The Justice Report

Where does Virginia stand when it comes to poverty? In this eleventh and final episode of Season 3 (and the last of the Justice Report), Salaam and Jam talk about the latest news stories in Virginia, their paths moving forward, and the legacy of the Justice Report. More info on the VPLC: vplc.org

What's going on in the Governor's Mansion? In this tenth episode of Season 3, Salaam and Jam talk to Pamela Northam, First Lady of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to learn about her background, the legacy of First Ladies, and her work as the Chair of Virginia's Children's Cabinet. More info on the VPLC: vplc.org Got a story or question? Email us at [email protected]

Where did it all begin for our intrepid young podcasters? In this ninth episode of Season 3, Jam sits down with his father, Ali Bakhtiari, to talk about his immigration from Iran, the value of immigration and education, and the challenges of living as an Iranian immigrant during a period of heightened paranoia in America. More info on the VPLC: vplc.org Got a story or question? Email us at [email protected]

Where did it all begin for our intrepid young podcasters? In this eighth episode of Season 3, Salaam sits down with his father, Naweed Bhatti, to talk about his family's immigration from Africa, immigrant life in America, and the challenge of raising a family while lower on the income scale. More info on the VPLC: vplc.org Got a story or question? Email us at [email protected]

How is it that in the world's richest nation, millions still go hungry? And how can Virginia's policies fight against it? In this seventh episode of Season 3, Salaam and Jam sit down with Stephanie Hodges, M.S., Founder of The Nourished Principles, to talk about food apartheid, malnourished communities, the racist roots of hunger, and school meals. More info on the VPLC: vplc.org Got a story or question? Email us at [email protected]

UBI, Guaranteed Income, Minimum Income--one solution to poverty that's been rising has a simple premise: give people money. In this sixth episode of Season 3, Salaam and Jam talk Guaranteed Income to Danielle Greene, Chief of Staff of the Richmond Resilience Initiative, and Reggie Gordon, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services for the city of Richmond. More info on the VPLC: vplc.org Got a story or question? Email us at [email protected]

Parenting is expensive--but the federal government might be able to lend a hand. In this fifth episode of Season 3, Salaam and Jam dive into the Child Tax Credit passed as part of the American Rescue Plan earlier this year. They talk with Chris Wodicka, Senior Policy Analyst at the Commonwealth Institute to learn more about the policy--and then take to the streets of Richmond for some Street Justice, learning how the Child Tax Credit has impacted everyday Virginians. More info on the VPLC: vplc.org Got a story or question? Email us at [email protected]

With most of the world shut down over the last year, unemployment benefits became critical for millions unable to go to work. So if someone in need missed out, it was a serious problem. In this fourth episode of Season 3, Salaam and Jam tackle the issues in Virginia's unemployment system. State Delegate Sally Hudson to discuss her bill to patch up holes in the unemployment benefit system, as well as Steve Fischbach, Litigation Director at the VPLC ([email protected]), who led a class-action lawsuit to hold the Virginia Employment Commission accountable for processing claims in a timely manner. More info on the VPLC: vplc.org Got a story or question? Email us at [email protected]

On July 1, 2021, a whole host of new laws passed in Virginia finally came into effect. In this third episode of Season 3, Salaam and Jam tackle the end of Virginia's state of emergency--and what that change means for pandemic-era benefits. They're joined by Carmen Bingham, Project Coordinator for the Affordable Clean Energy Program at the VPLC ([email protected]) to discuss the impending end of the utility moratorium and the possibilities for public aid, as well as an up-and-coming public benefits attorney named Salaam Bhatti ([email protected]) to discuss reductions in SNAP and other public benefits. More info on the VPC: vplc.org Got a story or question? Email us at [email protected]

On July 1, 2021, a whole host of new laws passed in Virginia finally came into effect. In this second episode of Season 3, Salaam and Jam are joined by Sara Cariano, ENROLL Virginia! Policy Specialist and Lead Health Insurance Navigator at the VPLC ([email protected]) to discuss changes to Medicaid in the new year. They're also joined by a little-known public benefits attorney by the name of Salaam Bhatti ([email protected]) to discuss changes to SNAP and other benefits for low-income Virginians. ENROLL Virginia Helpline: 888-392-5132 More info on the VPC: vplc.org Got a story or question? Email us at [email protected]