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Bob Leweke

News Director / Morning Edition Host

Bob Leweke is WMRA's News Director and Morning Edition host.

Before coming to public radio in 2003, Bob had worked for The Roanoke Times as a circulation manager and writer.  He later became a member of the communication faculty at Pikeville College in Kentucky, and at Bridgewater College in Virginia, where he taught public speaking, mass media law, communication theory and other courses.  Bob holds degrees in communication and political science from Virginia Tech, and a doctorate in mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  In 2015 and 2016, the readers of the Daily News-Record voted him “Best Radio Personality.”

In his hours away from WMRA, Bob enjoys music, cycling, reading and movie-watching, and spending time with his family doing all of the above.

  • The man who murdered a Wintergreen police officer will spend nearly 50 years in prison…Our candidate conversation series continues with Cathy Rec, the Democrat running for Virginia’s 33rd House district seat…How will a federal government shutdown impact Virginians, and the state's economy?
  • Now that Virginia’s “bell-to-bell” ban on cellphones in public schools is in effect, we check in with educators and students…Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan is updated…We take a look at the latest trend in direct mail political persuasion during this year’s campaigns….
  • Shenandoah National Park remains a major engine for the local economy…A whitetail deer is found with Chronic Wasting Disease in Page County…The Republican decision to cut federal energy assistance could mean life or death for many Virginians….
  • 19 people are injured after rushing the field at Scott Stadium following Friday’s UVa win over Florida State...A state commission looks into the historic role that public universities, including Longwood, have played in the uprooting of Black communities...We preview this year’s Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville....
  • Sixth District Representative Ben Cline holds a rare town hall meeting in Lexington...Our candidate conversations continue with Andrew Payton, the Democrat challenging Del. Tony Wilt...Jeff Schapiro surveys the week in Virginia politics....
  • A judge orders the manager of Natural Bridge Zoo to turn over two missing baby giraffes or face jail time...State Senator Bryce Reeves says he will run against U.S. Senator Mark Warner...We launch our candidate conversations series with Harrisonburg-area delegate and Republican incumbent Tony Wilt....
  • Housing affordability, especially high rent, is one of the top issues in this year’s Virginia elections...Republican districts lead the way in early voting...The Love Forward Foundation provides a creative haven in Staunton to help families of the incarcerated heal and grow....
  • Protesters confront Rockingham County Republicans at an event for the Earle-Sears gubernatorial campaign...We speak with a local prosecutor and a retired state police officer about whether due process was followed in the arrests of two bridge protesters...The Wildlife Center in Waynesboro is working to save bald eagles that have ingested lead from carcasses....
  • A case of measles identified in eastern Virginia triggers a massive and expensive effort to track down those exposed...What precincts are more likely than others to have early voters?...The Silk Moth stage in Dayton offers its latest play, “The Wanting Forest”....
  • Hundreds gather in Winchester to memorialize Charlie Kirk...Early voting in Virginia starts today, and we have analysis from Jeff Schapiro...We meet the writers of a new play that explores the legacy of American eugenics at Staunton's Western State Hospital....