Vaguely Local is a podcast focusing on locality while leaving room for variety, focusing on people and issues around Manhattan and beyond.

In this edition of the show, Nick spoke with City Commissioner and now District 22 State Senator Usha Reddi. She’s approaching her 10th year in city government, and in January was selected to replace Tom Hawk in the Kansas Senate – becoming the first Indian and Asian American Senator in State history. The Andhra Pradesh born politician speaks about that fact, how she navigated the pandemic as a human and mayor of Manhattan, and also got into some of the conflict over her decision to remain in city government while stepping into the Statehouse.