How safe are our beaches? According to a new report from Environment America, about half the beaches in the country were potentially unsafe for swimming in 2022. We talk with John Rumpler, a co-author of the report. And after a week of heavy rain and flooding, we hear from our Metro Reporter Olivia Ebertz about Providence’s new plan to upgrade the city’s hurricane barrier. Also, Patrick Anderson of The Providence Journal gives us some highlights from the week in Rhode Island politics and more. Plus, a few tips on what to do this week, and a conversation with some of the artists and curators of the Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art.

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How can Rhode Island schools cultivate diverse, inclusive learning environments, now that affirmative action has ended? State Senator and Brown University alum Tiara Mack offers her take. And South County Bureau Reporter Alex Nunes reports on the housing crisis in Charlestown, where residents are at odds over who’s to blame for skyrocketing rents and a lack of affordable housing. Also, we hear about a few highlights from this year’s Newport Classical Music Festival. Plus, a look back on the week in politics, and a few tips for what to do this week.

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Starting July 1, Rhode Island will allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license. We hear from Marcela Betancur of the Latino Policy Institute about the impact this will have, and how to get the process started. Also, Marine and coastal law expert Dennis Nixon takes us on a deeper dive into the Ocean State’s new shoreline access law – and we hear a few takes from our listeners, too. Looking at the arts, two photo exhibits in Providence explore the power of words and negative speech. Plus, the latest in politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.

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This week, we reported that Lt. Gov. and CD1 candidate Sabina Matos supported a 2020 proposal that could have threatened the survival of two Rhode Island hospitals. We talk with Political Reporter Ian Donnis about that story, and other highlights from the week in politics. Also, millions of dollars are flowing into Rhode Island cities and towns from opioid settlements. But how are they spending it? Health reporter Lynn Arditi looks for answers. And we talk with Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming, who comes to New Bedford this weekend for an unlikely collaboration with NPR’s Ari Shapiro. Plus, our arts and culture picks for the week.

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An exhibit at the Providence Public Library shares images from a COVID-19 archive; a URI grad is priced out of his hometown; local musician Asher White plays a song from their latest album; the week in politics; and what to do this weekend.

The post Documenting the pandemic, Middletown’s affordable housing problem, and more appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

The fight over shoreline access took a big step this week. Also, The Golden Rule peace boat comes to Rhode Island. Plus: the week in Rhode Island politics, and the latest in arts and culture.

The post The latest in the fight for shoreline access, a panel on peace and nuclear abolition, and more appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

Housing and homelessness has become a political tennis ball in the capital. But local nonprofit Amos House isn't waiting for lawmakers to find a solution. Also: work on the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm will resume after coming to an agreement with the New Bedford longshoremen's union that protested the project for six days. And: "Sweeney Todd" is the latest production at Trinity Rep. We go in depth on these stories and more in this edition of The Weekly Catch.

The post June 2, 2023: Housing vouchers, local longshoremen’s protest, and ‘Sweeney Todd’ at Trinity appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on the housing crisis in Rhode Island: “I recognized from the very beginning it would be a multi-year effort.”

The post The Weekly Catch: Politics, poetry, and the uphill battle to tackle the housing crisis in RI appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

We go in-depth on some of the top local stories from the past week.

The post The Weekly Catch: May 19, 2023 appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.