Editor’s note: This story is part of “Washout: Our vanishing beaches,” a series about the reshaping of Rhode Island’s shoreline. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Photographer Kathie Florsheim has held several residencies and fellowships, and her work is permanently held at the Fogg Museum at Harvard, the RISD Art museum and […]
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 inEnvironment, Local, South County Bureau
Dude, where’s my beach?
Editor’s note: This story is part of “Washout: Our vanishing beaches,” a series about the reshaping of Rhode Island’s shoreline. Taylor Ellis loves the Rhode Island shoreline so much that about a year-and-half-ago he decided to see as much of it as possible. By foot. The long-time South Kingstown resident walked most of the state’s […]
Posted inHousing, Local, South County Bureau
Narragansett approves short-term rental restrictions, affordable housing bond
The town of Narragansett has adopted a new ordinance that has significant implications for property owners and summer vacation renters in the beach town. Under the new rules, property owners will be prohibited from renting out a unit for less than seven nights at a time. The rules were approved in a 3-1 vote, with […]
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
How to get disaster aid for flood damage, the future of Misquamicut Beach, the limits of R.I. public records law, and more
FEMA workers are in Rhode Island to help homeowners who suffered damage during the storms in December and January. What exactly will they help you recover? We’ll get you those answers. Also, speaking of flooding, the folks who live and work on Misquamicut Beach know all too well the challenges of storm floods and rising seas. Looking long term, they want the government to renourish their beaches. And we hear one journalist’s experience trying to access data from Rhode Island’s government. We take a look at the limits of the current public records law. Plus we’ll hear about a print show that highlights the immigrant experience, we’ll have reviews of three different plays you can see right now, and Ian Donnis has the latest in local politics.
Posted inArticle, Housing, Local, South County Bureau
Narragansett Town Council holds off on affordable housing vote after heated exchanges at Monday night’s meeting
The Narragansett Town Council held off on taking action Monday night on a resolution seeking the General Assembly’s authorization to ask voters whether to approve the issuance of $3 million in bonds for affordable housing development in the town. The council failed to take a vote after three councilors, Ewa Dzwierzynski, Jill Lawler, and Steven […]
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
Westerly beach parking bans are being called forms of ‘bigotry’
You could almost call this a tale of two towns, within the confines of one municipality. In downtown Westerly and nearby areas, drivers riding in two-way traffic pass between rows of vehicles parked on both sides of the street. Pedestrians stroll along sidewalks, and trucks make delivery stops in the middle of the road. But […]
Posted inArticle, Housing, Local, South County Bureau
Report finds URI is contributing to Narragansett’s housing crisis
A new report commissioned by the town of Narragansett says University of Rhode Island students living off-campus have significantly altered the town’s housing market, leading to a “symbiotic relationship” between the university and private landlords at the expense of other renters. According to the study by the Burlington, Vermont-based group Crane Associates, URI has benefited […]
Posted inArticle, Local, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
ACLU represents beach access advocate sued by Weekapaug Fire District
The Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union is defending a Westerly resident and beach access advocate being sued by the Weekapaug Fire District for advocating that the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council designate a public right-of-way to the Quonochontaug Barrier Beach. The ACLU is working with former Rhode Island Assistant Attorney […]
Posted inArticle, Business, Housing, Local, South County Bureau
What can other towns learn from Burrillville’s affordable housing success story?
When the Woonsocket-based non-profit NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley began redeveloping the Clocktower building in Burrillville, the old wool-weaving mill was far from move-in ready. Vegetation on the property had grown wild, once-expansive exterior windows were filled in with cinder blocks, and the inside was being used to store car parts. “These mills had seen their […]
Posted inSouth County Bureau
Feds complete Watch Hill Lighthouse transfer, and public access guarantees aren’t included
The U.S. General Services Administration said this week it has finalized the transfer of the historic Watch Hill Lighthouse to a private nonprofit and officially executed the deed to the property for its new owner, the Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association. The planned transfer was first announced last July by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed. It […]
