Pod Virginia
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LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: The secretive plan to bring a sports arena to Alexandria is over--and the folks involved seem to be blaming everybody but themselves. Back in December, Governor Glenn Youngkin proposed a new digital tax for consumers. If you bought a digital book, for example, you would have to pay the same sales tax as a hard copy book you got at the bookstore. Now the General Assembly is agreeing with the governor about consumers and adding businesses to the governor's proposal. "Cocktails-to-go" was one of the innovations of the pandemic. Now the governor is agreeing with lawmakers to allow the temporary fix to become permanent-- although the jury is still out on third-party vendors like DoorDash and Uber Eats. TRIVIA: WHICH YEAR DID THE CARDINAL BECOME THE STATE BIRD OF VIRGINIA? At the Watercooler: - Why is Governor Youngkin reviewing race-related education content at VCU and GMU? https://virginiamercury.com/2024/03/28/youngkin-administration-reviews-race-dei-syllabi-for-vcu-george-mason-courses/ - The Governor also vetoed a bill that would give the minimum wage to farm worker--which started as an explicitly racist Jim Crow-ear policy. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
LINKS: Sponsor: My Own PAC https://secure.actblue.com/donate/myownpodva Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia This week, Michael is joined by political analyst for WAMU, Tom Sherwood, to discuss the breaking news as the Monumental Arena deal is now officially dead. What happened, and what does it mean for Virginia going forward?
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: Next week is the final deadline for candidates who want to run for Congress this year, which means that the politics for this year's congressional races are already starting to take shape. The primary election that's currently attracting the largest number of candidates is the Tenth Congressional District, which is open because Jennifer Wexton is vacating the seat. "30,000 jobs" has become a rallying cry for supporters of a proposal to create a sports arena in Alexandria. But is that a credible number? A request for more information about how that number was calculated was initially met with silence and delays. Finally, 54 days after the request, city officials responded with a one-page document that lays out some but not all of the details. For now the arena proposal is in a holding pattern after the General Assembly failed to include it in its budget proposal. How many people should be working on trains that come through Virginia? Democrats say all those trains should have at least a two-person crew, and they sent the governor a bill that requires that. But the governor is vetoing that bill. His veto message says the proposed regulations disrupt the ability of railroad companies to access new markets. TRIVIA: WHICH VIRGINIA MAYOR IN THE 1990S WORKED WITH JAMES COMEY ON THE INITIATIVE "PROJECT EXILE"? At the Watercooler: - Operation Ceasefire--Speaker Scott and AG Miyares were at an event last week to announce a reduction in violent crime in parts of Virginia. - What exactly is going on with the "radio silence" communications strategy from advocates behind the arena? Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
LINKS: Sponsor: My Own PAC https://secure.actblue.com/donate/myownpodva Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia This week, Michael is joined by Greg LeRoy of Good Jobs First https://goodjobsfirst.org/ to break down the latest on the Northern Virginia arena deal which died in the General Assembly Session. While there's still a chance it'll get resurrected this year, that's looking unlikely--with Senator Lucas holding fast to her opposition and the one-page report full of questionable estimates. Plus, what does it mean that a Monumental executive cancelled last-minute before appearing on this episode?
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: House Speaker Don Scott says he didn't appreciate Governor Glenn Youngkin showing up on the last day of the General Assembly session and asking Republicans to vote against the budget. The governor has a line item veto, which he can use to make all kinds of changes to the budget. When asked about the idea that he might issue a blanket veto of the entire bill, Youngkin said he wasn’t far enough in the process to know quite yet. Senator Stella Pekarsky introduced a bill to make sure that DoorDash and StubHub weren't loading down customers with extra charges--and that bill died at the very end of the General Assembly session when some House Democrats did not support it. Likely, this was the work of some poweful lobbying from groups like the Virgina Chamber of Commerce. Senator Ghzala Hashmi introduced a bill that would require health insurance plans in Virginia cover contraception, but now the governor is adding an amendment that would allow for a religious or ethical exemption for people who don't want to provide coverage. TRIVIA: What happens if there is a tie in the election for Governor? At the Watercooler: - A Stateline article claims that Virginia's legislature has no working-class people holding office--but given the low pay for state officials, that's not quite true. - The governor's been on a roll of vetos, and shows no signs of stopping. What does this say about his positions and relationship to the legislature? Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
LINKS: Sponsor: My Own PAC https://secure.actblue.com/donate/myownpodva Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ This week, Michael and Lauren are joined by none other than House Speaker Don Scott to discuss his first session as Speaker--his relationship with the governor, the balance of power in the legislature, and the state of bills on gun control, skill, games and the arena.
LINKS: Sponsor: My Own PAC https://secure.actblue.com/donate/myownpodva Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: This week, Governor Glenn Youngkin stood outside the Capitol talking about a proposed sports arena in Alexandria -- speaking about it in the past tense. Leading the charge against the arena proposal is Senate Finance Committee Chairwoman L Louise Lucas, who says the deal is no good for taxpayers. In the era of Zoom, should state agencies and local advisory bodies be able to meet online? Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker has a bill that would expand the number of meetings that happen virtually, but opponents say this would remove an important facet of face-to-face public service. Republicans who want to restrict the right to an abortion say they are tired of people being used as props.Democrats say they don't want a bunch of old, white men making decisions about women's healthcare.With government divided, the two sides are canceling out each other this year. But abortion rights are expected to be a major topic of conversation next year, when lawmakers will consider an amendment to the Virginia Constitution. TRIVIA: WHAT IS THE NEXT MEMORIAL TO BE ADDED TO CAPITOL SQUARE? (Hint: planning is already underway and Senate Clerk Susan Schar gave the memorial a financial boost last week) At the Watercooler: - Former Richmond FOIA Officer Connie Clay is suing the City of Richmond, alleging she was fired after being being blocked from doing her duties - Breaking down the bills Governor Youngkin has signed, vetoed, and amended Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
On this week's live-to-tape game show, Michael sits down with Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, Alexandria Assistant City Manager Sarah Taylor, and pinch hitter Senator Jeremy McPike to get their takes on the end of the latest General Assembly Session: from passive-aggressive policies to "peace in the valley," invasive plants, and Jim Crow minimum wage exceptions. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: During session, Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears publicly misgendered Senator Danica Roem, leading to chaos in the chamber, public outcry, and not much of an apology. Michael and Lauren discuss what happened and to what extent it might have been intentional. Farm workers in Virginia are exempt from the minimum wage, on account of a racist compromise made during the Jim Crow era. The governor now has a bill on his desk that would remove the exemption, but business interests are lining up to defend the existing law. The movement to bring skill games (or electronic gambling machines) into truck stops and gas stations is seeing pushback from opponents who say they represent a public safety risk. TRIVIA: How many constititutions has Virginia had? At the Watercooler: - A new bill from Senator Russet Perry to restrict the travel of local officials, coming after a trip to Ghana from a member of the Loudon County Board of Supervisors. - Michael discusses the historical election where cross-party voters actually make a difference in a primary election--back in 1949. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
This week, Michael is joined by Professor of Public Administration Heywood Sanders, as well as journalist and blogger Neul DeMause (author of Field of Schemes https://www.fieldofschemes.com/) to break down the one-page jobs report for the proposed Alexandria arena, recently shared by Monumental after months of requests. They discuss the plausibility of the estimates, the questionable assumptions, and the lack of commitments for if the estimates don't pan out--and why they're skeptical about putting millions of taxpayer dollars into the project.
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: The AFL-CIO is opposing the proposed arena and entertainment district in the Potomac Yard area of Alexandria, dealing a major blow to legislation now under consideration at the state Capitol in Richmond. The labor groups say the developer should have entered into a labor agreement, adding that the existing bill is a bad deal for workers. The right to abortion has been a flashpoint in Virginia politics ever since the United States Supreme Court eliminated constitutional protections. Wednesday, thousands of people came to Richmond to call for abortion rights to be rolled back or repealed altogether. Many of them were not interested in talking to the legacy media. On Tuesday, the Senate of Virginia passed a bill to eliminate tax exempt status for Confederate heritage organizations. But until lawmakers pass a bill to remove Stonewall Jackson, he will continue to occupy a prominent spot facing the north entrance to the Capitol. TRIVIA: When did Virginia impose the one term limit on governors? At the Watercooler: - Takeaways from Speaker Scott's Black and White Gala - Reacting to WAMU firing 15 journalists on their DCist project and taking down the archive Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
Former House candidate Susanna Gibson joins Michael and Lauren for her first-ever podcast appearance, discussing the Washington Post story and the Republican smear campaign that brought her race under scrutiny--all from videos that she never consented to being recorded, re-hosted, and distributed years after they were streamed. They discuss her support for Delegate Irene Shin's bill to crack down on non-consensual distribution of intimate images--so-called "revenge porn," which does real damage to both private citizens and prospective candidates, especially as the prevalence of nude images has become more common. Plus, some tidbits from the Speaker's Black and White Gala, the Virginia Capital Correspondents' Association Banquet, and some takeaways on crisis communications from both Lauren and Susanna.
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: Democrats say they're not worried about the governor's threat to veto a raise in the minimum wage. They campaigned on the issue, and now they have made this their top priority -- House bill one and Senate bill one. License plate readers can read hundreds of license plates a second, technology that law enforcement officials say helps track down stolen cars or human trafficking. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says now is the time to create some guardrails, but the Senate rejected Suovell’s version of the bill last week after a passionate speech from Senator Laschrese Aird. With a Republican in the Executive Mansion, the minority in the General Assembly actually plays a very important role in conversations here about everything from banning books to informing parents when students overdose on fentanyl. Republicans are hoping parental rights can be a powerful tool for leverage. TRIVIA: WHICH STATE SENATOR HAS APPEARED ON THE DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW AND THE DAILY SHOW? At the Watercooler: - The embarassing Tweet from the Virginia GOP lying about House Speaker Don Scott's past - The arena deal looks dead--and Michael explains the dubious claims on the released jobs proposal Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Everyone's favorite General Assembly game show is back as Michael sits down with Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and Delegate Marcus Simon, to get their takes on the Alexandria arena getting voted down, Governor Youngkin's partisan speech, kicking members off committees, bill hearings, and skill games.
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: Protestors gathered in Captiol Square to oppose the proposed Alexandria arena. Supporters of the arena say it'll create 30,000 jobs, but they have yet to provide information about what kind of assumptions were made to calculate those numbers. Democratic Senator Jennifer Boysko of Herndon says Virginia should outlaw candidates using campaign money the way former Congressman George Santos did, paying for luxury goods from Farragamo and Sephora. Senator Saddam Salim from Fairfax County has a bill that would legalize accessory dwelling units, but the idea that land owners might be able to subdivide their property into additional units is going too far for some Republicans. TRIVIA: WHAT DOES THE L IN "SENATOR L LOUISE LUCAS" STAND FOR? At the Watercooler: - A look into the too-short time given to testimony during session - How much leverage do the Democrats and Republicans have in getting the Arena deal versus priorities like marijuana licenses? Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Virginia's left and right wings join together on Pod Virginia once more; this time, as Michael is joined by Shawn Weneta of the ACLU of Virginia and Ben Knotts of Americans for Prosperity. They're working together to advocate for bills reform the state prison system. One bill would grant incarcerated people a "second look"-- a chance to petition the court to review and adjust their sentences if they meet certain criteria and the court finds good cause to change the sentence. Another would reform the cost of phone calls to and from prisons. They say the bills would create incentives for incarcerated Virginians to improve their lives and stay connected with their families--improving recidivism rates and making prisons safer places for everyone.
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: Democrats and Republicans are standing together in a rare bipartisan effort to get rid of legacy admissions in colleges and universities. But while the Governor has signaled his approval, his comments also suggest his dismissal of affirmative action. A lot of Democratic priorities were cut from the budget, including paid sick days. Lawmakers say that's because the budget is tighter than Governor Youngkin's initial proposed budget let on. School boards across Virginia might soon be out of luck if they want to ban books from their libraries, if a new bill from Senator Hashmi passes the legislature. TRIVIA: WHICH MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES NOW RANKS #1 IN SENIORITY? (HINT: HE WAS ELECTED IN 1989) At the Watercooler: - Journalist Jeremy Lazarus will no longer be at the Richmond Free Press--and the larger dire straits of investigative journalism - The prospective casino in Tyson's Corner is likely dead on arrival based on the signs from its first subcomittee meeting. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Former Delegates-turned-lobbyists Brian Moran (D-46) and David Ramadan (R-87) join Michael from the General Assemby building to talk about the strategy and prospects of a whole host of bills making their way through the General Assembly this year--from marijuana licensing to the car tax, plus the fall of Democratic priorities like paid sick days and the minimum wage. They also discuss the arena deal and skill games in small stores, topics on which they're currently serving as lobbyists.
Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia VPLC https://vplc.org/ This week, Michael is joined by Jay Speer and Christie Marra of the Virginia Poverty Law Center, to learn what bills the VPLC are supporting in this year's General Assembly sessions. Those bills include ones to combat shady practices from realtors, loophole payday loans, and unfair fees and rent increases from predatory landlords.
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: During the pandemic, convenience store owners and truck stop owners benefited financially from having games similar to slot machines in their businesses. Now lawmakers are considering a bill that would bring them back permanently. Senator Danica Roem, a former journalist, knows that local governments often use exorbitant fees to restrict access to public documents. That's why she has a bill aimed at fixing the problem. Her bill would require local governments to offer eight free hours of researching FOIA requests -- billable hours that they can currently charge for. When Democrats were in control of the House, Senate and governor's office they failed to create a system to license people to sell marijuana. Then when Republicans took control of the House of Delegates, and further derailed the effort. Now Senator Adam Ebbin of Alexandria has a bill that will create a system of people to have licenses to sell marijuana--but the Governor insists he's not interested in partaking. TRIVIA: WHICH VIRGINIAN WAS GOVERNOR OF THE FREE STATE OF FRANKLIN AND TENNESSEE? At the Watercooler: - The decision by a Richmond judge to release the report of last year's graduation shooting--and what the report shows. - Some classing hazing in the General Assembly for the new cohort of legislators. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia This week, Michael is joined by Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg, Delegate Joshua Cole, and Delegate Adele McClure to break down some of their proposed bills to address Virginia's ongoing housing crises: rising rents, increased homelessness, and Virginians getting priced out of home-buying across the state. These bills include Delegate McClure's bill to allow single-staircase buildings--lowering staircase requirements to make development easier, Delegate Cole's bill on Faith in Housing--making it easier for faith-based organizations to build affordable housing on their property, and Senator VanValkenburg's bill to allowing housing in commercial zoning, encouraging mixed-use zoning. And, of course, the hot topic of localities eliminating single-unit zoning.
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: Delegate Don Scott has become the new Speaker of the House--the first Black Speaker in Virginia's history. And his election came alongside several new Committee Chairs that could mean big changes in the balance of power in Richmond. House Majority Leader Charniele Herring has introduced a constitutional amendment to change the restoration of voting rights for people convicted of felonies--making it automatic, rather than dependent on the Governor's will. And it seems there's some bipartisan energy behind the effort. Governor Youngkin says he wants to get rid of the car tax--but he didn't put it in his legacy budget proposal. It doesn't seem likely to happen, but the issue may serve as a rhetorical win in upcoming elections . TRIVIA: WHEN THE OFFICIAL PORTRAIT OF LT. GOVERNOR JUSTIN FAIRFAX IS ADDED TO THE SENATE CHAMBER, WHOSE PORTRAIT WILL BE REMOVED? At the Watercooler: - Activate Virginia is making a FOIA request to learn more about the high school graduation shooting in Richmond. For some reason, the state is fighting it. - GA Staffers say the emails they're receiving about the Arena deal are overwhelmingly negative. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
Everyone's favorite General Assembly game show is back as Michael sits down with Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Alexandria Assistant City Manager Sarah Taylor to get their takes Governor Youngkin's State of the Commonwealth Address, proposed taxes and tax cuts, the Potomac Yard arena deal, and the new General Assembly building. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PodVA Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: Democrats, who are about to control the General Assembly have a variety of viewpoints on Governor Glenn Youngkin's proposal to create a new tax on "digital personal property" -- especially considering the governor wants to pair it with a huge income tax cut that will disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Virginians. During the pandemic, the federal government provided millions of dollars to help families with childcare. Now that money is about to expire, and low-income parents across Virginia are trying to figure out what happens next. Governor Youngkin says the General Assembly need to step in and bridge the gap. That's why he's proposing more than $400 million to make sure low-income families are able to keep access to childcare. He also wants to invest $25 million to build capacity in childcare deserts. If the General Assembly creates a new authority that would own a proposed sports arena in Alexandria, the land in Potomac Yard where the arena would be built would be taken off the tax rolls. Thats’ a huge tax break for sports franchises that stand to make a lot of money on the deal--but one Pod Virginia guest says the deal isn't nearly as good for the Virginia taxpayer. TRIVIA: WHICH TWO DEMOCRATS ARE NOW SEATED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE? At the Watercooler: - Ex-Capitol police officer Harry Dunn announces a run for Maryland's 3rd District - Pod Virginia launches its officia Discord for listeners who want to support the show Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
LINKS: Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Good Jobs First https://goodjobsfirst.org/ This week, Michael is joined by Greg LeRoy, author of The Great American Jobs Scam: Corporate Tax Dodging and the Myth of Job Creation https://www.amazon.com/Great-American-Jobs-Scam-Corporate/dp/1576753158 to break down the proposal to build a $2 billion sports arena in Alexandria. The proposal claims 30,000 jobs will be created in return for Virginia taxpayers footing the initial cost--but LeRoy says "economic development" projects don't create lasting jobs and tend to shuffle around existing money. They break down the mechanics of the deal, the costs and benefits, and how state subsidies for the arena might not be worth it after all.
LINKS: Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: Governor Youngkin's legacy budget proposal is out, and to kick off the year, Michael and Lauren break down some of the biggest takeaways. Youngkin is proposing cutting the top income tax bracket from 5.75% to 5.1%, giving a huge tax cut to the wealthiest Virginians -- especially the top one percent. He's also proposing a "tech tax" capturing a sales tax on a new category of "digital personal property" -- including your download of Microsoft Word or your subscription to Spotify. What the budget proposal does NOT include: any tricks to defund abortion. Advocates for reproductive freedom say they're pleased, but some are are worried the proposal removes funding for services to low-income Virginians who receive dangerous fetal diagnoses. TRIVIA: WHICH VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN DID PRESIDENT WILSON APPOINT AS SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY? At the Watercooler: - Despite violent crime sitting at an all-time low--but some Republican ads from the last cycle contained racialized anti-crime messages straight out of the Willie Horton era, especially targeting Black candidates. - Some political "odd-couples" in the new General Assembly--some combinations of committee chairs that might make for an interesting legislative session. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
LINKS: Sponsor: Early Impact Virginia https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ This week, Michael, Thomas, and Lauren sit around the fireplace and talk about 2023 in Virginia politics--from Chinese farmland in the State of the Commonwealth through upset primary victories in redistricted seats all the way to the Democrats winning the general election. In this two-parter, they go through the top 10 episodes of Pod Virginia from the year, reacting to the stories and predictions that aired with the benefit of some holiday-season hindsight. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
LINKS: Sponsor: Early Impact Virginia https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ This week, Michael, Thomas, and Lauren sit around the fireplace and talk about 2023 in Virginia politics--from Chinese farmland in the State of the Commonwealth through upset primary victories in redistricted seats all the way to the Democrats winning the general election. In this two-parter, they go through the top 10 episodes of Pod Virginia from the year, reacting to the stories and predictions that aired with the benefit of some holiday-season hindsight. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
LINKS: Sponsor: Early Impact Virginia https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia This week, Michael is joined by Steve Babson, a labor educator and author of Forgotten Populists: When Farmers Turned Left to Save Democracy https://www.forgottenpopulists.com/book. The book explores a forgotten chapter of history--the 1890s, before the era of Jim Crowe, when Black and white farmers allied under the mantle of "populists"--fighting to expand democracy and resist the robber barons of the era.
LINKS: Sponsor: Early Impact Virginia https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ Learn more about Jackleg Media http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Check out Black Virginia News https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: Virginia has seven news deserts, and the news blackout is only growing. A new report from the State of Local News Project shows that in the last 20 years, one third of America's newspapers have stopped the presses. . The license plate on your car may soon be a data point followed by 73 local police departments and sheriff's offices, a dozen colleges and universities plus two dozen homeowners associations and civic associations. Critics worry that this technology can be used to investigate what store you shop at, which political rallies you are attending and even which doctors you are visiting. Community service boards across Virginia are receiving almost $60 million as part of a plan to add new crisis receiving centers and stabilization units across Virginia. The administration says the receiving centers will play an important role in making sure people in a mental health crisis don't get caught up in the criminal justice system. TRIVIA: WHICH NEIGHBORHOOD IN RICHMOND GOT ITS NAME BECAUSE OF HOW THE STREETS ARE ARRANGED? At the Watercooler: - Chatter and buzz about DC sports teams looking to move to Alexandria - Abigail Spanberger's push to bring whole milk back to public schools has successfully passed the House Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
