A Lively Experiment - Presented by Rhode Island PBS

Rhode Island voters have spoken. Now what? On this episode of Lively, host Jim Hummel dissects election results with WPRI's Ted Nesi and Steph Machado of the Boston Globe. From the governor’s race to David Morales’ plan for Providence and voters’ rejection of two bond measures, the panel explores the political landscape taking shape. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Election Day is nearly here, raising critical questions for RI: Can Ken Block pull off an upset, or will Helena Foulkes cruise to a comfortable  victory? Will John Loughlin become the first Republican to win statewide office in two decades? "Lively" host Jim Hummel gets expert insights from Bill Bartholomew of the Bartholomewtown Podcast and former Chief of Staff to Governor Almond, Joe Laris...

Part policy, part political circus: Did the final Rhode Island gubernatorial debate actually change voter minds?  Following some tense clashes and final pitches from the three candidates, "Lively" moderator Jim Hummel breaks down the debate's defining highs and lows. Joining him to analyze the fallout are political contributor Eva-Marie Mancuso and former State Representative Michael Marcello...

According to a new poll, independent gubernatorial hopeful Ken Block is narrowing the gap against Democrat Helena Foulkes, and the Lieutenant Governor race is a dead heat. "Lively" host Jim Hummel explores whether Republican Lt. Gov. candidate John Loughlin can finally snap the GOP's long losing streak in Rhode Island with Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan and Providence Journal reporter Pat...

A battle is shaping up as the Town of Portsmouth sues the state, arguing that recent legislation unconstitutionally overrides local control and hands too much power to developers. Will this spark a wave of similar lawsuits from other towns? On this episode of "Lively," host Jim Hummel dives into the legal dispute with political contributors Pablo Rodriguez and Don Roach. See omnystudio.com/listene...

Generation X, millenial and Gen Z voters firmly took the wheel in the Rhode Island primary, resulting in historic upsets. On this episode of Lively, host Jim Hummel examines what happened and what's ahead for the winners with political contributor Bob Walsh and reporter Nancy Lavin of the Rhode Island Current. Plus, North Kingstown's fight for public information about the Quonset sludge plant. See...

Voters signal it is time for change during a rough night for RI incumbents. Helena Foulkes unseats Dan McKee in the Democratic primary for governor, but it is the Providence mayor’s race making national headlines. Jim Hummel breaks down election results with Bill Bartholomew of the Bartholomewtown Podcast and former State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. Plus, looking ahead to the mid...

We are in the final stretch: Primary Day is just around the bend for RI voters. Will election results mirror the polls or are we in for surprises? Lively moderator Jim Hummel breaks down the races to watch - and why - with Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis and Ed Fitzpatrick of The Boston Globe. Plus, Peter Neronha reflects on proud moments and regrets as Attorney General. See omnyst...

New polls shed light on the governor’s race ahead of Primary Day. RI political campaigns use AI-generated video and images. Plus, a new subsidy for Providence’s Superman Building. Host Jim Hummel discusses the latest with Providence Journal Reporter Antonia Noori Farzan and WPRI Politics & Business Editor Ted Nesi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does a candidate need to do to win a race in 2026? Some Rhode Island candidates are increasingly turning to social media to reach voters and build momentum. Yet many campaigns still target voters with a barrage of television ads. This week on Lively, moderator Jim Hummel discusses the evolving campaign playbook with former Providence mayor Angel Taveras and Rhode Island filmmaker Dante Bellin...

Gov. Dan McKee chooses Luis Matos for RI Supreme Court, snubbing former House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. RI communities increasingly oppose Flock cameras. Host Jim Hummel discusses the latest with Bill Lynch, former chair of the RI Democratic Party, and Arlene Violet, former RI Attorney General. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Governor Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes squared off in a gubernatorial debate. How did the candidates do? And will it be enough to move the needle? Lively host Jim Hummel discusses the latest with Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan and RI GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former RI House Speaker Joe Shekarchi got the green light to be considered for state  Supreme Court after a committee weighed whether the nomination would violate revolving door rules. Shekarchi denies that he traded dropping out of the governor’s race for a court seat. Lively host Jim Hummel discusses the latest with political contributor Harrison Tuttle and former prosecutor Eva-Marie...

While President Trump casts new doubt on election integrity, Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore says in the Ocean State, voting has never been safer. Lively moderator Jim Hummel examines election security with attorney & former Gov. Almond’s Chief of Staff Joe Larisa and Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies of the Economic Progress Institute. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

After a fatal stabbing on the popular pedestrian bridge - the second homicide in two weeks - crime is top of mind for Providence residents weighing the leadership of the capital City. The mayoral primary is around the corner, and it's heating up with an attack ad some call surprising. Host Jim Hummel examines all things Providence with WPRI's Tim White and Boston Globe reporter Steph Machado. See...

The Blizzard of '26 cost Rhode Island millions in damages, yet the Trump administration has denied federal aid. State officials are crying foul, calling the rejection petty partisanship. The governor is vowing to appeal. On Lively, Jim Hummel looks at next steps with political contributor Pablo Rodriguez and former State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Pawtucket moves to the next phase of its waterfront development plan, securing $30 million in funding for Tidewater Landing. The vision for the project that started with the soccer stadium includes housing and retail. When will it happen and will the stadium ultimately be profitable?  Lively's Jim Hummel is with Bill Bartholomew of the Bartholomewtown Podcast and political contributor Billy H...

Call the doctor: many Rhode Islanders are about to face sticker shock - again. Health insurers are looking for double-digit premium hikes, just one year after a steep increase. Is there any relief in sight? Lively host Jim Hummel discusses the balancing act between insurers and skyrocketing medical costs with Rhode Island Current reporter Nancy Lavin and Patrick Anderson of the Providence Journal....

As a designated FIFA fan zone, Providence is a major hub for the World Cup tournament. Rhode Island is spending a total of $750,000 to support operations, hoping to lure fans to stay, eat, party, and watch games here. Will the investment pay off? It's all things soccer on Lively this week, as host Jim Hummel sits down with RI filmmaker Dante Bellini Jr. and Paige Parks from Rhode Island...

The House Finance Committee adds $300 million to Governor McKee's budget for a $15.2 billion spending plan that includes a compromise on the millionaire tax. But a bigger question looms: will this growth in the budget be sustainable? Lively host Jim Hummel is joined this week by attorney and former prosecutor Eva-Marie Mancuso and political contributor Don Roach. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

With three months until early voting begins, a new poll shows Governor McKee has a lot of ground to gain if he hopes to win the Democratic primary. This week on Lively, can voters look beyond the Washington Bridge fallout for Dan McKee - or get past Helena Foulkes' likability factor? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by political contributor Bob Walsh and RI GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki. Se...

This week on A Lively Experiment, the governor stops short of a veto but airs his criticism of the $14.3 billion budget. Plus, pushback over RITBA's decision not to release a full inspection report on the Mt. Hope Bridge. Moderator Jim Hummel has the analysis from Patrick Anderson of the Providence Journal. Rhode Island Current's Nancy Lavin, and the Providence Journal's Antonia Noori Farzan. See...

This week on A Lively Experiment: keeping up with the flurry of decisions at the State House as the gavel lowers on this year's General Assembly session. What's in, what's out - and what does it all mean? Moderator Jim Hummel breaks it down with former RI Attorney General Arlene Violet, political contributor Joe Paolino and attorney and former Governor Almond's Chief of Staff, Joe Larisa. See omny...

This week on A Lively Experiment, the state budget finally emerges from the House; we'll tell you about likely winners and losers. Plus, a date and a new price tag for the Washington Bridge. Moderator Jim Hummel hears outrages and kudos from Rhode Island GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki, former state representative Nick Gorham and Step Machado of the Boston Globe and RI PBS Weekly.  See...

This week on A Lively Experiment: the AG says the healthcare crisis is on Rhode Island's doorstep and has suggestions. Plus, who's in the running for governor on the Democratic side? And it's the homestretch for the General Assembly. Moderator Jim Hummel gets analysis from veteran reporter and political contributor Scott MacKay, GOP strategist Lisa Pelosi and political contributor Don Roach. See o...