More than 80,000 Rhode Islanders depend on food from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its network of food pantries. But the Trump administration’s recent cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture put that food aid at risk. Also: Rhode Island PBS Weekly co-host and correspondent Pamela Watts tells us about the very different ways the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge has impacted the economy in Providence and Bristol County. Plus: we talk with the directors of “La Tempestad” at Trinity Rep and “Fat Ham” at the Wilbury Theatre Group – two fresh takes on Shakespearean classics. That and more on this week’s show.
Links:
- ‘People will go hungry’: USDA cuts threaten Rhode Island food pantries
- TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 4, 2025
- Breaking Point: The Washington Bridge
- We want to hear from you about the Washington Bridge
- Re-envisioning Shakespearean classics: ‘Fat Ham’ and ‘La Tempestad’
- Residual Noise at Brown University (through April 5)
- Ben Schwartz & Friends (April 4)
- RISD Unbound Art Book Fair (April 5)
Guests:
- Andrew Schiff, CEO, Rhode Island Community Food Bank
- Ian Donnis, The Public’s Radio political reporter
- Pamela Watts, Correspondent and Co-Host, Rhode Island PBS Weekly
- Christie Vela, Director, “La Tempestad — The Tempest” at Trinity Rep
- Don Mays, Director, “Fat Ham” at the Wilbury Theatre Group
The Weekly Catch is a production of The Public’s Radio. Our host this week is James Baumgartner. Our producer this week is Joe Tasca. Our editor is Mareva Lindo. Thanks to Maddie Mott for our podcast artwork. Our Chief Content Officer is Sally Eisele, and our President and CEO is Pam Johnston.
Listen to The Weekly Catch every Friday at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. You can also find it in your podcast feed of choice on Friday afternoons. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or use this RSS feed for your podcatcher of choice.
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