A Lively Experiment Podcast

URI Political Science Professor Emily Lynch, Libertarian Party of RI Chairman Billy Hunt, and Political Contributor Jim Vincent join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Gov. McKee’s State of the State Address, affordable housing, the Minority Leader’s response and plan for an Inspector General, police reform, and same day voter registration.

Leaders in both the RI House and Senate join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss their goals for the 2024 legislative session, including the state budget, affordable housing, tax cuts, and under-the-radar bills.

The Rhode Island Current’s Nancy Lavin, The Providence Journal’s Patrick Anderson, and The Boston Globe’s Ed Fitzpatrick join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss what to expect from the upcoming legislative session, the state’s plan to build more housing, visiting the Independent Man, public records in RI, and the Washington Bridge debacle.

Our special end-of-year program: Brown University Professor Wendy Schiller, The Public’s Radio Ian Donnis, and Former URI Professor Maureen Moakley join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the top local and national stories of 2023, the biggest winners and losers of 2023, moments that could only happen in Rhode Island, and the panel makes their predictions for what 2024 has in store for Rhode Island and the U.S.

Brown University Professor Wendy Schiller, The Public’s Radio Ian Donnis, and Former URI Professor Maureen Moakley join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the major disruptions caused by the I-195 bridge closure, more Brown students arrested during a sit-in, legislative priorities for the 2024 session, and AG Neronha in a public spat with Judge Procaccini.

The Boston Globe’s Steph Machado, Former RI Representative (R) Nick Gorham, and Black Lives Matter RI PAC Exec. Dir. Harrison Tuttle join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Ethics Commission appointee drops out after sexual harassment allegations, a debate over school resource officers, the state hopes relaxed zoning laws will lead to more housing, plus the first year of recreational marijuana sales.

The Boston Globe’s Dan McGowan, Political Contributor Bob Walsh, and RI GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Brown University finally asks for charges to be dropped against student protestors, Mayor Smiley wants Providence to take back control over the schools, plus a debate over wind turbines off the coast of RI.

The Providence Journal’s Amy Russo, Political Contributor Pablo Rodriguez, and Attorney Lou Pulner join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss RI Attorney General Neronha ordered to appear in court over social media posts, Brown not dropping charges against student protestors, a McKee staffer fired after calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, plus a developer in hot water over tax breaks.

The Boston Globe’s Steph Machado, Political Strategist Rob Horowitz, and Chairman of the RI GOP Joe Powers join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss election day results, along with other news around the state. We interview Sen. Zurier on alternate voting options, and interview the Presidents of Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio to discuss their newly planned merger.

Political Science Professors from Brown - Wendy Schiller, URI - Emily Lynch, and Providence College - Adam Myers, join Moderator Jim Hummel to dissect results from a URI poll on Rhode Islanders’ attitudes towards politics, as well as Attorney General Peter Neronha announcing a possible run for governor and reactions to the CD1 debate from this week. Then in an extra segment, they discuss the latest in national politics, including a new speaker of the house and a looming federal shutdown.