We’ve got a special bonus episode for you today. Earlier this month, in front of a live audience, Globe columnist Dan McGowan interviewed House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. From the Washington Bridge funding to an assault weapons ban, education to the governor's race, Shekarchi had a lot to say. This is a lightly edited recording of their conversation. 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.

Attorney General Peter Neronha railed at Governor McKee at a House Finance hearing last week for not funding new positions for his office as it battles President Trump’s agenda. Neronha says if “you are not standing with us, then you are standing with Trump.” The attorney general joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to explain what he means. 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.

It's been nearly 18 years since security officers discovered a one-room apartment within the walls of the Providence Place Mall. It was built by a group of local artists, led by Michael Townsend and Adriana Valdez Young. Now there's a full-length documentary about their "Secret Mall Apartment." Its first theatrical screening is March 21, at - where else - the Providence Place Mall. Michael and Adriana join host Ed Fitzpatrick to tell their version of the story. And we take you inside the apartment. 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.

Dorcas International, which serves thousands of refugees and immigrants annually, is facing funding cuts and layoffs amid changing policies in Washington. For the latest episode of Rhode Island PBS Weekly, guest host Steph Machado sat down with Kathy Cloutier, the executive director of Dorcas International, to learn more about what’s happening on the ground under the Trump administration. This podcast is an extended version of their conversation. 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.

As the Trump administration threatens to remove federal funding for a range of initiatives, from scientific research to health insurance, local lawmakers are pushing back. Providence Democrats Senator Tiara Mack and Representative David Morales are the co-chairs of the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian- American, and Pacific Islander Caucus – or RIBLIA. They say the group’s legislative priorities aim to give Rhode Islanders the tools to protect against “the worst effects of the administration.” They talk with host Ed Fitzpatrick about their plans. 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.

Former US Representative Jim Langevin has a long track record of leading cybersecurity efforts in Congress. The Trump administration's cuts to positions at the federal Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency “make no sense,” he says. He joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to talk about these developments and the Institute for Cybersecurity & Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College. 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.

Refugees come to the United States to escape dictatorships, oppression, and violence. But the Trump administration’s freeze of the refugee resettlement program and its ramped-up deportation efforts are making many refugees wonder if they’re safe here. Host Ed Fitzpatrick talks to two people who fled to the United States - a man who escaped slavery in Mauritania and a woman avoiding female genital mutilation in Senegal. 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.

Students are afraid to come to English classes. Young immigrants are skipping weekly soccer games. The Trump administration has stopped funding resettlement of refugees, who are here in the United States legally.

But Teddi Jallow, executive director of the Refugee Dream Center in Providence, who came to the United States as a refugee herself, is determined to continue her work helping newcomers to America, despite the obstacles. "I also have the belief that we will survive because we do have good people around, and people are reaching out." Our host, Ed Fitzpatrick sat down with Jallow at the Refugee Dream Center to learn 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.

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. Sweeney says, "It wasn't that long ago... One generation ago, things were completely different," She joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to talk about the Globe's Green Book project. 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.

Since April, a small group of inmates in Rhode Island's medium security prison have been learning how to code. It's part of a program called The Last Mile. The classes are designed to help inmates find jobs and stay out of prison. Globe RI’s Steph Machado just finished a story for Rhode Island PBS about The Last Mile. She joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to talk more about the program. 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.