A Lively Experiment - Presented by Rhode Island PBS

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...

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This week on A Lively Experiment, the Senate says not so fast to a House move to block Cabinet pay raises. Plus, we hear from those hit hardest by Trump cuts to local medical research. Moderator Jim Hummel gets analysis from former State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, Billy Hunt of the Libertarian Party of Rhode Island and Boston Globe Reporter/RI PBS Weekly Contributor Steph Machado. See...

This week on A Lively Experiment, what we can expect from the first American picked as Pope. Plus, cheers as pro soccer finally arrives in Pawtucket, but what are the odds of financial success? And is Rhode Island ready for the Real Housewives? Moderator Jim Hummel talks with former RI Attorney General Arlene Violet, Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe, and Rhode Island KIDS COUNT's Paige Pa...

This week on a Lively Experiment, with a new leadership team at the state Senate, what we can expect. Plus, Gina for President? Raimondo says she's considering it but there is much work to be done at the party level. Moderator Jim Hummel talks with former candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Aaron Guckian, URI Political Science Professor Emily Lynch and Democratic strategist, Rob Horowitz. See omnys...

This week on A Lively Experiment, the legacy of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and questions left in the wake of his passing. Plus, an ambitious plan to hike Rhode Island's housing stock. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Bill Bartholomew of the Bartholomewtown Podcast, former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung & Mary Barden, the Executive Director of the National Education Association Rhode Island...

This week on A Lively Experiment: key issues facing state lawmakers as they return to work next week. Three reporters in the thick of it join moderator Jim Hummel: the Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson, Nancy Lavin of the Rhode Island Current, and the Boston Globe's Ed Fitzpatrick. Plus, another federal judge from RI takes on the Trump administration, demanding the release of frozen funds...

This week on A Lively Experiment: thousands of Rhode Islanders face the daunting task of finding a PCP during a doctor shortage as Anchor Medical prepares to shut down. Can patients push back? Joining moderator Jim Hummel are Joe Larisa , attorney & former Gov. Almond’s Chief of Staff plus attorney & former prosecutor Eva Mancuso & Bill Lynch, former Chairman of the Rhode Island Democr...

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This week on A Lively Experiment, the outcry over proposed raises for the governor's department heads. Plus, what's next for the Washington Bridge after the Trump administration's release of $221 million for the rebuild. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former State Representative Mike Marcello, RI GOP Chairman Joe Powers, and Brown University Political Science Professor Wendy Schiller. See omnys...

This week on A Lively Experiment, the frustrating search for transparency about the cost of the Providence pallet shelters. Plus, can a familiar sea of asphalt be transformed into affordable housing? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Providence Journal reporter Antonia Noori Farzan, Providence College Political Science Professor Adam Myers, and Republican Strategist Jesus Solorio. See omnystu...

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This week on A Lively Experiment, Governor McKee makes it official: he's in for the re-election campaign despite a mixed report card. Plus, from tariffs to DOGE: keeping up with the latest out of Washington and the impacts in Rhode Island. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by the founder of Watchdog RI Ken Block, Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi and Harrison Tuttle of Black Lives Matter RI PAC....

This week on A Lively Experiment, the ripple effect of federal cuts in Rhode Island. Plus, what can be done to reduce your skyrocketing electric bill? One legislator proposes cuts to clean energy initiatives. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies of The Economic Progress Institute, former State Representative Nick Gorham and WPRI-TV Digital Content Producer, Raymond Baccar...

This week on A Lively Experiment, at what point do government cuts spark public opposition? A federal judge in Rhode Island is at the center of the fight. Plus, find out how the Ocean State would be affected by federal education cuts. Host Ian Donnis is joined by former RI GOP National Committeeman Steve Frias, reporter Nancy Lavin of Rhode Island Current and political contributor Robert Wals...

This week on a Lively Experiment: breaking down this week's head-spinning directives from President Trump. Plus, a video raises the question: was it planned demolition or collapse at the Washington Bridge? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Boston Globe reporter and RI PBS Weekly contributor, Steph Machado plus political contributor Don Roach and Billy Hunt of the Libertarian Party of RI. See...