Talking seashells promote Rhode Island

Ten recorded messages from the talking seashells used by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to promote the state at the BIO International convention in Boston in June.

Distinguished Brown University neuroscientist Dima Amso discusses the developing young brain, the impact of social media, resilience among Syrian refugee children, and more on Story in the Public Square.

Dr, Daniela Lamas, critically acclaimed author and physician at Boston's Brigham & Women's Hospital, discusses the heartbreaking life-or-death decisions desperately sick patients face when placed on advanced medical machines.

Maybe it’s not like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa, but it’s pretty close, say some on Federal Hill, who are indignant that the famous fountain in DePasquale Square is flowing with more flowers this week than rivulets.

The plantings of ferns and other flora Tuesday — hours before the annual Federal Hill Stroll of area restaurants — was an apparent attempt by the city to put the best face on a scum-filled and partially inoperable icon.

City officials didn’t immediately return phone calls Wednesday morning. But according to Federal Hill neighbors like Xiony Bernard, the general manager of the Hotel Dolce Villa, in the square, the city never drained or cleaned the fountain last October as it usually does.

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Rhode Island had the dubious distinction of holding the second-highest car-theft rate in the nation.

In Providence, the number of cars reported stolen plunged from a height of 4,539 vehicles in 1990 to only 584 in 2015 — a decrease of 87 percent.

Our recent story by Amanda Milkovits chronicled this impressive shift. There, we asked readers to call in and reminisce about their stolen cars. These are their stories

R.I. Spotlight: A Refuge For Everyone

For more than a decade, eight acres in the southern part of Tiverton have been a refuge for abused and neglected animals, along with the volunteers who help care for them. This month’s Rhode Island Spotlight takes a look at the West Place Animal Sanctuary - how it began and why it has been a go-to place for wildlife rehabilitation and a destination for unwanted animals.

R.I. Spotlight: A Refuge For Everyone

For more than a decade, eight acres in the southern part of Tiverton have been a refuge for abused and neglected animals, along with the volunteers who help care for them. This month’s Rhode Island Spotlight takes a look at the West Place Animal Sanctuary - how it began and why it has been a go-to place for wildlife rehabilitation and a destination for unwanted animals.

R.I. Spotlight: A Refuge For Everyone

For more than a decade, eight acres in the southern part of Tiverton have been a refuge for abused and neglected animals, along with the volunteers who help care for them. This month’s Rhode Island Spotlight takes a look at the West Place Animal Sanctuary - how it began and why it has been a go-to place for wildlife rehabilitation and a destination for unwanted animals. John Butler, who lives in Providence and commutes to Boston for a sales job the rest of the week, began volunteering here a year ago.

R.I. Spotlight: A Refuge For Everyone

Jim Hummel introduces us to West Place Animal Sanctuary, a refuge for abused and neglected animals in Tiverton R.I. Elaina Alzaibak grew up 10 minutes from West Place, but for years had no idea it existed until she began volunteering at the sanctuary last summer. This year she is returning as the supervisor of interns.