Best WHRO Public Media Podcasts (2024)

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Regulators reject latest effort to restrict menhaden harvest in Chesapeake Bay 1:00

42m ago1:00

1:00

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission this week voted down the petition filed in December by environmental and recreational fishing groups.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Centuries ago, Black freedmen found refuge harvesting oysters in Suffolk. A descendant is carrying on their legacy. 4:16

4h ago4:16

4:16

Oysterwoman Mary Hill is trying to keep the village of Hobson alive. This story is part of an NPR project documenting historical markers throughout the U.S.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Hampton Roads’ first free-standing hospice house opens in Virginia Beach

2h ago

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With 12 rooms, the Dozoretz Hospice House of Hampton Roads in Virginia Beach puts only a small dent in the number of hospice beds needed in the region.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Nonprofit working to boost public access to Great Dismal Swamp 0:57

13h ago0:57

0:57

The Friends of the Great Dismal Swamp recently got a half-million dollar grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to implement planned improvements at the wildlife refuge.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
International climate change workshop comes to Norfolk 1:00

1d ago1:00

1:00

Community members took part in a French-inspired “Climate Fresk” to learn about the science behind global climate change.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
HRBT expansion marks breakthrough as boring machine completes first new tunnel 0:52

1d ago0:52

0:52

After a 5-month U-turn, the monster drill will bore a second tunnel back to Norfolk.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
The Neighboring Village: a new work for the Virginia Chorale 9:30

1d ago9:30

9:30

Composer Gregory Spears speaks with Raymond Jones about his new work The Neighboring Village (inspired by a Kafka story), which was commissioned to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Virginia Chorale.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Part of former Lambert's Point Golf Course opens as public green space 1:01

3d ago1:01

1:01

Residents had been pushing the city for nearly a year to preserve the 15 acres it owns as a park. And some questions remain.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Residential, retail and a new hotel: Norfolk targets MacArthur Center for a mixed-use development 0:50

6d ago0:50

0:50

Norfolk's mayor announcement was big on ambition and light on details, but included plans for a new 400-room hotel alongside high-rise apartments and condos.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Zwerner’s lawyers say Newport News schools could face state, federal investigations

6d ago

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Lawyers for former Newport News teacher Abby Zwerner say new information from a grand jury report indicting a former school administrator may give grounds for state and federal agencies to investigate Newport News schools.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
After grand jury indictments, prosecutors are still investigating Richneck Elementary shooting 0:53

7d ago0:53

0:53

The grand jury report released this week suggests additional investigation into school district officials. Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn says his office will follow the facts where they lead.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
After grand jury indictments, prosecutors are still investigating Richneck Elementary Shooting 0:53

7d ago0:53

0:53

The grand jury report released this week suggests additional investigation into school district officials. Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn says his office will follow the facts where they lead.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
City employees, residents tell Virginia Beach to let firefighters collectively bargain 0:57

13d ago0:57

0:57

A union representing city fire and EMS staff has requested the ability to collectively bargain a contract with the city, the first such request in Virginia Beach since public-sector bargaining was allowed by the state in 2021. The city must accept or reject the request by the end of May.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

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VB wants to know: should city let employee unions bargain contracts? 1:05

10d ago1:05

1:05

Virginia Beach is facing a request from the International Association of Fire Fighters to let fire and EMS staff jointly negotiate a contract with the city. The council is holding a special meeting to get resident input.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Williamsburg officials say a resident survey prompted them to look at an independent school system. The survey didn’t ask that question.

14d ago

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When Williamsburg officials introduced the idea of splitting the Williamsburg-James City County Public School System last year, they cited feedback from a resident survey as one of the main reasons to consider ending the nearly 70-year partnership.But the survey, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, doesn't ask residents if they w…

1
Portsmouth leaders try different approach to nurture small businesses, downtown retail 4:14

14d ago4:14

4:14

Bloom Market is both a boutique and an economic development experiment. Small-scale local artisans will have a place to get some brick-and-mortar retail experience in the hope that they grow into their own locations.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Citing lack of affordable land, Hampton Roads Habitat for Humanity groups suspend new home applications 1:05

13d ago1:05

1:05

Last year, the Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg Habitat chapter got a record 280 new homebuyer applications. Now, it's suspending the program until it can find more land to build on.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Suffolk's real estate tax rate will stay the same — but bills will rise, according to city budget proposal

14d ago

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Suffolk’s tax rate isn't changing from $1.09 per $100 of assessed value — but new assessed property values went up by 5.4%.Residents’ real estate tax bills will go up because of the new assessment increase.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
North Atlantic Right Whale found dead off the Virginia Beach coast this week was likely hit by a ship, NOAA says

15d ago

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The whale, first spotted in 1989, suffered catastrophic damage to her spine, NOAA says. This kind of blunt force trauma is most consistent with a vessel strike. Vessel strikes are one of the leading causes of death for right whales.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Another right whale has turned up dead off the coast of Virginia, NOAA says

17d ago

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The dead whale was found floating around 50 miles off the coast of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. She was identified as Female #1950, first seen in 1989. She birthed a calf this past winter, which crews haven’t spotted yet.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
5 million pounds of contaminated sediment removed from Portsmouth’s Paradise Creek 0:55

22d ago0:55

0:55

The Coastal Virginia Conservancy recently finished the first phase of the cleanup project, which included replacing the polluted sediment with clean sand.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
New research looks at underwater heat waves in the Chesapeake Bay 0:53

21d ago0:53

0:53

The study out of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science focuses on deeper waters, where the impacts of heat waves are lesser known.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Downtown Norfolk Council refocuses after residential growth, workforce decline 0:51

18d ago0:51

0:51

The population of Downtown Norfolk has tripled since the last time the Downtown Norfolk Council wrote up a strategic plan nine years ago.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Health roundup: New health rankings, a year of N.C. Medicaid expansion and more

21d ago

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This month in Hampton Roads and Virginia health news.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Hampton, Newport News chosen for three-year national climate initiative 0:40

21d ago0:40

0:40

The Peninsula cities will join 23 others in Bloomberg Philanthropies' Sustainable Cities Program.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Scope, Chrysler Hall would get massive facelifts under proposed city budget 0:36

22d ago0:36

0:36

Norfolk's city manager wants to spend a combined $150 million to fully renovate the facilities, which were built in the early '70s.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Norfolk plans to create housing trust fund to tackle affordability woes 0:39

22d ago0:39

0:39

Cities all over the U.S. have used city-funded trusts to invest in and incentivize the development of affordable housing.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion project will take an extra 18 months to finish 0:45

22d ago0:45

0:45

The new tunnels were supposed to be available by the end of 2025. Now, the project is expected to take until mid-2027.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Carnival reroutes Baltimore-bound cruises to Norfolk through April 0:47

22d ago0:47

0:47

Carnival announced late Tuesday it would move its operations from Baltimore to Norfolk as crews continue cleanup efforts of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Energy demand is rising. Hampton Roads officials say doing nothing 'is not an option' 1:02

26d ago1:02

1:02

The Hampton Roads Alliance is pushing local leaders to address the issue by considering more energy infrastructure.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Citizen science project aims to spot otters in the Elizabeth River 0:55

27d ago0:55

0:55

The Elizabeth River Project wants people to report river otter sightings to collect data on their comeback.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Laskin Road widening project delayed again; VDOT still figuring out for how long, how much it'll cost 0:48

1M ago0:48

0:48

For the second time since the project broke ground in 2019, contractors have told VDOT that unexpected field conditions mean it'll take longer to get done - until at least sometime in 2025.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Stricter federal air pollution standards likely won’t help Norfolk, Newport News communities plagued by coal dust 4:34

1M ago4:34

4:34

For half a century, residents of Lambert’s Point and Southeast Newport News have complained about coal dust from nearby terminals. They say they can't keep waiting for officials to collect more data to show there's a problem.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools proposes 4.5% employee raise in 2025 budget

1M ago

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The Williamsburg-James City County school board approved a $199 million budget increasing staff salaries by an average of 4.5%.Superintendent Olwen Herron proposed a 3% salary increase for all employees, but some board members and district staff said it didn’t go far enough.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Sentara executives ordered to give additional testimony in federal fraud investigation

1M ago

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A federal judge ordered Sentara executives to answer more questions about an ongoing case in which the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Sentara Health Plans — formerly Optima Health — unfairly increased premiums and pocketed an extra $665 million in 2018 and 2019.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
CNU, ODU will consider tuition increases for second year in a row

1M ago

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The raises follow several years of tuition freezes at public colleges supported by state funding.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
New federal lawsuit seeks to halt Dominion's offshore wind farm in Virginia 1:00

1M ago1:00

1:00

The suit, filed by a coalition of conservative groups, argues that the offshore wind industry threatens endangered whales. Scientists say there's no evidence of that.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Virginia Beach considers dorm-style residences for student workers 0:50

1M ago0:50

0:50

City Council will decide this week if an Oceanfront business can convert it's second story into hostel-like accommodations for international workers.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Suffolk will build its first "diverging diamond" interchange. We asked an expert to explain.

1M ago

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Part of Suffolk’s improvement plan for the congested Godwin Boulevard route includes redesigning where the four-lane road crosses the Suffolk Bypass just south of Sentara Obici Hospital. But just what is a diverging diamond interchange?WHRO asked Old Dominion engineering professor Mecit Cetin how they work.…

1
Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Hampton will expand to 24/7 operation

1M ago

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Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Hampton will expand to 24-hour, 7-days-a-week operation after a unanimous vote Wednesday night by Hampton City Council.Colonial Downs Group, the company that operates Rosie’s, applied to extend the gambling parlor’s hours after Rivers Casino in Portsmouth opened last year. That casino already runs 24/7.…

1
Virginia's "clean cars" standards now in effect 1:01

1M ago1:01

1:01

Three years after Virginia lawmakers voted to adopt the standards, the state is rolling them out. Here's what that does -- and doesn't -- mean.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
NIMBYs, flooding and a fading middle class: Norfolk’s housing study reveals city’s challenges 0:53

1M ago0:53

0:53

A new housing study highlights the need for affordable housing for lower incomes and the disappearance of the city's middle-income residents.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
In state SOLs, James City County students outperformed Williamsburg students in math, science and reading

1M ago

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If Williamsburg and James City County decide to split their school district, Williamsburg test scores may drop. James City County students outperformed Williamsburg students in math, science and reading SOL tests according to the city's feasibility report, released this week.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Williamsburg estimates an independent school district would cost $18 million in first year

1M ago

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The City of Williamsburg says a plan to split its school division from James City County wouldn’t happen until August 2028 at the earliest and cost $18.9 million in the first year. The report, released Monday, said accounting for staffing costs, utilities, materials and other services, there would still be a $2.4 million operating deficit during ye…

1
Big changes coming to trash in Hampton Roads 1:02

1M ago1:02

1:02

With Portsmouth's waste-to-energy plant closing soon, a lot more trash is headed to the Regional Landfill in Suffolk. Long-term, that could change too.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
New state budget proposal would give Newport News a loan for major Navy housing project 0:38

2M ago0:38

0:38

The $40 million in state funding originally passed by the House of Delegates has become a loan to the city of Newport News in the latest budget compromise.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Virginia has lost thousands of small, family-owned farms in the last few years 0:54

2M ago0:54

0:54

Many smaller farms in places like Chesapeake are being absorbed into larger farming operations or bought up for development.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
Virginia approves bill on abandoned boats 0:40

2M ago0:40

0:40

Lawmakers say the new legislation will simplify the process for officials to get abandoned and derelict vessels out of the water.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

1
New localities join Hampton Roads mutual aid agreement for emergency response

2M ago

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Suffolk’s Assistant Fire Chief David Harrell said the city responds to any locality that requests mutual aid where no formal agreement exists. In 2023 alone, the department sent or received mutual aid 462 times. The city formalized that process with other Hampton Roads by approving an ordinance this week at City Council that adds the last few local…

1
Minke whale washes up dead in Outer Banks 0:30

2M ago0:30

0:30

It's the third dead whale found in the region in as many days.By 89.5 WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA

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