Calvin Pynn
All Things Considered Host / ReporterCalvin Pynn is WMRA's local All Things Considered Host and works as a full-time reporter in the WMRA newsroom.
Calvin has also spent time as WMRA's Sunday morning host, and as a free-lance radio reporter, writer, and photographer based in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Originally hailing from the New River Valley, his career has been a continuous back and forth switch between radio broadcasting and print journalism. Before earning his bachelors degree in English from Radford University in 2012, Calvin held various positions at the university's radio station, WVRU 89.9, and was also the Arts and Entertainment Editor for RU's newspaper, The Tartan. From 2013 to 2015, he reported for The Southwest Times in Pulaski, VA. He has also contributed articles to The Roanoke Times, The Daily News-Record, and has also volunteered on air for Virginia Tech's radio station, WUVT 90.7, and recently for Staunton's community station, WQSV 106.3.
Calvin's reporting interests include business and technology, art and culture, human interest features, and the wider impact of social justice issues.
In his spare time, Calvin enjoys immersing himself in music - whether it's supporting local bands, going to major concerts, playing guitar, programming electronic music, or just listening to heavy metal. He also enjoys reading, riding his bike, and cooking.
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Andrew Payton is the Democratic candidate running to represent Virginia’s 34th district, which includes the city of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. He’s running against Republican incumbent Tony Wilt, who has represented the district since 2010. Payton is an educator and has long been a community organizer in Harrisonburg, although this is his first time as a political candidate. WMRA's Calvin Pynn asked him why he decided to run for office. -
Tony Wilt is the incumbent candidate running to represent Virginia’s 34th District, which is comprised of the city of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. A republican, Wilt has represented the district in Virginia’s House of Delegates since he was first elected in 2010. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn asked Wilt what he’s learned in his 15 years as Delegate. -
'Degenerate: the DeJarnette Project' is an original play by the Staunton arts organization 'The Off Center.' It incorporates a variety of performance styles - including clown cabaret and experimental puppetry - to explore the legacy of American eugenics at Staunton's Western State Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Joseph DeJarnette, a eugenicist who forcibly sterilized dozens of patients in the early 20th century. WMRA's Calvin Pynn spoke with co-writers Diana Black - who conducted research for the story - and Davey White, who directed the play. -
September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign highlighting the urgent need to end hunger. WMRA's Calvin Pynn spoke with Les Sinclair, Communications Manager for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank about food needs in our region and the efforts underway to address those needs. -
The Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton celebrated contributions to American independence from the people of Virginia’s Frontier ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary... Candidates for Virginia’s lieutenant governor are making their pitches to local leaders... Democrats disagree with Governor Glenn Youngkin’s positive outlook on the state’s economy ... Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Corrections struggles to fill open jobs... And Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government -
The Harrisonburg City Council has postponed a rezoning request for a controversial property downtown... Public school enrollment is expected to decline in the next decade... The E-P-A is cancelling a program that would expand solar energy... The Wildlife Center of Virginia released two bald eagles that were in its care... And near Richmond, federal immigration agents detained the 19-year-old son of an Afghan refugee
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The University of Virginia’s student council declared “no confidence” in the school’s board of visitors... A jury trial for executives of the company Nexus has been delayed again... Governor Glenn Youngkin has ordered stronger oversight of Virginia nursing homes... The Republican candidate for governor is accused of violating disclosure laws... And the ACLU is suing the state of Virginia over disenfranchisement of felons
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The Virginia National Guard will begin training with ICE this month... The Wildlife Center of Virginia will release two bald eagles... Poll workers are being recruited ahead of election season... A former associate of the embattled company Nexus has opened a 3D printing business... Higher education is hot topic among candidates running for the Virginia House of Delegates... And community leaders got a chance to meet the new executive director for the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity
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The University of Virginia ends a decades-long program for low-income students... People may be leaving the state of Virginia as its considered a high tax state... A controversial data center proposed for Northern Virginia is on hold... The Virginia Department of Social Services shared SNAP applicants data with the federal government... And Williamsburg launched an outreach program to serve people without housing...
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The cost of health care through the health insurance marketplace is likely to increase... Virginia Republicans are embracing early voting... Virginia Commonwealth University removes references to race in scholarships... Researchers at Old Dominion University discover 5,000 year old sand dunes... Students learn how to care for animals at the Wildlife Center of Virginia... And politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government...
