The Public's Radio 89.3FM

08/19/2025

Butler Hospital strike ends! Here's what we know about the deal The Public's Radio 89.3FM

The three-month strike at Butler Hospital that forced the closure of roughly half of the psychiatric hospital’s beds ended as workers voted “overwhelmingly” on Monday to ratify a new contract. Butler Hospital and the Service Employees International Union 1199 New England announced the settleme...

09/18/2024

NEW: Inspectors last year found that South County Hospital in Wakefield, R.I. had placed a pregnant patient in ‘immediate jeopardy’

South County Hospital officials defending against accusations of mismanagement by a group of doctors have stressed that state and federal regulators recently found “no deficient practice” after a review at the hospital. But state and federal regulators last year cited the 100-bed hospital in Wak...

09/10/2024

What do you care about most in your community? We’re holding a series of listening sessions this September for English and Spanish-speaking residents of Rhode Island and the south coast, ages 18-27 years old. What we hear from you will help shape our election coverage. Register via the link in our bio!

¿Qué amas de tu comunidad y qué podría ser mejor? Te invitamos a asistir a una sesión de escucha este septiembre para residentes de Rhode Island o la costa sur que hablan Inglés o Español, de 18 a 27 años. Lo que escuchemos de ustedes nos ayudará a dar forma a nuestra cobertura electoral. Regístrate a través del enlace en nuestra biografía.

#2024

07/16/2024

Meet our new President and CEO, Pam Johnston!

Longtime news leader, Pam Johnston, comes to Rhode Island with nearly 30 years of experience in journalism, most recently as the general manager of News at GBH and before that as the senior leader at PBS’s flagship investigative documentary series, FRONTLINE.

“The possibilities before us for public media in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts are incredibly exciting," says Pam Johnston.

To learn more about Rhode Island’s Merged TV, Radio Public Media Organization and our new CEO, click here: https://www.ripbs.org/blogs/bird-wire/newceo/

06/25/2024

Despite what the packaging says, flushable wipes should never be flushed down the toilet! They can cause blockages in the sewer system and create all kinds of problems. Just toss ‘em in the trash instead! Hear more on Possibly:

Despite what the packaging says, flushable wipes should never be flushed down the toilet! They can cause blockages in the sewer system and create all kinds of problems. Just toss ‘em in the trash instead!

06/21/2024

This week on the Weekly Catch: ‘How Medical Malpractice Fails Everyone,’ big changes coming to Rhode Island hospitals, tips on accessing affordable and reliable internet after the end of the COVID-era Affordable Connectivity program, more highlights from the week in Rhode Island politics, and our picks for what to do this week.

It's been a big week for healthcare in Rhode Island. The state's largest hospital system is changing its name, and two cash-strapped hospitals will soon have a new owner. Also, a new documentary explores the impact of the medical malpractice system on doctors, patients, and our society at large. We....

06/21/2024

Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi holds what is often called the most powerful job in state government. That’s because the speaker controls the legislation in the House of Representatives and has broad influence over the state budget. The $13.9 billion spending plan approved by lawmakers earlier this month won praise for including more money for healthcare and education. And Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, wins kudos even from some Republicans for keeping an open door and having a consensus-oriented approach. Hear more:

Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi holds what is often called the most powerful job in state government. That’s because the speaker controls the legislation in the House of Representatives and has broad influence over the state budget. The $13.9 billion spending plan approved by lawmakers ea...

06/20/2024

The Rhode Island Department of Education has hired a consultant to review the progress that’s been made at Providence Public Schools since the state took over the district in 2019. Morning Edition host Luis Hernandez spoke with state Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green about the report, as well as the ongoing teacher shortage and the need for more school funding.

TRANSCRIPT: Five years ago, the state took control of the Providence Public School District after a report from Johns Hopkins University showed poor academic performance and a toxic environment for staff and students. Has the district improved on those issues? Is it ready to take back its schools? T...

06/20/2024

Where does an agnostic find hope in the face of the injustice of the world? And what happens when that agnostic starts hearing the voice of god in the rain? These are just a few of the themes of the radio play “God Talks to an Agnostic.” Hear more:

Where does an agnostic find hope in the face of the injustice of the world? And what happens when that agnostic starts hearing the voice of god in the rain? These are just a few of the themes of the radio play “God Talks to an Agnostic.” Written and directed by Don Mays the play explores the com...

06/18/2024

Do the Boston Celtics rank among the best of all time? In the wake of the Celtics' 18th championship win last night, the latest column from sports writer Mike Szostak reflects on this season and looks back on the 17 title-winning teams that came before.

Read the full article here: https://thepublicsradio.org/on-sports/the-celtics-are-champions-again-do-they-rank-among-the-best/

✍️: Mike Szostak (The Public's Radio)
📸: AP Photo/F. Carter Smith
📲: Allison Magnus

06/13/2024

As the state legislative session comes to a close, library advocates are holding out hope for several library-related bills, including one that would protect libraries from efforts to ban or censor books. We spoke with Cheryl Space, Director of the Community Libraries of Providence and co-chair of the Rhode Island Library Association’s Legislative Action Committee.

TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: Cheryl, first of all, thank you so much for joining me today.  Cheryl Space: Thank you.  Hernandez: The Senate approved legislation that would allow libraries to acquire books and other materials without limitation...

06/13/2024

The Kennedy Plaza Resilience Coalition is one of several transportation advocacy groups opposing efforts to relocate RIPTA’s main bus hub. Coalition member Randall Rose joined Morning Edition host Luis Hernandez to talk about why his group wants to see the hub stay in downtown Providence. Hear more:

TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: Why do you think it’s important for RIPTA to keep the bus hub in Kennedy Plaza? Randall Rose: Most of all, because Kennedy Plaza is cheaper for the RIPTA system and for the taxpayers, and it’s the most central lo...