There’s a new team leading the Rhode Island Senate. Senator Frank Ciccone became the Democratic majority leader late last month, succeeding Senator Valarie Lawson, who is now Senate president. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about a proposed ban on assault weapons, smoking in casinos, taxing the rich, and other hot topics. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Scientific researchers in Rhode Island are reeling from canceled grants and other potential cuts to federal funding for their work. Globe Rhode Island's Steph Machado just finished a story for Rhode Island PBS Weekly about the effects of these cuts. She joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to talk about what she learned. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Last week, President Trump proposed cutting more than 150 billion dollars in federal spending for next fiscal year. The cuts would axe a range of programs related to climate, education, health, and housing.

US Representative Seth Magaziner joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about that proposal, potential cuts to Medicaid, and his efforts to support a local nonprofit that feeds starving children. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Last week, Globe RI published an article that got a lot of attention. It centers around the rights of grandparents to visit their grandchildren. Amanda Milkovits wrote the story and she joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to talk about her reporting. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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US Senator Jack Reed and US Representative Gabe Amo joined hosts Edward Fitzpatrick and Jim Hummel live at RI PBS studios this week to address questions about the impact that decisions in Washington are having here in the Ocean State.The event marks the 200th episode of the Rhode Island Report podcast, and celebrates the ongoing partnership between Globe Rhode Island and Rhode Island PBS. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. 

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Local harpist Emma Newton, who performs under the name Space Cowboy Newt, has an opportunity for other Rhode Island musicians: If you have a protest song, they’ll help you record it for free. Newton, a music producer and audio engineer as well as a musician, talks about the project with guest host Christopher Gavin, and performs some of their own music. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. 

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A Rhode Island company that provides life-saving nutrition to children around the world is getting caught up in the Trump administration’s dismantling of the US Agency for International Development.

Edesia Nutrition has been on a roller coaster of canceled contracts and late payments. Founder and CEO Navyn Salem says every hour the plant is closed means 415 children aren’t getting the food they need. "We must be the problem solvers in this equation," she says. She joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to talk about what comes next. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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A Tufts University PhD candidate was arrested by six immigration officers near her apartment. A Columbia University student is facing deportation for his role in pro-Palestinian campus protests. And a Brown Medicine kidney doctor was deported to Lebanon. Is this legal? And what kind of rights do green card and visa holders have here in the United States?

Deborah Gonzalez, Director of the Immigration Clinic at Roger Williams University School of Law, joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to explain. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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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].

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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].

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