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Rhode Island’s proposed Rhode Island Green Bond includes funding for climate resilience, parks, and water infrastructure — but no money for land conservation.

Two leading environmental organizations say that omission could halt decades of progress protecting farmland, forests, and community open space.

In a recent op-ed, Jeffrey Hall of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and Kate Sayles of the Rhode Island Land Trust Council warned that without a $10 million addition to the Green Bond, Rhode Island risks stalling conservation projects across the state.

They argue the funding gap could jeopardize efforts to preserve working farms, protect forests, and expand local open space at a time when development pressure continues to grow.

On this episode, Hall and Sayles explain:

• Why conservation funding was left out of the Green Bond proposal
• What projects could be lost without new funding
• How Rhode Island’s long-running land protection programs work
• Why they’re asking lawmakers to add $10 million during the current budget session
• What the debate says about the state’s environmental priorities

The decision ultimately rests with the Rhode Island General Assembly, which must finalize the bond proposal before it goes to voters.

If conservation funding isn’t restored, they say, Rhode Island could see farmland, forests, and community open spaces slip out of reach.

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Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha joins Bartholomewtown to discuss his office’s newly released report detailing decades of child sexual abuse allegations within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.

The investigation identified more than 130 alleged abusers and hundreds of victims, with cases spanning generations.

Neronha explains how investigators assembled the report, what it reveals about institutional failures inside the Church, and what accountability and reforms may come next.

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Food insecurity affects thousands of Rhode Islanders—but the issue is often misunderstood.

This week on the show, Amanda Missimer, a nutrition professor at the University of Rhode Island, joins the conversation to discuss the scope of food insecurity in Rhode Island and the systems behind how food is produced, distributed, and accessed across the state.

We explore:

• Who is most affected by food insecurity in Rhode Island
• How food systems shape access to healthy food
• The role of universities, nonprofits, and policymakers in addressing the issue
• URI’s upcoming food summit and what it aims to accomplish
• Policy and community solutions that could make a real difference

It’s a deeper look at the structural issues behind hunger in Rhode Island—and the work underway to build a more resilient and equitable food system.

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Topic: Former Newport Mayor and Current Councilor Xay Khamsyvoravong Enters the Lieutenant Governor Race — Why It Matters

1. Who Is Xay Khamsyvoravong?

• Former Mayor of Newport
• Current Newport City Councilor
• Part of a younger generation of Democratic leadership
• Known for coalition-building and pragmatic governance

2. Why the Lt. Governor’s Race Matters More Than It Seems

• The Lt. Governor role in Rhode Island has often been politically ambiguous
• It can function as a policy platform, a visibility boost, or a stepping stone
• Historically a launching pad for higher office or broader statewide influence

3. The Generational Shift Question

• Rhode Island Democrats are in transition
• A new bench is emerging beyond the long-dominant political names
• Does this signal the start of a wider reshuffling in 2026?

4. Geographic and Demographic Strategy

• Newport base vs. broader statewide appeal
• How coastal politics translate to urban and suburban voters
• Coalition math: progressive lane? pragmatic lane? something in between?

5. The Bigger Chessboard

• Who else gets in now?
• Does this clear or crowd lanes for other statewide candidates?
• How does this affect down-ballot and congressional ambitions?

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📍 Overview:

In the aftermath of the historic Blizzard of ’26, which dumped record-shattering snow across Rhode Island and left communities paralyzed, snow removal has become a hot-button issue — not just a matter of logistics but of politics, prioritization, and power.

🧊 What We’ll Cover:

• What actually happened:
Rhode Island received up to ~38 inches of snow during the storm, breaking decades-old records and forcing a statewide travel ban. Roads — especially secondary and residential streets — were left buried for days, with crews stretched thin and equipment in short supply. 

• The political fallout:
Local officials asked for help — including assistance from neighboring states and deployment of the National Guard — yet frustrating delays and inconsistent plowing have sparked public criticism and sharp political commentary. 

• Public outrage and social discourse:
From Reddit threads calling out failed plow jobs and blocked parking to debate over snow dumping in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods, the cleanup has taken on political overtones in ways rarely seen for snow removal. 

• Broader implications:
Is this just a storm response gone wrong? Or does it expose deeper issues — from resource allocation to trust in local leadership? This episode explores whether snowplowing is the issue in Rhode Island right now — or simply a symptom of bigger questions about governance and community priorities.

PLUS Bill breaks down the latest polling in the governor's race

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In the wake of the Blizzard of 2026, we sit down with legendary Rhode Island weatherman R. J. Heim to break down what just happened — and where this storm ranks in the Ocean State’s long and dramatic weather history.

We assess:

• Final snow totals across Providence County, Kent County, Washington County, and Newport County
• Wind gusts, coastal impacts, and power outages
• Why this system intensified the way it did
• How it compares to benchmark storms like the Blizzard of ’78 and other historic nor’easters
• What made the Blizzard of 2026 unique in terms of track, snowfall rates, and cold air lock-in
• What the next 7–10 days look like as Rhode Island digs out

With deep institutional memory and decades of forecasting experience, Heim places this storm in context — separating hype from history and helping us understand whether this was a once-in-a-generation event or part of a larger climate pattern.

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Inside Communications presented by Half Street Group

In the midst of the Blizzard of 2026, we step back from the snowfall totals and power outage maps to examine a different kind of storm: public communication.

Mike Raia — founder and president of Half Street Group and former spokesperson for Governor Gina Raimondo — joins us to break down how governments manage messaging during fast-moving weather emergencies.

What We Cover:

• The Anatomy of a Storm Message
  How decisions get translated into public language — from executive orders to social posts.
• Forecast vs. Certainty
  Communicating probabilities without overpromising accuracy — and what happens when forecasts shift.
• The Politics of Snow Days
  School closures, travel bans, and the public backlash that follows either decision.
• Trust in a Whiteout
  Why tone matters as much as timing — and how credibility is built (or lost) in moments like these.
• Social Media & Misinformation
  Managing rumors, viral misinformation, and unofficial “expert” commentary during a crisis.
• Lessons from the Governor’s Office
  Behind-the-scenes insight from Raia’s time as spokesperson — what works, what doesn’t, and what most people never see.
• What Leaders Should Be Saying Right Now
  As the Blizzard of 2026 unfolds, what does effective communication look like in real time?

Why This Conversation Matters

Weather events are inevitable. Public panic isn’t. In an era of instant reaction and fractured media ecosystems, crisis communication has never been more consequential.

This episode explores the thin line between preparation and alarm — and how leadership is measured not just by action, but by words.

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Broadcast from Providence City Hall, this episode features an extended one-on-one interview with Brett Smiley on the defining issues facing Providence right now.

❄️ Snow Removal & Accountability

The mayor responds to criticism over the recent snow removal challenges, including questions about leadership, communication breakdowns, and the role of the David Morales operational plan. What went wrong? Who is accountable? And what changes are being implemented to prevent a repeat?

🏛️ Immigration & ICE

With heightened federal immigration enforcement actions making headlines, we ask about the city’s posture toward U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. How is Providence balancing public safety, immigrant protections, and state-federal dynamics?

📉 Economic Development After Plant City

The closure of Plant City raised broader concerns about downtown recovery and small business sustainability. The mayor outlines his administration’s economic development strategy and how Providence plans to adapt in a shifting post-pandemic economy.

🗳️ Democratic Primary Realities

With a potential primary challenge from David Morales, we discuss the political landscape. How does Mayor Smiley define his lane within the Democratic Party? What contrasts does he draw? And how is he preparing for what could become a competitive race?

A substantive conversation on governance, political accountability, and the future direction of Rhode Island’s capital city.

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In this episode:

1. Incident Overview
   — A mass shooting occurred Monday at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Authorities say it left three people dead — including the suspected gunman — and three others critically injured. Police have described the event as a targeted incident connected to a family dispute. 
2. Community Impact
   — We explore the human toll: how the shooting unfolded, reactions from local leaders, families in shock, and the emotional aftermath for a community traumatized at what was supposed to be senior night. 
3. Political Commentary with Jim Hummel
   — Joined by Jim Hummel, Founder of The Hummel Report and host of Lively on Ocean State Media, we pivot to politics:
   • What this moment means for Rhode Island’s gubernatorial race.
   • How the two major candidates can address community safety, mental health, and public trust.
   • The narratives and lanes each campaign should stake right now to connect with voters in a season marked by violence and political anxiety.
4. Key Questions for Leadership
   — What should a governor prioritize in a crisis like this — beyond condolences?
   — How do candidates balance policy proposals on safety, gun violence prevention, and mental health support with broader campaign strategy?

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Episode Topic: Trump, Voter Rolls, and Federal Pressure on States
Guest: Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore

The Trump campaign and conservative legal groups are escalating efforts to gain access to state voter rolls and election data, framing the push as “election integrity” while critics warn it could open the door to voter suppression, intimidation, and misuse of personal information.

In this episode, Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore joins the show to explain:

• What the Trump-aligned effort is demanding from states
• Why Rhode Island is refusing to comply
• How voter data can be misused — even when requests are technically legal
• The line between transparency and voter protection
• Why this fight matters even if you trust your local election officials
• What voters should know heading into the 2026 and 2028 election cycles

This conversation pulls back the curtain on how elections are administered, how political pressure is applied behind the scenes, and why state-level officials are now on the front lines of defending democratic norms.

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