Rhode Island PBS Weekly

On this episode contributor Steph Machado interviews Rhode Island’s Speaker of the House, Joe Shekarchi. Then, we take another look at Michelle San Miguel’s segment on local artists who have a neurological disorder called synesthesia. For many with the condition, music is not only heard, but also seen and words have flavors and colors have a smell. Finally, Pamela Watts features the...

On this episode contributor Steph Machado has an in-depth report on the controversy surrounding police officers in public schools in Rhode Island and beyond. Then, we meet again Wampanoag chef and James Beard award winner as the best chef in the Northeast, Sherry Pocknett. Pocknett continues to look for ways to change how we think about food. Finally, Michelle San Miguel takes us to the...

On this episode as part of our Green Seeker series, Michelle San Miguel sits down with researchers at the University of Rhode Island to explore how microplastics are infiltrating all aspects of our lives and why reducing the waste may very well lower the health dangers they present. Then, Pamela Watts introduces to middle-aged workers who gave up their steady jobs to follow their dreams and are en...

It is estimated that one in 36 nationwide is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. On this episode, producer Isabella Jibilian explores neurodiversity and the efforts here in Rhode Island to embrace neurological differences through theatre. Then we take another look at a practice that began in the late 1800’s and continued for almost a century. Pamela Watts reports on Native American child...

On this episode, Pamela Watts introduces us to Barrington resident Navyn Salem and her worldwide mission to save millions of children from starvation. Then, Michelle San Miguel interviews a Rhode Island content creator who reveals how he makes a living on social media. Finally, they call themselves Anti-Graffiti Vigilantes and they are determined to  tackle one defaced rock at time and p...

On this episode, we mark the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a defining moment in the Holocaust in which nearly 100 Jews were killed and about 30 thousand Jewish men were sent to concentration camps. Michelle San Miguel interviews Rhode Island Holocaust survivors who describe what happens when violence against Jewish people is left unchecked. Then, in remembrance of Veterans Day, we take a...

On this special Halloween episode, Weekly takes a second look at the life of H.P Lovecraft—an author whose haunting work has an even darker past. Then, David Wright visits the Lizzie Borden house, the site of one of America’s most notorious murders. Finally, historian and author Beth Caruso shares her take on witches.

In this episode, Michelle San Miguel explores the importance of “trees” in our environment and the tree inequities that poorer neighborhoods in Rhode Island experience. Then, another look at the Rhode Island School of Design’s nature lab where unusual creatures are the norm. Finally, Pamela Watts interviews a Rhode Island author who has been collecting stories about the Ocean State’s hau...

On this episode, Isabella Jibilian travels to Martha’s Vineyard to uncover the hidden history of sign language on the island. Then, Michelle San Miguel interviews William Kole about his new book, “The Big 100,” which explores how rising numbers of centenarians will have broad reaching impacts on society. Finally, Arlene Violet gives us her take on political division.

In this episode Contributor David Wright reports on the controversy and how a statue of Columbus that stood in a Providence neighborhood for more than 100 years was removed, put in storage for two years, found a new home in Johnston. Then, we revisit a story about Native American Rhode Islander’s who describe in-depth the prejudice they both faced growing up in Rhode Island and their continuing st...

In Rhode Island hundreds of infants and toddlers with developmental delays are waiting months for critical, federally-mandated Early Intervention services.  On this episode, contributor Steph Machado reports on the scope of the crisis and asks state leaders what they’re doing to solve it. Then, producer Isabella Jibilian has a report on the number of American children who can swim and how rac...

On this episode we explore the booming population of Great White Sharks in New England. While protection of these sharks is environmentally sound, the marine conservation success story may come at cost to beachgoers. Then, in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, we revisit a story that explores the dramatic rise in Veteran’s suicides in New England and around the country. Fi...

On this episode, Michelle San Miguel reports on a program in Providence that offers work and training to refugees who have re-settled in the state. Their recipe for success – savory, sweet and chewy granola. Then, we debut a new continuing series called Turning Point. In this first episode, producer Isabella Jibilian interviews a woman whose life changing moment came on her first da...

On this episode, we take another look at local photographer David Zapatka as he captures lighthouses in a way that’s never been done before. Then Pamela Watts explores Providence’s hunger and history of costume jewelry. Finally, we take another look at Newport International Polo Grounds and capture announcer, William Crisp, who is on a mission, through passion and sarcasm – to elevate th...

On this episode, a second look at Pamela Watts in-depth interview with a transgender teenager looking to become her true self. Then we revisit a story about surfers out on Little Compton who many say are performing miracles. Finally, we take another look at the history of Black Baseball, featuring the Providence Colored Giants who played integrated baseball before Jackie Robinson broke the co...

On this episode, a second look at Pamela Watts in-depth interview with oceanographer, Bob Ballard who recounts his discovery in 1985 of the Titanic, and talks about his present-day search for Amelia Earhart. Then, Rhode Island PBS Weekly revisits a story that we produced in partnership with eco-RI News to investigate how warming waters are affecting the catch of the day in Narragansett Bay. Finall...

Rhode Island PBS Weekly takes a second look at Rhode Island’s disappearing dairy farms. Michelle San Miguel talks to farmers about the state of the industry and how they’re keeping farms running. Then, another look at producer Isabella Jibilian’s in-depth report on food waste. Both segments are part of our Green Seeker continuing series.

On this episode, Michelle San Miguel follows-up on an environmentally conscious guitar maker who uses mushrooms and honeycombs to make instruments that reduce her environmental impact. Then, we take another look at the cleanup of the Blackstone River 50 years ago and efforts being done today. All three segments are part of our continuing Greenseeker series.

On this episode, we follow-up on a segment about the 49 migrants who arrived on Martha’s Vineyard last year. Then, we take another look at the January 6th insurrection and how it exposed the deep divisions in the country and the similarities between that event and Abraham Lincoln’s journey from Illinois to Washington for his first inauguration as the country was on the verge of Civil war. Fin...

On this episode, contributing producer Elena Mannes explores Rhode Island’s enduring love affair with Rhythm and Blues. For many it broke down barriers and brought people together. Now, a group of musicians are on a mission to make the genre the Ocean State’s official music. Then, a second look at Rhode Island’s supervised drug injection sites as the state tries to reduce the number of deaths from...

In this episode, Michelle San Miguel introduces us to one Rhode Islander whose made it her mission to record and save the state's Latino history. Next, Pamela Watts profiles world record holder and Olympic hopeful Sophia Gorriaran of Providence. Finally, we meet the couple behind 20 stories bookstore and hear how they are taking reading to the streets.

On this episode, Pamela Watts takes us to Portsmouth's Green Animal Topiary Garden to meet the man who grooms the creatures. Next, we present the Emmy award winning story, Acorns to Becorns, produced by Rhode Island PBS's ArtInc. Finally, we travel to Federal Hill to look at the past and future of the legendary Joe Marzilli's Old Canteen Italian Restaurant.

On this episode, contributing reporter David Wright reports on how and why the town of Windham Connecticut has a centuries-long affinity with bullfrogs. Then, we revisit local chef Sherry Pocknett as she becomes the first Indigenous woman to receive the prestigious James Beard Award. Finally, in our continuing My Take series, Providence Art Club artist-in-residence, Anthony Tomaselli shares h...