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A weekly podcast from The Boston Globe on what’s bubbling in Rhode Island news. In-depth interviews with newsmakers, perspective and analysis from Globe Rhode Island reporters, and intimate conversations with community members across the state.
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Ed Fitzpatrick sits down with the Globe’s Steph Machado and Jim Hummel, the host of “A Lively Experiment” on Rhode Island PBS, to debrief the election results. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…
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Last week, the Rhode Island chapter of the American Federation of Teachers elected Maribeth Calabro as their new president. She now heads the largest teachers union in the state. It represents 12,000 members in districts such as Providence, Cranston, Warwick and Pawtucket. Steph Machado spoke with Calabro for an episode for RI PBS Weekly. This is a…
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With the election less than a week away, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and deepfakes are raging online. University of Rhode Island Professor Sara Sweetman is working to help young people sort fact from fiction. She finds they are often better at reading and interpreting visual data than the generations who came before them. There's a lot tha…
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Last week, Senate President Dominic Ruggerio issued a statement endorsing Democratic Majority Whip Valarie Lawson to replace the current majority leader, Ryan Pearson. How did this rift begin and what will happen next? Senator Ryan Pearson joins us to tell us his side of the story. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at…
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In this presidential election, there’s a lot of concern about threats to democracy. But we’ve been here before.A new book by Brown University Professor Corey Brettschneider titled The Presidents and the People profiles five past presidents who expanded their power and tried to overturn democratic principles. Brettschneider tells host Ed Fitzpatrick…
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Aquaculture. Pipe fitting. Firefighting. These are just a few of the careers high school students can learn in hands-on courses across the state. Our very own Steph Machado's most recent story in collaboration with "Rhode Island PBS Weekly" is about the growth of career and technical education programs - or CTE - which have more than doubled since …
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As president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, George Nee has been one of the main labor leaders in the state for decades. Now at age 75, he’s getting ready to retire. Nee joins Ed to talk about his long career in labor organizing - including a stint as Cesar Chavez’s bodyguard, and a brief brush with organized crime. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@…
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Who should have access to the shore in Rhode Island? It’s an escalating fight between property owners, towns, and the public, more than a year after the passage of the state's landmark shore access law. Isabella Jibilian, a producer at Rhode Island PBS Weekly, and Alex Nunes, the South County bureau chief at The Public’s Radio, recently collaborate…
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The Economic Progress Institute prides itself on being the people’s lobbyist, among dozens of lobbyists representing corporations and powerful interests at the Rhode Island State House. EPI advocates for laws that improve the lives of low- and modest-income Rhode Islanders. Ed talks to EPI Executive Director Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies about their wins…
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Rhode Islanders headed to the polls yesterday to vote in local primaries, and the night belonged to incumbents. Ed breaks down the results with Globe RI’s own Steph Machado and Jim Hummel, host of A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pri…
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What happens when a patient sues their doctor for a medical error?A new documentary film, "A World of Hurt: How Medical Malpractice Fails Everyone," tells the story of patients and doctors who’ve gone through this process. The documentary was directed by Brown University medical students Alex Homer and Viknesh Kasthuri. We talk to the producer, Dr.…
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The most closely watched contest in Rhode Island this election cycle is the Republican primary for Cranston mayor. Incumbent Mayor Kenneth Hopkins is facing a challenge from state Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. So, we brought both candidates into the studio separately to explain where they stand on the major issues. Then we put their respo…
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We've got a special bonus episode for you today. Earlier this week, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley joined Globe columnist Dan McGowan and a live audience for a wide-ranging conversation that covered everything from public schools to the rising cost of housing in the capital city. This is a lightly edited recording of their conversation. Tips and ide…
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A while back, we did an episode about Mr. Lemon – the frozen lemonade stand that’s been open for 50 years on Hawkins Street in Providence. A lot of you had stories to tell about Mr. Lemon. We picked some of our favorites and put them together for this episode. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pri…
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When we die, there are usually just two choices for our remains-- burial or cremation. But what if there was a third option? For the past two years, State Representative Michelle McGaw has been pushing for a bill that would make human composting legal in Rhode Island. She joins us to explain. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privac…
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Around 200 years ago, the area near the Rhode Island State House and the train station was home to a working-class neighborhood called Snowtown. It’s largely forgotten today, but a team of researchers is trying to change that. Globe RI’s Carlos Muñoz talks to two members of the Snowtown Project research team - Heather Olson and Traci Picard. They s…
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Now that the General Assembly is out of session, and it’s quieter at the State House, we thought it would be a good time to visit one of Ed’s favorite spaces - the Rhode Island State Library, "a treasure trove of American history, not just Rhode Island history," according to R.I. Secretary of State Gregg Amore. Join us for a tour. Tips and ideas? E…
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Most kids spend their summers at camp, at the beach, or on vacation. But this month, 30 students from Providence are on the Brown University campus instead. They’re part of the new Brown Collegiate Scholars Program – a year-round support system to help local students go to college. Ed talks to the director of the new program- Nick Figueroa. Tips an…
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For more than 10 years, FRINGEPVD: The Providence Fringe Festival has been bringing new, weird, and experimental performances to Providence. And it’s happening right now through July 27th. Josh Short, the founder and artistic director of the Wilbury Theatre Group, joins us to talk more about the festival. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.co…
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This week, we’re coming to you on location at Yacht Club Soda in North Providence. The family-owned business recently launched its Soda Pop Poll ahead of November's presidential election. It's a rematch pitting Donald's Trumpian Punch against Joe's Bidenomics Berry. Yacht Club Soda owner John Sgambato talks to us about the poll and his company. Tip…
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Every year, a group of Rhode Islanders visits clam cake shacks all over the state, sampling as many deep-fried clam cakes as they can -- so you don’t have to. This year marks their tenth clam cake crawl, so Ed decided to join them. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N…
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In May, the US Department of Justice accused the state of Rhode Island of violating the civil rights of hundreds of children by warehousing them at Bradley Hospital, a psychiatric hospital for children. Steph Machado took an in-depth look at the issue for Rhode Island PBS Weekly and Globe Rhode Island. She joins us to talk about what she found, and…
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On Friday, the Rhode Island legislative session wrapped up in the early morning hours, when most of us were asleep. Ed sorts through the Assembly's final decisions with Globe RI’s Steph Machado and Jim Hummel, the host of A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr…
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It’s been 50 years since the Rao family opened Mr. Lemon in Providence. Customers come to the tiny white building on Hawkins Street for the frozen lemonade, and many return because they feel like family. Colleen, Joe, and Janice Rao know almost everyone – and their favorite flavors. They talk with Ed about the business and their first year serving …
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The game of golf isn’t often associated with young people or diversity, but one nonprofit in Rhode Island is trying to change that. For more than 20 years, Button Hole in Providence has been making the game affordable and accessible to children in the area. Ed talks to Anaridis Rodriguez, host of “Generation Rising” and Don Wright, executive direct…
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When the US Senate confirmed Judge Melissa DuBose in March, she broke two barriers. She became the first person of color and the first openly LGBTQ Judge to serve on the US District Court for Rhode Island. She officially starts that job in January, but she joined us in the studio for a preview of what’s to come. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@g…
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The City by the Sea is known for its history. It's also on the front lines of climate change. Some of Rhode Island's biggest tourist attractions – Newport's mansions and other historic properties – are increasingly impacted by rising sea levels and extreme weather. Rhode Island PBS Weekly reporter Pamela Watts and Preservation Society of Newport Co…
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If you want to know about military actions around the world, ask US Senator Jack Reed. He’s Rhode Island’s senior Senator, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and often joins congressional delegations on trips overseas. Steph Machado down with Reed for Sunday’s episode of Rhode Island PBS Weekly for an update on the US’s role in the wars …
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Earlier this week, our own Dan McGowan and Brian Amaral moderated a live conversation about the Blue Economy and Rhode Island’s sustainable future. The panel featured Patty DiOrio, VP and head of project development, Americas at Ørsted; and Bill Fazioli, managing director of program and business development at the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. …
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Earlier this week, our own Alexa Gagosz moderated a live conversation about Climate and Business Resilience in Rhode Island's Food Ecosystem. The panel featured Ester Bishop, who is the co-owner, chef, and farmer at Gnarly Vines Farm; Ben Sukle, the chef and owner at Oberlin and Gift Horse restaurants in Providence; and Robert Andreozzi, the chef-o…
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Today, we’re getting out of the studio and putting on our running shoes to talk with Mark Sheeran. He’s an ultra-marathoner who’s spent the past few months running down every street in Providence. He invited Ed to tag along as he finished up one of his last runs. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/…
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Rhode Island’s Board of Elections has a new executive director – but he’s no stranger to the job. Miguel Nuñez has been working for the board for nearly 25 years. He took the top spot in February, breaking ground as the board's first Latino executive director. Miguel talks with Ed about leading the BOE, and the biggest threat he sees coming up in t…
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St. Mary’s Home for Children in North Providence has been in the news since January when the state's Office of the Child Advocate released a scathing report about conditions there. Our own Amanda Milkovits has been following the story ever since. She’s recently talked with a family whose grandchild has been a resident there for a year. They say thi…
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Every year, Rhode Islanders read the same book as a part of the Reading Across Rhode Island program.This year’s selection is Solito- a memoir by Javier Zamora. It tells the true story of Javier’s journey from El Salvador to The United States as an unaccompanied nine-year-old.Javier joins Ed in the studio, along with Maureen Nagle, education chair o…
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When reporters are working on important stories, they often use Rhode Island's Access for Public Records Act, or APRA. It gives them the ability to ask for government emails, data sets, or other documents. But APRA isn’t perfect. So, there’s a bill before the General Assembly to make it stronger. Ed talks with Colleen Cronin, a reporter who covers …
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It’s been a little over a year since Stefan Pryor became Rhode Island’s housing secretary, as housing affordability remains one of the top issues facing Rhode Islanders. So what is he doing about it? Steph Machado sat down with Pryor to find out. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif…
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For RI restaurants and food businesses, the overall cost of doing business is going up, and the closure of the Washington Bridge that carries Interstate 195 into and out of Providence has made matters worse. How are these companies going to survive? Alexa Gagosz talks with Kate Roberts, the owner of Easy Entertaining in Providence, to see how she’s…
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Teenagers spend tons of time on their smart phones, and often they don’t stop even when they’re in class. To address that issue, some Rhode Island schools make students put their phones in locked pouches. Our own Steph Machado just finished a segment for Rhode Island PBS about this growing trend. She joins us in the studio to talk about what she le…
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Earlier this week, our own Dan McGowan and Steph Machado moderated a live conversation about the state of RI schools. The panel featured Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera, Rhode Island Commissioner on Postsecondary Education Shannon Gilkey, and Rhode Island Deputy Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Lisa Odom-Villella. If you couldn’t…
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If you want to know about the plans to bring minor league soccer to Pawtucket, Globe RI’s Brian Amaral is your man. He’s been covering the Tidewater Landing project from the beginning. Last weekend, he went to Rhode Island FC's home opener at its temporary home in Smithfield. Brian joins Ed to talk about the game, the team, and what he’s uncovered …
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Back in 2020, the Trump campaign hired Rhode-Islander and Moderate Party founder Ken Block to investigate widespread election fraud. Spoiler alert: He didn’t find any. But Ken did find data to explain why Trump really lost. He joins Ed to talk about his new book, "Disproven." Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at https…
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It’s been nearly three months since the RI Department of Transportation shut down the westbound side of the Washington Bridge and it doesn’t look like it’s reopening anytime soon. Our own Steph Machado and Jim Hummel, the host of “A Lively Experiment” on Rhode Island PBS, give us the latest on this debacle. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.…
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Imagine studying science or math in a different language. Many English learners in Rhode Island’s public schools face this challenge every day, and their numbers are growing. What is the state doing to help these students succeed? Guest host Dan McGowan talks with RI PBS reporter Michelle San Miguel and Providence School Board President Erlin Rogel…
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To celebrate Black History Month, we’re joined by Valerie Tutson, the executive director and festival director for Rhode Island Black Storytellers, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the awareness, appreciation, and application of Black storytelling. She talks with Ed about her work, avoiding the trap of ‘trauma stories,’ and training a new generat…
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Nearly 20 percent of General Assembly members belong to the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Caucus. The caucus co-chair, Senator Jonathon Acosta of Central Falls, joins us to talk about some of his priorities, including police accountability, feeding more students, and raising taxes on the wealthiest hou…
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If you want to know something about Rhode Island’s Latino community, ask Marta Martinez. Marta is the executive director of Rhode Island Latino Arts and the founder of the Latino Oral History Project of Rhode Island. She’s spent decades collecting the stories of Spanish-speaking pioneers, leaders, and community members. Now, her oral history collec…
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It’s been about a year since Oscar Perez became the new chief of the Providence Police Department — and the first Latino to hold the position. He joins the Globe's Steph Machado to talk about community policing, crime trends in the city, and what his appointment means to communities of color. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. See Privac…
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Edesia Nutrition, a North Kingstown nonprofit that feeds malnourished children around the globe, got a big boost last year when the Bezos family made a donation worth nearly $140 million. Edesia founder and CEO Navyn Salem joins us to talk about how the money will help them serve many more kids, at a time when war and climate change are threatening…
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It’s easy to assume that giving birth in the US is pretty low-risk. But according to a new documentary, women in America die of pregnancy-related causes at a rate that’s up to 10 times higher than countries such as Japan, Spain, and Germany. "The Risk of Giving Birth," a three-part series by Rhode Island PBS, digs into the dangers of pregnancy, esp…
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Providence College basketball hit the big time a little more than 50 years ago, when Ernie DiGregorio and Marvin Barnes led the team to its first Final Four tournament. Ernie D tells the story of that journey in a new book, "Star with a Broken Heart." We talk about the book, basketball, and his long friendship with Barnes and PC Coach Dave Gavitt. …
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