The Public's Radio 89.3FM

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...

06/12/2024

For decades wilderness areas have provided access and protection to millions of acres of land. Today, climate change is shifting how we think about the importance and management of these places. Hear more:

For decades wilderness areas have provided access and protection to millions of acres of land. Today, climate change is shifting how we think about the importance and management of these places.

06/12/2024

We spoke about the milestone with Audrey Lodato, regional director of Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal rights group that wants to get the whole country to no-kill status in 2025. Hear more:

TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.  Luis Hernandez: 2023 was a landmark year for animal welfare in Rhode Island. Of the more than 7,000 dogs and cats that entered state shelters in 2023, all savable pets were left alive. It’s a first for the state, which is now th...

06/11/2024

Rachel Greenberg, who teaches at Bailey Elementary School in Providence, has been named Providence Public School District’s Teacher of the Year. She spoke with Morning Edition host Luis Hernandez about her teaching philosophy, the emotional challenges of being an educator, and her passion for children.

TRANSCRIPT: This transcript was edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: Each year, the Providence Public School District presents one of its own with the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award. This year’s awardee is Rachel Greenberg, who teaches at Bailey Elementary School, and she joins me...

06/11/2024

A tax change sought by Citizens Bank is now on the General Assembly fast-track in the waning days of the legislative session after not being included in the budget passed by the House of Representatives last week. Ian Donnis has more:

Banks in Rhode Island are currently taxed on a three-factor calculation that includes in-state sales, property and payroll. Lawmakers balked when Gov. Dan McKee made a late-session budget amendment requested by Citizens to adopt a single-factor tax formula for large financial institutions. At the sa...

06/07/2024

It’s not an easy time to be a university president. Academia faces criticism from across the political spectrum. Many campuses have been divided by the war between Hamas and Israel. And student debt remains a burden for many young people. But Marc Parlange, who became president of the University of Rhode Island in 2021, seems to be holding his own. Hear more:

It’s not an easy time to be a university president. Academia faces criticism from across the political spectrum. Many campuses have been divided by the war between Hamas and Israel. And student debt remains a burden for many young people. But Marc Parlange, who became president of the University o...

06/07/2024

As structures like the carousel and snack bar building are being demolished at Easton’s Beach, Newport officials are grappling with how to save an eroding beach. Hear more:

Newport has one public beach and it’s washing away fast. The severe storms this past winter have exacerbated erosion at Easton’s Beach, which was already eroding at alarming rates. Now, Newport officials want voters to decide whether to fund a multi-million dollar sand replenishment project to h...

06/06/2024

Rhode Island's $13.9 million budget makes a number of changes to what Governor Dan McKee proposed in January. The spending plan moves to the House floor this Friday for a marathon debate. Hear more:

Last Friday, Rhode Island’s House Finance Committee passed a $13.9 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. Political reporter Ian Donnis talked with two state representatives, Brian Newberry, a Republican from North Smithfield, and David Morales, a Democrat from Providence. This interv...