Latvia Weekly

Otto and Olevs discuss the latest drama in the Rīga City Council as well as some interesting stories regarding passenger rail, constitutional issues, and much more!

With school beginning again in person despite some uncertainty due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Joe invites three of his students and one of his colleagues to discuss how they feel about the new study year and a number of other important stories from throughout the last two weeks. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission.

Join Otto as he takes a special look at the results of the Rīga City Council extraordinary election, discussing the events of the last few days, breaking down how each party did, and predicting the future coalition which is expected to elect Mārtiņš Staķis as the new mayor of Rīga.

Join Otto and Joe as they take a look through the week's most important stories such as the ongoing violence in Belarus, the opening of a self-driving bus route in Jelgava, a return of vehicular traffic to Tērbatas iela, an apparent pay raise for lecturers this September, and more!

Although Latvia's COVID situation resembles more of the tiny waves seen in a lake on a breezy day than the large "second wave" people have long feared, not everyone agrees about the best way to move forward with the school year imminent. Kārlis and Patrīcija join Joe to discuss the latest situation as well as a number of other news stories from throughout the week including self-driving buses in Jelgava, large amounts of confiscated marijuana, and a surprise exit by one of Latvia's most...

Kārlis Streips joins Otto and Joe on a rainy afternoon for a jumbo-sized episode where they discuss a number of different topics including brand new polling data in the Rīga City Council elections, a presidential proposal to move public media away from ad revenue, a new way to find fresh food, plans for a new major wind farm, updates to the COVID situation, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Otto and Joe return for part two of their series breaking down the Rīga City Council elections, this time looking at the parties not currently in city council who are attempting to get elected into it. Parties covered in this episode include: Politiskā partija "Alternative" Politiskā partija "KPV LV" Jaunā Saskaņa Zaļo un Zemnieku savienība "Latvijas Krievu savienība" Partija "Vienoti Latvijai" Nacionālā Savienība TAISNĪGUMS Rīcības partija "Centra Partija" Music: "Prelude" by Yakov Golman:...

In the first installment of their guide to the 2020 Rīga City Council Elections, Otto and Joe take a look at the programs of the six parties who are already in the council, as well as explain a bit about their backgrounds. Parties covered: "Saskaņa" sociāldemokrātiskā partija Partija "Gods kalpot Rīgai" Jaunā konservatīvā partija Nacionālā apvienība "Visu Latvijai!"-"Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNK", Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība Attīstībai/Par!, "PROGRESĪVIE" Jaunā VIENOTĪBA Music: "Prelude" by...

Kārlis Streips joins Joe on a sweltering summer afternoon to discuss major happenings throughout Latvia such as the ministry's hot-off-the-press plans "A, B, and C" to return Latvia to school, the blockbuster new EU budget, another planned teachers' strike, renovations for train stations, and, of course, the latest COVID situation. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source:...

Daudz laimes dzimšanas dienā! In honor of Kārlis Streips' birthday, we are uploading an interview Joe did with our esteemed co-host about the many hats he has worn in Latvian media, his experience moving to Latvia from America and then living in Rīga throughout the entire post-occupation period, and his work as a literature translator.

The Summer of COVID in Latvia continues without any major spikes in cases so far, but the pandemic situation remains just as unpredictable as the upcoming Rīga City Council election, or the weather for that matter. Join Otto and Joe as they manage to talk through the latest developments while looking after Joe's newborn daughter, and find out why Koknese might be the best Latvian town worth visiting this summer! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather...

What was feared to be a COVID-19 spike here in Latvia seems to have been more of a bump or a blip, with reported daily cases back down to the low single digits after a worrisome few days of double digit positive cases. Otto and Joe discuss the ongoing situation and its effects on the economy and society, as well as a wide range of other stories including a potential year-round toll for visitors of Jūrmala, radars to trap drivers blowing red lights, a steep discount for people looking to buy...

Join Otto and Joe as they discuss the potential implications of a planned merger between Latvia's smaller universities in Jelgava, Daugavpils, and Liepāja, as well as other important stories from throughout the week. Please remember to stay safe as you go swimming this summer! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

With vacationing on the mind of many, Otto and Joe offer seven great places to visit here in Latvia this summer before discussing seasonal stories such as heat records, poisonous snakes, ferry travel, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

Joe is back with Otto just in time for the midsummer festival of Līgo/Jāņi and to discuss the dangers of traveling within and outside of Rīga, with more sinkholes opening throughout the city and the yearly risk of intoxicated drivers. They also argue about the future of a planned acoustic concert hall and talk through other important stories from the week such as a somewhat surprising increase to doctors' and teachers' salaries, a very suspicious shooting range, and a brand new prosecutor...

After years of discussion, the map has officially been redrawn with 41 municipalities. Otto, Olevs, and Kārlis discuss the implications of this decision as well as the lifting of the emergency situation and other important items of news from the week. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

As Latvia warms up for the summer, so does the push towards municipal and tax reforms. Kārlis, Olevs, and Otto discuss these issues along with protests in Rīga, more public transit issues, the latests news on upcoming city council elections, and the slow reopening of the country and loosening of COVID-19 restrictions. With Joe still on paternity leave following the birth of his new daughter, Otto and Kārlis discuss the planned end to Latvia's state of emergency in early June and other major...

With Joe still on paternity leave following the birth of his new daughter, Otto and Kārlis discuss the planned end to Latvia's state of emergency in early June and other major news stories from the last two weeks. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

Joe sits down with his fellow American-born colleagues Daira, Monika, Lauren, and Ingrida, who also taught English lessons as part of the Tava Klase educational TV channel during the COVID-19 crisis. They discuss their journeys from being born in the USA to ending up on Latvian national television, as well as their experiences initially adapting to life in Latvia. Opening music by Austra Apsīte

Spring 2020 takes a turn for the even more surreal, with snow blanketing much of Latvia in mid-May. Otto and Kārlis discuss the "sniegs" along with major news about regional reform, the upcoming election, and the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am