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2 days ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | Luis Hernandez |Mareva Lindo |Joe Tasca |James Baumgartner
On today’s show we look at two significant bills signed into law this week by Gov. Dan McKee. First, a ban on the sale and manufacture of assault-style weapons. How effective are bans like this at actually tackling the problem of gun violence? A national expert breaks it down. Also: Rhode Island has joined the growing number of states banning cell phone use in schools.
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1 week ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | Luis Hernandez |Mareva Lindo |Joe Tasca |James Baumgartner
It’s been a year and a half since the Washington Bridge was partially closed, and it’ll be years more before it’s fully repaired. We talk with the author behind the book “Why Nothing Works,” who says this is just another example of a national problem: government can’t accomplish big things anymore. Also, Daniel Davis escaped slavery in Maryland and found his way to Rhode Island in 1862. He became a beloved reverend at a church in Alton.
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2 weeks ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | Luis Hernandez |Mareva Lindo |Joe Tasca |James Baumgartner
This Saturday, the United States Army celebrates its 250th anniversary. Trump is honoring the day with a military parade – the first such event since the end of the first Gulf War in 1991. Millions across the country are expected to hold “No Kings” protests in response. We’ll talk with organizers of two local protests. Also, the Providence NAACP is practically shut down. The president and all the officers were suspended by the national NAACP. We’ll get an update.
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3 weeks ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | Luis Hernandez |James Baumgartner |Joe Tasca |Mareva Lindo
Butler Hospital announced plans this week to replace the roughly 800 unionized workers that have been striking for the past few weeks. We’ll hear about how we got here, and why it might not be so easy to fill those roles. Also, it’s hurricane season. Although New England rarely takes a direct hit, emergency officials want residents to remember the basics needed to get through a storm. We’ll share some of those tips.
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3 weeks ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | James Baumgartner |Mareva Lindo
This week on Artscape, producer James Baumgartner and editor Mareva Lindo highlight a few of their favorite festivals coming up this summer. June 6-8, Gates of the City Plaza in Fall River, free to the publicAbout 45% of the city’s population is of Portuguese descent, so this is a pretty big deal in Fall River. There are performances all three days, including some acts from Portugal, like Nuno Ribeiro, and Fernando Pereira.
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1 month ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | Luis Hernandez |James Baumgartner |Joe Tasca |Mareva Lindo
One in three Rhode Islanders depend on Medicaid. That’s why there’s grave concern if the Senate passes Trump’s budget plan, which includes massive cuts to the health insurance program. We’ll talk about what’s at stake with Rhode Island representative Gabe Amo. Also, RIPTA officials are facing a $33 million deficit. Lawmakers in the General Assembly need to pass a budget with the money to fill that gap, or cut bus lines and schedules throughout the state.
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1 month ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | James Baumgartner |Ian Donnis
TranscriptThis transcript has been edited for clarityIan Donnis: Governor Dan McKee, thanks for sitting down with us. Gov. Dan McKee: Well thank you for having me and I appreciate the opportunity. Donnis: We’re coming up on June, the month when the General Assembly usually passes a new state budget. There’s a lot of uncertainty because of the Trump administration and potential cuts to Medicaid, food, nutrition benefits, and other programs.
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1 month ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | James Baumgartner |Joe Tasca |Mareva Lindo
Rhode Island College recently announced it will cut 20 degree programs this fall, mostly in the humanities. We’ll hear from a professor and student at RIC who say the cuts are short-sighted, and were done with little input from faculty or students. And did the Rhode Island Department of Transportation miss the warning signs about the Washington Bridge? Our reporters talked with engineers who say that critical components deserved special attention years before the closure.
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1 month ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | Luis Hernandez |Alex Nunes |James Baumgartner
Earlier this week Woonsocket city leaders followed the actions of many communities across the country. They voted to fine people who camp out on city property. . One unhoused advocacy group says the fines that are part of a new city law will make things even harder for those struggling to find shelter. Also, Rhode Island PBS is shining a light on youth mental health. We’ll talk with one of their contributors about the effect violence has on mental health.
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1 month ago | 
thepublicsradio.org | Luis Hernandez |Mareva Lindo |Joe Tasca |James Baumgartner
U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner has been taking to the House floor to protest President Trump’s cuts to funding for life-saving food for malnourished children. We talk with him about that, and some of the ways Rhode Island has been impacted by the president’s first few months in office. Also, State Senator Tiara Mack is against Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s efforts to raise property taxes. She says there are better ways to raise the much-needed revenue for the city.
