Wednesday, May 8

Name day: Staņislava, Staņislavs, Stefānija

Public broadcasting of Latvia
In Riga +3 °C, WNW wind, 2m/s

Dāvids Freidenfelds

Latvian Television

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Mayor caught up in indecency scandal could face dismissal
Mayor caught up in indecency scandal could face dismissal
Several deputies were ready to vote on the suspension of the Jelgava Regional Council chairman on Wednesday, March 27, and submitted a motion to the Council to add the issue of the suspension of Mayor Madars Lasmanis to the agenda of Wednesday's meeting. Other Members disagreed and rejected the proposal. 
143 Latvian businesses continue cooperation with Russia
143 Latvian businesses continue cooperation with Russia
More than 140 Latvian companies continue cooperation with the Russian Federation, offering their products for trade in the Russian market. Compared to 2022, exports decreased by only 2%. Who are these companies and are they going to cut ties with Russia? Latvian Television attempted to find out.
Old elevators still a pressing issue across Rīga
Old elevators still a pressing issue across Rīga
Keeping elevators in technical order has been a challenge since Russia invaded Ukraine. Almost all the old elevators in the houses built during the Soviet Union are made in Belarus. “Riga House Manager” says the long-term answer would be a replacement, but most apartment building residents can't afford it, Latvian Television reported on March 25.
Jelgava municipality mayor caught up in public indecency scandal
Jelgava municipality mayor caught up in public indecency scandal
Questions about ethics have been raised by a recording posted on social media from a meeting of the Budget Commission of the Jelgava Regional Council, which was joined remotely by the chairman of the council, Madars Lasmanis. The video shows Lasmanis in a car rather obviously touching a woman in the backseat. Lasmanis denies all allegations of public indecency, Latvian Television reported on March 21.
Latvia hopes to start producing munitions by end of year
Latvia hopes to start producing munitions by end of year
Latvia is the only Baltic country to have received funding from the European Commission (EC) Munitions Support Fund. Contracts are not yet signed. However, the Defense Minister expects a munitions plant to be operational by the end of this year, Latvian Television reported Monday March 18.
Increasing number of pro-Russian vandalism cases in Rīga
Increasing number of pro-Russian vandalism cases in Rīga
The Security, Order and Corruption Prevention Committee of Riga City Council has received an unusually high number of reports of acts of vandalism in recent weeks - both vandalism of pro-Ukraine posters and pro-Russian aggression graffiti on the walls of buildings, Latvian Television reported on March 14.
Tax service to look at New Unity's finances
Tax service to look at New Unity's finances
The possible payment of off-the-books wages to the employees of the New Unity party is being examined by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB). Financial evaluation of the party shall also be performed by the State Revenue Service (VID), Latvian Television reported on March 12.
Who is responsible for unsafe playgrounds in Rīga?
Who is responsible for unsafe playgrounds in Rīga?
On Sunday, a young man suffered a head injury at a Rīga municipal mini-football field. Part of the goal detached from the structure and hit the youngster in the head. This isolated case marks one of the problems in Rīga municipality – there are many unsafe sports and recreation areas in Rīga, and the issue is rarely addressed, Latvian Television reported Monday.
Post offices' fate should be clear by April
Post offices' fate should be clear by April
Latvia's postal reform, which initially foresaw closing 60% of post offices, has been halted for now, and no post office will be closed anew. Those whose activities have been suspended already will remain closed, the Latvian Postal Service (LP) representatives and Transport Minister said on Wednesday, February 28.
Postal service workers divided over coming changes
Postal service workers divided over coming changes
After the plan to close Latvian Postal Service (Latvijas Pasts, LP) offices was suspended, discussions were not over. Postal workers are divided - some are looking for other solutions with their union, and some are signing a letter in support of the changes, Latvian Television reported on February 22.
Latvian passports lie in bushes on USA-Mexico border
Latvian passports lie in bushes on USA-Mexico border
A woman gets into the US from Mexico and tosses a passport in the bushes. The passport is Latvian, as seen in the American CBS broadcast 60 Minutes. Whether the document is forged or the woman is indeed a Latvian citizen will be investigated, Latvian Television reports on February 6.
Three years after house explodes, residents take municipality to court
Three years after house explodes, residents take municipality to court
In Rīga, Āgenskalns, just over three years ago a house was hit by an explosion. The house has not been renovated. The initiated criminal proceedings have been terminated, but residents continue the fight – now in court, demanding that Rīga municipality finally reinstate the house, Latvian Television reported on January 26.
Baltic states agree to create joint 'Defense Line'
Baltic states agree to create joint 'Defense Line'
At a meeting of the of Defense Ministers of the Baltic States in Rīga January 19, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia signed an agreement on the establishment of a joint 'Baltic Defense Line' to strengthen the eastern borders of their countries, of the European Union and of NATO.
Thousands had power cuts due to rapid thaw
Thousands had power cuts due to rapid thaw
Thousands of households experienced power cuts on Wednesday, January 10. The electricity distribution network  Sadales Tīkls explains that breakdowns are caused by rapid changes in air temperature, Latvian Television rpeorted.
Latvian Radio objects against public media unification
Latvian Radio objects against public media unification
Latvian Radio sent an open letter to Saeima deputies January 9 claiming that the planned merger of public service media – Latvian Radio, Latvian Television, and LSM – will create only new concerns and difficulties.
Rail Baltica costs in Rīga have soared by 90 million euros(update)
Rail Baltica costs in Rīga have soared by 90 million euros(update)
A little more than three years have passed since the construction of the central hub of "Rail Baltica" in Riga began, making a major impact on the city landscape. Both the client and the contractor do not hide the fact that the project is far more expensive than originally thought, and the costs could increase further before completion.
More than 100 infrastructure workers deemed 'untrustworthy'
More than 100 infrastructure workers deemed 'untrustworthy'
This year alone, the State Security Service (VDD) has checked more than four thousand employees who work in areas concerned with Latvia's critical infrastructure, and has decided more than a hundred are "probably untrustworthy", reported Latvian Television October 28. 
LTV checks how easy it is to buy drugs in Rīga
LTV checks how easy it is to buy drugs in Rīga
Drug consumption has increased this year, say the State Police. They have become more dangerous over the past year, with unknown substances and more readily available. Latvian Television conducted an experiment to find out how quickly it was possible to negotiate a drug purchase. Police were unsurprised about the results, LTV reported October 19.
Rain and wind add on to storm-devastation in Latvia
Rain and wind add on to storm-devastation in Latvia
Most of the roofs of homes damaged in the devastating storm of August 7 have now been covered with films. But the continuing rain and wind rips holes in the film, and many sleep with a bucket of rainwater next to the bed, Latvian Television reported on August 28.
NATO planes train over Latvia
NATO planes train over Latvia
Latvian Television (LTV) reported June 27 on NATO training flights which have been taking place in Latvian and Baltic airspace in recent days.
Emergency services urge public to celebrate mindfully
Emergency services urge public to celebrate mindfully
A couple of days are left until the Midsummer celebration. Rescue services, as every year, are concerned and urge the public to be careful – to look after small children, not to be reckless while drinking, and certainly not to let a tipsy friend sit behind the wheel, Latvian Television reported on June 20.
Agriculture Ministry plans supermarket closures on Sundays(update)
Agriculture Ministry plans supermarket closures on Sundays(update)
To stop the rise in food prices, one of the action plans prepared by the Agriculture Ministry is the closure of supermarkets on Sundays. This will reportedly encourage more low-price competition on working days and the opportunity on Sundays for small businesses to earn, Latvian Radio and Latvian Television reported on June 6.
Growing number of science exam-takers at schools
Growing number of science exam-takers at schools
This year, compared to last year, far more pupils about to graduate high school choose to take biology, physics, and chemistry as their elective exams, said the State Educational Content Center on April 26.
Concerning figures of road deaths this year in Latvia
Concerning figures of road deaths this year in Latvia
The new map of the “black points” of Latvian roads, or locations especially prone to accidents, has fewer points than before. The number of road deaths, however, is higher in the first months of this year than in the same months last year, Latvian Television reported from a Latvian State Roads discussion on April 19.