Behind the Story

Jonny Williams, who covers health-related topics for the Journal, said researchers found troubling patterns in chatbot responses after feeding them scripts over several months and prompting the technology to act as mental health counselors.

“Even after putting iterations of different prompts into the AI chatbot, the chatbot was still violating ethical guidelines for counseling,” Williams said. “It was doing things like gaslighting, false empathy and giving advice that didn’t line up with guidelines.”

Williams said the research was prompted by recent headlines showing more people are turning to AI chatbots for mental health counseling. He said the trend comes at a time of high demand for therapists and limited resources.

Despite the concerning trends highlighted in the research, Williams said, “it’s not surprising that people will turn to ChatGPT.”

“You can essentially have a free therapy session whenever you want,” he added.

Williams also discussed a recent story examining proposed legislation aimed at capping administrative and glucose-monitoring costs that help drive up the price of insulin. He said the economic impact of insulin costs totals $1.5 billion annually in Rhode Island, according to the American Diabetes Association.

“It’s glucose-monitoring strips and the administration of insulin that research has shown can be just as expensive, if not more expensive, than insulin itself,” he said. “So it ends up adding up for families who have to monitor their blood sugar levels.”

Later in the show, Dan and Eli talked about the “stories we wish we wrote,” including:

• Meet the Cranston man who was barber to the mob by Pamela Watts, Ocean State Media
• Legal fight foreshadowed Plant City’s closure by Alexandra Leslie and Eli Sherman, 12 News

• Lizzie Borden House says coffee shop owner owes $160K for defamation by Dan Medeiros, The Fall River Herald News
• Dreier youngest to win district spelling bee in North Providence by Luzjennifer Martinez, 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.

Bill Haberman, a morning host and news aficionado, is a familiar voice in the state. He hosts an early-morning show and delivers news at the top and bottom of the hour each weekday on WPRO.

He spoke about the station’s longtime brand, “Operation Snowball,” and how relaying school closures and cancellations has changed as real-time information has become more accessible.

“It used to be a real undertaking because literally all the staff — the sales staff, the promotion staff, the administrators — would have to come in and answer phones,” Haberman said. “And if you got a surprise snow, nobody was there to answer the phones, so it was a real disaster.”

Haberman is also the public announcer for Brown University athletics. He said he learned about the deadly December attack through an alert system he receives from the school and recalled thinking, “I hope this is a mistake.”

“How many times have you seen people in any of these scenarios say, ‘I can’t imagine it happening here,’ and then you’re saying the same thing?” he said. “It’s terrible.”

Haberman has witnessed the transformation of radio over the past two decades and said that while the medium has contracted alongside other platforms, it remains uniquely effective in Rhode Island.

“It’s relentlessly Rhode Island,” he said of talk radio, which airs local programming throughout the day on WPRO. “It’s steeped in Rhode Island. It’s the world through a Rhode Island lens.”

Later in the show, Kim and Eli talked about the “stories we wish we wrote,” including (not all mentioned on air):

• New Bedford man found not guilty of 2001 beating death of half-sister by Frank Mulligan and Dan Medeiros, The New Bedford Standard-Times
• Belton Court development plan is an ‘engineering marvel’ in density by Josh Bickford, EastBayRI

• Interest in betting sky-high with Patriots back in big game by Gina Ricciardi, The Valley Breeze
• Sewer rate, fee hikes coming for upgrades by Ryan Blessing, The Westerly Sun

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 Dondero, a former 12 News sports reporter, said it’s been fun to watch how invested New England fans become when the Patriots are winning. The team is 2-0 in the playoffs and will face the Denver Broncos on Sunday with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

“Nobody thought they were going to be this good,” Dondero said. “Nobody thought Drake Maye could potentially win the MVP award. I certainly didn’t think we’d be talking about a Super Bowl run. Make the Super Bowl? Are you serious?”

Dondero predicts the Patriots will win 28-20, largely because Broncos starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending injury last week. Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, a former Patriots player, is expected to start in his place.

“I don’t know how you want me to come on here or anywhere and come up with a path for the Broncos, with Jarrett Stidham, to beat the Patriots,” Dondero said. “He’s a backup quarterback who doesn’t have a real pedigree. I’m not saying it can’t happen, but I don’t see how you expect them to find enough plays from Jarrett Stidham against that defense to get the win, even at home.”

“Behind the Story” co-host Dan McGowan, a self-described New York Giants fan, predicted a Broncos blowout, while co-host Eli Sherman picked the Patriots to win 30-14.

Later in the show, Dan and Eli talked about the “Stories we wish we wrote,” including:

• ‘I thought I was going to die’: Wounded Brown student returns to campus by Stan Grossfeld, The Boston Globe
• Bucci takes ‘full responsibility,’ won’t step down by Barbara Polichetti, The Cranston Herald

• Pate dirt: North Providence residents frustrated at piles in their neighborhood by Ethan Shorey, The Valley Breeze
• Attleboro pushes forward with school redistricting by Rhianwen Watkins, The Sun Chronicle

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.

Nancy Lavin, a senior reporter covering government, politics and policy for the online news outlet, wrote about the governor’s address that typically outlines his tax and spending priorities ahead of his full budget proposal to the General Assembly.

Lavin said covering the State of the State is somewhat easier than writing about the budget each year because it doesn’t require as much calculation. This year, she said McKee’s tone made it clear he was running for reelection in what’s likely to be a tough campaign.

“McKee is up for reelection this year and we know he has low approval ratings and at least one serious Democratic rival, maybe a second,” Lavin said. “So this was really a not-so-subtly kind of pledge to voters and I think the way that he’s trying to appeal to voters is: ‘I’m going to save you money.'”

Lavin also discussed her recent story that provided a preview of the legislative session, which began earlier this month. Lawmakers are likely to focus on a host of issues, but Lavin said health care is quickly emerging as a top priority on Smith Hill.

“That’s in large part because of these federal budget cuts and some of them have already happened, a lot of them are soon to come, and we know they are going to have major implications for Rhode Island residents, for hospitals, for nursing homes and insurance companies,” Lavin said.

“We’re already seeing all of these consequences now, so I think that that has sort of forced the legislature, whether they want it or not, to really go into crisis mode on health care,” she added.

Later in the show, Kim and Eli talked about the “Stories we wish we wrote,” including:

• How a small town in Rhode Island is connected to ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ by Pamela Watts, Rhode Island PBS
• Try the trompe l’oeil desserts going viral on TikTok in Fairhaven by Faith Harrington, The Standard-Times

• The rise, fall and rise again of the Zeiterion by Colin Hogan, The New Bedford Light
• The Sun is changing to better serve you by Alex Nunes, The Westerly Sun

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.

Ellen Liberman, a contributing editor and writer for the magazine, spent several months interviewing Shekarchi, widely considered the most powerful lawmaker in the state.

The cover story is available now on newsstands.

Her reporting explores Shekarchi’s personal life, follows his career in law and politics and offers a behind-the-scenes look at his role during a tense gun reform debate at the State House last June.

"When I met him in the morning, he said to me, 'It's gun day'," Liberman said. "And I was like, 'OK, there's my lead right there.'"

Liberman also had a front-row seat to Shekarchi’s internal debate over whether to run for Rhode Island governor.

"Joe is cautious," Liberman said. "If he runs, I don't think he wants to lose. Not that anyone who runs wants to lose, but I think he really doesn't."

As of Monday, the speaker had not made a decision, but he told “Behind the Story” co-host Kim Kalunian he plans to decide by the end of March.

• Wall Street firm gets $20M payday in Pawtucket stadium deal; officials cite long-term savings by Eli Sherman, 12 News
• How AI-generated images complicated the Brown shooting investigation by Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe

• R.I. lawmakers are back in action on Tuesday. Here’s what awaits them. by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current
• What happens if Narragansett Bay freezes over? Here are tales from history. by Antonia Noori Farza, The Providence Journal

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.

Tim White and Ted Nesi for years have covered politics on all levels and together they moderate some of the most highly watched political debates each year.

The duo discussed the current state of affairs in the much-anticipated 2026 gubernatorial race for Democrats and Republicans, and analyze the value of polls in political reporting.

White and Nesi, who also host the political affairs show "Newsmakers," also talked about what goes into preparing for debates, how they think about the value of those discussions and what affect they can have on a candidate's position in a race.

Later in the show, White and Nesi, along with host Eli Sherman, discussed "The Stories We Wish We Wrote," including:

• Touro Synagogue fight leads to painful rupture, separate services by Antonia Noori Farzan and Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal

• Gubernatorial candidates are split on proposed overhaul of R.I. public records law by Edward Fitzpatrick, Boston Globe
• Did Taylor Swift pay off a bride to get her wedding date? Ocean House pours cold water on the latest rumor by Steph Machado, Boston Globe

• Blood Feuds: The Fight Over Who Gets to Be Native American by Bill Donahue, Boston Magazine

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.

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.