Latvia Weekly

With time ticking before an August 20th deadline set by opposition parties, in which Rīga City Council must agree upon a new mayor or face extraordinary elections, former Mayor Nils Ušakovs phones in from Brussels with an offer that key independent councillors seem eager to refuse. Joe and Otto discuss potential stalemate-breaking scenarios as well as a scandal-plagued bridge, a showdown over the University of Latvia rector's election, a major win for Latvian beach volleyball, and a fake will scandal straight out of Latvian soap operas.

11 Aug 201958min

Otto has returned to Latvia to celebrate a major anniversary with Joe! No, not the show's 40th episode, but the 100th birthday of Latvijas Dzelceļš, the country's rail authority! Other topics of discussion include major updates to the Kariņš government's plans, a drought in the south of Kurzeme, a new US ambassador to Latvia, and a bridge that belongs to no one in desperate need of repairs. Opening and closing music by Anna Veisa Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am

6 Aug 201957min

After 58 days and over 1500 km of cycling, Latvian-Australian Kris Akenfelds has brought his journey across Latvia to a close and joins Joe once again in Jelgava to tell stories from the eastern half of his journey as well as some of his major takeaways from spending summer all throughout the Latvian countryside. Photo Credit: Ivo Kruusamägi https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lake_Al%C5%ABksne.jpg Opening and closing music: Bicycle - Reunited by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-fre…isrc=USUAN1100870 Artist: incompetech.com/

2 Aug 201949min

With Otto and Olevs still away in America, recently returned cross-country cyclist and regular contributor Kris Akenfelds sits down with Joe to discuss more trouble at Latvijas Radio, the country-wide blocking of a Russian news portal, countryside residents' opinions of regional reform, and whether to regulate parking of the newly popular electric scooters.

29 Juli 201956min

With debate season in full swing back in his home country of America, Joe sat down this week with Latvian Debate Association "Quo Tu Domā?" board members Rasmuss Filips Geks and Edgars Klētnieks to discuss bringing critical thinking to the classroom, building logical arguments, evaluating information sources and much more. Take a break from arguing with your Facebook friends for an hour to listen in and improve your debating skills today! Opening and closing music by Austra Apsīte

28 Juli 20191h

As the New Conservative Party (JKP) signals that their willingness to cooperate with the rest of the Kariņš government coalition is running low, the government searches for a solution to the Latvian Radio funding crisis. Otto phones in from Washington DC to discuss these topics with Joe and much more, including a possible rise to minimum wage, a Latvian national being held captive by Iran, and great news for Latvia's rail network. All this, plus a final check-in from Latvian-Australian cross-country cyclist Kris Akenfelds — don't miss it! Opening and closing music by Anna Veisa Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am

23 Juli 201959min

For the first interview episode in some time, Joe sat down with freelance journalist and voice of "The Baltic Reports" podcast Anna Ūdre to discuss a wide range of topics including the pros and cons of working as a freelancer in Latvia, the relationship between politicians and media, the role of advertising in funding public media, and much more!

21 Juli 201951min

Despite the short amount of time between episodes, there was plenty for Joe to discuss with Otto in his first time back on the show this month, with developments in the Baiba Broka bribery case, threats by Jaunā konservatīvā partija to sack Rīga city council altogether, major economic statistics released for the first half of 2019, and much more! They were even finally able to finally call Latvian-Australian cross-country cyclist Kris Akenfelds to hear about his latest adventures and misadventures throughout Eastern Latvia. This is one transatlantic discussion you won't want to miss! Opening and closing music by Anna Veisa Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am

15 Juli 201956min