Bob Leweke
News Director / Morning Edition HostBob 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. You can follow him on Twitter @WMRAnews.
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Some of the $200 million in federal funding for community projects is coming to our region to help pay for housing, a Valley rail trail and other projects… The Virginia Board of Education will consider a new draft of state history standards, and we have more from Richmond and the General Assembly… Full Disclosure’s Roben Farzad discusses the impact of AI chatbot technology…. -
Agricultural officials report a second case of avian influenza in Rockingham County… In the General Assembly, lawmakers debate bills to ban solitary confinement, expand broadband, and allow for a casino in Petersburg… But it looks like a proposal to legalize deer hunting year round won’t go anywhere….
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Senator Warner says that it’s time for Republicans to ‘put up or shut up’ in their demands for spending cuts before they agree to raise the debt ceiling… Democrats in the General Assembly kill three Republican bills that would have restricted abortion access, and we have a report and analysis from Jeff Schapiro… In our latest episode of Folklife Fieldnotes, we head to the local basements where punk music thrives….
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State Senator Creigh Deeds introduces a bill to fund an expansion of mental health services… Senate Democrats block Republican legislation that would remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative… Every seat in the General Assembly is up for election this year, and lawmakers are considering greater use of ranked-choice voting….
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In the General Assembly, Republicans advance the much of the governor’s tax relief agenda, but that’s less certain in the Democratic-led Senate… Young women in Albemarle County mobilize to ensure access to period products… Farmers in Rockingham County gather for a program that aims to reduce work-related injuries….
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A busy General Assembly this week, debating further gun control measures, deadlines for farmers to reduce runoff, and smart technology… Full Disclosure’s Roben Farzad joins us to discuss a big new announcement from Amazon and the state government to build more data centers, but there’s much concern over those plans….
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A judge throws out former Charlottesville police chief Rashall Brackney’s $10 million lawsuit against the city… In the General Assembly, Democrats are poised to block Republican efforts to roll back election reforms, and abortion rights…. We evaluate Republican claims that President Biden will unleash 87,000 IRS agents on taxpayers….
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Two big proposed developments, one in Harrisonburg, one in Charlottesville, illustrate the complex issues involved in promoting affordable housing… The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber speaks at Bridgewater College to mark celebrations of Martin Luther King, Jr’s. legacy… We have an update on activity in the General Assembly, and a review of the week in Richmond with Jeff Schapiro….
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The General Assembly has eliminated the state’s portion of the grocery tax, and while localities still have that tax option, lawmakers may get rid of that too… The leader of the foundation that runs Monticello resigns… A challenge by losing candidates to the special election to fill the late Donald McEachin’s seat fails in court….
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UVa Health says calls to its poison center for children unintentionally consuming edible marijuana products, nearly tripled last year… In the General Assembly, Senate Democrats defeat several Republican efforts to repeal a so-called “clean cars” law… Some lawmakers want to roll back recent changes in how Virginia’s elections work….
