WEEI Providence

Rhode Island lays claim to the "Largest, Longest-Running International Military Static Line Parachute Competition in the World, and remains the marquis Airborne event for the National Guard Bureau and US Department of Defense." It's the 40th running of LEAPFEST! All to promote the camaraderie and Esprit de Corps of the Airborne Soldier through International Competition. Major Jeffrey Nelson, RIANG...

We're thinking about animal welfare. With the summer heat and unpredictable weather, we invited the current President & General Agent of the RISPCA, Wayne Kezerian,Esq, to the conversation. The organization made a big move in 2023 from East Providence RI, to a larger and more suitable operation in Warwick RI. "Founded in 1870, the Rhode Island SPCA is the oldest nonprofit animal welfare organizati...

It's said that "Necessity is the Mother of Invention", and sometimes it takes a tragedy to achieve a desired goal. Recently, the RI State Legislature passed the David Casey Act, "Automated External Defibrillators Required at Public Places and Healthcare Facilities". This bill requires all golf courses in the state to have automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) available on their premises. David...

Viva Liberty! We're steering toward the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. Jim Stearns, Director for the Battle of Rhode Island Association and a member of the Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee joins us to celebrate Independence Day and provide an education on the role Rhode Island played. Who knew that Rhide Island was front and center of this dangerous undertaking? Jim discovered...

"Shark Health is Ocean Health, and Ocean Health is Our Health." ™, is the credo The Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI) lives by. Jon F Dodd, Executive Director, ASI joins us to describe how they conduct cutting-edge research on Atlantic shark species. We've observed how the recent 20 foot shark in a pond in Block Island caused public concern, despite the absence of any real threat. Listen as he discus...

There's so much to celebrate in June! We're celebrating Juneteenth all week and Pride all month with Providence's Stages of Freedom. Ray Rickman, Co-Founder and Executive Director and Robb Dimmick, Co-Founder and Program Director join us for a rundown of what can be learned from their museum exhibits, programs and events. All their efforts are to further fund the goal of free swimming lessons for...

"Rhode Island's Original Waterfire" happens this time of the year in Pawtuxet Village RI, otherwise known as The Gaspee Days burning of the HMS Gaspee, now in it's 60th year. Jen Kious, Director of The Gaspee Days Committee joins us to reveal the history and happenings. This weekend of events "kicks off" with a 5K footrace and when the race concludes, the Gaspee Days Parade begins. The Gaspee Days...

We welcome Rich Mona and John Coletti, Esq., Chairs for the IAABO Board 84 Golf Tournament, representing Rhode Island IAABO Board 84, the "Home of Rhode Island's High School Basketball Officials". They join us to talk up the IAABO Board 84 Annual Golf Tournament, honoring the legacy of one of their own, Ralph Catuogno. It's more than a golf tournament, it's an opportunity to raise funds for schola...

The Ice Bucket Challenge is back! We welcome to the program, Mauret Brinser, Senior Vice President, Community Engagement of The ALS Association Rhode Island. Listen as Mauret challenges Scott to the 2025 CEO Soak Boston (Friday, August 8, 2025) in collaboration with "Active Minds", at Boston College (Mass). Will he say "Challenge Accepted!"? Locally, we have been moved by Pete Frates who co-founde...

It's Memorial Day Weekend, a solemn time to remember those brave individuals who lost their lives in service to the country. We couldn't think of a better "educator" for a guest than Tim Gray, Filmmaker, President and Founder of The World War II Foundation and International Museum of World War II in Wakefield RI. Listen as he speaks of the humility of the survivors of WWII as they recount their pe...

We welcome back Senator Whitehouse to provide a little insight on issues of interest to the constituency, locally, regionally and nationally. He's been busy getting things done for Rhode Island, working in concert with our delegation and select bi-partisan leaders. "USDOT is freeing a quarter billion dollars we had secured for the I-95 bridge repairs on top of our previously announced $221 million...

"The Ripple Effect " is attributed to a famous "mother" Mother Teresa, however our guest is the mother of Tori Lynn Andreozzi, Cathy Andreozzi, President of the Tori Lynn Andreozzi Foundation and Rhode Island's 2023 Remarkable Woman. For two decades, Cathy devoted herself to her daughter’s care after Tori was struck by an impaired driver while walking home from school. Severe injuries confined her...

\We're celebrating a Centennial! This year the Rhode Island State Police is celebrating 100 years “In The service of the State”. On April 1, 2025, a Resolution at the State House named April as “State Police Month in Rhode Island. We've asked Lt. Kenneth Bowman (Ret) to join us for the rundown. As a former "Trooper" his knowledge of the history is extensive. He can be found at the North Scituate B...

We're celebrating Earth Week and Arbor Day with Mary Gannon, Principal Biologist, Wildlife Outreach Coordinator with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), Division of Fish and Wildlife. Did you know that you can follow RIDEM on the various social media platforms? There you can check out locations in RI for updates to Trout stocking, and tracking the wildlife, flora and f...

It's Genocide Awareness Month and we're recognizing the 110th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with Pauline Getzoyan, Chair of the RI Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission and an adjunct professor of English at CCRI. Pauline educates us with a brief history lesson, and some of the events that are happening to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in RI. As a descenda...

Did you know, April is Autistic Awareness Month? Jenn Pohle a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) practitioner and Founder of Nettle & Ash joins us to discuss the Autism Spectrum and Neurodivergent individuals. She wants to reach out to those folks so they know N&A is "A Home for Autistic & Queer Empowerment" in RI and Massachusetts. "Their mission goes bey...

The Rhode Island community has many questions and concerns with the current actions coming from Washington D.C., with the effects being felt locally and nationally. So, we invited Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) for an informal chat. Federal funding, core functions of government, tax cuts for the wealthy on the backs of taxpayers and immigration policy are some issues tackled. Representative Amo is a...

The Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra (RICCO) invites you to join them! Dr. Joshua W. Rohde-Artistic Director, joins us to preview their latest collaboration happening tomorrow, March 30th at St. Sebastian Church in Providence. "Essential Voices" combines choral selections from classic composers paired alongside new works by contemporary composers. RICCO is a community of singers dedicated to...

We're celebrating women and women's history with The Women's Fund of Rhode Island and our guest Kelly Nevins, CEO. "In 2001, the Rhode Island Foundation, together with founder Simone Joyaux, established a fund specifically for women and girls in Rhode Island. Women's Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) invests in women and girls through research, advocacy, grant making and strategic partnerships designed...

The oldest wish granting organization in RI, A Wish Come True, grants wishes and resources to families and children with life threatening illnesses throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Eastern Connecticut. Mary-Kate O’Leary, Executive Director, drops by to talk up their latest March fundraising efforts, “Weekend of Wishes” and “Shamrocks and Shenanigans”. Southeastern Massachusetts is in the...

Joe Sharkey, Director of Development and Community Engagement for the Boston nonprofit organization "You’re with Us!", wants you to know community based inclusion is the key to opportunities for adults with disabilities. He joins us to discuss how this successful partnership at Northeastern University came to fruition and can been duplicated in RI, citing Brown University as a desirable partner. "...

It's always Black History Month at Stages of Freedom in Providence RI. Co-Founders Ray Rickman (Executive Director) and Robb Dimmick (Program Director) join us as we recognize Black History Month in February. They invite you to their museum, open year-round, to peruse the voluminous materials they have curated to tell the history of Black Rhode Island life and culture, some through exhibitions. On...

There's early action on the football field on Sunday 2/9, Team Fluff and Team Ruff compete in Puppy Bowl XXI. Erin Barnicle from Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE) joins us to share some details about their two competitors. Bark Kent representing Team Fluff and Lex Woofer represents Team Ruff, both of the Shih Tzu/Dachshund blend. They're two of 142 puppy players from 80 shelters and rescues acr...

It's everyone's favorite community fundraiser, only comes around once a year, Girl Scout Cookie season! Ginger Lallo, Chief Operating Officer-Southeastern New England (GSSNE), joins us to detail all things Girl Scouts USA. Their website is a goldmine of information, with an especially a helpful tool that directs you to the closest cookie booth in your vicinity. It's nteresting to note that the Gir...