Ayse Pirge
Freelance ReporterAyse Pirge graduated in Fall 2021 from the College of William and Mary with a BA in English. She is also interested in writing stories and poetry, and hopes to publish a poetry chapbook.
-
A grant from the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham last year helped expand offerings at the Corner Cupboard Food Pantry. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
Public schools in Virginia are now required to ban student cell phone usage during school hours, a result of legislation signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in late May. But what does that mean now that school is back in session? WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
SNAP-Ed is a federally funded program that helps people learn how to be physically active and cook healthy meals. The program also helps people use their food assistance benefits, known as SNAP, more efficiently. But the SNAP-Ed program has been cut in this year’s massive budget bill, along with record cuts to SNAP itself. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
Patients are now able to get primary care services through Augusta Health’s new traveling clinic. It was made possible with lots of support from community donors. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
The latest update to Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan aims to maintain and improve our natural habitats. A public comment period for protected species runs through Friday, July 18th, so the public can weigh in too. WMRA's Ayse Pirge reports. -
After more than a decade at the helm of Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, C-E-O Michael McKee will retire at the end of June. In this exit interview with WMRA’s Ayse Pirge, he looks back at his time at the food bank, and talks about current problems for the hunger relief network. -
Agriculture and forest industries provide more than $100 billion to Virginia’s economy. They also create nearly half a million jobs in the state. And Virginia exports products, such as cattle and wood commodities, around the world. So how is President Trump’s trade war affecting that? WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
Plans for a new co-op market in Winchester began last year, and it’s currently in the first stage of development. The goal is to build a full-service, community-owned grocery store where people can shop even if they’re not a member. WMRA's Ayse Pirge reports. -
Grocery costs increased again last year. And potential cuts to food benefits from Congress this year could further strain local food banks. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
A lack of access to food can contribute to health problems, including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And people with both health problems and inadequate health insurance often have to choose between eating, or getting their medicine. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge [EYE-shuh PEER-guh] has this report.
