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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Gregg Bissonette has drummed for dozens of artists over his 40 year career. He has been the drummer for Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band since 2008. Bissonette shared tips and tricks during a workshop in Harrisonburg Wednesday night. WMRA's Calvin Pynn was there. -
The closure of Spirit Airlines is already being felt in Virginia... Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed legislation that would help plaintiffs in class action lawsuits... expensive upgrades are delaying energy to Virginia’s power grid… and UVA Health announced a new wireless pacemaker… -
Local advocates are rallying this week in support of Haitian and Syrian immigrants as the U-S Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding Temporary Protected Status... Meanwhile, in Virginia, the state Supreme Court heard arguments in a challenge to the congressional redistricting effort... Voter confusion could explain why Democrats underperformed in last week’s referendum vote, despite winning… Governor Abigail Spanberger marked her first 100 days in office touting legislative victories… and a new cat café opens in Winchester…
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The Supreme Court of Virginia will hear oral arguments today regarding last week’s vote in favor of a constitutional amendment that would redraw the state’s congressional districts... We’ll have a preview of today’s arguments and how a nearly century-old ruling could inform today’s hearing... Meanwhile dozens of horses were quarantined after exposure to a disease at an event in Culpeper County… and fluctuating temperatures over the past week have impacted Virginia’s wineries…
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David Beasley is the former Governor of South Carolina, and most recently served as the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize under his leadership. He will speak at James Madison University’s “Rocco Forum on the Future” on Friday. I asked Beasley how his time as governor prepared him for humanitarian work. -
Reverend Karen Mann is a pastor with Sojourners United Church of Christ in Charlottesville. Her work in ministry has led her to participate in issues impacting her community, like immigration advocacy. With a background in farming, Mann’s work as a pastor has also included a focus on climate change. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn asked Mann how her faith informs her views on climate change. -
Jim Schmidt is James Madison University’s seventh president. He will be inaugurated Wednesday, April 8, as his first academic year at JMU comes to a close. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn, asked Schmidt about the feedback he’s heard from students, faculty and staff regarding JMU’s future. -
Legislation is moving through the General Assembly to limit ICE operations in Virginia... Meanwhile state senators debate online gambling... The minimum wage in Virginia is set to increase… and a federal judge has ruled in favor of Flock Safety cameras…
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Students from Harrisonburg City Public Schools staged a walkout in protest of immigration enforcement... A proposed ICE detention facility will not be advancing in Augusta County... The Supreme Court of Virginia has given the green light on voting for redistricting in the Commonwealth... calls for HIV prevention funding are growing in Richmond… and legislation to protect Virginians against debt collectors and wildlife against oncoming traffic are among the bills working their way through the General Assembly this past week…
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Following the announcement in December that Court Square Theater in Harrisonburg would close at the end of 2025, several organizations gathered to keep the theater open for the foreseeable future. The Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which owns the space, agreed to take on the financial responsibilities, while the ACT ONE Theater Company will operate Court Square Theater over the next year. I asked JP Gulla, ACT ONE’s executive director, why they stepped in to run the space.
