The Politics Hour: Metro GM Randy Clarke talks ridership records, RFK stadium transit plans, and red line shutdowns

Metro is having a moment. The agency set ridership records over the July 4th weekend, riders are buying up Metro merch, and the agency is a key player in the city's biggest development project in decades. Yes, Metro is cool again, but challenges remain, including an uncertain financial future, extended shutdowns, and fare evaders. Metro General Manager Randy Clarke takes a ride into our studio to discuss it all.Virginia's primary elections are less than a month away, but early voting is already underway. It's been a chaotic election season, with Virginia voters passing a redistricting referendum in April only for courts to halt the effort a month later. The verdict left the district boundaries created in 2021 intact. Locally, the decision also means most primaries are unlikely to be competitive. But that doesn't mean there isn't intrigue statewide. UVA's Center for Politics Larry Sabato joins us to break down what to watch for in next month's primaries and what implications they could have nationwide.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885