Shoreline access advocates who want to remove Westerly Town Council President Chris Duhamel from office have initiated the process to force a recall election, submitting a “declaration of intent to petition for recall” at Monday night’s council meeting. The declaration was formally submitted towards the end of a public comment period in which numerous speakers […]
Alex Nunes
Alex oversees the three local bureaus at The Public’s Radio, and staffs the desk for our South County Bureau. Alex was previously the co-host and co executive producer of The Public's Radio podcast, Mosaic. The show explored the history of immigration in Southern New England through the stories of individual immigrants and their descendants and received an Edward R. Murrow Award for best podcast in the New England region. Alex previously worked as an editor at The Westerly Sun and The New London Day.
Posted inArts And Culture, Health, Immigration, Politics, The Weekly Catch
R.I. Lawmakers consider the value of community healthcare workers
A New Bedford man – who spent weeks in an ICE detention center – is out. He could pursue legal action for wrongful detainment. We’ll get an update on the story. Also,- community health workers provide a unique service that advocates say is vital to keeping healthcare costs down. Rhode Island lawmakers are considering a bill that forces private insurers to cover many of the services provided by these workers. And Leo’s bar was an institution in Providence. For Artscape we look back on how the bar, and its owner John Rector were so important to so many people. That and more on this week’s show..
Posted inArts And Culture, Health, Housing, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Woonsocket moves to fine people who camp on city property
Earlier this week Woonsocket city leaders followed the actions of many communities across the country. They voted to fine people who camp out on city property. . One unhoused advocacy group says the fines that are part of a new city law will make things even harder for those struggling to find shelter. Also, Rhode Island PBS is shining a light on youth mental health. We’ll talk with one of their contributors about the effect violence has on mental health. And, WaterFire Providence has had financial struggles lately. They have a new interim director who says he plans to be a bridge to a brighter future. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
R.I. feels impact of Trump tariffs, the battle for South County Hospital, and more
President Trump has upended global markets with a series of executive actions on import tariffs. We talk with a URI economist about the potential impact here in Rhode Island and some ways the state’s economy has already been affected. Also: the battle over the future of South County Hospital continues. Reporter Lynn Arditi tells us what’s driving the dispute and what’s at stake. And: Can you name five women artists? In this week’s Artscape, we talk with a local art history professor who says most people can’t – and she’s on a mission to change that. All that and more on this episode of The Weekly Catch.
Posted inStories
Winter storm warning in effect for Rhode Island
Check parking bans, closings, and cancellations here. Gov. Dan McKee’s office says the state is prepared for the impact of the winter storm coming through the Northeast region this weekend. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, or RIDOT, has 200 state trucks and over 250 vendor trucks available to respond, McKee’s office said in a […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, South County Bureau
‘Soupy Fest’ returns to Westerly, celebrating spicy sausage and Italian heritage
Get out the crackers and cheese, and uncork a nice bottle of red wine, because ‘Soupy Fest’ is returning to Westerly. What’s soupy, you might be asking? Westerly soupy maker Joe Lombardo has your answer: “In simplest terms, it’s cured pork with spices,” Lombardo said in a recent interview. You could think of soupy as […]
Posted inEnvironment, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Protecting Rhode Island’s coastal refuges, a $120 million housing bond, and more
Rhode Island voters will face five statewide referenda questions on November’s ballot. In the weeks leading up to the election we’ll dig into each of them. This week: should voters approve a $120 million dollar bond to increase the availability of housing, and promote home ownership? Also, the head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service paid a visit to Rhode Island in honor of National Wildlife Refuge week. She shares her thoughts on why protecting the area’s refuges is just as important as protecting the shore. Plus, Providence Journal columnist John Kostrzewa discusses a few favorite hikes from his book Walking Rhode Island. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, South County Bureau
Fish and Wildlife director highlights importance of Rhode Island’s coastal refuges
The head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was in Rhode Island this week to mark the annual National Wildlife Refuge Week. Director Martha Williams met up with South County Bureau Reporter Alex Nunes for a morning of birding at the Trustom Pond refuge in South Kingstown to talk about the importance of Rhode […]
Posted inLocal, South County Bureau
Local playwright explores Jewish experience after Oct. 7 attacks in ‘Picking Up Stones’
The Jewish High Holy Days this year have also been a time of reflection and mourning a year after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. Local playwright Sandy Laub, who wrote a one-person play after the tragedy called “Picking Up Stones: An American Jew Wakes to a Nightmare,” sat down with South County Bureau Reporter […]
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
Westerly drops vandalism case against beachfront property owner
The town of Westerly has dismissed a criminal case against a beachfront property owner police say repeatedly spray-painted a shoreline right-of-way sign in Watch Hill. Last month, police charged David M. Roth, 76, with four counts of vandalism. Police believe Roth was responsible for vandalizing a sign that needed to be replaced multiple times over […]
