A Lively Experiment - Presented by Rhode Island PBS

This week on A Lively Experiment, confusion reigns during Trump's first week in office. Are funds to fix the Washington Bridge in jeopardy as a result of a larger federal pause? Plus, news on Johnston's affordable housing fight. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by RI GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki, Bill Bartholomew of the Bartholomewtown Podcast, and Democratic strategist Rob Horow...

This week on A Lively Experiment: at long last, the Providence pallet shelters are slated to open. Can a new bill speed up the temporary housing process? Plus, the local take on President Trump's busy and controversial first week. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Paige Parks of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and former State Representative Mike Marcello. See omnyst...

This week on Lively, moderator Jim Hummel is joined by attorney and former prosecutor Eva-Marie Mancuso, political contributor Pablo Rodriguez and Joe Larisa, an attorney & former governor Almond's Chief of Staff. They break down the governor's State of the State and next year's budget. The big question: how to bridge a $300 million deficit? Plus, predicting President Trump's early days in off...

This week on A Lively Experiment, House and Senate leaders break down the key issues Rhode Island faces in 2025. Moderator JIm Hummel is joined by House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, Senate Majority Leader Val Lawson, Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz and House Majority Leader Chris Blazejerski. Topics include the budget deficit, cyberattack, truck tolls, and the Washington B...

This week on a Lively Experiment, how state officials will mitigate the fallout of the cyberattack that may impact 650,000 Rhode Islanders, as information from the hack makes its way to The Dark Web. Plus: new year, new session, new challenges for the General Assembly. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Providence Journal State House reporter Patrick Anderson and Dan McGowan of the Boston Glob...

This week on a Lively Experiment, moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Ian Donnis of The Public's Radio, Boston Globe Reporter and RI PBS Weekly Contributor Steph Machado, and Brown University Political Science professor Wendy Schiller. It's nearly a wrap on 2024! Join us for a look back on the highs and lows of the past 12 months plus some predictions for the year ahead in Rhode Island. See omnystud...

This week on a Lively Experiment: scrutiny of state response to the cyberattack worrying thousands of Rhode Islanders. There were warnings ahead of the breach of the public benefits computer system. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Ian Donnis of The Public's Radio, Boston Globe Reporter and RI PBS Weekly Contributor Steph Machado, and Brown University Political Science professor Wendy Schiller. S...

This week on a Lively Experiment, moderator Jim Hummel is joined by political contributor Scott MacKay, URI Political Science professor Emily Lynch and former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. Up for discussion: should Rhode Island resume tolling trucks? Plus, examining the logic behind the latest delay in opening the three-million-dollar pallet shelters off Route 146 in Providence. See omnystudio.c...

This week on a Lively Experiment, moderator Jim Hummel is joined by David Salvatore of The Providence Foundation,  The Providence Journal's Antonia Noori Farzan, and former state representative Nick Gorham. It's an anniversary nobody's celebrating: 1 year after the Washington Bridge failure, what's the outlook? Plus, how to get a better bang for the buck on the $120 million Affordable Housing...

This week on A Lively Experiment, Providence residents are in for some financial pain as the city tries to find additional money to fund its schools. Plus, how the governor's race is shaping up. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former Rhode Island GOP National Committeeman Steve Frias, The Boston Globe's Edward Fitzpatrick, and Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies of The Economic Progress Institute. See omnys...

This week on A Lively Experiment, Providence schools face a financial crisis with no easy answers. Plus, President-elect Trump moves quickly to fill cabinet positions and raises eyebrows along the way. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by National Committeewoman of the RI GOP Sue Cienki, Harrison Tuttle of Black Lives Matter RI PAC, and Providence College Political Science Professor, Adam M...

This week on A Lively Experiment: what a second Trump Administration looks like; Rhode Island's Senate leader keeps his seat; and a lead attorney quits the Washington Bridge case. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by attorney and former Chief of Staff to Governor Almond, Joe Larisa; Brown University Political Science Professor, Wendy Schiller; and Bill Bartholomew of The Bartholomewtown Podcast....

This week on a Lively Experiment: no fire but plenty of smoke even after Governor McKee is cleared of charges in the ILO investigation. The controversy continues in a war of words. Plus, an even longer timeline for the Washington Bridge? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet, Ken Block of Watchdog Rhode Island, and Boston Globe Columnist Dan McGo...

This week on a Lively Experiment, a change order more than doubles the cost of the Washington Bridge replacement. Plus, a look at local political races. And is using AI in school cheating? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi, Providence Journal State House reporter Patrick Anderson, and Boston Glober Reporter and Rhode Island Weekly contributor Steph Machado. See om...

his week on a Lively Experiment, state officials answer the public's questions about the Washington Bridge and outline a pushed-back timetable. Plus, rising friction between Providence and the state over school funding. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former Cranston mayor Allan Fung, Rhode Island Current reporter Nancy Lavin and former chair of the Rhode Island Democratic Party Bill Lynch....

This week on A Lively Experiment, a new poll reveals where local election officials stand with Rhode Islanders. Plus, the state Board of Election responds to election process concerns. We'll also hear the local take on the Vice-Presidential debate. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Political Contributor Scott MacKay, URI Political Science Professor Emily Lynch, and GOP Strategist Jesus Solori...

This week on A Lively Experiment, the response to a computer hack in the Providence School system. Plus, when can we really expect the Washington Bridge to be fixed? And in North Kingstown, the fight to retain a controversial seawall. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Providence Journal reporter Antonia Noori Farzan, Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers, and political contributor Pablo Rodriguez....

This week on A Lively Experiment, the Washington Bridge saga takes a turn when crews are told to stop working to preserve evidence. What does that mean for commuters? Plus, local analysis of the presidential race. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Boston Globe reporter Steph Machado, Democratic Strategist Rob Horowitz, and attorney and former Governor Almond's Chief of Staff, Rob Horowitz. Se...

This week on A Lively Experiment, the local take on the Presidential Debate, low voter turnout in Rhode Island's primary races, and news on a few fronts about the troubled Washington Bridge. Joining moderator Jim Hummel for Outrages and Kudos are political contributor Don Roach, Rhode Island GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki, and Political Contributor Bob Walsh. See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

This week on A Lively Experiment, the state extends its takeover of Providence schools by 3 years. Plus, the local take on Kamala Harris' first extended interview since becoming the presidential nominee. Joining Moderator Jim Hummel are Brown University Political Science Professor Wendy Schiller, Former State Representative Nick Gorham, and Paige Clausius-Parks of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. See...

This week on A Lively Experiment, the state sues firms that worked on the Washington Bridge and what this might mean for Governor McKee. Plus, can Kamala Harris keep up the momentum after the convention? Joining Jim Hummel are Bill Bartholomew of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Providence College Political Science Professor Adam Myers, and Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies of The Economic Progress In...

This week on A Lively Experiment, why the AG says the Washington Bridge lawsuit needs his approval, plus the timeline for replacement. Also, is shoreline access about to change for Rhode Island beachgoers? Joining Moderator Jim Hummel are Former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet, Harrison Tuttle of Black Lives Matter RI PAC, and Former National Committeeman of the RI GOP, Steve Fria...

This week on A Lively Experiment, what's new with the Washington Bridge? Plus, Dominick Ruggierio answers his challenger's call to follow Biden's lead and drop out of the state Senate race, and we'll get the local take on Harris' VP pick. Joining Moderator Jim Hummel are WPRI Investigative Reporter Ted Nesi, Retired URI Political Professor, Maureen Moakly, and Founder of Watchdog RI, Ken Bloc...

This week on A Lively Experiment, proponents of Con Con get their turn to testify. Plus, examining the consequences of a sharp rise in uncontested General Assembly seats. And the AG puts agencies withholding public records on notice. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by political contributor Ray Rickman, Republican strategist Lisa Pelosi, and Billy Hunt of the Libertarian Party of Rhode Island. See o...

This week on a Lively Experiment, rising opposition to a constitutional convention. Plus, the General Assembly pushes the governor's proposed budget to $14 billion, and why 500 Providence kids are in urgent need of dental care. Joining Moderator Jim Hummel are former Lieutenant Governor candidate Aaron Guckian, Rhode Island Current Reporter Nancy Lavin, and Political Commentator Pablo Rodriguez. S...