Rhode Island Report

Most of Rhode Island’s houses were built before lead paint was banned in 1978. That means chipping paint can expose residents - especially young children - to lead poisoning. The rates of this poisoning went up while children were stuck at home during the pandemic. And Central Falls was among the hardest-hit communities. Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera and Rhode Island PBS Weekly reporter Michelle San Miguel join us to talk about the city’s efforts to combat this problem. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Gregg Amore is just a few weeks into his new position, but he’s already pushing for changes to Rhode Island’s elections. We talk about why he's advocating for same-day voter registration statewide, an idea that's drawn pushback from legislative leaders. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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This week marks the start of the 2023 legislative session. What can we expect from Rhode Island lawmakers this year? Providence College political science professor Tony Affigne and Jim Hummel, host of “A Lively Experiment” on Rhode Island PBS, offer a preview and some analysis of the upcoming legislative session. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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There’s no shortage of artists in Rhode Island. Our state is home to Rhode Island School of Design and Providence calls itself the Creative Capital. But how do we define art? And how are local creators defining art for themselves? We’re joined by Tracy MacDonald, the host of Art inc. on Rhode Island PBS, to learn about the diverse cast of artists who call the state home. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Rhode Island School of Design President Crystal Williams was officially inaugurated in October and just finished her first fall semester. She joins guest host Alexa Gagosz to talk about her vision for the school and some of RISD’s most pressing challenges. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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It’s been a big year for movies and TV shows in Rhode Island, including "Hocus Pocus Two" and HBO’s "Gilded Age." What does it take to attract film crews to Rhode Island? And are the state’s motion picture production tax credits paying off? We’re joined by Steven Feinberg, the executive director of the RI Film and TV office. He’s also the host of doubleFEATURE on Rhode Island PBS. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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What does it mean to be two-spirit? A new documentary examines what that experience is like for one member of the Narragansett tribe. The film, "Being Thunder," tells the story of Sherenté Harris, a local teenager who’s navigating life, school, and dance competitions. We talk to Sherenté, who is now a student at Brown University and RISD, about the film, gender expression in indigenous communities, and the value of having supportive parents. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Nine months after the start of the war in Ukraine, refugees from the conflict have started to make their way to Rhode Island. We talk to Justin Kenny from Rhode Island PBS Weekly and freelance journalist Alli-Michelle Conti about their upcoming TV segment profiling the Kreshchuks, a family of Ukrainian musicians who relocated to East Providence. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Soccer is in the news right now — around the world with the start of the 2022 men's World Cup in Qatar, and here in Rhode Island, which is getting a new men's professional soccer team in 2024. Brett Johnson is the developer behind the newly named Rhode Island FC. He joins us to talk about the team, its new stadium that's being built in Pawtucket, and why it’s worth $60 million in taxpayer funds. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Rhode Island has more than its fair share of elite runners. Take Emily Sisson. In October, the Providence College grad crushed the American women’s record for the fastest marathon. And earlier this year, she broke the record for the fastest half marathon. She joins us to talk about her career and why so many amazing runners come out of Little Rhody. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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