[powerpress]
In our latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, we tackle the complex and controversial topic of data centers and their growing presence in our region. Joining the conversation are two experts with unique perspectives: Bill Wright, a data center activist from Prince William County, and Dr. Eric Bonds, a professor at the University of Mary Washington and a concerned Fredericksburg resident.
New Podcast Episode: Honoring the Legacy of Jenny Dean and the Future of Manassas City Public Schools
We’re back with another episode of the Potomac Local Podcast, where we connect our communities one story at a time. In this episode, Uriah Kiser, founder of Potomac Local News, sits down with Deshundra Jefferson, Chair At-large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, to discuss critical issues facing Prince William County.
In this Potomac Local News Podcast episode, Manassas is shaping its future while honoring its past. Host Uriah Kiser sits down with Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis to discuss the North Star Branding Study findings, tackling challenges like preserving history, fostering economic growth, and addressing community concerns. Stay tuned for local news highlights, including a shocking insurance scam and updates on the City Council’s new term.
Episode Highlights:
We just wrapped up an important discussion on the state of Manassas City Public Schools in our latest podcast episode, featuring insights from local education leaders and school board candidates. This special forum covered pressing issues facing our schools and presented diverse perspectives on how we can collectively move forward.
In this episode, you’ll hear from Robyn Williams, an eight-year school board member now running for City Council, and Caitlyn Meisner, our dedicated local editor covering Manassas City Public Schools since 2023. Several candidates endorsed by the city’s Republican committee, running for four open school board seats, also joined the discussion, including Allie Forkell, Javanese Hailey, Dayna Jackson-Miles, and Maidy Whitesell.
The interview explored Simone’s evolving involvement in local politics, an area she didn’t initially set out to cover. When asked about Manassas’s state, Simone expressed her optimism and concerns.
“I would be ignorant if I didn’t acknowledge that there hasn’t been a lot of improvement over our city in the past three years… But I’m seeing it go in a direction where I don’t believe it’s being led healthily,” she said. Reddington emphasized the disconnect between local government and business owners, sharing her frustration over land purchases, the lack of effective leadership, and the underrepresentation of small businesses.
In this episode of the Potomac Local News podcast, host Uriah Kiser interviews Ashlee Waldbauer, Kadejah Onè, and Sarah Andersen, three lead performers in Riverside Center for the Performing Arts production of “Beautiful: The Carole King Story.”
In today’s fast-paced digital world, where information is at our fingertips, the importance of local media cannot be overstated. Local news is the backbone of our communities, providing us with timely information, holding leaders accountable, and telling the stories that matter most to our daily lives. But what goes into making local news? How do independent publishers sustain a hyperlocal news business in an ever-changing media landscape?
I’m excited to introduce my latest podcast episode, where I sit down with Howard Owens, publisher of The Batavian, one of the most successful independent local news websites in the country. Howard and I both share a deep passion for community journalism, and in this episode, we peel back the onion on what it takes to run and sustain a hyperlocal news business.
In this episode, I talk with Manassas City School Board member Sara Brescia about the evolving grading policies in the school district. Listeners will learn about the significant post-pandemic changes, including the controversial 50-100 grading scale and removing the 55 minimum grade provision. Sara Brescia provides a deep dive into the rationale behind these changes, the challenges faced, and the pushback from the community.
The conversation also touches on the broader implications of grading policies on student behavior and engagement, the importance of setting deadlines, and the balance between flexibility and accountability in education. Sara shares her vision for the future, emphasizing the need for productive dialogue and the importance of preparing students for the real world.
