Rhode Island PBS Weekly Podcast
Rhode Island PBS Weekly is a Newsmagazine anchored in journalism that searches for truth and examines today’s most important regional and local issues. Viewers are introduced to individuals, ideas, and places in Rhode Island and beyond that they won’t see anywhere else.
On this episode, Breaking Point: The Washington Bridge, Rhode Island PBS Weekly is devoting the entire broadcast to the issue. Michelle San Miguel has an in-depth report exploring why more than a year after the bridge was shut down no one has been held accountable. Then, Ian Donnis has an extended interview with Rhode Island’s attorney general Peter Neronha who talks about the state’s lawsuit over the failure of the Washington Bridge. Finally, we hear from Rhode Island’s former attorney general Arlene Violet who gives her take on the Washington Bridge’s troubling history and ultimate failure.
On this episode, teenagers often spend more than 5 hours a day online. For many it can be habit forming, which may just be what the creators of these platforms are looking for. Producer Isabella Jibilian explores how technology that is designed to be addictive can have tragic consequences for kids and teens. Then, contributor Steph Machado has an in-depth interview with Kathy Cloutier, the Executive Director of DORCAS International, Rhode Island’s largest immigration nonprofit as they grapple with potential cuts to staff and refugee services amid Federal funding changes from the Trump Administration. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and our contributor, WPRI 12’s politics editor Ted Nesi explain why Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation is worried about the future of Medicaid.
On this episode, the cost of child care can drive parents out of the workforce. For some, it’s more expensive than their mortgage or rent. Michelle San Miguel reports on a pilot program that is trying to bring those costs down by incentivizing people to work in Rhode Island’s child care industry. Then, Pamela Watts interviews veterans who served in Iraq more than two decades ago. Their real-life stories are playing a starring role on stage at Trinity Rep Theater in Providence in an original production called Someone Will Remember Us. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and our contributor, WPRI 12’s politics editor Ted Nesi look into ethics’ allegations surrounding Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and his wife’s work, and they discuss what a poll by the State’s largest union group reveals.
On this episode, Michelle San Miguel interviews Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien about his city’s future as many of its schools are failing, an iconic business is considering leaving and people are worried about how President Trump’s new policies will affect them. Then, Pamela Watts interviews a local professor who discovered a long-lost fugitive slave’s article, which had been written years before the Civil War. Finally, we take another look at our story on Growing up Hmong. The Hmong people are an ethnic group that originated in China, with a diaspora reaching across the globe. Their journey to the U.S. began after one of the longest and most divisive wars in American History – the Vietnam War -- came to an end. Producer Isabella Jibilian interviewed a Hmong family here in the Ocean State about their history and journey to America. This is part of our continuing My Take series.
On this episode, we take another look at Michelle San Miguel’s in-depth report on why many women with dense breast are at greater risk of developing cancer. And how a new Rhode Island law is helping uncover this risk. Then we meet again, Keith Nunes and hear about his journey to redemption after taking another man’s life. His story is part of our continuing Turning Point series. Finally, the election for Rhode Island’s next governor is more than a year away, but this year will shape how that race unfolds. Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12’s politics editor Ted Nesi explain what’s playing out behind the scenes.
On this episode, contributor Steph Machado goes inside one of Rhode Island’s medium security prisons where inmates are learning the language of computers, also known as coding. They’re hoping that high demand for those skilled in web development and software design could lead to jobs that keep them out of prison for good. Then, producer Isabella Jibilian reports on the recent cyberattacks in Rhode Island and how we all can protect ourselves from future attacks here and beyond. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12’s politics editor Ted Nesi talk about how Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation has responded to President Trumps first few weeks in office.
On this episode, we revisit producer Isabella Jibilian’s report on medical treatments for women going through menopause. Then, the winter birds are back and we take another at Michelle San Miguel’s report on their journey to the Rhode Island coastline. Finally, we take another look at Dwo Wen Chen’s pottery and he gives us his take on turning clay into art.
On this episode, Pamela Watts has an in-depth report on how whaling logs from the 19th century are helping modern-day scientists track weather patterns and assess changes in the climate. Then, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12’s politics editor Ted Nesi discuss Governor McKee’s annual State of the State address. McKee told Rhode Islanders he plans to close a roughly $250 million deficit without a broad-based tax increase. Finally, a second look at how climate change and rising sea levels threaten some of Rhode Island’s historical and iconic homes.