Rhode Island Report

In just two weeks, the Rhode Island General Assembly will be back in session. What can we expect from lawmakers in 2024? Guest host Steph Machado sits down with House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi for a preview. Tips and ideas? Email us at  rinews@globe.com . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It’s been six years since the last Benny’s closed in Greenville, and people are still talking about their favorite store. The place that sold everything — from bikes, to towels, to tires — still holds a special place in many hearts. Now there’s a way to share your memories. We talk to Benny’s co-owner Arnold Bromberg and filmmaker Dante Bellini about a forthcoming documentary about the store, whic...

This week, we’re getting out of the studio to have some fun — at a pinball museum in Pawtucket. The Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration opened less than three years ago, but it already has more than 100 working machines, and you can play them all day for just $10. Ed Fitzpatrick talks to the founders, checks out the space, and rocks out to Rush while he plays the silver ball. Tips and i...

Numb hands from cleaning freezers for hours. Shifts that end at 4 in the morning. These are just a couple of the experiences of the dozens of teenagers who spoke to The Public’s Radio about working at seafood processing plants in New Bedford. Nadine Sebai and Nina Sparling are the reporters behind a two-year investigation into migrant teens working these risky jobs. Their series, “Underage and Unp...

There’s a huge gap between what most of us were taught in school about Native American culture and what’s actually true. "Native America," a new series on PBS — and produced by a Rhode Islander — seeks to explore the complexity that’s not described in our textbooks. We talk to Gary Glassman, the executive producer of the series, and Daniel Golding, the director of the latest episode. Tips and idea...

The new Netflix series “All the Light We Cannot See,” based on the award-winning novel of the same name, stars a native Rhode-Islander with raw talent. Aria Mia Loberti had no acting experience when she auditioned for the role of Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind girl who sends secret messages to the Allies during World War II. But she did have some significant life experience. Aria is legally blind. S...

Rhode-Islanders went to the polls Tuesday in a special election in the First Congressional District and for some local issues as well. What do the results tell us, including Democrat Gabe Amo's landslide win over Republican Gerry Leonard. We’re joined by our own Steph Machado and Jim Hummel, the host of A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com . See Pri...

The United States is facing a children’s mental health crisis, according to the American Psychological Association. The Providence nonprofit Turning the Corner is helping to address this issue by offering services to kids in the custody of the state Department of Children, Youth & Families, many of whom were removed from their homes for safety or behavioral reasons. The Rev. Lauri Smalls, the...

He’s already a Providence folk-rock singer, songwriter, and Brown University senior. Now Chance Emerson can add tech startup founder to his resume. With his platform ForeverFan, he’s helping independent musicians like himself communicate with their fans. Chance, a recent guest on Rhode Island PBS's "Ocean State Sessions," joins guest host Alexa Gagosz to talk music, college, and what’s next. Tips...

On Nov. 7, voters in the 1st Congressional District will decide whether Republican Gerry Leonard or Democrat Gabe Amo will replace former US Representative David Cicilline. So we brought the two candidates into the studio separately to explain where they stand on the major issues. Then we put their responses together so voters can easily compare and contrast. Tips and ideas? Email us at  rine...

Ruth Simmons made history in 2001 when she was named the president of Brown University, making her the first Black president of an Ivy League institution. She joins us on the podcast to talk about her new memoir, “Up Home,” how teachers can shape lives, and affirmative action and legacy admissions at universities. Tips and ideas? Email us at  rinews@globe.com . See Privacy Policy at https://a...

More than 50 years ago, Kathrine Switzer made history when organizers of the Boston Marathon tried to push her off the course. She was the first woman to officially enter and run the race — and a trailblazing figure for legions of women runners who came after her. This weekend, she’s returning to the Boston area to run in two races. One of them is the Women’s Classic 5K right here in Providence. S...

If your baby or toddler has developmental disabilities, they qualify for a free program to help them catch up to their peers. You’re supposed to get those services in 45 days. But, here in Rhode Island, the wait is much longer. Our own Steph Machado just finished a story about this issue with Rhode Island PBS. She joins us to talk more about the crisis and what's currently being done to solve it....

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has had a rough few weeks. First a rainy PVDFest and then flash flooding from even more rain. But hidden among the dreary news was also a victory: a landmark agreement with Providence’s private colleges that will bring in more than $200 million for the city. The mayor joins guest host Dan McGowan for an update on all of that and more. Tips and ideas? Email us at ...

This Friday is the start of the Jewish New Year, and while many will be celebrating with apples and honey, there’s a reality that’s not so sweet. This past year, reports of antisemitism in Rhode Island increased by around 250 percent. Adam Greenman, the president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, joins us to talk about this troubling trend and what we can do about it. Tips an...

In a crowded field of 11 candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Congressional District 1, former Biden administration staffer Gabe Amo emerged victorious last night. He is almost certain to become the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress. How did Amo win? What did the pundits get wrong? My colleague Steph Machado and Jim Hummel, host of “A Lively Experiment” on R...

It’s time for voters in CD 1 to pick the person who will likely represent them in Congress. Dan McGowan, Steph Machado, and Ed Fitzpatrick have the latest updates and information about the race in this special bonus episode of Rhode Island Report. Tips and ideas? Email us rinews@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do...

Providence is about to get a new sculpture in honor of a local Black artist. Edward Bannister was a prize-winning painter in the 1800s and a founder of the Providence Art Club. The club will unveil his sculpture next weekend during PVD Fest. Pamela Watts from Rhode Island PBS Weekly and Gage Prentiss, the creator of the Bannister sculpture, join the show to talk about Bannister's place in Providen...

The primary for the First Congressional District race is just weeks away, and the Democratic winner is very likely to become our next representative in Congress. But there are 12 Democrats running — and a lot of disagreement among them. Our own Steph Machado and Jim Hummel from A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS join the podcast to give us their analysis. Tips and ideas? Email us at  rin...

For the first time ever, an American team has won the Ocean Race, a sailing competition around the globe that's been running for 50 years. Leading the team was Charlie Enright, a Rhode-Islander and Brown University graduate. He joins us on the podcast to tell the story of their dramatic victory — and the environmental changes he sees out on the water. Tips and ideas? Email us at  rinews@globe...

US Representative Seth Magaziner went from being Rhode Island’s junior congressman to our senior and ONLY congressman in just a few months. He joins us in the studio to talk about his first term in office, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the race to replace former Congressman David Cicilline. Tips and ideas? Email us at  rinews@globe.com . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif...

During COVID, Dr. Ashish Jha was often the face of public health, appearing constantly in the media and staying active on Twitter. Then he joined President Biden's administration as COVID czar. Jha, who left the White House in June to return as dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health, saw firsthand the dangers of misinformation and says the government and public health leaders must do a...

In a special collaboration with "Future of XYZ" on Rhode Island PBS, we bring you a conversation with David Hardy, the CEO of Ørsted North America. Ørsted is the company behind Rhode Island’s next offshore wind farm and potentially more to come. We talk about the timeline for the project, why Rhode Island rejected Ørsted’s most recent proposal, and prospects for the industry over the next 10 to 20...

It’s been more than a year since Rhode Island legalized marijuana. What’s happened since? Is the law living up to its promise to address the harms of the war on drugs? Representative Cherie Cruz, a Pawtucket Democrat, advocated for the law before she joined the General Assembly. She gives us an update and talks about the future of McCoy Stadium and soccer in Pawtucket. Tips and ideas? Email us at&...

Looking for something to do this summer? On days that are too cold for the beach, you could check out some of the hundreds of museums in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. We talk to Jim Karpeichik,   the co-producer of “Treasures Inside the Museum” on Rhode Island PBS, for some recommendations. Tips and ideas? Email us at  rinews@globe.com . See Privacy Policy at https://art19...