Rhode Island Report

It’s time for voters in CD 1 to pick the person who will likely represent them in Congress. Dan McGowan, Steph Machado, and Ed Fitzpatrick have the latest updates and information about the race in this special bonus episode of Rhode Island Report. Tips and ideas? Email us [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Providence is about to get a new sculpture in honor of a local Black artist. Edward Bannister was a prize-winning painter in the 1800s and a founder of the Providence Art Club. The club will unveil his sculpture next weekend during PVD Fest. Pamela Watts from Rhode Island PBS Weekly and Gage Prentiss, the creator of the Bannister sculpture, join the show to talk about Bannister's place in Providence history and why it's important to acknowledge his life and work. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The primary for the First Congressional District race is just weeks away, and the Democratic winner is very likely to become our next representative in Congress. But there are 12 Democrats running — and a lot of disagreement among them. Our own Steph Machado and Jim Hummel from A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS join the podcast to give us their analysis. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the first time ever, an American team has won the Ocean Race, a sailing competition around the globe that's been running for 50 years. Leading the team was Charlie Enright, a Rhode-Islander and Brown University graduate. He joins us on the podcast to tell the story of their dramatic victory — and the environmental changes he sees out on the water. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

US Representative Seth Magaziner went from being Rhode Island’s junior congressman to our senior and ONLY congressman in just a few months. He joins us in the studio to talk about his first term in office, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the race to replace former Congressman David Cicilline. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

During COVID, Dr. Ashish Jha was often the face of public health, appearing constantly in the media and staying active on Twitter. Then he joined President Biden's administration as COVID czar. Jha, who left the White House in June to return as dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health, saw firsthand the dangers of misinformation and says the government and public health leaders must do a better job communicating next time. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a special collaboration with "Future of XYZ" on Rhode Island PBS, we bring you a conversation with David Hardy, the CEO of Ørsted North America. Ørsted is the company behind Rhode Island’s next offshore wind farm and potentially more to come. We talk about the timeline for the project, why Rhode Island rejected Ørsted’s most recent proposal, and prospects for the industry over the next 10 to 20 years. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been more than a year since Rhode Island legalized marijuana. What’s happened since? Is the law living up to its promise to address the harms of the war on drugs? Representative Cherie Cruz, a Pawtucket Democrat, advocated for the law before she joined the General Assembly. She gives us an update and talks about the future of McCoy Stadium and soccer in Pawtucket. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Looking for something to do this summer? On days that are too cold for the beach, you could check out some of the hundreds of museums in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. We talk to Jim Karpeichik, the co-producer of “Treasures Inside the Museum” on Rhode Island PBS, for some recommendations. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're off this week for the 4th of July holiday. Ed Fitzpatrick will be back next week with a new episode. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been more than three years since the murder of George Floyd inspired worldwide protests and a reckoning about the state of racism in America. But what’s happened since? Kiara Butler, the host of Generation Rising on Rhode Island PBS, says she’s seen a waning commitment to racial equity work. But she's not giving up. In her new book, "Terms and Conditions," she offers a framework for moving forward. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we’ve got our new Globe Rhode Island reporter Steph Machado doing what she does best — reporting on Providence City Hall. She sat down with Mayor Brett Smiley to talk about the Cranston Street Armory, PVD Fest, marching with his husband in the Pride parade, and higher tax bills for homeowners. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sherry Pocknett, the owner and chef at Sly Fox Den Too in Charlestown, was just named a James Beard Award winner, the restaurant industry's most prestigious honor. Sherry is the first Indigenous woman chef to receive the award. We talk about her restaurant, eating with the seasons, and her ambitions for expansion. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The COVID public health emergency may be officially over, but the mental health effects will linger for years. This week, we talk to mental health counselor and singer-songwriter Allison Rose. She’s about to release an album that includes songs about her father, who died of COVID. Allison also uses music as a tool in her therapy sessions with clients. We talk about music, grief, and her upcoming performance at Providence Porchfest. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to a live event taped at the Rhode Island PBS studios celebrating the podcast’s 100th episode. Our host, Ed Fitzpatrick, and Jim Ludes from Salve Regina and Rhode Island PBS interview House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Brown political science professor Wendy Schiller concludes the show with some analysis. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

US Representative David Cicilline has spent nearly half of his life in politics — first as a state representative, then the mayor of Providence, and finally in Congress. He's leaving all of that behind this week to run the state’s largest philanthropic organization, the Rhode Island Foundation. We chat about his last day in office, the debt-ceiling debate, and where he envisions taking the foundation in the years ahead. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Almost exactly two years ago, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, the former Rhode Island Governor, joined us as the first guest on Rhode Island Report. At the time, she was only a few months into the job. So, Jim Hummel from Rhode Island PBS and I decided it was time for an update. She joins us to talk about the debt ceiling, Tiktok, and our relationship with China. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been more than 20 years since Richard Hatch won the first season of "Survivor." Since then, the Rhode-Islander has embraced his "naked guy" brand and competed in "Celebrity Apprentice," "Survivor All Stars," and "The Biggest Loser." He also served a federal prison sentence for tax evasion. Richard joins us to talk about who’s catching his eye on this season of "Survivor," what he thinks of Donald Trump, and what it was like behind bars. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the impact of having fewer Head Start classrooms? How has gun violence affected our young people? How does asthma relate to attendance in school? The organization Rhode Island Kids Count has been providing answers to these kinds of questions for nearly 30 years in its annual fact book. We talk to the executive director of Kids Count, Paige Clausius-Parks, for a preview of the latest data. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sirens blaring, music blasting, horns beeping, ATVs -- Providence is full of noises. And those noises affect some communities more than others. Rhode Island PBS producer Michelle San Miguel and Brown Professor Erica Walker join us to talk about Walker's project examining which neighborhoods are the loudest, and what we can do to make urban noise more equitable. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The state's housing crisis is affecting our emergency departments. Rhode Island PBS producer Isabella Jibilian recently explored how residents without housing often use hospitals as a safe, warm place to stay, especially during the winter. She joins us, along with state Senator Josh Miller, who’s been arguing that Rhode Island should use Medicaid funds to provide housing. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Rhode Island, we knew Nicholas Alahverdian as an advocate for Rhode Island foster children. He was notorious for spending time at the State House and lobbying officials, and he was pretty relentless about contacting reporters, including our own columnist, Dan McGowan. But law enforcement officials say he’s also a con artist and a sex offender who faked his own death. In 2022, they arrested him in Scotland, allegedly living under the name Arthur Knight. Journalist Jane MacSorely spent a year following his story for the Audible podcast series “I am not Nicholas.” She joins us to talk about what she learned. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been more than 10 years since part of Interstate 195 was relocated, freeing up 25 acres of prime Providence real estate. What’s happened since? And has the project lived up to its original intent? We get an update from Marc Crisafulli, the new chairman of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The list of people running to replace US Representative David Cicilline in Congress is getting longer every day. What is the state of the race, and who's in the best position to win? We’re joined by Brown University political science Professor Wendy Schiller and Jim Hummel, host of “A lively Experiment” on Rhode Island PBS. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A man who made headlines promising to turn Memorial Hospital into a solution for the state’s homelessness crisis is not all that he seems. Earlier this month, our own reporter Amanda Milkovits released the first installment of her investigation into Michael Mota - a businessman who is being chased for money in multiple states by creditors, investors, and vendors.Amanda joins the show to play some of her interviews with Mota and give us a behind-the-scenes look at the story. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In December, Globe RI’s Alexa Gagosz wrote a story about the Strong family – Holly, Kiel, and their four children. They’re middle-class Rhode-Islanders – with jobs – who spiraled into homelessness last year. In their search for housing, they've spent more than $40,000 on hotel rooms and more than $5,000 on rental application fees. They're still living in a hotel. Ed Fitzpatrick talks to Holly and Alexa about the family's story and how it's become emblematic of Rhode Island's housing crisis. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brian Amaral from Globe RI is half Portuguese, which means he loves the food, but he doesn’t know how to make it. So, he drove to the home of Maria Lawton, the host of Maria's Portuguese Table on RI PBS for a cooking lesson. Listen in as Maria teaches Brian how to make “ovos com molho de tomate e cebola” or eggs with tomato and onion sauce. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi is getting serious about Rhode Island’s housing crisis. Last week, he unveiled no less than 14 bills to address the problem. But will he even be in the State House much longer? He’s also considering a run for Congress now that David Cicilline has decided to step down -- and he says Gina Raimondo is encouraging him to go for it.He joins us to talk about that and more. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2010, David Upegui left a research job at Brown University to become a science teacher at his alma mater- Central Falls High School. That work has won him numerous awards, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.He joins us to talk about rethinking science education and empowering students in Central Falls and beyond. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Representative David Cicilline dropped a surprise announcement today- he’s resigning from congress to run the state’s largest philanthropic organization, the Rhode Island Foundation. Why is he leaving a seat he could have held for the rest of his life? Who will replace him? And how does this affect the rest of Rhode Island politics?Globe RI columnist Dan McGowan and Jim Hummel, the host of A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS, join us to offer some analysis. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Representative Raymond Hull, a Providence Democrat, has been at the State House for over a decade and has served in the Providence Police Department for 33 years. He was recently named deputy speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, making him the first Black legislator to hold that position. He joins us to discuss his new role and the proposals to revamp the law that protects police officers who are being investigated for misconduct. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Keith Nunes committed a murder as an 18-year-old, a crime that landed him a life sentence. Last year, after more than two decades in prison, Nunes was released, thanks to a law passed by Rhode Island's General Assembly. Under what’s known as Mario’s Law, people who committed a crime before they turned 22 may appear before the parole board after they’ve been in prison for 20 years. Nunes is one of only three men to be released under the law. He joins us to talk about his personal story and why he believes Rhode Islanders who leave prison should get more support. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Five years ago, at the age of 69, the Rev. Donnie Anderson came out as transgender. She had already been a presence in Rhode Island politics for more than two decades – including 13 years as the executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches. She is now the newly elected chair of the Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus and the first transgender woman to serve in that role. She joins us to talk about her priorities for the caucus, her own journey to coming out, and the state of transgender rights in this country. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed has been in the US Senate for more than 25 years. Over that time, he has risen to become chairman of the Armed Services Committee and a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee. He joins us to talk about his recent trip to Ukraine, a new drug threat in Rhode Island, and the recently opened train station in Pawtucket. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most of Rhode Island’s houses were built before lead paint was banned in 1978. That means chipping paint can expose residents - especially young children - to lead poisoning. The rates of this poisoning went up while children were stuck at home during the pandemic. And Central Falls was among the hardest-hit communities. Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera and Rhode Island PBS Weekly reporter Michelle San Miguel join us to talk about the city’s efforts to combat this problem. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gregg Amore is just a few weeks into his new position, but he’s already pushing for changes to Rhode Island’s elections. We talk about why he's advocating for same-day voter registration statewide, an idea that's drawn pushback from legislative leaders. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week marks the start of the 2023 legislative session. What can we expect from Rhode Island lawmakers this year? Providence College political science professor Tony Affigne and Jim Hummel, host of “A Lively Experiment” on Rhode Island PBS, offer a preview and some analysis of the upcoming legislative session. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s no shortage of artists in Rhode Island. Our state is home to Rhode Island School of Design and Providence calls itself the Creative Capital. But how do we define art? And how are local creators defining art for themselves? We’re joined by Tracy MacDonald, the host of Art inc. on Rhode Island PBS, to learn about the diverse cast of artists who call the state home. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rhode Island School of Design President Crystal Williams was officially inaugurated in October and just finished her first fall semester. She joins guest host Alexa Gagosz to talk about her vision for the school and some of RISD’s most pressing challenges. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been a big year for movies and TV shows in Rhode Island, including "Hocus Pocus Two" and HBO’s "Gilded Age." What does it take to attract film crews to Rhode Island? And are the state’s motion picture production tax credits paying off? We’re joined by Steven Feinberg, the executive director of the RI Film and TV office. He’s also the host of doubleFEATURE on Rhode Island PBS. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it mean to be two-spirit? A new documentary examines what that experience is like for one member of the Narragansett tribe. The film, "Being Thunder," tells the story of Sherenté Harris, a local teenager who’s navigating life, school, and dance competitions. We talk to Sherenté, who is now a student at Brown University and RISD, about the film, gender expression in indigenous communities, and the value of having supportive parents. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nine months after the start of the war in Ukraine, refugees from the conflict have started to make their way to Rhode Island. We talk to Justin Kenny from Rhode Island PBS Weekly and freelance journalist Alli-Michelle Conti about their upcoming TV segment profiling the Kreshchuks, a family of Ukrainian musicians who relocated to East Providence. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Soccer is in the news right now — around the world with the start of the 2022 men's World Cup in Qatar, and here in Rhode Island, which is getting a new men's professional soccer team in 2024. Brett Johnson is the developer behind the newly named Rhode Island FC. He joins us to talk about the team, its new stadium that's being built in Pawtucket, and why it’s worth $60 million in taxpayer funds. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rhode Island has more than its fair share of elite runners. Take Emily Sisson. In October, the Providence College grad crushed the American women’s record for the fastest marathon. And earlier this year, she broke the record for the fastest half marathon. She joins us to talk about her career and why so many amazing runners come out of Little Rhody. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Globe columnist Dan McGowan and Jim Hummel, the host of A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS, join Ed Fitzpatrick to analyze Democrat Seth Magaziner's big win over Republican Allan Fung in CD2 and the "red wave" that never came. They also dive into Governor Dan McKee's rout of challenger Ashley Kalus in the governor's race and other trends from the night. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’ve probably already seen the campaign ad where Governor Dan McKee plays cards with his mother. Turns out it was pretty true to real life. Every week, McKee and his family sit down for a card game called May I. So Ed stopped by his campaign headquarters to give the game a try and ask McKee about the cards he’s been dealt as governor. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Witches are having a moment right now. But what does it actually mean to be a witch or practice witchcraft? Alexa Gagosz talks to Loren May and Tracey Lawrence, practicing witches who co-own the Veiled Crow in Cranston. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new documentary, "No Time to Fail," offers an unprecedented look at what it took to keep Rhode Island elections running in 2020, at a time of escalating partisan attacks on ballot workers nationwide. Ed Fitzpatrick spoke with the film's directors and two election officials at a recent screening at the GlobeDocs Film Festival. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Back in the day, Republican gubernatorial candidate Ashley Kalus was a serious boxer. She even won a Golden Gloves championship in 2001. These days, she trains at a gym in West Warwick. Ed dropped by to learn a few moves from Kalus's coach – and to let her take a swing at some policy questions. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is part two of our special episode with the candidates for Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District - Republican Allan Fung and Democrat Seth Magaziner. We brought both candidates into the studio separately to explain where they stand on the major issues. Then we put their responses together so voters can easily compare and contrast. Today, we’ll see where the candidates stand on student loan debt, immigration, and the 2024 elections.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.