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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Open enrollment is underway for Virginia’s health insurance marketplace. However, with federal tax subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, per the federal spending bill that was signed this week, Virginians could see much higher monthly premiums. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn spoke with Keven Patchett, the director of Virginia’s Health Benefit Exchange, about what to expect. -
As more extreme weather events, such as heatwaves are occurring more frequently during the summer, physicians are paying close attention to their impact on the human body. Dr. Abigail Hankin-Wei is an emergency medicine doctor in the Shenandoah Valley and a board member on the committee Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action. WMRA's Calvin Pynn asked her about the health impacts of climate change that she’s seen in her patients. -
Jena Crisler is the Democratic candidate running for the House of Delegates to represent Virginia’s 35th District, which includes parts of Augusta, Rockingham, Bath and Highland Counties. Her opponent is Republican incumbent Chris Runion. Crisler, a semi-retired physician, is a first-time candidate. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn asked Crisler what inspired her to run for public office. -
Chris Runion is the incumbent Republican candidate running for re-election to the House of Delegates to represent Virginia's 35th District, which includes parts of Augusta, Rockingham, Bath and Highland Counties. He previously represented Virginia's 25th District from when he first took office in 2020 until 2023. WMRA's Calvin Pynn asked Runion about what he's learned during his first few years in the House of Delegates. -
WMRA previously reported on the Blue Ridge Free Clinic’s plan to offer dental care onsite this year. Now, mental health care will be included among the services provided at the clinic. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn reports. -
The candidates in Virginia’s gubernatorial election clashed in a debate last Thursday night, while nuclear power appears to be a shared interest between Democrats and Republicans in the commonwealth... The federal shutdown has halted flood insurance in Virginia... the state may soon lift restrictions on harvesting blue catfish... journalist David Poole talks about his new book ahead of his appearance for WMRA’s Books and Brews... -
Makayla Venable is the Democratic candidate running to represent the 36th District in Virginia House of Delegates. The District – which includes Staunton, Waynesboro, and parts of Augusta County – is currently represented by incumbent Republican candidate Ellen Campbell. Venable is a first-time candidate but has a background working in healthcare which, as she told me, influenced her to run for office. -
The Super Gr8 Film Festival returns to Harrisonburg this weekend after a several-year hiatus. It’s chance for aspiring filmmakers to shoot a short movie with a Super 8 camcorder and a single roll of film, with the final product shown for the first time to participants and audiences alike. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn spoke with Paul Somers, one of Super Gr8’s founders, who detailed the festival’s return. -
Cathy Rec is the democratic candidate running for Virginia’s House of Delegates representing the 33rd district, which includes Shenandoah and Page Counties. -
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.
