Latvia Weekly
News & Politics
About
A weekly podcast that discusses the latest happenings in Latvia, hosted by Joe Horgan.
Episodes
- May 8th, 2026: Drone Drama, Parking Problems, and Wind Turbine Looting
The Latvia Weekly episode discusses an ongoing investigation into drones that entered Latvian airspace and crashed. It also features conversations on local traffic controversies in Rīga and updates from the Valmiera region.
- April 27th, 2026: Gone With the Wind
On the April 27th, 2026 episode of Latvia Weekly, Joe covers the aftermath of a weekend wind storm and updates on past stories. Gary provides a report from Vidzeme concerning his homestead.
- April 21, 2026: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Politics in an Election Year
Joe returns after a break to discuss transportation and politics in an election year. Gary provides an update from his homestead near Valmiera.
- LW Interviews: Checking in with Baltic Homesteader Gary Dickenson
Gary Dickenson, known for Baltic Homesteaders, discusses his content
- February 28, 2026: A Dream of Spring, a Lack of Stability (on Ice and in Parliament), and A Somber Anniversary
Joe and Gary Dickenson discuss the arrival of spring, a telecommunication-aided near-miss, Latvia's commemoration of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine, the collapse of the "For Stability" faction, and other ne…
- February 15th, 2026: White Alert, Winter Olympics, and Atvara goes Supernova
Alan Anstead from the Englishman in Latvia podcast joins Joe for a look back over the previous weeks' major stories, such as the continued extreme winter weather, Latvia's Olympic ups and downs, more Rail Baltic controversy, and an officia…
- February 1, 2026: Severe Frost Alerts, Disinfomation Consequences, and Rail Baltic Realities
This week, Joe is joined by the one and only Anete Germane from the Irregular Latvian YouTube channel to discuss the ongoing cold snap in Latvia which has led to phones buzzing with emergency alerts for three nights in a row along with oth…
- January 23rd, 2024: A Little Peace, a Lot of Transportation Headaches, and Winter's Continuous Chill
Joe breaks down major stories of the week including Speaker of Saeima Dace Mieriņa's surprise support for Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize campaign, a reality check for Rail Baltic, expensive renovations for Vanšu tilts, winters continued…
- January 9th, 2026: Translating "Coolcation," New US Ambassador, More Blizzards, and a New Ammunition Factory Underway
Kris Akenfelds comes to Rīga to join Joe for a discussion on Kurzeme's attempt at becoming a (not so) hot tourist destination, the continued wintry weather, the prosecution of individuals allegedly (illegally) assisting Moscow's nefarious…
- January 5, 2026: A Wintry New Year, DIY Danger, What's in a Name (Change), and Akenfelds by the Sea
It's already been a hectic new year in Latvia, with a massive wind storm ushering in the true beginning of winter and other major stories such as a fatal gas explosion in Torņakalns, the reestablishment of a single train between Rīga and T…
- 2025 in Review: Stories and People of the Year
Happy New Year! Joe is back with a roundup of the top stories of 2025 in Latvia, as well as the Latvia Weekly people of the year! "Auld Lang Syne" performed by the Concert Band of the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. Track…
- June 12th, 2025: Interview with Composer Scott Brickman and Local Election Results
Joe breaks down the biggest takeaways from the muniicpal elections that happened Saturday as well as the aftermath before interviewing composer and professor of music and education Scott Brickman about his experiences reconnecting with his…
- May 6th, 2025: Interview with Artist Katrīna Tračuma, Old Town Banditry, Traffic Towards Tallinn, and Jelgava's Market Nightmare Nearly Over
Latvia Weekly is back in a new format, with Joe covering some main happenings of the week and then interviewing Jelgava artist Katrīna Tračuma about the opening of her solo exhibition in Jelgava "Zemnieki. Zeme. Nieki. Zemieši. Zemgale." o…
- LW #233: Budget Pain, Drug Busts, and News from October 5th - 16th, 2024
As Latvia's coalition forces compromise on a budget, law enforcement crack down on one of the largest drug producing operations in Latvian history. Otto and Joe discuss these and other stories such as a smartphone ban, the announcement of…
- LW #232: One Year for Siliņa, Drone Disconnect, and News from September 4th-19th, 2024
As the Siliņa government celebrates its one year anniversary, Otto joins Joe from Budapest to discuss major issues such as fallout after an explosive-packed Russian drone landed in Rēzekne, bad news for Latvia's health sector, major update…
- LW #231: School Days, Poetry Days,and News from August 30th - September 3rd, 2024
As Otto and Joe begin the new year of studies, they sit down to discuss a number of stories related to education, Air Baltic's financial trouble, the upcoming Riga City Council election, Paralympic success, and more!
- LW #230: Revenge of the Mosquitos, Farewell Kariņš, and News from August 20-29, 2024
As Latvia suffers from an unusual amount of "odi," Otto and Joe discuss major stories such as growing criticism of the tax reform and budget formation process, former Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš's surprise decision to step away from po…
- LW #229: Flood Damage Fallout, Stranded in Spain, and News from August 7-15, 2024
As the high costs of rebuilding after devastating floods in southern Latvia become increasingly clear, Otto and Joe discuss the implications as well as other major stories such as a tour group of Latvian youth stranded in Spain, parliament…
- LW #228: Zemgale Soaked and News from July 22nd - August 1st, 2024
As Latvia's top athletes compete in the Olympics, much of the country continues cleaning up after a historic storm that left much of southern Latvia drenched and littered with fallen trees. Otto and Joe discuss these major stories along wi…
- LW #227: International Aspects and News from July 10th-21st, 2024
As Otto continues his time in Washington DC following the NATO summit, he joins Joe to discuss issues such as European Union leadership appointments, major decisions by the European Court of Human Rights, decoupling from the Russian energy…
- LW #226: Otto at the NATO Summit, Deadly Drivers, and News from June 28th - July 4th, 2024
Before getting ready to celebrate America's independence day, Otto and Joe sit down to discuss some major stories of the week such as planned tough new road safety measures following a week of deadly crashes, the first few days of same sex…
- LW #225: Midsummer in Maine, Boston and Latvian Sports Glory, and News from June 14th-27th, 2024
Having just celebrated midsummer Līgo/Jāņi celebrations in the US state of Maine, Joe sits down to talk about major stories such as more headaches for both rail and road travel, Kristaps Porzinģis' success on the Boston Celtics, a final go…
- LW Interviews: Sea Buckthorn Garden "ZELT BIO" Co-founder Eduards Vilks
To get into the midsummer spirit, Joe drives a bit outside of the city to sit down with "ZELT" Sea Buckthorn Garden co-founder Eduards Vilks to discuss his and partner Elīna's experiences in setting up a major agricultural endeavour as wel…
- LW #224 Results of the European Parliament Election and News from June 7th-13th, 2024
With the results of the European Parliament election in, Otto and Joe break down the biggest takeaways and discuss a few other stories such as the mounting costs of the Rail Baltic project, possible prosecution for a controversial former m…
- LW #223: Summer Arrives and News from May 20th - June 4th
With temperatures above 30 degrees in some places, Joe discusses the hot weather as well as a few other important stories from the week. He also sits down with a few students who have participated in the ENGtegrationForUkraine project's fr…
- LW Interviews: The Organizers of ENGtegrationForUkraine
Please support our project by sharing this link as widely as possible! https://gogetfunding.com/help-ukrainian-refugees-in-latvia-continue-learning-english-2/ Joe sits down with co-host and fellow project organizer Otto Tabuns, head teache…
- LW #222: Northern Lights, International Success, and News from May 1st-14th, 2024
The "ziemeļblāzma" (northern lights) shining above Latvia last weekend seem to have been a good sign, with singer Dons securing Latvia's best Eurovision result since 2016 and a string of victories to open the 2024 International Ice Hockey…
- LW #221: As the Winter Tire Turns and News from April 16th - 23rd, 2024
Those who took their winter tires off might have done so too soon as winter returned with a vengeance early this week. Otto and Joe discuss the strange weather along with new developments in the plan to move away from Russian as a second f…
- LW #220: New Foreign Minister and News from April 1st - 16th, 2024
As Latvia's likely new foreign minister gets introduced to the public, Latvia's previous foreign minister deals with the continued fallout from a questionable amount of state and EU funding being used on private jet flights. Otto and Joe m…
- LW #219: The Trouble with State-Provided Transportation and News from March 18th-30th, 2024
While Krišjānis Kariņš has resigned from the post of foreign minister after mounting criticism over his use of private jets while prime minister and the announcement of criminal proceedings for those involved with arranging them, Mayor of…
- LW #218: "Go and (Don't) Burn (Grass)" and News from March 1st - 11th, 2024
Otto and Joe explain the difference between the Latvian words "degt" and "dedzināt," especially in the context of one dangerous tradition, before discussing major stories of the week such as the rapid approval and beginning of border defen…
- LW #217: A Heavy Day and News from February 16th - 24th, 2024
On a gloomy day that marks two years since Russia's unprovoked wide-scale invasion of Ukraine, Otto and Joe discuss major stories of the week such as Latvia's massive assistance to Ukraine, a new depth to Rēzekne's financial governance tro…
- LW #216: Somewhat Spring and News from February 6th - 15th, 2023
LW #216: Somewhat Spring and News from February 6th - 15th, 2023 by Latvia Weekly
- LW #215: Weather Fluctuations and News from January 6th - 11th, 2024
With temperatures fluctuating between around -30 and +5 degrees Celsius throughout Latvia over the past week, Otto and Joe discuss the effects on infrastructure as well as a number of other news stories from the week. Photo: Emilian Robert…
- LW #214: 2023 Year in Review and News from December 2023 - January 5th, 2024
After briefly discussing the bitter cold that's caused more than a few problems for Latvia's new electric trains, Otto and Joe count down the top 10 biggest stories of 2023 and announce the Latvia Weekly person of the year. "Auld Lang Syne…
- LW #213: On One Train and News from November 22nd - December 28th, 2023
It's an exciting time for Latvian passenger rail, as not only long promised new electric trains are finally in service, but daily train service to Vilnius has finally been reestablished! Joe discusses the exciting news along with a number…
- LW Presents: The Holiday Season in Latvia with Musician Jöran Steinhauer
Every Saturday until December 23rd, German musician Jöran Steinhauer will be playing a series of free holiday season concerts at St. Peter's Church in Riga that all are welcome to attend. Joe sits down with Jöran to discuss German, Latvian…
- LW Interviews: Artists Eamonn Shanahan and Katrīna Tračuma
Joe sits down with Eamonn Shanahan (IE) and Katrīna Tračuma (LV), artists of the international "Nua Collective" which will be opening an exhibition called "Blackout" about climate change and the energy crisis on December 9 in the Jelgava O…
- LW #212: Frosty Windshields and News from November 16th - 21st, 2023
As temperatures drop to -10 Celsius in parts of Latvia, Otto and Joe discuss major stories such as Sigulda's renewed Olympic dreams, President Rinkēvičs' trip to Israel and the West Bank, the strangest police confiscation of white powder i…
- LW #211: Proclamation, Pause on Partnerships, and News from November 10th - 15th, 2023
Otto and Joe sit discuss the meaning of the 18th of November in Latvia along with some major stories from the previous week, such as the passing and then pausing of new amendments to the civil partnership laws, the announcement of major ne…
- LW #210: Commemoration, Controversy, and News from October 26th - November 9th, 2023
Otto is back with Joe to discuss commemoration of Latvia's most important military victory in its history, as well as other stories such as controversy over a new sign for Riga Central Station, Major new legislation projects over hot butto…
- Winter Tire Time, Teacher Salary Trouble, and News From October 13th - 25th, 2023
With Otto in America, Joe takes a look at some of the biggest stories of the week including new survey results regarding language, the opening of a new high speed road, troubles with teacher salary calculations, the shelving of a chaotic i…
- LW #208: A Dark and Stormy Night, Bomb Threats, and News From October 5th - 12th, 2023
With the first snow having fallen in Latvia as part of a weekend storm, Otto and Joe discuss seasonal issues such as the lowering of speed limits throughout the country along with other major stories like bomb threats to schools and kinder…
- LW #207: Speaker Surprise and News from September 15th - October 4th, 2023
Otto and Joe look back on the biggest stories of the last few weeks, including the surprise election of Daiga Mieriņa as the new Speaker of Parliament, major developments in the criminal processes for two long-controversial politicians, ha…
- LW #206: New Coalition and News from September 6th - 14th, 2023
"Jauns" is the Latvian word of the week as Otto and Joe discuss the newly agreed upon coalition before taking a look at a number of important stories from regions all over Latvia, such as Valmiera's local government under investigation for…
- LW #205: New School Year, New Coalition, and News from August 22nd - September 5th, 2023
The first of September is "Zīnibu diena" (Knowledge day) in Latvia, and Otto and Joe are back in Jelgava for not just the beginning of a new school year, but also to discuss stories such as the formation of a new three-party coalition, Lat…
- LW Interviews: "An Englishman in Latvia" Podcast Host Alan Anstead
Joe sits down with Alan Anstead, a former British diplomat who lived in Latvia in the 1990s and returned to live in Latvia last year and start producing the "An Englishman in Latvia" podcast. The two discuss connections between the UK and…
- LW #204: Ķirsis Gets His Turn and News from August 17th - 21st, 2023
After years of climbing the ladder of Rīga city government, Jaunā Vienotība's Vilnis Ķirsis gets his turn in the big chair as the new chair, or priekšsēdētājs, of city council — but how long will he able to manage a rowdy coalition of fact…
- LW #203: Kariņš Steps Back, Siļiņa Steps Forward, and News from August 9th - 16th, 2023
After making history as the first ever Latvian prime minister to last from one regularly scheduled election to another, Krisjānis Kariņš has finally announced his resignation while his party has put forward Minister for Welfare Evika Siliņ…
- LW #202: Hail, Wind, Torrential Rain, and News from August 2nd - 8th, 2023
As much of Zemgale and Latgale starts cleaning up after an unusually powerful and devastating storm, Otto and Joe discuss the impact on residents, nature, and the agriculture sector along with a few other major stories from throughout the…