The Weekly Catch

This week we brought you “Underage and Unprotected,” a three-part investigation into migrant teens working in New Bedford seafood plants. We hear part one of the series, and talk with the Public’s Radio reporters who spent two years working on this special project. Also, advocates this week called on Rhode Island to fix what they called “systemic discrimination” against minority- and women-owned businesses in public contracting. The state says it has plans to make the process more equitable. And apocalypse survivors reimagine an episode of “The Simpsons” in the latest show from Contemporary Theater Company. We give you our review.

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Hurricane Lee has weakened and continues to do so as it moves off the New England Coast. But that doesn’t mean it won’t have an impact on the area. We talk about how to prepare. Also, a former White House COVID advisor shares what you need to know about the new vaccines. Plus, we hear about a new URI study that found an alarming amount of microplastics in Narragansett Bay. And we introduce you to a local singer and harmonium player who’s gained a huge following by sharing his love of Bengali music with the world.

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The CD1 primary came and went, with Democratic winner Gabe Amo surprising some pundits by pulling off a victory early in the night. We’ll talk about the takeaways from Tuesday’s election, and hear from Amo himself. Also, students are back in school – but a lot of teachers in Providence left over the summer. They say the culture of the district is mostly to blame. Reporter Amy Russo from The Providence Journal tells us about that and other challenges facing the city’s struggling education system. And 19th-century Providence artist Edward M. Bannister is getting a statue this weekend. We’ll tell you why he’s one of the most important Black artists in U.S. history.

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The 1st Congressional District special election primary is upon us. After weeks of ads and controversy, on Tuesday, Democratic voters will decide between 11 candidates and Republican voters between two. Our reporters roundtable talks about where the candidates stand, and what the outcome could mean for the district. Also, Rhode Island is on track to open its first-ever supervised consumption site to help those struggling with substance addiction. We hear why officials are moving cautiously. And with the first day of school around the corner, the Newport schools superintendent talks about the challenges and possibilities ahead. Plus, New Orleans-style jazz band Tuba Skinny comes to the Rhythm and Roots festival this weekend.

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Ten Democratic candidates took to the stage on Tuesday in a special CD1 forum co-hosted by The Public’s Radio. But did any of them distinguish themselves enough to pull ahead? We break it down and give you the highlights from the night. Also, folks on Block Island are still in shock about the fire that destroyed the 144-year-old Harborside Inn. We hear how the town acted quickly to house hotel guests and contain the fire. Plus, a collection of memories about the late Ira Cohen, a bookseller and art model who was the subject of the final art show at UMass-Dartmouth’s downtown New Bedford campus.

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Rhode Island schools are struggling, leaving many students falling behind, and absenteeism is on the rise. We talk with Gov. Dan McKee, who hopes to change that with his new education plan, Learn365RI. And Providence appears to be moving forward with a hotly debated development on Wickenden Street. We hear about what it could mean, and why the City Plan Commission approved it despite neighborhood opposition. Also, why is UMass-Dartmouth leaving the Star Store in New Bedford, and how will it affect the city's downtown? Plus, a look back on the week in politics; and a few tips on what to do this week.

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Another homeless encampment has been shut down – this time by the city of Providence. We talk with an advocate about the challenges facing unhoused people in the state, and how to support those communities now. Also, an oceanographer tells us how warming waters are affecting our local fish populations, and how we can prepare for changes to come. And infighting over shoreline access and ownership of a lighthouse has led to the resignation of Westerly’s town council president. Plus, the week in politics; a local artist explores the relationship between freedom and ecology; and a few tips on things to do this week.

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The Narragansett Indian Tribe is bringing a lawsuit against the federal government for land the tribe says is owed to them. Also, the deadline is coming up to register to vote in the upcoming special election. We give you the latest on the CD1 race and more. And what do you want to see in rules and regulations around recreational cannabis in Rhode Island? You can share your opinion in public listening sessions over the next few weeks. Plus, a conversation about the Kingston Chamber Music Festival; a story about a local inter-Tribal drum group; and a few tips on what to do this weekend.

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Rhode Island's fight for shoreline access went viral this week, with a TikTok video featuring a confrontation in Middletown between a beachgoer and property owner. We hear from the man behind the video. And what does a controversy over falsified signatures tell us about the integrity of voting in Rhode Island? Ian Donnis gives us the 4-1-1 on that and more from the week in politics. Also, a conversation with Rhode Island’s Housing Secretary, and a story from a formerly homeless woman who is now dedicated to supporting the unhoused. Plus, the Artscape team walked over to Weybosset Street where artist Michelle Perez was finishing a new mural. And we offer a few tips on what to do this week.

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Rhode Island Energy this week dropped their plans to be part of another large wind farm project off the coast. But that’s not slowing down the push to put up more of these giant turbines to generate renewable energy. We’ll get the latest from South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke. And, a look back on an eventful week in politics from Political Reporter Ian Donnis. Also, two stories about housing insecurity in Rhode Island—one from Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch, about a man who was priced out of Newport, now living in his car; and another from Health Reporter Lynn Arditi, about Woonsocket’s latest effort to address homelessness in the city. Plus, Artscape Producer James Baumgartner looks at an immersive new exhibit at the Providence College Galleries, and offers a few tips on what to do this week.

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