Rhode Island Report

In their first head-to-head debate in the Democratic primary for mayor of Providence, incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley and state Representative David Morales took questions from Globe Rhode Island’s Steph Machado on rent control, local control of Providence schools, public safety, the city's unfunded pension liability, snowstorms, and more. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Edward Fitzpatrick gets out of the studio to join Dr. Judson Brewer, of the Brown Mindfulness Center, as he leads students and researchers on a run up one of the steepest hills in Providence. They get together to do this every Wednesday, and they say it’s not just about getting exercise. Brewer, known for his TED Talks and books like "Unwinding Anxiety," leads the runners through a series of mindfulness techniques as they climb the Jenckes Street hill. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Globe Rhode Island’s founder of The Food Club, Alexa Gagosz, recently hosted the first Food Club Live, a series of one-on-one "fun and honest" conversations with some of the biggest names in Providence’s food scene. From the trends shaping where and what we eat, to what it takes to build something worth reserving a table for, the early May event brought out restaurateurs, chefs, industry insiders and patrons. Because everyone's gotta eat. This is a lightly edited recording of the event. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A flawed bridge, frayed nerves, fraught politics – this has been a daily reality for Rhode Islanders since the abrupt closure of the Washington Bridge westbound in 2023. But it’s not the first time the state has grappled with how to replace a critical highway bridge. Rhode Island Report partnered with GBH's Big Dig podcast for a live conversation about Providence’s complicated relationship with its urban highways. The Big Dig host Ian Coss joined host Edward Fitzpatrick to interview Mike Lewis, former director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and Zachary Cunha, former United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. This is a lightly edited recording of that discussion. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week’s US Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana’s election map has gutted the landmark federal Voting Rights Act. That’s according to Shahidah Ali, the Political Action Committee Chair for the Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women, and John Marion, the executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island. They join host Edward Fitzpatrick to react to the high court ruling and talk about a proposed Rhode Island Voting Rights Act that would prohibit voter suppression on the local level. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You might have heard of the Green Book, a guidebook that was widely circulated from the 1930s through the 1960s to help Black travelers find welcoming places across the country to stay, eat, and fill up their cars. But did you know that many of those locations were in New England? Emily Sweeney, a Boston Globe reporter, has documented and mapped more than 350 spots in this part of the country. She joined host Ed Fitzpatrick in 2025 to talk about what she uncovered. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The biggest race in Rhode Island this election season is the Democratic primary for governor. Incumbent Daniel McKee is facing a rematch with former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, whom he narrowly defeated in the 2022 primary.So, we brought both candidates into the studio separately to explain where they stand on major issues, including the high cost of energy and housing, the proposed millionaires tax, the Washington Bridge crisis, the opioid crisis, and "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island." Then we put their responses together so voters could easily compare and contrast. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the Ocean State, surrounded by water, we’re vulnerable to climate change and in particular, sea level rise. We’re seeing the effects everywhere – from the collapse of part of the Newport Cliff Walk to the erosion of local beaches. Salve Regina University biology and biomedical sciences professor Christine Ramsay joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about ways to protect the places we love as the climate changes. We want to hear from you! Fill out our listener survey, and we’ll send you a Rhode Island Report sticker - https://bit.ly/RIpodsurvey.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 just over a month since President Trump declared war on Iran. The Constitution gives Congress the power to initiate war, but the president started the surprise airstrikes without their approval. Is that constitutional? Host Edward Fitzpatrick talks to Salve Regina University History Professor William Leeman about the history of presidential war powers. We want to hear from you! Fill out our listener survey, and we’ll send you a Rhode Island Report sticker - https://bit.ly/RIpodsurvey See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Launched nearly three decades ago in a prime location between the State House and downtown as an economic catalyst for Rhode Island's capital city, the Providence Place mall now has more than 20 empty storefronts and restaurant spaces. It's been in receivership since 2024, and is up for sale. What happens next? Globe reporters Steph Machado and Alexa Gagosz have been following this story, and join guest host Megan Hall for an update. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Melania Trump movie is putting first ladies back in the spotlight. How has their role evolved over the years? Salve Regina University Political Science Professor Mary Anderson joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to offer some perspective. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rhode Island recently nearly lost two safety-net hospitals; there’s a shortage of primary care providers, reimbursement rates are lower than in neighboring states, and nursing homes are understaffed. Anna Matos-Mournighan, the graduate program director for healthcare administration at Salve Regina University and board president of a senior center in Newport, R.I., joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to make sense of it all. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Earlier this week, in front of a live audience, Globe Rhode Island’s Dan McGowan and Alexa Gagosz moderated a panel discussion about what it really takes to start, fund, and grow a small business in Rhode Island. This is a lightly edited recording of that discussion. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do Rhode Islanders feel about Governor Dan McKee and his Democratic opponent, Helena Foulkes? What about a tax on millionaires? The Rhode Island AFL-CIO recently commissioned a poll to find out. Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to discuss the results: "There is a path to victory for the governor in the numbers from the AFL-CIO poll, it's a narrow path." Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Earlier this year, US District Court Judge William Smith retired after 23 years on the bench. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about President Trump's criticism of judges, threats against the judiciary, and some of his key decisions over the years. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

US foreign policy is taking a dramatically different turn under the Trump administration. How is this affecting America's relationships with the rest of the world? "We've heard privately from European diplomats - and some in public - that they will not trust the United States again, period." Salve Regina University Vice President Jim Ludes joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about Greenland, Canada, Venezuela, and the new world order. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Donald Trump recently floated an idea to nationalize the US elections. That violates the Constitution, according to Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to outline what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to running elections. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, starts on Feb. 6. Like every Olympics, they will showcase the best athletes from around the globe, and reveal something about world politics. Erin Redihan, a lecturer in the history department at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., teaches a course on this subject every two years. She joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about the history of the Olympics, and what to expect at the 2026 games. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Globe Rhode Island’s Dan McGowan and Steph Machado moderated a panel discussion in front of a Rhode Map Live audience earlier this month about a report that aims to reform Rhode Island’s school funding formula. The panel featured David Cicilline, the head of the Rhode Island Foundation; Georgetown University Professor and education economist Nora Gordon; and John Papay, the director of the Annenberg Institute at Brown University. This is a lightly edited recording of that conversation. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

US District Court Chief Judge John McConnell was thrust into the national spotlight last year after ruling on some of the most high-profile challenges to Trump administration policies. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk to us about that experience, and the public threats against him and others in the judiciary: "It did shake my faith at the time, but my faith is still there." Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roger Williams University runs prison education and reentry programs for Rhode Islanders who are serving time. Now, he has a master's degree in community development and runs programs to help people re-enter society after being in prison. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick, along with Gena Bianco, the dean of Roger Williams University’s Extension School, to talk about what it means to walk out of prison with a credential. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the first day of the 2026 legislative session. Lawmakers return to face a series of major issues, including looming cuts in federal funding, the potential closure of two hospitals, and a state budget deficit of more than $100 million. Globe Rhode Island’s Steph Machado and Dan McGowan join host Edward Fitzpatrick to preview the session and what to expect from legislators this year. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brown University has been on our minds a lot since the deadly shooting on campus. So, we're bringing back this conversation with former president Ruth Simmons. She made history in 2001 as the first Black president of an Ivy League institution. She joined us on the podcast to talk about her memoir, “Up Home.” Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're taking a little break for the holidays. While we're gone, enjoy this episode about host Edward Fitzpatrick's memories of chestnut fights at his elementary school. Listen in as he returns to his native Greenville for a showdown with his childhood friend Sue Tremblay. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley sits down with host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about the past 48 hours since the mass shooting at Brown and where the investigation goes from here. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's the holiday season, and cities across the country are having tree lighting ceremonies. But how many of them light a bug? Rhode Island's version of the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center is the lighting of the Big Blue Bug off I-95. So, host Edward Fitzpatrick tagged along as they flipped the switch. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever completely messed up a marathon? Or maybe you’re thinking about running one and want to avoid the common mistakes? RISD grad Alen Yen says he’s been “bad” at marathons for more than a decade. But he stuck with it and finally figured out how to conquer the 26.2 miles. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to share what he’s learned in a new book called “50 Ways to F*** Up a Marathon! An amateur’s guide to #marathonfails.” Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

More than 50 years ago, in a Providence apartment, some of the band members of Talking Heads recorded an early demo of what would eventually become their hit, "Psycho Killer." Over the years, that recording eventually made its way to RISD. And on Friday, fans can finally hear it. The track is included in a new collection of demos and live recordings from the band called "Tentative Decisions." Talking Heads Drummer Chris Franz and RISD Assistant Provost for Academic Engagement Margot Nishimura join host Christopher Gavin to talk about the recording. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you live in Rhode Island, you’ve heard of Roger Williams. But do we really know what our founder was like? Roger Williams University History Professor Charlotte Carrington-Farmer is out with a new book exploring his story through his own writings and what other people wrote about him. She’s also the force behind a new exhibit about his wife, Mary. She joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to dig into what she’s learned about Rhode Island’s first couple. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rhode Island is the only state with its own official coral. Astrangia poculata, also known as Northern Star Coral, isn't like those colorful reefs down in the tropics, but it might play an important role in protecting its more vibrant cousins. To find out more, host Edward Fitzpatrick met with Roger Williams University Professor Koty Sharp, a champion of using Rhode Island’s official state coral for marine research. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The military is supposed to be apolitical, but critics say it’s getting pulled into the Trump administration’s political agenda. Senator Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat and former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to weigh in on what’s happening. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Halloween is upon us, so we thought it’d be a good time to check in on Rhode Island’s most famous haunted location — the Conjuring House. Globe Rhode Island’s Amanda Milkovits spent the night there with her sister. She joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to tell the story of what happened. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coal once powered our country. Now, despite claims by the Trump administration, it’s the dirtiest, most expensive form of energy, according to Bob Wyss, a former Providence Journal reporter. Wyss tracks the history of coal in a new book called “Black Gold: The Rise, Reign, and Fall of American Coal.” He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk more about what he found. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As ICE raids and deportations increase across the country, some Rhode Islanders are pushing back. Maya Lehrer is an organizer with the Rhode Island Deportation Defense Network. She says, "A lot of the time, just us being there and letting our neighbors know ICE is here is enough that they leave." Lehrer joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk more about this work. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Trump recently said he’d like to use US cities as “training grounds” for the military. And he’s trying to send the National Guard into places like Portland, Oregon, and Chicago. Is that legal? Roger Williams University School of Law professors Peter Margulies and Jared Goldstein join host Edward Fitzpatrick to help unpack that question. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who can get a COVID vaccine? What’s going on with Tylenol? Can we trust the CDC? There’s a lot of confusion right now in the world of public health.Roger Williams University Public Health professor Jacqueline Cottle and Dr. Amy Nunn, the chief executive officer of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute and Open Door Health, join host Edward Fitzpatrick to help you navigate the latest news. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Attorney General Peter Neronha has been busy these days, between filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision to halt the Revolution Wind project to criticizing the latest health insurance rates. He also placed 2nd in a recent poll for the ic primary for governor. And he hasn’t even decided to run…. yet. He joins host Ed Fitzpatrick in the studio for an update. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does the Trump administration’s decision to halt construction for the Revolution Wind farm mean for Rhode Islanders? Roger Williams University engineering Professor Maija Benitz joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to offer some perspective on this controversial decision. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why are evangelical Christians more likely to own a gun than other Americans? William J. Kole, a Rhode Islander, a journalist, and a former evangelical Christian, investigates this question in a new book called “In Guns We Trust.”  He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about what he found. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We went on a field trip to the factory responsible for host Edward Fitzpatrick’s favorite drink in elementary school: coffee milk. Autocrat coffee syrup is still made at a facility in Lincoln, R.I. What started with mill workers has become a state staple. We wanted to find out what goes into getting it right - the color, the caramelized sweetness - every time. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re going back more than two decades to an iconic 2002 news story that took place on a beach in Portsmouth. 12 News’s Sean Daly reported on a couple who said they saw a sea monster, in an epic video segment known as “Mother, Mother Ocean.” Now, Frog and Toad -- a Providence gift store -- has immortalized that story with a new T-shirt and poster. Daly and Frog & Toad co-owner Asher Schofield join host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about this piece of Rhode Island lore. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re taking a little time off for the summer, and while we’re gone, we’re re-releasing some of our favorite episodes. This week, we have an episode about bicycle rides in Rhode Island. Local author Robert Isenberg loves riding his bike, so he published a collection of essays about his experiences cycling in Rhode Island and all over the world. Here’s our conversation from 2024. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re taking a little time off for the summer, and while we’re gone, we’re re-releasing some of our favorite episodes. This week, an episode about pinball. In 2023, we visited the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration in Pawtucket. The place is still going strong, almost two years later. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re taking a little time off for the summer, and while we’re gone, we’re re-releasing some of our favorite episodes. This week, we have a conversation with long-time labor organizer George Nee. When we talked to him in 2024, he’d just retired as the president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, so he could finally tell us an incredible story involving the mob and a lettuce boycott. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re taking a little time off for the summer, and while we’re gone, we’re re-releasing some of our favorite episodes. This week, a story about the siblings behind Mr. Lemon, the frozen lemonade stand in a tiny white building on Hawkins Street in Providence. Last year, Mr. Lemon was celebrating its 50th year in business, and we were worried it would be its last. But the stand is open again this summer! Got a story about Mr. Lemon? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re taking a little time off for the summer, and while we’re gone, we’re re-releasing some of our favorite shows. This week, we’re bringing you our most popular episode of all time – How to talk like a Rhode Islander. Back in 2022, we asked dialect coach Thom Jones to show us how he teaches Hollywood stars to talk like Rhode Islanders. He even gave our producer a little lesson.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Pina-Warren has worked at the Nonviolence Institute for more than 15 years, and now she’s risen to the role of executive director. She joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about the nonprofit, her personal motivation for promoting peace, and her vision for the future. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2021, Mel Thibeault was looking for ways to make friends in the queer community. So, she thought, why not invite everyone to go on a hike? Nearly four years later, the group continues to meet almost every weekend to spend time outdoors in Southern New England. Host Edward Fitzpatrick joined them to learn more. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’ve heard about how federal cuts to research funding are affecting elite institutions like Harvard and Brown, but what about our state universities? University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange says these reductions are just as harmful for colleges like his that educate the working class and create innovation in the local economy. He talks to host Edward Fitzpatrick about the impacts. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The General Assembly wrapped up the 2025 legislative session Friday, June 20, at 1 in the morning. So, what happened? Host Edward Fitzpatrick talks with Globe Rhode Island's Steph Machado and Jim Hummel, the host of “A Lively Experiment” on Rhode Island PBS, to break down the final decisions. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.