Latvia Weekly

While Otto and Olevs cover major international stories from far away in New York City, Joe and Matīss discuss questionable journalism about potential CO2 regulations, the blacklisting of a popular Russian singer, the challenges of Latvian language and driving exams, and much more!

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

Listen to Olevs and Otto interview Peter A. Ragauss, who serves as the Honorary Consul of Latvia to Texas, U.S., and a board member at the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation. He is an American Latvian with a strong connection from Latgale — the easternmost and arguably the most distinct part of Latvia. Find out how American, Latvian and Latgalian identities have formed Peter's personality, his way to success in America as a second generation immigrant and ways how he nowadays contributes to Latvia and Latgale in particular. You can also hear Peter's take on the development of Latvia since regaining independence and some ideas of the right way forward.

Otto, Olevs, and Kris join Joe and Līga in Jelgava to celebrate the Latvia Weekly Podcast's first birthday and discuss a range of issues including a new bottle deposit system, a change at the top of Saskaņa's leadership, President Levits' visit to Japan, and much more!

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

Otto and Olevs join Joe all the way from Berlin to discuss their most recent Baltic security initiatives as well as frost-resistant strawberries, Latvia's aging and CO2-happy car fleet, Jelgava's unhappy mayor, great achievements by Latvia's star female athletes, and much more!

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

As they celebrate their 50th episode with a new theme song by sports correspondent Jorens Šteinhauers, Otto and Joe discuss the topsy-turvy week that Latvia's ministers had, with Finance Minister Jānis Reirs handing in the 2020 budget, Education Minister Ilga Šuplinska surviving a vote of no confidence and continuing her fight against Univeristy of Latvia rector Indriķis Muižnieks, Environment and Regional Development Minister Juris Pūce giving more way on regional reform, and Defense Minister Artis Pabriks finding himself in hot water over comments about the Latvian Legion.

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

With Otto busy preparing for the important yearly Riga Conference, Joe covers domestic drama such as the arrest of former Mayor of Daugavpils Rihards Eigims, renewed charges against current Mayor of Jurmala Gatis Truksnis, a football match fixing scandal, a possible solution to Rīga's trash problem, and much more! Otto and Joe did get a chance to discuss some major international stories together such as President Levits' visit to Estonia and Latvia's Brexit position, and Jöran and Oliver join us as usual to talk about the latest in sports.

Opening and closing music by Anna Veisa

This jam packed episode starts with a slate of bad news for Minister of Education Ilga Šuplinska and her Jaunā konservatīva partija but hardly ends there, with major stories including changes to citizenship law, a worrisome climate study, dramas both backstage at the legendary Dailes Theater and on Ķekava City Council, minimum income and pension increases, and the introduction of Burger King to the Baltic States. Segments also include a call to Daugavpils, Latvia Sports Weekly with Jöran and Oliver, the week in history, and more!

Otto and Joe make a call to new Liepāja resident Kris Akenfelds to discuss newly announced plans for increased rail service to "the city where wind was born," while sports correspondents Jöran and Oliver call in to discuss the latest happenings in Latvian football. Major stories discussed this week include updates to the kindergarten food poisoning scandal, a potential major development in language policy, a change of tack for Rīga's new mayor, Baltic Unity Day, and much more!

Opening and closing music by Anna Veisa

"Cauri Grobiņai" by Aarzemnieki

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am

Otto and Joe are back together in Jelgava to discuss a fickle forecast for both the weather here in Latvia and the Krišjānis Kariņš-led government as autumn has arrived in dramatic fashion. Meanwhile, sports correspondents Jöran and Oliver retell an exciting KHL hockey match between Dinamo Rīga and Amur Khabarovsk. Other topics this week include the Baltic states' first solar farm, good and bad news for the country's economic outlook, tragic food poisoning in Sigulda, and Latvia's bid at this year's Oscars.

Opening and closing music by Anna Veisa

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am

Listen to Otto covering the battles over the budget, new parties getting a stronger hold, trashy tango in the capital, presidential and vice-presidential talks, topical history and future events and more. Surprise sports correspondents join in to cover the downs and ups of the national athletes.

Opening and closing music by Anna Veisa