer is yes and no. One Richmond business has a big plan to capture international attention. But down the street, a second-hand store shows you don't need something "new" to attract customers. Oh, and we get a tour of LEGO Manufacturing VA. Featuring Jenn...

We talk a lot on our show about, well, issues. But we don't always get a sense of what it's like for the people on the frontlines of those issues. How do you keep working to fix the issue, when others don't know, don't care - or want you to stop? From healthcare to education: it's dispatches from the frontlines. Guests: Stephanie Arnold, founder of Seven Hills Family MedicineMary Graham, Chief Exe...

It’s budget season in Richmond. We know government budgets are important, but they’re about much more than numbers. Rich sits down with an expert to ask: what’s the human cost of budgeting? Featuring: Elliott Fullmer, Professor of Political Science at Randolph-Macon College

[Originally released 6/11/25] For the first time in 50 years, the city’s zoning code – the rules that say what can be built where – is being revised. It’s definitely time: the need for housing is desperate! But with a stunning reversal of white flight – an influx of young professionals into the city – how do we preserve the Richmond we love for everyone? Rich talks to City Council’s Ellen Robertso...

Flock cameras take pictures of your license plate, and they’re everywhere in RVA. Are these cameras a powerful tool for getting the bad guys? Or a dangerous step towards mass surveillance? Featuring:  Kunle Falayi, data journalist with the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO

The two biggest words in VA Politics right now? DATA and CENTERS. From a state budget battle to heated local opposition, how did they land at the very center of Virginia politics? This episode is part of GENERAL ASSEMBLY REQUIRED, a new series from RVA's Got Issues focusing on state government's impact on RVA. Featuring: Patrick Larsen and Lyndon German, VPM News Reporters

The national battle for district lines has come to Virginia, and Democrats want to redraw our Congressional map. Critics want them to play fair. But what does "fair" mean these days? This episode is part of GENERAL ASSEMBLY REQUIRED, a new series from RVA's Got Issues focusing on state government's impact on RVA. Featuring: Brian Cannon, No Gerrymandering Virginia

This year may bring a big shift in Virginia labor laws, changing the game for workers here in RVA – and throughout the Commonwealth. Will these changes help or hurt us - and do we really have to choose between business and labor? This episode is part of General Assembly Required, a new series from RVA's Got Issues focusing on state government's impact on RVA. Featuring: Michael O'Connor, journalis...

Do you want to be more civic-minded, but don’t know how? We’ve got three stories about civic engagement, from the general assembly to the People’s Assembly to drawing a line on a map and making it real. Features: Nick, Isabelle, and Ashley from Randolph Macon College The Richmond's People's Assembly Brantley Tyndall, Director of Bike Walk RVA.

The federal government may be cutting food benefits, drastically - is Richmond ready? What does the safety net for hunger look like in RVA? What COULD it look like, and how do we get there? Guests:  Eddie Oliver, Federation of Virginia Food Banks Ayanna Ogaldez and Irina Rogova, MADRVA Kimberly Battle, VCU School of Nursing

Richmond has a plan called Vision Zero – the goal is zero pedestrian deaths. But so far this year, that goal seems farther away than ever. Rich talks to experts to ask: what are we doing to make our city safer, and is it enough? To learn more about pedestrian safety in Richmond, check out VPM's Curious Commonwealth: Curious Commonwealth asks: How does Richmond prioritize road safety work? Guests:...

Last year, the Richmond City Council’s Sarah Abubaker had a lot to say about the budget process. Now we're heading into the budget season again. Rich sits down with Sarah to talk about what's changed, how we could think bigger, and the balance of power in Richmond. Guest: Sarah Abubaker, 4th District Representative for the Richmond City Council

RVA's Got Issues returns for its fourth season, bringing you stories about the important issues shaping Richmond, Virginia. Hear directly from key leaders; discover how the federal government impacts your community; and listen to inspiring stories about the people in your own backyard who are making change. Follow us on @RichGotIssues for bonus content and download e wherever you get your podcasts...

Richmond’s had a good run lately, but it always seems like it prospers in spite of city government, not because of it. Can Mayor Avula and his new Chief Administrative Officer, Odie Donald, finally be the ones who turn that around? Rich sits down with Odie to find out. RVA's Got Issues will be taking a break for the holidays, but will be back with new episodes early in the new year. Guest: Odie Do...

When is that pothole or broken sidewalk going to get fixed? To get answers, Rich sits down with Bobby Vincent of Richmond's Department of Public Works, or DPW. But just a warning: those answers may be more complicated than you think. Guest: Bobby Vincent, Richmond Department of Public Works

There seems to be new vibes on the Richmond City School Board. Certainly things have quieted down. But the public schools are still vitally important to our city, still under scrutiny, and still making news. Rich sits down with School Board Chair Shavonda Fernandez to ask: What's with the new vibes, and what do they mean for the future of Richmond Public Schools – and our city? Guest: Shavonda Fer...

What is it about Richmond that makes it a Tattoo City, maybe THE Tattoo City? Rich talks to working artists about the RVA tattoo scene. He also does something he hasn’t done in years: get his own tattoo. Guests: Amy Black, Amy Black Tattoos amyblacktattoos.com Roman Walston, Black Rabbit Tattoos www.blackrabbitrva.com Jen Bean, Loose Screw Tattoo www.loosescrewtattoo.com

It’s almost Thanksgiving, so Rich shares three stories about all the things we’re thankful for: about birthday parties; about getting up off the couch; and about kids reading poetry – specifically, Rich's kid. We’re highlighting the members of our community making RVA just a little bit brighter, a little bit happier, a little bit stronger. Guests: - Julia Warren Mattingly, founder of Celebrate RVA...