In a special edition of "Behind the Story," 12 News reporter Ted Nesi fills in to host a conversation with 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian and Target 12 chief investigative reporter Tim White about how news outlets have covered the shooting at Brown University and its aftermath.

Alex Kuffner, who covers energy and the environment, said Rhode Islanders should expect some relief this winter on their heating bills. But he warned that regulators have mostly moved around existing funds to offset the higher winter costs, meaning ratepayers end up paying for those credits.

He also highlighted a new rate hike proposed by Rhode Island Energy for its distribution charges, which is the portion of customers’ bills where the company can make a profit.

“They agreed to hold off on filing this, this distribution rate case for several years, so now it’s actually been eight years since we changed this distribution costs,” Kuffner said. “They’re saying that through inflation, supply chain costs — all the costs that they pay have gone up, and their revenues haven’t matched that, so it’s squeezed their profits.”

Kuffner also talked about how the state is lagging in its effort to meet lofty carbon-cutting goals by 2030 and 2040, even though some leaders are optimistic the benchmarks can still be made.

“It’s going to be hard to get there,” he said.

Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “Stories We Wish We Wrote,” including (not all mentioned on air):

• Companies being sued over the Washington Bridge are inspecting these RI bridges by Kathy Gregg, The Providence Journal
• Neighbors see big trouble with undersize lots by Greta Shuster, Warwick Beacon

• After going viral, Auntie’s House in Pawtucket adapts to high demand by LuzJennifer Martinez, The Valley Breeze
• A holiday ritual of fellowship and flour by Ellen G. Lahr, EastBayRI

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

• How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

Mark Patinkin, who’s been a newspaper columnist for over four decades, recently wrote about the issue of hazing in schools following incidents in Newport and Smithfield, respectively. Hazing has also been the focus of an opinion piece written by BTS cohost Dan McGowan, a columnist for the Boston Globe.

Patinkin said student athletes who behave badly should be held responsible for their actions. But he also called on adults — specifically coaches — to take some ownership of what’s going on.

“Coaches have the power to be able to sit kids down and a football team or a comparable situation and say, ‘Look, if any of you haze a kid, you’re off the team,'” Patinkin said. “Coaches can do that. They have the power. And I just have to think those conversations have not been happening in Rhode Island.”

Patinkin also discussed his experience writing about the Israel-Hamas war, which included him traveling to the Middle East to interview people on both sides of the conflict. Patinkin, whose writing has leaned pro-Israel, said he’s rarely received such sharp criticism over his position.

“It was withering … but I’ll tell you, it didn’t sway me,” Patinkin said. “When you’re a columnist putting your personality out there and people disagree with you, they say, ‘You’re a disgrace to humanity,’ so it gets very personal.”

Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “Stories We Wish We Wrote.”

• Records reveal R.I. pediatrician wrote more than a hundred prescriptions for his own daughter by Amanda Milkovits, Boston Globe
• Union leans on lawmakers to keep School Budget Commission on track by John Howell, Warwick Beacon

• As winter heating costs rise, so does consumer anxiety in Rhode Island, poll finds by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current
• BROKEN NEWS? Outlets in search of sustainable community journalism model by John Lahtinen, Providence Business News

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

• How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

The series focuses on the life of Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio, the last mob boss to lead New England’s most notorious crime family.

For decades, the Patriarca Crime Family ran a shadow government from Federal Hill, wielding power that rivaled public officials, private financiers and law enforcement on all levels.

Target 12 managing editor Tim White, 12 News chief videographer Johnny Villella and on-air marketing manager James Bartone joined host Eli Sherman to talk about the project that started nearly one year ago.

Episode 1: "The Hill" is currently streaming exclusively on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

The app is free to download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung streaming platforms and TVs.

Episode 2: "The Fugitive" airs Monday, Dec. 1.

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

Joy Fox owns Beacon Media, which publishes the Warwick Beacon, Cranston Herald and Johnston Sun Rise, along with The Reminder, a weekly shopping guide. She bought the news organization last year from legendary publisher John Howell and expressed optimism about the sustainability of the local newspaper model.

"Don't count us out because I believe that the trends right now are actually coming squarely over local news," Fox said. "People really want to know what is happening at their city hall, what is happening in their schools and what's happening next door."

Fox, who started reporting in high school for the Herald, has also had a career outside media, working as a communications specialist. She worked both privately and for various government agencies and politicians, including former Gov. Gina Raimondo and Rep. Jim Langevin. (She also ran and lost for a seat in the U.S. House in 2022.)

In recent weeks, Fox's team has been looking into an issue in Cranston where there's been a proposal to end the long practice of publishing special meetings in the local newspaper. Local governments often pay to advertise meetings in local news outlets, which means the advertisements help Fox's business. But she also highlighted that doing away with such advertisements damages transparency in government, and there are questions still circling around how the proposal emerged.

"I am confident to say the Cranston Herald won't go out of business over legal ads, and that's good," she said. "To me, the larger issue is we should be increasing transparency and the ease of it for people to access information."

Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the "Stories We Wish We Wrote," which included a cooking segment Kim did for "The Rhode Show" ahead of Thanksgiving. Other stories included (not all mentioned on air):

• Inspector General uncovers ‘grossly mismanaged’ Pope’s Island Marina by Colin Hogan, The New Bedford Light
• The Last Don of Providence by the Target 12 Investigators and 12 News.

• Family disputes police account in death of Woonsocket man by Corey Plante, The Valley Breeze
• RI Energy drops plan for $150 million in winter bill discounts by Ted Nesi and Sarah Guernelli, 12 News

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

• How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

Fitzpatrick, who also hosts “The Rhode Island Report,” is a Rhode Island-based reporter for the Globe, covering statewide government and politics.

Recently, he’s covered a developing controversy in his hometown of Smithfield, where there have been allegations of antisemitic hazing involving the high school football team.

An attorney representing the accused players has disputed the allegations, which were filed as a complaint with the R.I. Attorney General’s Office.

Fitzpatrick said the controversy has been scrutinized by many in the town, along with broader Rhode Island and multiple Jewish advocacy groups.

“This has been a big deal in the community,” Fitzpatrick said.

“It has divided the community,” he added. “You had people out there really concerned about what this says about Smithfield.”

In another segment of the show, Fitzpatrick talked about how there have been many decisions coming out of Rhode Island U.S. District Court challenging the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.

Many of those decisions were made by U.S. District Chief Judge John McConnell, which has made him the focus of nationwide scrutiny.

Fitzpatrick has covered McConnell during his time on the federal bench, including recent criticism that has ramped up after his most recent decision requiring the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November, despite the government shutdown.

“People have threatened him even before this case came into focus,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s an issue that divides people and it has politics involved.”

Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “Stories We Wish We Wrote.” They included:

• A tattoo artist lands in an unexpected role in Maine’s Senate race by Kimberlee Kruesi, The Associated Press
• The average SNAP recipient gets $6 a day. What’s it like to live on that little? by Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal

• Grassroots movement takes on Eversource by Abigail Pritchard McNulty, The New Bedford Light
• Mayor: Employees’ union exit ‘on the shelf for now’ by Ethan Shorey, The Valley Breeze

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

• How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

Steve Klamkin over the years has covered high-profile criminal trials, including the one of Vincent "Buddy" Cianci after the FBI investigation known as Plunderdome. 

Klamkin is recognizable for being at the forefront of media scrums over the years. But he's also well-known for the unique signoff he's had at the end of news reports for WPRO radio: "Steve Klamkin, WPRO News."

"I don't have a big booming voice, I never have," Klamkin said Wednesday. "The signoff from my stories over the years — it just happened and I never gave it a thought. And then people started saying it back to me ... so I thought, 'I guess it's a thing.' Well, come to find out, it's a thing."

Klamkin recently entered semiretirement, but he's continued to report for Latino Public Radio, which now broadcasts entirely online. Klamkin said he's hard back to work, interviewing multiple people himself before appearing as a guest on the show.

"It's been great fun," Klamkin said.

Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “Stories We Wish We Wrote.” They included:

• At nearly 108, this Middletown woman may be the second-oldest living RIer. What's her secret? by Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal
• Meet the Providence 5th-graders running their own newsroom by Ben Berke, Ocean State Media

• THE ‘AMAZON EFFECT’: Warehouse looms over Johnston, but will it fulfill economic promise? by Matthew McNulty, Providence Business News
•  

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

• How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe

McNamara is a longtime sports journalist who covers college and professional sports. He focuses heavily on college basketball, which kicks off Monday for programs across Rhode Island.

McNamara, who also runs the website KevinMcSports.com, said he's unsure whether Providence College, the University of Rhode Island or Bryant University will make the NCAA Tournament this season.

But he said the Friars may have a competitive advantage because the program has been spending big money under new rules that allow colleges to pay student-athletes up to a combined $20 million.

"At Providence, it's men's and women's basketball, hockey, some cross-country teams," he said. "But the focus is certainly men's basketball. No one knows how much Providence is investing in their men's basketball team this year. But it's new, and I can tell you, it's a lot of money."

McNamara also discussed last week's illegal gambling scandal involving the NBA and the New York Mafia. The FBI indicted big-name players and coaches, alleging game-rigging and coordination with gambling operators.

The scandal has fueled skepticism of sports betting and how it's affecting the integrity of competitive athletics. McNamara said it's something college sports need to examine more closely, as there have already been issues bubbling up at some schools across the country.

"Those are kids who did not or do not make much money, beyond their scholarship," he said. "They've gotten in trouble with sports gambling because it's legal and it's everywhere. And you think about how many people they come in contact with on a given day on campus, in their communities who say, 'Hey, you want to make an easy $5,000 to $10,000?'"

Later in the show, Dan and Eli talked about the "Stories We Wish We Wrote." They include (not all mentioned on-air):

• Why Does Rhode Island Have Such a Full House? by Ellen Liberman, Rhode Island Monthly.
• Massive Schools Plan Proves Hard to Pin Down by Jonathan Howard, The Providence Eye.

• The Great New Bedford election ‘plunking’ controversy by Jack Spillane, The New Bedford Light
• Police chief clarifies speed camera hours by Jon Baker, Blackstone Valley's Call & Times.

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

• How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

Jim Hummel is a longtime investigative reporter and founder of the nonprofit news organization The Hummel Report. His reporting revealed new details about the westbound I-195 bridge, which shut down abruptly to 90,000 vehicles in December 2023.

Hummel’s reporting showed forensic auditors determined a critical rod of the bridge that ultimately broke was likely corroding for up to 15 years, and several inspections that flagged issues with that section of the bridge largely went unchecked.

The new detail were not included in a draft report of the forensic audit that was made public last month.

“Sometimes what you leave out of the story can be the best part,” Hummel said, adding that state officials have not yet commented on the new findings. “That caught my attention.”

Hummel’s report comes as the General Assembly is preparing to hold another oversight hearing to examine the bridge issue, which has become a political headache and frustrated drivers for nearly two years.

Hummel suggested the hearing — which has not yet been scheduled — could help shed new light on the audit and what state officials directed investigators to examine.

“Until you get somebody from RIDOT under oath or you bring in [RIDOT Director Peter] Alviti, you may not get the answer to that,” he said.

Later in the show, Kim and Eli talked about the “Stories We Wish We Wrote.” They include (not all mentioned on-air):

• Report will show ‘stunning’ scale of R.I. diocese’s mishandling of sexual abuse by clergy, Neronha says by Amanda Mikovits and Edward Fitzpatrick, The Boston Globe
• Legal joust erupts in court over alleged plan to sabotage, usurp King Richard’s Faire

• New R.I. cannabis retail licenses could be ready by May 2026. Not soon enough for some applicants. by Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current (incorrectly attributed on-air to Alexander Castro, sorry!)
• Safety concerns persist at Woonsocket schools amid $100K in vandalism costs by Corey Plante, The Valley Breeze

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

• How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

Ethan Hartley, editor of The East Providence Post, recently covered the city budget process where Mayor Bob DaSilva signed the latest tax-and-spending plan Wednesday.

Hartley said no services were cut, but he underscored that the city still raised the overall tax levy to the state-capped limit of 4% for the next fiscal year.

“Municipal budgets today are very tight,” Hartley said. “Just to get the basic services and take care of your contractual increases takes up a lot of what you have room for. And so mostly, they said it’s not a great budget, it’s not perfect, but it’s the best we can do. And they passed it.”

Hartley also talked about the giant troll that was recently erected in town, and discussed the lasting effects of the closed westbound Washington Bridge, which connects East Providence to Providence.

“Rhode Islanders are very adaptable people,” Hartley said. “We kind of assume that things are going to be bad. And so I think at this point, almost two years in, we just know what to expect and that the bridge is going to be miserable and traffic’s going to take an extra half hour to get where you want to go.”

Later in the show, Kim and Eli talked about the “Stories We Wish We Wrote.” They include:

• Which Dunkin’ is the most Dunkin’ of all? An investigation. by Beth Teitell, The Boston Globe
• Rhode Island considers ending Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss by Alexandro Castro, Rhode Island Current

• HOSPITAL MAKEOVERS: Health systems look for shot in the arm from multimillion dollar projects by Katie Castellani, Providence Business News
• New tour biz offers tastes of SouthCoast aboard a double-decker bus by Ashley Schuler, The Fall River Herald News
• Everyone’s coverage of the Dartmouth plane crash on I-195

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

• How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.