Category: Podcasts

SPORTS: NFL Draft Preview

by JJ Hendrickson & Thomas Callahan–

With the Seattle Seahawks defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, the official draft order for the first round is now set. This year, the NFL Draft will be held from April 23-25, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Every draft day brings a feeling of hope for each of the 32 NFL franchises, as any one of them may select the league’s next superstar. The Las Vegas Raiders will be making the first selection of the draft, with the Jets, Cardinals, Titans, and Giants rounding out the top 5.

Fernando Mendoza leads the group of prospective NFL players, as this Heisman and National Championship-winning QB is expected to go first overall. When looking at the prospect rankings, it becomes rather apparent that the vast majority of positional needs could be filled in this draft. There’s talent all over the field, with elite edge rushers, tackles, and even a safety projected to go in the top 10. With all the talent on the board and the combine still yet to come, we won’t know who ends up where until draft day.

INTERNATIONAL: Russia’s ban on photographers

Photo by Lian Rodriguez

by Anna Payne, Justin Patrick–

Photojournalism serves as a vital tool for political transparency, capturing the reality of politics and serving as a form of communication to the public. The Russian State Duma’s recent ban on photographers, sparked by complaints of “unflattering” images, highlights the growing friction between public appearances and the public’s right to know. When photography is taken out of the equation to protect a politician’s image, the line between governance and performance begins to blur.

From the Duma’s restrictions to Christopher Anderson’s intimate Vanity Fair portraits of the Trump administration, visual storytelling remains a powerful tool for debate, truth, and outright information. These moments force a choice between objective reporting and artistic taste.

Students’ opinions about Blacksburg Transit

By Sean Hughes and Kyle Rupe–

Photo by Jakob Scholz

Blacksburg Transit is the main bus system in Blacksburg and takes on the responsibility of getting thousands of students to class. Recently, the transit system has been facing problems due to the winter storms. Routes have been changing and delays have caused students to be late to class. Some students are also concerned about overcrowding on the busses. In this vodcast students give their opinions on Blacksburg Transit and its current state. Not all students have been negatively impacted recently, but most of them at least know one person who has been.

POLITICS: Va. governor’s tax increases

By: Sophia Tarabola & Walker Milstead–

Governor Abigail Spanberger’s early time in office has brought attention to a long list of new tax proposals being discussed by lawmakers in Richmond. Although Spanberger ran on making life more affordable for Virginians, several bills would add taxes to everyday goods and services that many people already use. These proposals include taxes on delivery services like Amazon, Uber Eats, and FedEx, as well as gym memberships, dog walking and grooming, dry cleaning, storage units, ride-share services, and certain equipment used by small businesses. There are also ideas to change income and investment taxes, which could affect higher earners.

Supporters say these taxes could help raise money for public programs and state needs. Critics argue they could increase costs for families, small business owners, and gig workers. Many of the proposals have not passed yet and are still being debated. According to reporting from 12 On Your Side
and 7News, the debate centers on whether these ideas match promises to keep Virginia affordable.

SCI/TECH: Inside Moltbook

By Jackson Woodling and Caitlin Whitfield —

Moltbook, the internet’s latest viral phenomenon. Moltbook, a social network created exclusively for artificial intelligence agents, where humans are allowed to observe but not post themselves.

Launched in January 2026 by entrepreneur Matt Schlicht, the site mimics the look and feel of Reddit but replaces human users with autonomous AI agents that can post, comment, and upvote discussions ranging from technical tips to philosophical musings.

We explore why this experiment in “AI social interaction” has captivated millions online, sparked debates about machine autonomy, and even led to security concerns after vulnerabilities in the system’s design were exposed.

ARTS/CULTURE: Music and Arts in Social Media

By: Conner Parker and Evan Niewoehner —

In today’s social media revolution, opportunities have opened for those who are unseen. Small-scale artists can share their work internationally with millions of viewers. A teenager with a hobby for music or a father painting out of his garage could become an internet sensation at any time.

From Alex Warren to Max Alexander, artists are finding their voices and success through social media. Posting one’s art can now lead to a full-time career in creative fields.

In this podcast, Evan Niewoehner and Conner Parker discuss the changing environment of artistic careers. They cover social networks, creative strategy, and monetization, all of which are impacted by social media’s growth.

The environmental dilemma of artificial intelligence

By: Evan Hull, Alana Powell, and Gracie Gosier – environment, climate, and sustainability reporters

As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries and daily life, its environmental impact is becoming a growing concern. While AI technologies can offer us tools for combating climate change, developing these models contributes significantly to increasing CO2 emissions.

Benjamin Jantzen, associate professor of computer science at Virginia Tech, discusses what goes into developing AI models and its impact on climate change.

Federal hiring freezes and funding cuts leave college graduates with uncertainty

By: Kyndall Hanson, Elizabeth Hill, and Janae Neely, education reporters

Throughout 2025, federal hiring freezes and funding cuts implemented by the Trump administration have created uncertainty for graduating college seniors. As students navigate post-graduate plans, they are often left to choose between entering the workforce or pursuing higher education, both of which present challenges. Kate Renz, assistant director of employer relations and career services in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, discusses the potential impacts on graduating seniors and offers advice on navigating the job market.

The News Feed NRV Podcast: Discussing Art-based Activism

By: Caroline Herbert, Will Frank, and Zain Omar, arts and culture reporters

This podcast discusses the recent “Just Stop Oil” protest in London at a performance of The Tempest. We then discussed the implications and consequences of art based protest and spoke with David Gammons, Assistant Professor of Directing, on his thoughts regarding protesting in the theater.