https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/virginia-focus--5627709enNewsCopyright 640 WGST (WGST-AM)https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0c855afcedb4a5c5826a4612db1fad22.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/virginia-focus--5627709Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:40:36 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)640 WGST (WGST-AM)feeds@spreaker.comVirginia Focus is a half hour weekly Public Affairs program from the Virginia News Network hosted by Rebecca Hughes. The program features interviews about issues if importance and interest to Virginians such as politics, non profits, history and...falsee45b01a3-bf0f-5cb1-9fe8-2bf53560e4fcepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-college-brain-drain--73927431https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73927431Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)College Brain Drain explores why some college graduates stay and build careers in their home state while others leave for opportunities hundreds of miles away? Dr. Peter Bahr, of the Strada Education Foundation joins us to explore new research on...1801braindrain,college,education,educators,graduates,parents,returnoninvestment,salary,students,technicalcollege,trades,virginia,wages,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-literacy-crisis--73289342https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73289342Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When it comes to literacy, Americais a nation at risk. The results of a study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress Reading shows in 47 states at least 60% of 8th grade students are below reading level. On this episode, we are talking to...1801administrators,cursive,education,educators,families,futuregenerations,government,history,learning,literacy,literacycrisis,nochildleftbehind,policy,reading,students,teachers,teachingmethods,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-economic-analysis--73197625https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73197625Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If it feels like everything is getting more expensive, you're not imagining it. From grocery stores and gas stations to airfare and family vacations, a new analysis finds Americans are paying significantly more for many of the staples that define...1801corporations,economicanalysis,economy,finances,government,money,policy,revenue,shopping,stagnantwages,unitedway,virginia,wages,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-pet-health-safety--73113860https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73113860Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:30:04 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When temperatures soar, your pets may be facing dangers you can't see. From heat-related illnesses to disease-carrying insects, summer can pose serious risks for animals of all kinds. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Michael Bailey, President of...1801animals,emergencypethealth,heatillnesses,heatsafety,outdoorpets,pethealthcare,petinsurance,petowners,pets,safetyprecautions,veterinarian,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-career-rust-out--72952686https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72952686Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)You might think you're burned out but what if the real problem is that you're simply not being challenged? A growing number of workers are experiencing what's known as "career rust out"; feeling stuck, disengaged, and disconnected from meaningful...1801advocate,ai,artificialintelligence,assertive,awareness,boredom,businessethics,careerpaths,education,employee,employer,jobs,mentalhealth,resume,resumenow,skills,training,virginia,workforce,worklifebalancefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-student-loan-updates--72894742https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72894742Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Major changes to federal student loans took effect July 1st, affecting the way millions of current and future borrowers pay for college. The reforms reshape borrowing limits, eliminate several repayment options, and could leave some students searching...1801banks,biden,changes,degrees,economy,education,government,graduate,highereducation,loans,money,privateloans,returnoninvestment,studentdebt,studentloans,trump,undergraduate,virginia,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-library-of-virginia-va-250--72776952https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72776952Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)What if the earliest voices of American democracy weren’t speeches, but handwritten petitions from everyday Virginians? On this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Falls, Chief of Researcher Engagement at the Library of Virginia, to talk about a powerful...1801america250,artifacts,governmentpetitions,historicalartifacts,history,independence,july4th,'merica,patriots,petitions,revolutionarywar,usa,va250,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-15-high-growth-jobs--72566924https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72566924Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:30:06 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When we think about something like the World Cup, we often picture the matches, the crowds, and the global spotlight, but behind all of it is a workforce that keeps everything running, and keeps communities moving long after the games are over. A new...1801ai,apprenticeship,careers,college,community,education,employees,employers,internships,secondaryeducation,technology,trades,tradeschool,training,virginia,workforce,worldcupfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-fragments-of-a-decent-man--72565857https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72565857Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)This Father’s Day weekend, we’re stepping beyond the picture-perfect images of fatherhood we scroll past every day, and getting real about what it actually means to be a good dad, partner, and man right now. In a world where many men feel pressure to...1801author,families,fatherhood,fathersday,lawyer,manhood,marriage,masculine,menandwomen,mensmentalhealth,mentalhealth,relationships,supportingmen,virginia,writerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-dmv-seatbelt-campaign--72422173https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72422173Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Every time you get behind the wheel, there’s one simple choice that can mean the difference between life and death - and yet, thousands of people still don’t make it. Seatbelts. It sounds basic, but the numbers tell a different story, and that’s...1801dmv,drivers,focusgroups,government,media,motorists,psa,publicawareness,publicserviceannouncement,safety,seatbeltcampaign,seatbelts,statistics,trafficsafety,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-maranatha-farms--72345437https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72345437Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A Virginia family answered the call on their hearts when they made the leap from being homesteaders to a full scale farming in 2022. The Weldon Cooper Center reports the number of farms in Virginia was falling and dropped 18 percent between 2002 to...1801agproducer,agriculture,families,farm,farming,farmmarket,healthcare,holisticpractices,maha,newfarmer,newrancher,regenerativefarming,smallbusiness,suburban,urban,usda,virginia,wholefoods,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-end-of-the-hour--72185549https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72185549Fri, 29 May 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When a trauma therapist is traumatized by loss, where do they turn? Trauma therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis knew how to help her patients process grief. Although, she came undone when her father died after a year-long battle with cancer, followed by...1801author,book,family,grief,grieving,healthcare,mentalhealth,resilience,therapist,therapy,trauma,traumatreatment,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-religious-radio--72087292https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72087292Fri, 22 May 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Dating back to the earliest broadcasts of Sunday services at the beginning of the 1920s, religious radio stations now number over 4,000 in the U.S. On  A new Pew report examines the impact of religious radio in America. On this episode, we're talking...1801audiotrends,church,faith,music,musicalartists,news,pew,pewresearch,radio,ratings,religion,religiousradio,rural,ruralamerica,society,sociology,streaming,suburban,urban,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-natl-hospital-week--71993352https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71993352Fri, 15 May 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Hospitals are cornerstones of the communities they serve — places of healing, hope and connection that impact lives and communities every day in ways both seen and unseen. As we end National Hospital Week, which runs May 10th through the 16th, we're...1801appreciation,doctors,foodpharmacy,healthcare,holistichealthcare,holisticmedicine,hospitals,innovation,insurance,naturalmedicine,nurses,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-soul-survivor-ink--71915105https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71915105Fri, 08 May 2026 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)One small nonprofit hopes to help survivors of human trafficking and prior gang affiliation heal from the pain of their past by assisting them in the removal of “branding” tattoos and scars. To do that, they are trying to spread their message accross...1801charity,humantrafficking,skinbranding,tattoo,tattooartist,tattooremoval,traffickinglogo,traffickingsurvivor,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-healthcare-apps-privacy--71705769https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71705769Fri, 01 May 2026 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Close to 84 million people use some type of healthcare app and many don't know that Health-related mobile and web apps are not bound by HIPAA, leaving room for risky data sharing practices. Virtru is a company that works for data security and privacy...1801doctors,healthcare,hippa,medicaldata,medicalprivacy,patientprotection,phoneapps,privacy,privacylaws,technology,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virgina-focus-emergency-fuel-fund--71705335https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71705335Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:59:20 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Incorporated is a group committed to preventing the unnecessary institutionalization of older persons and they do that by providing user-friendly, community-based, long-term care services which support not only the...1801adultdaycare,charity,coolingcosts,eldercare,elderly,energy,healthcare,heatingcosts,seniorcare,seniorcitizens,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-fare--71593283https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71593283Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)On average, every 10 seconds, a food allergy sends a patient to the emergency room. May 12 to May 18 is Food Allergy Awareness Week, and while it's two weeks away, we're taking advantage of an opportunity to help raise awareness of food allergies and...1801allergies,foodallergies,foodexposure,foodsensitivities,glutenallergies,peanutallergies,sesameallergies,unhealthyfood,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-alice-family-struggles--71373140https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71373140Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)On this episode, we're putting the spotlight on ALICE. Who is ALICE, you may wonder. Well, ALICE lives in every community and can be found working in a diverse range of careers, including essential workers, such as teachers, healthcare providers, and...1801affordability,alice,charity,donations,government,middleclass,poverty,unitedway,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-national-careers-in-trades-week--71066044https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71066044Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)As industries face a massive need for over 600,000 new blue collar workers annually, National Careers in Trades Week hopes to help alleviate the problem. Industry leaders say there is a critical shortage where 5 skilled tradespeople retire for every 2...1801ai,apprenticeships,bluecollar,college,education,electrician,employers,employment,government,hvac,plumbing,skilledtrades,smacna,technology,trades,tradeschool,virginia,wages,workershortage,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-cancer-sux--70901271https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70901271Fri, 27 Mar 2026 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Cancer sucks.  No argument there.  But once you or a loved one has been diagnosed, what are the first steps and next steps to getting through this in one piece? On this episode, we're talking with Michelle Rapkin - a three-time cancer survivor who is...1801adults,author,books,cancer,children,doctors,elderly,families,healthcare,insurance,lymphoma,oncology,reading,support,survivor,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-modified-vehicle-safety--70752345https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70752345Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Americans love their cars and the freedom they bring. You might be one of millions of drivers who will take the extra step and modify a vehicle to enhance safety, performance, or comfort or to increase your business' visibility. Aftermarket...1681aftermarketparts,carculture,carmanufacturers,combustibleengines,customcars,cyberattack,government,handicapaccessiblevehicles,hotrods,mechanicalengineering,modifiedcars,nhtsa,rockcrawling,sema,technology,vehiclesafety,vehiclewraps,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-satellite-comm-disasters--70610777https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70610777Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)For people and businesses, being prepared for natural disasters is key, and widespread outages have underscored the need for dependable satellite communication technology to ensure reliable connectivity in times of need. When internet and cell...1801businesses,communication,diaster,doomsdayprepper,ema,emergency,emergencypreparedness,ems,families,fire,government,hospitals,naturaldisaster,police,satellitecommunication,satellitephones,satphones,space,technology,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-the-navigators-letter--70422198https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70422198Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Most people love a good story, especially when there are clear "good" and "evil" characters. Maybe you also love stories about military history, about underdogs, or you love learning about the technological advances and heroism of World War Two. But...1771airforce,author,b-24,education,families,government,history,mia,military,militaryhistory,milspouse,navigators,pilots,pow,reading,truestories,virginia,warhero,worldwartwofalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-reimagining-americas-dream--70304754https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70304754Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)America is changing and, with what appears to be a shrinking middle class, many people worry that the American dream is also dying. A new book written by a man who served as the former CFO of the NBA, the former CEO of the NBA’s Atlanta Spirit, the...1801americandream,author,business,cities,companies,corporateamerica,employees,employers,families,inflation,kindness,lowerclass,lowincome,middleclass,politicalpolicy,politicians,profits,revenue,salaries,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-you-matter-luma--70153512https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70153512Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Some people go through life not realizing their inherent worth, which is different from earned value. Author John Miles is also a Navy veteran, a businessman, and has written two other non-fiction books for adults. But he says his newest piece of...1801author,characterbuilding,childrensliterature,education,emotionallearning,families,juvenilementalhealth,kids,mentalhealth,parenting,schools,selfesteem,selfworth,socialgroups,socialmedia,society,teachers,technology,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-edf-action--70029371https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70029371Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Our environment, rising energy costs, and the health of American families are all hot topics but also ongoing debates with seemingly no clear, undiputable answers. On this episode, we will discuss policies, politicians, and the many factors that play...1801climatechange,conservative,datacenters,debate,economy,energy,energycosts,environment,greenenergy,inflation,liberal,naturalgas,policy,politicians,utilitycompanies,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-drug-pricing-update--69822339https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69822339Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The Trump administration has announced many changes to the prices of prescription drugs for Medicaid and Medicare as well as Trump RX, a website for people to get deeply discounted medications online. The Biden administration used the Inflation...1801analysis,consumers,drugsupplychain,economy,government,healthcare,hospitals,inflationreductionact,insulin,insurance,marketplacecompetition,medications,prescriptions,trumprx,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-raw-leiba--69648561https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69648561Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Hundreds of thousands of people aspire to break into Hollywood and only about 2% actually make it into the industry. On this episode we're chatting with a successful actor, producer, stunt coordinator, former athlete, and model with family ties to...1801acting,actor,casting,celebrity,contests,familyties,hollywood,movies,music,productioncompany,stuntman,television,tvpersonality,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-veteran-suicide-voacc--69456020

Guests: Kim Coleman, Veteran and Jaci Anderson, Community Outreach Case Manager
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69456020Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)One of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations is now in their second century of service. Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas is an affiliate of Volunteers of America, a national nonprofit, faith-based...

Guests: Kim Coleman, Veteran and Jaci Anderson, Community Outreach Case Manager
]]>1771airforce,army,coastguard,marines,mentalhealth,military,militarymembers,navy,servicemembers,suicide,veterans,veteransuicide,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-escaping-toxic-workplaces--69361061https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69361061Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)From control freak micromanagers to dishonest manipulators, toxic people exist in every industry and sometimes they get promoted into positions managing other people. Surveys show 87% of people have had at least one toxic boss during their career....1771bosses,employee,employer,leadership,managementtraining,managingpeople,organizationalpsychology,psychology,quitting,supervisors,toxicboss,virginia,workplacefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-quiet-firing-report--69274661https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69274661Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)There's a new hidden epidemic in the workforce and it involves managers pushing employees out of the company without ever saying a word. In Zety’s new Quiet Firing Report, we explore how common "quiet firing" is, what tactics managers are using, and...1801corporatebrutality,employers,employment,mentalhealth,quietfiring,redflags,virginia,workers,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-encyclopedia-virginia--69122646https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69122646Fri, 26 Dec 2025 09:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When you want to hear the inclusive story of Virginia's history, some people hope you turn to Encyclopedia Virginia. The mission of the site is to provide a free, reliable, multimedia resource for students, teachers, and communities who seek to...1736education,families,government,history,kids,learning,reference,stories,students,usa250,va250,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-meoc-holidays--69122563https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69122563Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)People all ages, from children and families to older adults, in need of help living in southwest Virginia can turn to a charitable agency known as Mountain Empire Older Citizens for a variety of services. From care coordination for older adults to...1741charity,elderly,families,giving,handup,holidays,hope,kids,nonprofit,support,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-betteralife--68997034https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68997034Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)One in seven children in Virginia are experiencing hunger and it isn't their fault. The guest on this episode grew up in Virginia in a home that needed support, not only for food insecurity, meaning countless hours of aching hunger, but also support...1801families,foodinsecurity,freelunch,homeworkhelpers,hunger,kids,loudouncounty,low-income,poverty,section8,snapprogram,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-credit-literacy-the-holidays--68885736https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68885736Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Gingerbread and mistletoe also bring out the scammers and thieves and protecting yourself is important. Experts say consumers should be checking their credit report regularly and some of us need a "credit literacy" refresher. On this episode, we're...1801consumer,credit,creditbureaus,credithistory,creditreport,creditscore,debt,economy,government,holidayshopping,identitytheft,scams,transunion,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-farmers-and-scientists--68759495https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68759495Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Farmers and scientists are working together with goals to grow more with fewer resources, protect crops from growing threats, and build resilience against climate volatility. Since February of 2020, overall grocery prices have risen 29%, according to...1801agriculture,bayer,farming,farmingchallenges,geneticdiversity,gmofoods,gmoseeds,herbicides,nutrientvalues,pesticides,rowcropping,science,technology,victorygardens,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-aging-workforce--68653918https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68653918Fri, 21 Nov 2025 09:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)As more people are working well into their 60s and 70s, a new survey shows most businesses aren’t taking advantage of their skills. Experts with the Society of Human Resources Management say tapping into the experienced workforce could be the solution...1801aging,agingworkforce,commerce,economy,elderlyworkers,employers,employment,experience,finances,hiring,jobs,lostskills,skills,training,virginia,workershortage,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-toolbelt-generation--68556223https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68556223Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The Wall Street Journal and other media are picking up the story that Gen Z is being called the Toolbelt Generation because they are disenfranchised with the college track and see rising pay and more jobs in the trades. Aaron Hilger CEO of SMACNA...1801apprenticeships,automotiveworkers,bluecollarworkers,contractors,education,electricians,hvactechs,mechanics,plumbing,trades,tradeschool,virginia,workershortage,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-menopause-the-workplace--68455756https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68455756Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A new survey by Live Career says menopause is one of the least discussed yet most disruptive workplace experiences for women. Out of the 900 women who have experienced it or are going through it currently, an overwhelming 97% feel pressure to hide or...1771discrimination,employees,employers,genderissues,hotflashes,inclusiveness,lifechanges,livecareer,menopause,perimenopause,systemicproblems,virginia,womensissues,work,worklifebalance,workplacefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-white-house-wild-child--68259964https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68259964Fri, 24 Oct 2025 08:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Americans living in the White House today and throughout history are no strangers to critcism and controversy. However, one child of a former president seems to be a favorite because of her outlandish antics. On this episode, we're discussing the...1801author,book,controversy,fdr,government,history,influencers,politics,publicopinion,reading,roosevelts,teddyroosevelt,ushistory,virginia,wealthyaristocrats,whitehousefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-paradox-of-debt--68167428https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68167428Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Debt is the real factor that drives both economic growth and financial crises from recessions to extreme inequality. In order to understand this paradox, we need to address why a certain amount of private debt is vital to the economy. On this episode,...1801author,book,debt,economy,finances,financialliteracy,globaleconomy,interestrates,reading,recession,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-living-with-paralysis--68082157https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68082157Fri, 10 Oct 2025 08:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you were to suffer a spinal cord injury and subsequent paralysis, would you know where to turn? Thousands of individuals with paralysis and their families across the country are watching Congress to see if critical services will be included in the...1801accidents,caregivers,caregiversupport,christopheranddanareeve,donations,elderly,federalfundingcuts,government,grants,healthcare,hhs,injuries,mentalhealth,paralysis,spinalcordinjury,strokepatients,veterans,virginia,wheelchairfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-alice-family-struggles--67979882https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67979882Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)On this episode, we're putting the spotlight on ALICE. Who is ALICE, you may wonder. Well, ALICE lives in every community and can be found working in a diverse range of careers, including essential workers, such as teachers, healthcare providers, and...1801a.l.i.c.e.report,communitysupport,costofliving,donations,essentialworkers,federalpovertylevel,grants,highincome,lowincome,nonprofits,stagnantwages,unitedway,virginia,volunteeringfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-spot-and-stop-human-trafficking--67899164https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67899164Fri, 26 Sep 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Most people think pencils and paper, books and backpacks when they think about the back-to-school season. Officials with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security say it is a critical time to spot and stop human trafficking. To learn more about how to...1801awareness,bluecampaign,childtraffickingnetwork,education,fakejoboffers,fostercare,gangs,hotelsandmotels,humantrafficking,immigrantchildren,kids,labortrafficking,parenting,prevention,schools,survivors,teens,toddlers,victims,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-social-skills-for-children--67813725https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67813725Fri, 19 Sep 2025 08:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Developing skills to get along with others is as essential as reading, writing, or math for kids.  However, the digital age has removed many chances for children to learn these important social skills.  How can parents assist their little ones in...1801author,books,children,community,communityrelations,digitalage,kids,parenting,reading,socialization,socialskills,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-green-career-week--67723722https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67723722Fri, 12 Sep 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Seed Your Future started the movement to promote horticulture and inspire people to pursue careers working with plants. They hope to introduce students to vital horticultural, agricultural, and floriculture jobs - including STEM, business, design,...1801agriculture,education,floriculture,flowers,food,foodsupply,future,greenjobs,horticulture,hydroponics,innovation,notillfarming,parents,plants,regenerativefarming,seedyourfuture,students,technology,virginia,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-raising-mentally-strong-kids--67641844https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67641844Fri, 05 Sep 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you are a parent, you are likely hoping to raise your kids to develop strong and resilient brains so they can live happy and productive lives. A new book written by Child Psychologist Dr. Charles Fay and Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen gives...1801adhd,autism,brainscans,emotionalresilience,kids,mentalresilience,neurology,ocd,parenting,parents,psychiatry,psychology,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-the-historical-homemaker--67544514https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67544514Fri, 29 Aug 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Some Virginians grow up in the commonwealth and don't take notice of the depth of history available around every corner. But others, like Coleen Dixon, who grew up in Arlington, find themselves mezmerized by the richness of American history at every...1801cookbooks,cooking,culinary,firstfoods,food,history,nativefoods,presidents,recipes,virginia,youtubefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-jobs-for-empaths--67359704https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67359704Fri, 15 Aug 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)As many workers feel anxiety about whether or not AI will replace them in the workforce, a new report reveals jobs that rely on empathy and other uniquely human skills will be what makes them also resistant to automation. On this episode, we are...1801ai,artificialintelligence,careercoaching,empaths,hardskills,humanresources,jobs,jobsecurity,jobseekers,resumes,softskills,virginia,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-food-allergies-and-schools--67207700https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67207700Fri, 08 Aug 2025 08:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Since 1 in 3 children in the United States deal with food allergies, it's imperative that parents be prepared and help their children and their classmates learn about the possible consequences of allergic reactions. On this episode, we are discussing...1801allergies,birthdayparties,doctors,education,food,foodallergies,healthcare,parties,partypooper,research,school,science,sweets,treats,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-vsp-fighting-fraud--67206969https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67206969Fri, 01 Aug 2025 08:30:10 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you pay insurance premiums‚ you’re already a victim of insurance fraud. The FBI says because of the number of people committing Insurance Fraud, the result is it costs the average U.S. family hundreds, if not thousands per year in the form of...1800cops,crime,criminalactivity,deputies,falsereport,fraud,illegalactivity,insurance,insurancefraud,insurancepremiums,lawenforcement,police,seesomethingsaysomething,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-h-e-a-t-program--67102190https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67102190Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Virginia State Police have been working to prevent auto theft since the H.E.A.T. or Help Eliminate Auto Theft program started more than 25 years ago. It is estimated that the value of stolen vehicles and parts totaled more than $120 million in 2020....1741autotheft,cartheft,cops,crime,criminals,detectives,investigations,lawenforcement,police,stolencars,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-woodside-pawpaw--67017257https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67017257Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Before colonists brought their foods from other regions of the world, indigenous people thrived on foods native to North America. A new movement is gaining traction, encouraging farms to reintroduce first foods, like persimmon, ramps, and pawpaw...1801agriculture,beverages,chefs,culinary,diets,farming,firstfood,foodasmedicine,foodindustry,health,indigenouspeople,medicinalfood,nativefood,orchard,pawpaw,superfoods,uniqueflavor,virginia,woodsidepawpawfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-get-ahead-of-cybercriminals--66918321https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66918321Fri, 11 Jul 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Cyber breaches have evolved from simple experiments to malware like Trojans and email worms to phishing and botnets. The largest data breaches, often involving billions of records, have occurred since 2005, coinciding with the digital transformation...1801business,cyberattack,cyberbreach,digitalfootprint,digitalsecurity,email,hackers,internet,passwords,software,spycloud,stolenidentity,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-maranatha-farms--66747022https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66747022Fri, 04 Jul 2025 08:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A Virginia family answered the call on their hearts when they made the leap from being homesteaders to a full scale farming in 2022. The Weldon Cooper Center reports the number of farms in Virginia was falling and dropped 18 percent between 2002 to...1801agriculture,bacon,chickens,cows,economy,eggs,faith,familybusiness,farm,farming,feedingamerica,inspiration,joelsalatin,livestock,maranatha,philanthropy,pigs,regenerativefarming,steak,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-outside-heat-safety--66603789https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66603789Fri, 27 Jun 2025 08:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Hundreds of thousands of workers frequently face outdoor hazards such as high heat and humidity. In the absence of laws in Virginia and other states for worker protections, Virginia's Department of Labor and Industry does have regulations and is...1771assp,guidelines,heat,heatexhaustion,heatsafety,heatstroke,osha,outdoorheatsafety,professionalsafety,virginia,workerprotectionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-quiet-firing-report--66206116https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66206116Fri, 20 Jun 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)There's a new hidden epidemic in the workforce and it involves managers pushing employees out of the company without ever saying a word. In Zety’s new Quiet Firing Report, we explore how common "quiet firing" is, what tactics managers are using, and...1801abuse,businessethics,employees,employers,insurancebenefits,joblistings,jobs,jobseekers,mentalhealth,pensions,productivity,quietfiring,remotework,unethical,virginia,workers,workforce,worklifebalancefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-varsity-blues-scandal-survivors--66422902https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66422902Fri, 13 Jun 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Few people know that not everyone accused in the infamous college admission bribery scandal, that included celebrities like Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, was guilty. One innocent family continues fighting to clear their reputation after being...1801author,celebrities,college,courts,education,ethics,government,governmentoverreach,judicialsystem,justice,justicesystem,prison,varsitybluesscandal,virginia,weaponizedcourts,wronglyaccusedfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-go-far-give-back-live-greek--66207615https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66207615Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The American Dream may feel fragile today, but for Greek immigrant and entrepreneur George Danis, it’s alive, achievable, and worth fighting for. In his new book "Go Far, Give Back, Live Greek" Danis shares his colorful life story with anecdotes and...1801americandream,author,business,citizenship,deportation,determination,education,exile,government,history,immigration,poverty,reading,sacrifice,taxes,virginia,war,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-distracted-driving--65945858https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65945858Fri, 30 May 2025 08:30:09 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)People are dying on our roadways and it’s not just a U.S. problem, it’s a global issue that continues to claim thousands of lives each year. Admit it or not, most of us are addicted to our phones. Your crash risk increases from between 2 and 6 time...1801distracted,distracteddriving,driving,gmc,highways,motorists,roadrage,safety,safetyfeatures,technology,travel,vehicles,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-eye-health--66073795https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66073795Fri, 23 May 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Nearly 80 million Americans unknowingly live with conditions that can silently lead to vision loss.  The National Eye Institute has designated May as Healthy Vision Month, highlighting how routine eye exams can spot early signs of broader health...1801eyedoctors,eyehealth,eyes,glasses,glaucoma,healthcare,insurance,lasik,routineeyeexams,virginia,vision,visionhealthfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-barkademy-awards--66103176https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66103176Fri, 16 May 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Americans love their dogs with nearly 60 million homes having at least one! And most people undoubtedly think that their pup is the cutest and most entertaining pup on the planet. Now they will have a chance to prove it! On this episode we're talking...1801barkademyawards,barktv,contentcreation,doglovers,dogparents,dogs,entertainment,freetv,k9,streamingservices,streamingtv,streamsubstak,television,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-take-a-child-to-work-day--65944288https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65944288Fri, 09 May 2025 08:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Every year, thousands of kids across the U.S. will visit workplaces to gain first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to have a job and work with others. Junior Achievement, which leads Take a Child to Work Day and Beyond, has expanded the program to...1801careers,children,education,employees,employers,families,jobs,juniorachievement,realworld,staples,takeyourchildtoworkday,virginia,workforce,worklifebalance,workplacefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-family-survival-stories--65727415https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65727415Fri, 02 May 2025 08:30:18 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Few people who were targeted survived the Holocaust of World War Two. Their stories of escaping the Nazis and building lives and families should not be forgotten in order to prevent such trauma from happening to anyone else. In the new book, "Family...1801ancestry,author,concentrationcamps,familyhistory,genealogy,germans,history,holocaust,jews,militaryconflict,virginia,worldwartwofalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-stress-literally-hurts--65529550https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65529550Fri, 25 Apr 2025 08:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)April is National Stress Awareness Month and what better time to talk to a Neurologist who can explains how stress literally hurts. Between work and family pressure, financial burdens, constant social media exposure, political strife and more some...1801anatomy,cortisol,counseling,dealingwithstress,healthcare,holistichealth,homeostasis,mentalhealth,mindfulness,neurologist,neuroscience,pain,painrelief,science,stress,therapy,virginia,worklifebalancefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-knockoff-weight-loss-drugs--65594818https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65594818Fri, 18 Apr 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A report from the Partnership for Safe Medicine and the FDA show unauthorized and potentially harmful ingredients in knockoff weight loss drugs are pouring into the U.S. from foreign sources, bypassing FDA regulations. Experts warn that unsuspecting...1741compoundeddrugs,doctors,drugmanufacturers,drugsupplychain,fda,federaldrugadministration,genericdrugs,glp1s,healthcare,injectables,pbms,pillsafety,prescriptiondrugs,safety,smuggling,virginia,weightlossdrugsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-careers-in-trades--65484869]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65484869Fri, 11 Apr 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)With college debt becoming a major issue, many Gen-Z’ers are attracted to the trades as an alternative and as an immediate entrance to a rewarding and well-paying job. National Careers in Trades Week, which is April 7th through 11th, is a nationwide...]]>1801ai,apprenticeships,bluecolorjobs,boomers,careers,college,construction,debt,genalpha,genx,genz,government,millenials,salaries,technology,trades,tradeschool,virginia,wages,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-cancer-sux--65340604https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65340604Fri, 04 Apr 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Cancer sucks.  No argument there.  But once you or a loved one has been diagnosed, what are the first steps and next steps to getting through this in one piece? On this episode, we're talking with Michelle Rapkin - a three-time cancer survivor who is...1801author,cancer,cancersurvivor,chemotherapy,doctors,friendsandfamily,healingjourney,healthcare,hospitals,insurance,mentor,survivor,trauma,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-infrastructure-report-card--65171280https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65171280Fri, 28 Mar 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The American Society of Civil Engineers gave America a "C" on their latest report card. Results show more work and investment is needed to overcome decades of underinvestment in our transportation networks, water system, electric grid, and broadband...1707bridges,civilengineers,dams,drainage,government,infrastructure,ports,publicwaterworks,publicworks,railroads,roads,ships,stormwater,trains,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-firearm-license-research--64999174https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64999174Fri, 21 Mar 2025 08:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)With deaths from gun violence at top of mind, researchers at Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions and the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy just released a new report detailing how a firearm purchaser licensing (also known as...1801firearms,gangviolence,guns,gunsafety,gunsuppliers,gunviolence,johnshopkins,lawenforcement,laws,licensing,permittopurchase,research,strawpurchasers,suicide,teenviolence,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-inclusion-starts-with-you--64839576https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64839576Fri, 14 Mar 2025 08:30:06 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The current pushback against DEI initiatives is multifaceted, but one key shift is a move toward placing the responsibility on the individual rather than on organizations or systemic structures. A new book written by a Human Resources professional...1713author,book,coworkers,dei,diversity,equity,friendship,humanity,humanresources,inclusion,navigatingchallenges,reading,resilience,virginia,workculture,workplacefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-women-in-stem--64739472https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64739472Fri, 07 Mar 2025 09:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)While women make up 48% of the workforce, women only hold about 29% of positions in STEM specialties. A new book, "Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM" shares over 30 success stories from women holding leadership positions in STEM...1801economy,education,engineering,feminism,gender,genderpaygap,jobmarket,mathematics,science,stem,technology,tradejobs,virginia,women,work,workplacefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-the-big-deal--64590568https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64590568Fri, 28 Feb 2025 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When the time feels right to sell your business, how do you even get started?  On this episode we're talking about what business owners need to know when selling their business to avoid making the mistake of a lifetime and what factors they should...1801boomer,brokers,business,businessbrokers,businessowner,commerce,economy,genz,investment,jobmarket,money,virginia,wealthbuilding,work,workplacefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-the-historical-homemaker--64481451https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64481451Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Some Virginians grow up in the commonwealth and don't take notice of the depth of history available around every corner. But others, like Coleen Dixon, who grew up in Arlington, find themselves mezmerized by the richness of American history at every...1801archives,baking,cookbooks,cooking,facebook,historicalhomemaker,historicalrecipes,history,homemaker,homesteading,instagram,kitchen,presidents,recipes,tiktok,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-energy-efficiency-tax-credit--64344427https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64344427Fri, 14 Feb 2025 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Homeowners can save money through a little known tax credit and make their energy bill shrink at the same time. A recent study shows 89% of U.S. single-family homes lack sufficient insulation, leading to increased energy costs. To learn more about a...1801climate,energy,energyefficiency,government,homeowners,homes,insulation,landlords,low-income,renters,taxcredit,taxes,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-vaccine-policies-under-scrutiny--64238210https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64238210Fri, 07 Feb 2025 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Many would say the new Trump administration has put American vaccine policies in the national spotlight. A new poll conducted by the Policy and Advocacy for the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease reveals that 74% of Americans support keeping...1801autism,childhoodvaccines,decliningvaccinationrates,doctors,families,fda,government,healthcare,heavymetals,independentstudies,misinformation,research,rfk,vaccinemandates,vaccinepolicies,vaccines,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-healthcare-costs-weight-doctor-burnout--64050917https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64050917Fri, 31 Jan 2025 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)This two part episode discusses the effects of obesity on the cost of healthcare as well as doctor burnout. While itself now being considered a chronic condition, obesity in America also increases the risk of developing other chronic conditions...1711burnout,chronicconditions,doctors,families,healthcare,healthcarecosts,illnesses,obesity,physicians,primarycare,survey,virginia,weightfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-train-your-dog-month--63858123https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63858123Fri, 24 Jan 2025 09:30:08 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)January is National Train Your Dog Month. New research conducted by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers shows 93% of Americans have canine neighbors but six out of 10 people also said that a neighborhood dog has behavior issues....1801dogs,dogtraining,emotionalsupportdogs,families,furryfriends,government,humanesociety,hunger4words,kids,petowners,pets,servicedogs,showdogs,virginia,westminsterkennelclubfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-redefining-the-workplace--63720525https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63720525Fri, 17 Jan 2025 09:30:06 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The Covid-19 pandemic caused a massive shift in the way companies and employees view the traditional office and America tripled the number of remote workers according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau. Remote workers are pushing back against...1801buildingamenities,commercialrealestate,employees,employers,futureofwork,officespace,pandemic,realestate,remoteworkers,returntooffice,virginia,worklifebalance,workplacefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-raising-mentally-strong-kids--63627831https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63627831Fri, 10 Jan 2025 09:30:06 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you are a parent, you are likely hoping to raise your kids to develop strong and resilient brains so they can live happy and productive lives. A new book written by Child Psychologist Dr. Charles Fay and Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen gives...1801brainscans,children,emotionalresilience,families,future,healthcare,mentalhealth,mentalresilience,neurology,neuroscience,parenting,therapy,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-solopreneur--63556377https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63556377Fri, 03 Jan 2025 10:40:22 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)People looking to ditch the cubicle and the W2 and strike out on their own may enjoy today's podcast about being a Solopreneur. On this episode we're talking to the author of the book "Succeeding As A Solopreneur", Liz Steblay. She says her book helps...1801corporations,economy,freedom,independence,innovation,marketing,remotework,salary,selfemployed,solopreneur,travelingwork,virginia,worklifebalance,workplacefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-holidays-toxic-families--63397695https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63397695Fri, 20 Dec 2024 09:30:07 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Some people enjoy drama-free get-togethers with their loved ones, while others feel anxiety at the thought of enduring a holiday party with their families. If you expect to hear critical or harsh remarks about your appearance, relationship status,...1800abuse,childhoodtrauma,children,christmas,codependency,disfunctionalrelationships,families,generationaltrauma,hanukkah,holidays,mentalchallenges,parents,relationships,trauma,unhealthyattachment,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-meoc-holidays--63291981https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63291981Fri, 13 Dec 2024 09:30:06 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)People all ages, from children and families to older adults, in need of help living in southwest Virginia can turn to a charitable agency known as Mountain Empire Older Citizens for a variety of services. From care coordination for older adults to...1741angeltree,bigstonegap,charity,children,childrensadvocacy,community,donations,families,holidays,kinshipcare,meoc,nonprofit,seniorcare,seniors,sponsorachild,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-social-skills-for-children--63147329https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63147329Fri, 06 Dec 2024 09:30:06 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Developing skills to get along with others is as essential as reading, writing, or math for kids.  However, the digital age has removed many chances for children to learn these important social skills.  How can parents assist their little ones in...1801adhd,attachmenttheory,austism,children,childtherapist,counseling,education,friendships,kids,mentalhealth,pandemic,parenting,psychology,relationships,school,socialanxiety,socialskills,technology,therapy,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-end-of-the-hour--63057809https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63057809Fri, 29 Nov 2024 09:53:26 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When a trauma therapist is traumatized by loss, where do they turn? Trauma therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis knew how to help her patients process grief. Although, she came undone when her father died after a year-long battle with cancer, followed by...1801author,coping,counseling,death,endofthehour,families,grief,grieving,mentalhealth,therapy,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-ai-at-work--62741467https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62741467Fri, 15 Nov 2024 09:30:06 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A study commissioned by the Computer and Communications Industry Association shows nearly 40 percent of people use AI applications at work several times a day on their desktops and that number is expected to explode over the next year. To learn more...1801ai,artificialintelligence,chatgpt,earlyadopters,employment,gemini,generativeai,productivity,professionaldevelopment,society,technology,tools,virginia,workplacefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-literacy-crisis--62657453https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62657453Fri, 08 Nov 2024 09:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When it comes to literacy, Americais a nation at risk. The results of a study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress Reading shows in 47 states at least 60% of 8th grade students are below reading level. On this episode, we are talking to...1801beyondbasics,crisis,education,government,illiteracy,learning,literacy,nationincrisis,reading,readinglevels,school,students,teachers,teaching,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-voteamerica--62560692https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62560692Fri, 01 Nov 2024 08:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A non-profit that runs national voter registration and turnout programs, is currently engaging in a massive 'Get Out the Vote' program targeting 50 college campuses to reach 14,000 students. VoteAmerica began the program in 2018, and claim to have...1801elections,government,nonpartisan,politics,presidentialelection,virginia,voterregistration,votingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-event-industry-ai--62491165https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62491165Fri, 25 Oct 2024 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A study by WifiTalents found that 55% of event planners expect AI to have a significant role in the industry over the next 5 years. The same report also found that at least 60% of event planners have begun using AI to manage user info during...1771ai,artificialintelligence,conventioncenter,dc,dmv,economy,eventindustry,events,eventvenues,seating,sports,technology,tickets,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-ftc-vs-pbms--62386948https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62386948Fri, 18 Oct 2024 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)High prescription costs, inflation, and wages that aren't keeping up are leading to what could be the matchup of the decade. The Federal Trade Commission announced plans to go after the largest Pharmacy Benefit Managers: CVS Health’s Caremark, Cigna’s...1801doctors,federaltradecommission,ftc,greed,inflatedcosts,insurance,medicaid,medicare,medication,pbm,pharmacies,pharmacybenefitmanagers,pregnantwomen,prescriptiondrugs,prescriptiondrugsupplychain,profits,seniors,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-discussion-about-guns--62325004https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62325004Fri, 11 Oct 2024 08:30:04 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)In America's frontier days, European settlers in several colonies were legally required to obtain firearms before migrating.They were to use these weapons hunt and fight off wild animals, as well as defend against indigenous populations. For many...1741bradyunited,fbi,guncontrol,gundealers,gunlaws,gunowners,gunregulations,guns,gunviolence,protectingchildren,statistics,virginia,weapons,weaponstrainingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-cybersecurity-risks-in-universities--62035195https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62035195Fri, 20 Sep 2024 08:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A new study shows 1 in 10 college students have electronic devices that are infected with malware and that nearly 8 in 10 are still reusing already-breached passwords. The reports used recaptured breach and malware data from the past 12 months for...1801colleges,computerbreach,computerviruses,cybersecurity,education,hackers,identitytheft,malware,ransome,ransomeware,scammers,spycloud,spyware,stealing,students,study,universities,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-small-business-taxes--61393429https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61393429Fri, 13 Sep 2024 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)As of 2023, the Small Business Association reported there were more than 33-million small businesses employing nearly 62 million people, or nearly 46% of the country’s work force. Small businesses have endured many setbacks during the pandemic and...1771americandream,business,businessgrowth,businessowner,businesstaxes,entrepreneur,government,limitedliabilitycompany,nfib,smallbusiness,taxes,taxhike,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-apprenticeships-police-recruitment--61117548https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61117548Fri, 23 Aug 2024 08:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)As police departments across the country struggle to hire and retain quality staff, concerns about public distrust, reports of excessive police violence and other notions have also hampered the efforts of departments nationwide. A new report by the...1741apprenticeship,bluecollarjobs,cops,lawenforcement,police,recruitment,staffingshortage,training,virginia,whitecollarjobs,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-help-eliminate-auto-theft--61045226https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61045226Fri, 16 Aug 2024 08:30:10 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Last year, more than 10,500 vehicles were stolen in Virginia. The Virginia State Police HEAT Program is a cooperative effort of the Virginia Department of State Police, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and local law enforcement agencies...1741autotheft,cartheft,crime,criminals,detectives,government,investigations,lawenforcement,police,stealingcars,theft,virginia,virginiastatepolicefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-ntm-lung-health--60938457https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60938457Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Tens of thousands of Americans are living with a hidden lung infection that mimics tuberculosis. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, also called NTM, is a growing health threat that affects lung health and doctors say it often goes undiagnosed. Raising...1711climatechange,covid,doctors,environment,health,healthcare,longcovid,lunghealth,medicine,nontuberculousmycobacteria,ntm,pulmonology,research,science,treatments,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-reimagining-america-s-dream--60876732https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60876732Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)America is changing and, with what appears to be a shrinking middle class, many people worry that the American dream is also dying. A new book written by a man who served as the former CFO of the NBA, the former CEO of the NBA’s Atlanta Spirit, the...1801americandream,author,book,business,businessleaders,chidren,economy,education,elections,families,immigration,incomedisparity,minimumwage,politics,socialprobems,virginia,wages,wealth,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-infrastructure-past-present-future--60807116https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60807116Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Do you wonder about the ability of our nation’s aging infrastructure to function adequately in modern times. Roads, bridges, tunnels, as well as water and power systems all seem to be showing signs of degredation and age. On today's episode we're...1801bridges,civilengineering,electedofficials,engineers,federalgovernment,government,inflationreductionact,infrastructure,localgovernment,powergrid,publicpolicy,roads,stategovernment,taxmoney,utilities,virginia,watersystemsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-teacher-appreciation--60736487https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60736487Fri, 19 Jul 2024 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Many parents have already started their back-to-school shopping and it won't be long until it's time to meet the teacher. On this episode, we're being proactive in talking about ways to support and show appreciation for the teachers who may be extra...1801administrators,appreciation,backtoschool,education,students,teacherappreciation,teachers,teachershortage,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-summer-pet-safety--60534351https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60534351Fri, 28 Jun 2024 08:30:04 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)With blazing heat in the forecast, a busier-than-ever hurricane season and more tornadoes predicted, how do you keep your pet safe and sound? On this episode, we are talking summer pet safety with Dr. Sandra Faeh, chief veterinary officer for National...1771anxiouspets,cats,chickens,cows,dogs,dosanddonts,ducks,farmanimals,heatsafety,heatwave,horses,petsafety,pigs,rabbits,summerheat,veterinarian,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-push-for-empowered-pregnancy--60365296https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60365296Fri, 21 Jun 2024 08:30:05 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Stillbirth affects about 1 in every 175 births, and each year about 21,000 babies are stillborn in the United States, according to the CDC. This is the equivalent of a school bus full of children every day. On this episode, we're learning more about...1801birthrate,children,doctors,government,laboranddelivery,medicine,pregnancy,pushforempoweredpregnancy,science,sonogram,stillbirth,tragedy,ultrasound,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-student-loans-financial-planning--60364795https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60364795Fri, 14 Jun 2024 08:30:05 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Finances seem to be top of mind these days as inflation remains high and that includes choices about whether to go to college and how to pay for it. As well, more people are consulting with financial planners to try and protect their financial...1741banking,college,consulting,economy,education,finances,financialliteracy,financialplanning,goverment,inflation,loans,money,sofibank,studentloanforgiveness,studentloans,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-vsp-fighting-fraud--60305300https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60305300Fri, 07 Jun 2024 08:30:05 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. The FBI estimates that over a 10-year period, insurance fraud costs the average U.S. family between $4,000 and $7,000 in increased premiums. In Virginia, the Virginia State Police have a group of highly...1800courts,crime,criminals,detectives,falsereport,fraud,fraudprevention,insurance,insurancepremiums,investigations,laws,police,prosecution,victimlesscrime,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-toolbelt-generation--60230188https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60230188Fri, 31 May 2024 08:30:04 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The Wall Street Journal and other media are picking up the story that Gen Z is being called the Toolbelt Generation because they are disenfranchised with the college track and see rising pay and more jobs in the trades. Aaron Hilger CEO of SMACNA, the...1801ai,apprenticeships,construction,education,future,jobs,returnoninvestment,salaries,smacna,staffshortage,technology,toolbeltgeneration,trades,virginia,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-solopreneur--59956883https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59956883Fri, 10 May 2024 08:30:05 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Those looking to strike out on their own may enjoy today's segment about being a Solopreneur. On this episode we're talking to the author of the book "Succeeding As A Solopreneur", Liz Steblay. She says her book helps you achieve success at every...1801advice,author,business,consulting,entrepreneur,solopreneur,startup,taxes,virginia,webinarfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-junior-achievement--59735037https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59735037Fri, 03 May 2024 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A new study shows the majority of teens are confident about retirement but only 60% understand what the term means. Junior Achievement and MissionSquare Foundation commissioned the study that questioned kids between the ages of 13 and 18. Let's learn...1801bonds,education,financialliteracy,investing,investments,juniorachievement,kids,parenting,research,retirement,saving,schools,spending,stocks,students,teenfinances,virginia,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-fare--59636114https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59636114Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:30:05 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)On average, every 10 seconds, a food allergy sends a patient to the emergency room. May 12 to May 18 is Food Allergy Awareness Week, and while it's two weeks away, we're taking advantage of an opportunity to help raise awareness of food allergies and...1801allergic,allergies,anaphylaxis,doctors,epipens,fare,foodallergies,healthcare,parenting,schools,science,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-raising-mentally-strong-kids--59507544https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59507544Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:30:05 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you are a parent, you are likely hoping to raise your kids to develop strong and resilient brains so they can live happy and productive lives. A new book written by Child Psychologist Dr. Charles Fay and Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen gives...1801adolescents,authors,bestsellingauthor,book,childpsychology,confidence,drcharlesfay,drdanielamen,families,kids,mentalhealth,mentallystrong,mentalresilience,neuropsychiatrist,neuroscience,parenting,reading,relationships,teenagers,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-the-big-deal--59282295https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59282295Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:30:04 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When the time feels right to sell your business, how do you even get started?  On this episode we're talking about what business owners need to know when selling their business to avoid making the mistake of a lifetime and what factors they should...1801advice,attorney,author,book,bosses,brokerage,business,careers,cpa,investments,lawyer,leaders,profit,revenue,sellingbusinesses,taxes,virginia,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-prescription-drug-price-gouging--59211491https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59211491Fri, 05 Apr 2024 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A controversial federal program known as “340b” was created to cover the costs for uninsured and vulnerable patients by providing medicine discounts to hospitals, who would then pass the savings on to its patients. However, a new report highlights...1801discounts,drugpricing,drugsupplychain,economy,government,health,healthcare,hospitals,insurance,medicaid,medicare,pbm,pharmacies,prescriptiondrugs,regulations,transparency,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-disastrous-ev-mandates--59209137https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59209137Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)President Biden continues pushing his “green agenda” with a goal of requiring two-thirds of new car and light truck sales to be electric vehicles by 2032, but automakers have been calling foul. They say they simply cannot meet these requirements while...1801automotiveindustry,carparts,carrepair,china,electricvehicles,epa,government,innovation,mandates,renewableenergy,sema,taxpayermoney,technology,virginia,votingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-crypto-tax-season--59047173https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59047173Fri, 15 Mar 2024 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Many businesses are currently struggling to calculate the tax owed on their crypto investments, giving way to questions about what is required of them in this upcoming tax season. Additionally, many wonder when and how they should start adopting new...1801bankruptcy,crypto,cryptocurrency,digitalassets,digitalcurrency,federalgovernment,government,nft,nfts,regulations,stablecoins,taxbit,taxes,taxseason,treasurydepartment,virginia,w2falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-cancer-sux--58962983https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58962983Fri, 08 Mar 2024 09:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Cancer sucks. No argument there. But once you or a loved one has been diagnosed, what are the first steps and next steps to getting through this in one piece? On this episode, we're talking with Michelle Rapkin - a three-time cancer survivor who is...1801advice,author,books,cancer,chemotherapy,diagnosis,doctors,healthcare,helping,hospitals,lyphoma,oncology,patients,support,sympathy,virginia,writerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-ai-the-workforce--58882550https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58882550Fri, 01 Mar 2024 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Artificial Intelligence continues to gain ground in business and in our culture. From chatbots to software tools, this new technology will begin having a greater impact on many areas of our daily lives. On today's episode, we're talking to Revature...1741ai,artificialintelligence,business,careers,corporations,future,government,innovation,jobs,leadership,revature,revolutionary,technology,training,virginia,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-soul-survivor-ink--58702208https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58702208Fri, 16 Feb 2024 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)One small nonprofit hopes to help survivors of human trafficking and prior gang affiliation heal from the pain of their past by assisting them in the removal of “branding” tattoos and scars. To do that, they are trying to spread their message accross...1801brandingtattoo,childtrafficking,crime,gangs,healing,humantrafficking,mentalhealth,nonprofit,prostitution,soulsurvivorink,tattooremoval,trauma,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-retail-memberships--58505766https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58505766Fri, 09 Feb 2024 09:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Several groups like to study the spending habits of the average American. A new study found that not only do customers enjoy bundled retail memberships from big box stores like Costco, Amazon Prime, BJs, and Walmart+, but also those memberships save...1741bigboxstores,ccia,consumers,economy,perks,research,retail,retailmemberships,shopping,storecredit,study,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-inclusive-playgrounds--58505523https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58505523Fri, 02 Feb 2024 09:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Play is essential to kids’ healthy development but convenient and safe play spaces that fit into an existing daily routine can be difficult to find. KaBoom! is a non-profit dedicated to giving kids the childhood they deserve by updating and creating...1801children,community,experiences,families,inclusiveplay,kaboom,learning,nonprofit,playground,safespace,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-ev-myths--58450053https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58450053Fri, 26 Jan 2024 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Electric cars are not new. In 1888, the German Andreas Flocken designed the Flocken Elektrowagen, regarded by some as the first "real" electric car and there have been plenty more built since then. Global EV sales more than doubled from 2020 to 2021...1770batteries,cardealership,cars,chargingstations,consumers,driving,electricvehicles,ev,generalmotors,innovation,motorists,myths,shopping,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-military-outdoors-program-dog-training--58363736https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58363736Fri, 19 Jan 2024 09:54:04 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)This episode is a two-part show. First, we'll be discussing how the Sierra Club's Military Outdoors Program hopes to get feedback from veterans on the best ways to use nature to help reduce the experiences of mental health distress commonly felt by...1801anxiety,consistency,depression,dogs,dogtraining,furryfriends,healing,mentalhealth,military,outdoors,ptsd,sierraclub,training,veterans,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-white-house-wild-child--58270571https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58270571Fri, 12 Jan 2024 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Americans living in the White House today and throughout history are no strangers to critcism and controversy. However, one child of a former president seems to be a favorite because of her outlandish antics. On this episode, we're discussing the...1801aliceleeroosevelt,author,childhoodtrauma,controversy,corruption,government,history,legendarypersonalities,parenting,politics,roosevelts,virginia,whitehouse,whitehousewildchildfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-mortgage-rates--58085380https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58085380Fri, 29 Dec 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)In December 2023, the Housing Market Index showed that home builders reported an "uptick" in traffic among prospective buyers who previously felt priced out of the market. The Mortgage Bankers Association says mortgage refinancing applications are up...1801affordablehousing,banks,buyinghomes,federalreserve,financialadvice,financialplanning,financing,governmentprograms,homes,housing,interestrates,lending,loans,mortgagecompanies,mortgagerates,mortgages,sofibank,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-holidays-toxic-famillies--58009505https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58009505Fri, 22 Dec 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Some people enjoy drama-free get-togethers with their loved ones, while others feel anxiety at the thought of enduring a holiday party with their families. If you expect to hear critical or harsh remarks about your appearance, relationship status,...1801bodhi,boundaries,christmas,emotions,family,festivus,grief,hanukkah,holidays,holidaytrauma,kwansa,mentalhealth,newyear,omisoka,therapist,therapy,toxicity,virginia,yulefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-end-of-the-hour--57931934https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57931934Fri, 15 Dec 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When a trauma therapist is traumatized by loss, where do they turn? Trauma Therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis knew how to help her patients process grief. Although, she came undone when her father died after a year-long battle with cancer, followed by...1801author,bookclub,counseling,grief,griefcounseling,healing,journaling,loss,psychology,therapy,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-americas-healthiest-schools--57931485https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57931485Fri, 08 Dec 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The Alliance for a Healthier Generation hosted hundreds of school and district leaders at the "Americas Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit" in Washington, D.C. recently. They boast the title of "Americas Healthiest Schools", which is Healthier...1771americashealthiestschools,bestpractices,education,learning,milestones,motivation,schools,students,teachers,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-generative-ai--57873945https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57873945Fri, 01 Dec 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Estimates suggest that advancements in generative artificial intelligence have the potential to drive a 5 to 6 percent per annum increase in global GDP over the next 10 years. A new report titled Beyond AI: Generative AI and the next wave of...1801adaptation,aifears,artificialintelligence,computers,future,generativeai,government,regulations,society,software,technology,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-windows-catering-industry-trends--57670188https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57670188Fri, 17 Nov 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)A Virginia-based business has employed over hundreds of employees over the past 35 years and is well versed in the latest food and catering trends in the industry. The pandemic gave them an opportunity to evolve and adapt to new ways of doing business...1711catering,cooking,food,industrytrends,innovation,pandemic,preparedmeals,virginia,windowcateringfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-author-brittany-means--57296356https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57296356Fri, 10 Nov 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Stories of survival can easily become inspiration to others. On this episode, we're talking to the author of "Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways", a People magazine pick for the Best Books Fall 2023. Descriptions call it, “A breathtaking memoir about...1801author,children,domesticviolence,drugaddiction,drugs,families,healing,hope,inspiration,mentalhealth,storytelling,therapy,trauma,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-medicare-alzheimers-meds--57384138https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57384138Fri, 27 Oct 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)More than six million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease and by 2050, that number is expected to skyrocket to 13 million. The FDA approved two new treatments that slow the progression of the disease, but the Centers for Medicare...1771alzheimers,alzheimersdisease,chronicillness,copay,diagnosis,doctors,fda,fdaapproval,government,healthcare,medicare,medication,prescriptiondrugs,treatment,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-digital-assets--57277053https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57277053Fri, 20 Oct 2023 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)New proposed rules from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service require brokers of digital assets to provide clarity to taxpayers on tax requirements. They say the move is an effort to crack down on tax cheats while...1801bitcoin,cryptobroker,cryptocurrency,currency,digitalassets,financial,government,irs,money,regulations,taxbit,taxes,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-economic-talk--57200884https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57200884Fri, 13 Oct 2023 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)High food costs creating more food insecurity coupled with gas prices that are dollars away from the price four years ago - families making over $100-thousand dollars a year living paycheck to paycheck - these are the headlines that affect Americans...1801artificialintelligence,compensation,economicpolicy,economy,employees,employers,finances,government,governmentpolicy,personalfinances,strikes,unions,virginia,wealthinequality,workfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-encyclopedia-virginia--57095073https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57095073Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)When you want to hear the inclusive story of Virginia's history, some people hope you turn to Encyclopedia Virginia. The mission of the site is to provide a free, reliable, multimedia resource for students, teachers, and communities who seek to...1736africanamericanhistory,currentevents,encyclopediavirginia,historians,history,inclusivity,slavery,storytelling,virginia,writersfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-seed-your-future--56927347https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56927347Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)During Green Career Week, participating businesses and organizations will connect with local schools, colleges and universities to showcase the various career paths at their business. Seed Your Future started the movement to promote horticulture and...1801agriculturalliteracy,agriculture,careerchange,careers,education,farming,floriculture,horticulture,jobs,plants,seedyourfuture,technology,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-food-allergies-and-schools--56545880https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56545880Fri, 22 Sep 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Since 1 in 3 children in the United States deal with food allergies, it's imperative that parents be prepared and help their children and their classmates learn about the possible consequences of allergic reactions. On this episode, we are discussing...1801allergies,children,doctors,fare,foodallergies,healthcare,parenting,psychosocialeffects,treatments,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-communities-in-schools--56486805https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56486805Fri, 15 Sep 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)New groundbreaking investments hope to create jobs, improve graduation rates, and support thousands of students in over a thousand schools in America. Communities in Schools hopes to also help students in Virginia and across the nation overcome...1801charity,communitiesinschools,education,educators,emotionaleducation,familysupport,nonacademicobstacles,schools,students,studentsupport,teachers,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-student-loan-payments--56649754https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56649754Fri, 08 Sep 2023 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Soon borrowers who are out of college will have to resume paying back their federal student loans after more than three years. Some parents may prioritize their child's financial needs over their own need to prepare for retirement, which is not...1801education,federalstudentloans,financial,financialadvisor,financialliteracy,loans,money,repayment,saveplan,sofi,studentloans,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-it-talent-gap--56505410https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56505410Fri, 01 Sep 2023 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Cybersecurity statistics from Astra Security indicate that there are 2,200 cyber attacks per day, with a cyber attack happening every 39 seconds on average. In the US, a data breach costs an average of $9.44M, and cybercrime is predicted to cost $8...1801computers,cybersecurity,education,federalcontractors,governmentjobs,informationtechnology,jobs,revature,technology,training,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-paradox-of-debt--56357746https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56357746Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:00:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Debt is the real factor that drives both economic growth and financial crises from recessions to extreme inequality. In order to understand this paradox, we need to address why a certain amount of private debt is vital to the economy. On this episode,...1801banking,business,capitalism,credit,debt,economy,government,mortgages,paradoxofdebt,personalfinance,realestate,saving,spending,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-traveling-with-pets--56250060https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56250060Fri, 11 Aug 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)More Americans are traveling and some may be deciding not to board their pets. With an increase in the number of pet-friendly hotels and motels, many are bringing their furry friends along on their adventures. On this episode of Virginia Focus, we're...1801avma,bestpractices,cats,dogs,petetiquette,pets,pettravel,safety,traveling,veterinarian,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-satellite-comm-disasters--56140721https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56140721Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)For people and businesses, being prepared for natural disasters is key, and widespread outages have underscored the need for dependable satellite communication technology to ensure reliable connectivity in times of need. When internet and cell...1801communications,disasters,emergencies,flooding,heatwave,hurricanes,naturaldisasters,polarvortex,preparedness,satellitecommunications,survivalist,tornadoes,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-virginia-assocation-of-museums--56140679https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56140679Fri, 28 Jul 2023 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Whether you enjoy visiting historic houses, botanical gardens, aquariums and zoos, historic battlefields, or other places of interest, there is a group in Virginia supporting the educational and restorative work of those nonprofits in Virginia. On...1801aquariums,botanicalgardens,education,historicbattlefields,historicpreservation,history,museums,nonprofit,preservation,rememberance,virginia,zoosfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-vsp-heat-program--56075101https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56075101Fri, 21 Jul 2023 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)In 2020, Virginia State Police report that more than 11,000 vehicles were stolen in the commonwealth. It is estimated that the value of stolen vehicles and parts totaled more than $120 million. Don’t become a statistic or an easy victim. On this...1801autotheft,crime,enforcement,felony,heat,insurance,law,prevention,virginia,vspfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-judaism-disrupted--56016610https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56016610Fri, 14 Jul 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)After the pandemic, some people find themselves wondering how they can update how they think about spirituality in our modern world so it applies to their daily life. On this episode we are taking a look at the American Jewish experience and how...1801americanjews,book,judaism,rabbi,religion,spirituality,truth,virginia,wisdom,writerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-healthcare-apps-privacy--54129921https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54129921Thu, 06 Jul 2023 14:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Close to 84 million people use some type of healthcare app and many don't know that Health-related mobile and web apps are not bound by HIPAA, leaving room for risky data sharing practices. Virtru is a company that works for data security and privacy...1801apps,dataprotection,futureprotection,healthcare,legalprotection,sharingdata,technology,technologylaw,virginia,virtrufalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-smart-city-technology--54114481https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54114481Fri, 30 Jun 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Smart technology aims to make our lives easier. A new study indicates that living in a city that utilizes Smart City Technology improves our quality of lives and even makes us happier. Norfolk, VA is one of many cities across the U.S. that uses smart...1801ai,broadband,carbonfootprint,coxbusiness,municipalities,norfolk,smartcities,technology,virginia,wififalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-dating-trends-2023--54057696https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54057696Fri, 16 Jun 2023 08:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Your local dating scene is about to heat up with over half, or about 54% of single Americans hoping to end up in a relationship this summer! A new study by Thriving Center of Psychology found the most important dating trends to know this summer to...1801dating,datingpool,expectations,popular,single,trends,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-women-in-stem--54057667https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54057667Fri, 09 Jun 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)While women make up 48% of the workforce, women only hold about 29% of positions in STEM specialties. A new book, "Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM" shares over 30 success stories from women holding leadership positions in STEM...1801education,equality,glassceiling,industry,paydisparity,societalnorms,stem,virginia,women,womensissues,workforcefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-uso--53931954https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53931954Fri, 02 Jun 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Founded during World War II, the United Service Organizations may not be a familiar name for you but I bet if I shorten it to the USO, that helps, right? Aiming to be a GI's "home away from home", the organization is governmentally chartered but not a...18011%,airforce,army,coastguard,enlisted,families,freedom,marines,military,navy,spaceforce,support,uso,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-learning-acceleration-grants--53911276https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53911276Fri, 26 May 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)After the pandemic, Virginia fourth graders had the largest decline in the country for both math and reading -- three times worse than the national average according to Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera. Governor Glen Youngkin worked to...1801americansforprosperity,education,educationfreedom,educationgrants,educators,learningloss,specialeducation,students,teachers,tutoring,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-american-jewish-heritage-month--53894036https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53894036Fri, 19 May 2023 16:35:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)May is National American Jewish Heritage Month - a time to celebrate Jewish heritage and recognize the history of Jewish contributions to American culture. Virginia Governor Glen Youngkin signed a bill formally adopting the International Holocaust...1801americanjewishheritagemonth,antisemitism,education,holocaust,jewishcommunity,jewishpersecution,religion,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-stamp-out-fraud--53828124https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53828124Fri, 12 May 2023 08:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you pay insurance premiums‚ you’re already a victim of insurance fraud. The FBI says because of the number of people committing Insurance Fraud, the result is it costs the average U.S. family hundreds, if not thousands per year in the form of...1801autoinsurance,crime,fraud,insurance,insurancepremiums,investigations,propertyinsurance,statepolice,virginia,vsp,whistleblowerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-hypertension--53722365https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53722365Fri, 05 May 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Being aware of your blood pressure can be very valuable to your health. May is High Blood Pressure Education Month, and there is no better time to learn about the importance of monitoring your blood pressure. Half of all Americans have high blood...1801bloodpressure,health,healthcare,highbloodpressure,hypertension,may,nationalinstitutesofhealth,preventativemedicine,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-pickleball--53574211https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53574211Fri, 28 Apr 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)America's fastest growing sport is a combination of tennis, badminton & ping-pong. Rumored to be named after the creator's dog, Pickleball started in 1965. With more and more people of all ages heading out to a court, it's not surprising that...1801entertainment,families,games,offer.bet,pickleball,richmond,sports,survey,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-child-abuse-awareness-month--53515732https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53515732Fri, 21 Apr 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Thousands of children across the state of Virginia are victims of child abuse. In the Children Protective Services 2020-2021 annual report that runs from July to July, Richmond reports that 103 children were abused. In Henrico, there were 256 cases....1796abuse,charity,childabuse,children,education,families,familysupport,pregnantmothers,prevention,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-education-choice-bills--53507422https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53507422Fri, 14 Apr 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Americans are capable of extraordinary things when we have the freedom to do so. Americans for Prosperity holds that as their core belief. Headquartered in Virginia, Americans for Prosperity wants parents to have more options for the education of...1801americansforprosperity,education,government,learningstyles,schoolchoice,specialeducation,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/va-focus-harrisonburg-laura-dent--53451346https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53451346Fri, 07 Apr 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Being elected to a local political office does not mean you never need to leave home in order to serve your community. Last week many elected city officials met in Washington DC during the National League of Cities convention. Harrisonburg's Vice...1801bipartisan,convention,electedofficials,government,nationalleagueofcities,publicoffice,virginia,washingtondcfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-history-before-us--53369736https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53369736Fri, 31 Mar 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Oral history stems from the tradition of passing information of importance to the family or tribe from one generation to the next. Before the majority of people knew how to read and write, this was how everyone learned about the past. Since Frederick...1801africanamerican,blackhistory,blogs,documentaries,families,history,legacy,oraltradition,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-ftc-scams--53282045Emma Fletcher, Senior Data Researcher with the FTC.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53282045Fri, 24 Mar 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Americans lose billions of dollars to scams. Today's scammers use AI to mimic your loved ones voice or they pretend to be a familiar business or government agency to entice you to trust them and turn over your personal information. To learn more about...Emma Fletcher, Senior Data Researcher with the FTC.]]>1801data,federaltradecommission,fraud,ftc,government,identitytheft,reportscams,scams,victims,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-united-way-nsv--53214764https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53214764Fri, 17 Mar 2023 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Nearly two-thirds of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck according to a new survey from Lending Club. While a high median household income and expenses that are lower than in many other East Coast states help Virginia residents hang onto at...1801charity,communitysupport,fundraising,nonprofit,unitedway,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-blue-ridge-hospice--53113870https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53113870Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you were not already familiar with Hospice Care or even if you were, the recent announcement that former President Jimmy Carter was entering hospice care probably caught your interest. The concept of providing specialized care for dying patients,...1801benefits,blueridgehospice,death,doctors,grief,healthcare,hospice,jimmycarter,nurses,survivors,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-consumers-for-quality-care--53077732https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53077732Fri, 03 Mar 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Nonprofit hospitals operate as charities and are designed to deliver affordable and quality health care to everyone in their communities. However, despite their tax-exempt status, many nonprofit hospitals are praticing disturbing trends that put...1801charities,collections,consumersforqualitycare,government,healthcare,hospitalfees,low-incomepatients,nonprofits,patientcare,predatorycollectionpractices,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-chincoteague-ponies--52731105https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52731105Fri, 17 Feb 2023 09:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The commonwealth could boast a new symbol soon. House Bill 1951 actually began during last year's Virginia Model General Assembly and proposed making the Chincoteague Ponies the state's official pony. We're talking to Salt Water Cowboy and...1801chincoteague,chincoteagueponies,fundraising,generalassembly,government,horses,island,officialsymbol,ponies,tourism,virginia,volunteerfirefighters,wildponiesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-john-filipiak-entrepreneur--52686905https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52686905Fri, 10 Feb 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Axios reports the small business boom after the pandemic comes after one of the least entrepreneurial decades in U.S. history, the 2010s. Forbes experts predict 2023 will be a year of small business owners betting on themselves and focusing on the...1801business,economicdevelopment,economy,entrepreneur,foodservice,franchise,restaurants,smallbusiness,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-americorps-volunteering--52543246https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52543246Fri, 27 Jan 2023 09:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Every two years AmeriCorps, an independent agency of the U.S. government, releases a Civic Engagement and Volunteering Survey. The report ranks all 50 states and the nation's largest cities and metropolitan areas for their volunteering and engagement...1801americorps,community,giving,pandemic,survey,virginia,volunteer,volunteeringfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-brightview-addiction--52486990https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52486990Fri, 20 Jan 2023 09:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Addiction is a topic that affects everyone. What was once regarded as poor judgement or a moral failure, research has lead experts to now say there are four levels of addiction: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual and each one plays a role in...1775addiction,chronicconditions,doctors,fda,government,healthcare,hospitals,treatments,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-library-of-virginia--52365453https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52365453Fri, 06 Jan 2023 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein spoke words of wisdom when he said, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” Libraries are community hubs – where people find information and connect people to people....1801archives,cardcatalog,culture,deweydecimalsystem,government,heritage,history,library,libraryofvirginia,preservation,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-holiday-dui-enforcement--52310680https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52310680Fri, 30 Dec 2022 09:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Whether your hosting a party or going out with friends, many choose to celebrate the start of a New Year with an alcoholic drink.. or drinks. Experts say New Years Eve can be a particularly dangerous time to be driving because it's the holiday with...1801alcohol,drunkdriving,duicampaign,holidaytravel,lawenforcement,newyears,newyearseve,roadways,statistics,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-santa-derek--52261274https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52261274Fri, 23 Dec 2022 09:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Celebrating means many things to many people of all faiths, but almost unviversaly, observing the holidays means allowing Chris Kringle to come into our lives. For more than a few years now, in North Georgia, litteraly thousands of children, of course...1801christmas,holidays,merrychristmas,santa,validation,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-stuckeys--52198945If you have traveled nearly any of the highways and byways of the south and beyond, at some point you have seen a Stuckeys. Most often associated with a blue roof. At some point the popularity of the Stuckey's tapered off, but now granddaughter of the founder of Stuckey's and career litigator Stephanie Stuckey was able to buy the company from ruin. She aims to not only bring back the company to beyond it's once enjoyed heyday, but also bring back the American Road trip. As we learned from sitdown with Stephanie Stuckey, she has her work cut out for her, but seems well up to the task of Reviving Stuckeys. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52198945Fri, 16 Dec 2022 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you have traveled nearly any of the highways and byways of the south and beyond, at some point you have seen a Stuckeys. Most often associated with a blue roof. At some point the popularity of the Stuckey's tapered off, but now granddaughter of the...If you have traveled nearly any of the highways and byways of the south and beyond, at some point you have seen a Stuckeys. Most often associated with a blue roof. At some point the popularity of the Stuckey's tapered off, but now granddaughter of the founder of Stuckey's and career litigator Stephanie Stuckey was able to buy the company from ruin. She aims to not only bring back the company to beyond it's once enjoyed heyday, but also bring back the American Road trip. As we learned from sitdown with Stephanie Stuckey, she has her work cut out for her, but seems well up to the task of Reviving Stuckeys. ]]>1801brand,business,candy,families,nostalgia,roadtrip,saltwatertaffy,stuckeys,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-child-poverty--52135523https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52135523Fri, 09 Dec 2022 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The good news is that in the United States, child poverty fell by 59% from 1993 – 2019, according to a comprehensive new analysis. The study was a joint effort between The New York Times and a nonpartisan research group with an expertise in...1801advancement,charities,childpoverty,children,education,equity,families,government,statistics,virginia,wealthfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-lung-assn--52072236https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52072236Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The American Lung Association released the 2022 State of the Air Report including new information on Virgina's air quality and its impact on resident's health. It spotlights changes to the state's air quality in couties and metro areas since last...1801airquality,lungassociation,pulmonologist,stateoftheairreport,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-winter-energy-usage--51994501https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51994501Fri, 25 Nov 2022 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)As we approach the winter months and the temperature drops, Virginians want to know what to expect when it comes to their electricity bills. We are going to discover a variety of ways you can keep your energy usage down now and through the holiday...1801consumerenergyalliance,energy,energyefficient,energypolicy,energyusage,virginia,virginiaenergysense,winter,wintertipsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-ivy-creek-foundation--51935244https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51935244Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)We’re diving in to the history and beauty of river view farms – now known as Ivy Creek Foundation in Charlottesville. River View Farm is a rare surviving example of the Union Ridge/Hydraulic Mills community of African American farmers, pastors,...1738africanamericanhistory,blackhistory,education,hiking,history,naturalarea,nature,tourism,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-open-enrollment--51859057https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51859057Fri, 11 Nov 2022 09:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The Department of Heath and Human Services says the national uninsured rate reached an all-time low in 2022. That means 92% of Americans do have some form of health coverage. Reports also show that changes in uninsured rates from 2020 to 2022 were...1805health,healthcare.gov,healthinsurance,insurance,medicaid,medicare,openenrollment,paf,patientadvocatefoundation,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-fisher-house-veterans-day-special--51784311https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51784311Fri, 04 Nov 2022 10:30:48 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veterans families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world.1801fisherhouse,holiday,housing,military,servicemembers,veteransday,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-help-save-the-next-girl--51706204https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51706204Fri, 28 Oct 2022 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)On this episode, John Clark speaks to Gil Harrington, the founder of Help Save the Next Girl. Help Save the Next Girl is a national non-profit organization formed in honor of her daughter, Morgan Dana Harrington - a 20-year-old Virginia Tech student...1801author,danaharrington,grief,helpthenextgirl,investigation,murder,police,virginia,virginiatechfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-disability-paf--51625347https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51625347Fri, 21 Oct 2022 08:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you received a diagnosis tomorrow that threatened your ability to work, do you know how to navigate the disability system? This topic is critical to many patients and their families who are also frequently confused about the eligibility criteria...1801disability,government,healthcare,nonprofit,paf,patientadvocatefoundation,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-vertical-farming--51569083https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51569083Fri, 14 Oct 2022 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)As the population increases and developers buy up more and more land for housing and infrastructure, farmers find themselves trying to find new ways to expand their production. During the show, we’ll learn more about what vertical farming means, how...1811aerofarms,agriculture,future,government,innovation,sustainable,technology,verticalfarming,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-stamp-out-fraud-campaign--51493196https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51493196Fri, 07 Oct 2022 08:30:01 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you pay insurance premiums‚ you’re already a victim of insurance fraud. The FBI says because of the number of people committing Insurance Fraud, the result is it costs the average U.S. family hundreds, if not thousands per year in the form of...1801crime,insurance,insurancefraud,premiums,stampoutfraud,statepolice,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-enrironmental-policies--51421065https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51421065Fri, 30 Sep 2022 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Today on the show we’re talking about environmental policies in Virginia. In June of 1988, climate change became front page news and since then technology has created renewable energy options that have come to the forefront of the global energy...1741cleanwateract,environment,environmentalpolicy,government,greenhousegas,nationalwildlifefederation,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-ev-emergency-training--51351565https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51351565Fri, 23 Sep 2022 08:30:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)One large American automaker is expanding its efforts to educate public safety, fire and emergency service providers by sharing the best practices on how to most effectively support emergency situations involving electric vehicles. General Motor’s...1801falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-federal-tort-claims-act--51276245https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51276245Fri, 16 Sep 2022 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)The United States federal government was ordered to pay over $230,000 to victims of one of the largest mass shootings in the country where 26 people died and 22 more suffered injuries. This case was tried in federal court through the Federal Tort...1801accountability,court,departmentofjustice,doj,guncontrol,gunlaws,massshooting,texas,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-literacy-volunteers-winchester--51122546https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51122546Fri, 09 Sep 2022 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)If you thought you knew everything there was to know about your local literacy volunteer organization, think again. At one time, adult education referred to being taught remedial and basic reading and writing skills. Adults who attended these classes...1801adulteducation,citizenship,community,computerskills,esl,learning,literacy,reading,virginia,volunteers,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-auto-theft-insurance-fraud--51115965https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51115965Fri, 02 Sep 2022 11:58:10 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Special Agent Tony Royall discusses the Virginia State Police’s Insurance Fraud program and Special Agent Shannon Pinto talks about their HEAT program to curb auto theft.1801autotheft,crime,fraud,insurance,insurancefraud,prevention,statepolice,virginia,vspfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-patsy-cline--51071700https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51071700Mon, 29 Aug 2022 21:55:41 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Patsy Cline was one of the most iconic and influential singers of the 20th century but her life was tragically cut short in a 1963 plane crash that also claimed the lives of grand ole Opry stars Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas as well as her manager...1801falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-virginia-best-program-agcva--51006251https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51006251Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:16:17 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were still more than 1,008 fatalities in the construction industry during 2020 – the largest number out of all private industries – with 165,300 nonfatal injuries. Virginia’s Department of Labor...1771construction,government,health,industry,labor,mentalhealth,osha,safety,vabest,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-luray-caverns-travel-tips--50843638https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50843638Fri, 12 Aug 2022 08:30:02 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Today’s show is about the 144-year-old Luray Caverns over in the Shenandoah Valley - the largest group of caverns in the eastern United States. Located here in Virginia, the caverns boast a unique Hollywood story that includes ties to the release of...1784budget,caverns,expert,gas,geology,google,jetsetsarah,luray,luraycaverns,starwars,travel,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-libertarian-party-101--50819259https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50819259Fri, 05 Aug 2022 01:57:00 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)This week on Virginia Focus we’re talking politics… some might even call it taboo politics. A recent CNN poll shows voters are continuing to search for something new when it comes to who occupies the oval office after the next election amid high...1801ballotreform,libertarian,libertarianparty,politicalparty,politics,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-summer-weather--50740498https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50740498Fri, 29 Jul 2022 08:00:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)This week’s show will discuss Virginia Weather with VNN’s Meteorologist John Wetherbee. He’ll talk about what caused the recent heat wave and precautions to take in the heat, how this year’s hurricane season is looking so far, and the importance of...1785health,heat,hurricaneseason,preparedness,summer,virginia,weatherfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-pharmacy-benefit-managers--50740059https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50740059Thu, 28 Jul 2022 18:19:54 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Studies show prescription drug prices in the United States are significantly higher than in other nations, with prices in the United States averaging 2.56 times those seen in 32 other nations. Bloomburg reports the average American spends $1200 a year...1757drugprices,government,medicaid,medicare,pharmacy,prescriptions,supplychain,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-homewardva--50740021https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50740021Thu, 28 Jul 2022 18:15:03 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)Homeward VA is our region’s data-driven authority on homelessness and a national leader on homelessness research and data analysis. I’ve invited the Director of Development and Communications, Faith Kallman on the show to talk to us about the factors...1794families,homeless,homelessness,policy,veterans,virginiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-focus-student-safety--50739917https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50739917Thu, 28 Jul 2022 18:09:46 +0000640 WGST (WGST-AM)On Virginia Focus, we’re talking about student safety – physical, mental, and emotional. We will start the show talking to two people state leaders placed in charge of keeping Virginia’s schools physically safe. We’ll discuss Governor Youngkin’s...1801education,safety,schools,student,virginiafalsefull