Rob Ukrop on 'Untold - A WTVR Podcast'

Untold is a one-hour journey into the previously unheard stories of the people in charge of making big decisions, generating conversations, and sometimes causing controversy in Richmond, Virginia and beyond.

Untold is a one-hour journey into the previously unheard stories of the people in charge of making big decisions, generating conversations, and sometimes causing controversy in Richmond, Virginia and beyond.

Untold – A WTVR Podcast

Rob Ukrop

More than a year after his inauguration, and almost 12 months after he was the inaugural guest on 'Untold - A WTVR Podcast," Richmond mayor Danny Avula returned to talk with host Catie Beck about the highs and lows of 2025, and the icy start to 2026.

More than a year after his inauguration, and almost 12 months after he was the inaugural guest on 'Untold - A WTVR Podcast," Richmond mayor Danny Avula returned to talk with host Catie Beck about the highs and lows of 2025, and the icy start to 2026.

Mayor Danny Avula Returns

It was one of the most puzzling missing persons cases that Virginia has ever seen. In October 2009, a Virginia Tech student named Morgan Harrington traveled to Charlottesville for a Metallica concert. She got separated from her friends and vanished without a trace.

Three months later, Morgan’s body was found on a remote part of a nearby farm. But it would take years for her killer to be caught.

In the wake of what happened to their daughter, Dan and Gil Harrington have fought to protect others from suffering the same fate, forming the Help Save The Next Girl non-profit organization and also the Morgan Dana Harrington Memorial Scholarship Fund.

"We both think our lifespans will be foreshortened because of the stress of that loss, but despite that, and because we have been determined not to devolve into hatred, we have navigated and established a great deal of wholeness, and I'm so glad that we were able to do that,” Morgan's mother said Gil Harrington. "It ain’t an easy journey."

The Harringtons joined Catie Beck on the most recent episode of ‘Untold – A WTVR Podcast.’ Beck first interviewed the couple inside their Roanoke home just one month after Morgan disappeared.

"You know, the initial shock of Morgan missing was just overwhelming and horrible," father said Dan Harrington. "It was such a relief that someone found her because we know from previous interactions with parents whose kids or loved ones have never been found, how difficult that is."

Beck and the Harringtons discussed what it takes to get past grief, despite dealing with such an immense loss. They also talked about Docs for Morgan, an annual basketball game fundraiser that benefits Morgan’s scholarship fund. This year’s event takes place January 28.

"It is a celebration," said Gil Harrington. "It's Americana at its best. In these times people are seeking connection and belonging and boy do we have it here with this community. We are so grateful."

Subscribe to “Untold – A WTVR Podcast” on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

 

It was one of the most puzzling missing persons cases that Virginia has ever seen. In October 2009, a Virginia Tech student named Morgan Harrington traveled to Charlottesville for a Metallica concert. She got separated from her friends and vanished without a trace.
Three months later, Morgan&rsquo;s body was found on a remote part of a nearby farm. But it would take years for her killer to be caught.
In the wake of what happened to their daughter, Dan and Gil Harrington have fought to protect others from suffering the same fate, forming the <a href="http://helpsavethenextgirl.com/">Help Save The Next Girl</a> non-profit organization and also the <a href="https://medicine.vtc.vt.edu/giving/morgan-harrington.html">Morgan Dana Harrington Memorial Scholarship Fund</a>.
"We both think our lifespans will be foreshortened because of the stress of that loss, but despite that, and because we have been determined not to devolve into hatred, we have navigated and established a great deal of wholeness, and I'm so glad that we were able to do that,&rdquo; Morgan's mother said Gil Harrington. "It ain&rsquo;t an easy journey."
The Harringtons joined Catie Beck on the most recent episode of &lsquo;Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast.&rsquo; Beck first interviewed the couple inside their Roanoke home just one month after Morgan disappeared.
"You know, the initial shock of Morgan missing was just overwhelming and horrible," father said Dan Harrington. "It was such a relief that someone found her because we know from previous interactions with parents whose kids or loved ones have never been found, how difficult that is."
Beck and the Harringtons discussed what it takes to get past grief, despite dealing with such an immense loss. They also talked about&nbsp;<a href="https://medicine.vtc.vt.edu/events/docs-for-morgan-2026.html">Docs for Morgan</a>, an annual basketball game fundraiser that benefits Morgan&rsquo;s scholarship fund. This year&rsquo;s event takes place January 28.
"It is a celebration," said Gil Harrington. "It's Americana at its best. In these times people are seeking connection and belonging and boy do we have it here with this community. We are so grateful."
Subscribe to &ldquo;Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast&rdquo; on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzdUz3ZudXu_iJ2kvC6hxIH-hETRG8QkQ">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7lF7zBpTbH2oYy5XTXqIMj?si=8bAb7RooT72PDa2UEda8eg">Spotify</a>, and <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold-a-wtvr-podcast/id1797099810">Apple</a>.
&nbsp;

The Harringtons

Few people know more about Richmond’s nooks and crannies than Harry Kollatz Jr. The Central Virginia native has spent the last three plus decades at Richmond Magazine, exploring the city’s bygone eras and its culture, in addition to spotlighting the ever-expanding local arts scene.

“Everything comes from somewhere, and that's what I enjoy doing, as far as I can, delving into the origin story of people and places,” said Kollatz.

The writer/historian, wearing one of his trademark hats, sat down with Catie Beck for the most recent episode of ‘Untold – A WTVR Podcast.’ They took a deep dive into the River City’s past, present, and future, including the magnetism Richmond seems to have in both attracting new residents, and getting those who have left to one day return.

“So much of Richmond was built before the automobile, and/or grew as a result of streetcars, which, you know, traveled at a breakneck speed of 20 miles an hour,” said Kollatz. “So, Richmond is a place to appreciate, to observe. I walked to work for 20 years, zigzagging through the alleys of the Fan… and I always saw something different.”

Beck and Kollatz discussed everything from the rise of Scott’s Addition to the removal of the Confederate statues from Monument Avenue to the opportunities that might emerge if the city were to develop more of its waterfront.

Along those lines, Kollatz spoke about his latest project, the West by Water exhibit currently on display at The Valentine.

"You learn a little bit about the history of the James River and Kanawha Canal and its importance to the city and perhaps how it could be again in the future," said Kollatz.

Beck also asked Kollatz about how city leaders can make Richmond a more sophisticated and advanced city while also preserving its historic nature. He said embracing and supporting arts and culture is important, while also being more cognizant of the environment in future development.

“Let's be smart about it, let's make technology, you know, our friend in terms of what we can do with it in terms to make our lives better, not just for a few people, but for everybody,” said Kollatz. “There are people on social media that have not been to downtown Richmond since 1972 and they're really proud of that, but they don't live here really, and so, you know, let's make Richmond for the Richmonders that are here now and let's not turn into a turnstile city either.”

“We’re getting there. We’re getting somewhere.”

Read Harry in Richmond Magazine here, order Harry’s books here.

Subscribe to “Untold – A WTVR Podcast” on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

Few people know more about Richmond&rsquo;s nooks and crannies than Harry Kollatz Jr. The Central Virginia native has spent the last three plus decades at Richmond Magazine, exploring the city&rsquo;s bygone eras and its culture, in addition to spotlighting the ever-expanding local arts scene.
&ldquo;Everything comes from somewhere, and that's what I enjoy doing, as far as I can, delving into the origin story of people and places,&rdquo; said Kollatz.
The writer/historian, wearing one of his trademark hats, sat down with Catie Beck for the most recent episode of &lsquo;Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast.&rsquo; They took a deep dive into the River City&rsquo;s past, present, and future, including the magnetism Richmond seems to have in both attracting new residents, and getting those who have left to one day return.
&ldquo;So much of Richmond was built before the automobile, and/or grew as a result of streetcars, which, you know, traveled at a breakneck speed of 20 miles an hour,&rdquo; said Kollatz. &ldquo;So, Richmond is a place to appreciate, to observe. I walked to work for 20 years, zigzagging through the alleys of the Fan&hellip; and I always saw something different.&rdquo;
Beck and Kollatz discussed everything from the rise of Scott&rsquo;s Addition to the removal of the Confederate statues from Monument Avenue to the opportunities that might emerge if the city were to develop more of its waterfront.
Along those lines, Kollatz spoke about his latest project, the&nbsp;<a href="https://thevalentine.org/explore/exhibitions/west-by-water-richmonds-james-river-and-kanawha-canal/">West by Water exhibit currently on display at The Valentine</a>.
"You learn a little bit about the history of the James River and Kanawha Canal and its importance to the city and perhaps how it could be again in the future," said Kollatz.
Beck also asked Kollatz about how city leaders can make Richmond a more sophisticated and advanced city while also preserving its historic nature. He said embracing and supporting arts and culture is important, while also being more cognizant of the environment in future development.
&ldquo;Let's be smart about it, let's make technology, you know, our friend in terms of what we can do with it in terms to make our lives better, not just for a few people, but for everybody,&rdquo; said Kollatz. &ldquo;There are people on social media that have not been to downtown Richmond since 1972 and they're really proud of that, but they don't live here really, and so, you know, let's make Richmond for the Richmonders that are here now and let's not turn into a turnstile city either.&rdquo;
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re getting there. We&rsquo;re getting somewhere.&rdquo;
Read Harry in Richmond Magazine&nbsp;<a href="https://richmondmagazine.com/topics/harry-kollatz-jr.-author/">here</a>, order Harry&rsquo;s books <a href="https://harrykollatz.wordpress.com/portfolio/">here</a>.
Subscribe to &ldquo;Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast&rdquo; on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzdUz3ZudXu_iJ2kvC6hxIH-hETRG8QkQ">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7lF7zBpTbH2oYy5XTXqIMj?si=8bAb7RooT72PDa2UEda8eg">Spotify</a>, and <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold-a-wtvr-podcast/id1797099810">Apple</a>.

Rob Ukrop

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