Thousands of Rhode Islanders could lose Medicaid benefits if congress passes new work requirements. We hear about who would feel the greatest impact of such changes, including many people who already work full-time jobs. Also, DOGE has cut more than half a million dollars that was to go to Rhode Island Humanities, money that was appropriated for the nonprofit’s operating funds as well as grants for cultural programming. The group’s executive director shares what the loss will mean for the local economy and culture, and how the organization plans to fight the cuts. Plus, we talk with poet, actor and musician Kwame Dawes, a Brown University professor and the new poet laureate of Jamaica. That and more on this week’s show.
James Baumgartner
James produces and engineers Political Roundtable, The Weekly Catch and other special programming on The Public’s Radio. He also produces Artscape, the weekly arts & culture segment heard every Thursday. His favorite part of the job is talking with artists, musicians and other creators about their process and what inspires them.
James learned the basics of audio editing while studying music at Missouri State University. He went on to get a Master of Fine Arts in Electronic Art at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he created electronic music, video art and internet-based media art. While at RPI, James went on the air for the first time, hosting an electronic music show on Rensselaer's station, WRPI, but his love of radio came from staying up late so he could hear punk rock on KKFI, the community radio station in Kansas City, Missouri.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
Most people can’t name five women artists. URI art historian wants to change that
Can you name five women artists? That’s the question posed by Erin L. McCutcheon, as part of a course she teaches as assistant professor of arts of the Americas at University of Rhode Island. In her work as an art historian, researcher and teacher, she aims to raise the profile of women artists. And she was recently appointed to the Committee on Women in the Arts for the College Arts Association.
Posted inEconomy, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Federal food aid cuts hit RI, economic impacts of Washington Bridge issues, and more
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.
Posted inHealth, Local
‘People will go hungry’: USDA cuts threaten Rhode Island food pantries
More than 81,000 Rhode Islanders every month need food. They depend on the more than 140 different agencies across the state that provide food for those in need. That food aid is taking a massive hit as the Trump administration recently made cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency that in part provides […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
Re-envisioning Shakespearean classics: ‘Fat Ham’ and ‘La Tempestad’
There are two plays on now in Providence that start with a work of Shakespeare and then take it in a new direction: “Fat Ham” at the Wilbury Theatre Group, and “La Tempestad — The Tempest” at Trinity Rep.
Artscape producer James Baumgartner spoke with the plays’ directors for this week’s show.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
R.I. Southeast Asians facing deportation, McCoy Stadium demolition, and more
ICE agents are continuing efforts to detain people in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We’ll hear from members of the Southeast Asian community who say that, while the Trump administration is employing new tactics, many Southeast Asians in Rhode Island have been living under the threat of detention and deportation for over 20 years. Also, with the wrecking ball coming for Pawtucket’s McCoy Stadium, some PawSox fans tell us how they’re feeling, and share a few favorite memories. And a new documentary, “Westerly’s Gold: Sweet, Spicy, and Full of Tradition,” tells the story of the local delicacy, soupy sausage, and the families who have been making it for decades.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
Meet knifemaker, artist and fishmonger Joyce Kutty
In a few minutes, we’ll hear about the new documentary “Secret Mall Apartment” that will be screening at the Providence Place Mall. But first, I recently visited the studio of artist, fishmonger, knifemaker, and North Providence resident Joyce Kutty. Her studio in an old Fall River textile mill has several workbenches filled with neatly arranged tools, a band saw, and a sketchbook. There’s a woodblock print on the wall that has three women hammering an anvil. And in one corner, there’s a large pot, slowly simmering.
Posted inEnvironment, Politics, The Weekly Catch
How NOAA cuts may harm local fishermen, protecting the ‘Freedom to Read,’ and more
Recent job cuts by the Trump Administration could have a negative impact on New Bedford’s huge fishing industry. Our South Coast Bureau reporter Ben Berke tells us how. Also, Rhode Island has spent millions battling lawsuits from people challenging books. Since 2021 there have been more than 30 such challenges. We’ll learn about a bill before the General Assembly that would protect schools and libraries from litigation and censorship. And in the midst of a trade war between the U.S. and Canada sparked by the Trump administration, a local museum is celebrating ties between the Ocean State and French Canadian culture. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArts And Culture, Immigration, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Trump’s science cuts, fear of ICE raids in Central Falls hurts businesses, and more
The Trump administration’s cuts in science research have led to lost jobs and stalled research in the Ocean State. Protesters showed up to the State House on Friday as part of a national movement called Stand Up For Science. We hear from one of the protest’s organizers. Also, there is a lot of fear and anxiety in the majority-Latino city of Central Falls. Business owners say they’re already feeling the impact because people without legal status are avoiding public places. Plus, the campus of UMass Dartmouth is built in the architectural style of Brutalism. We’ll take a look at why that style was used and why it’s gonna cost the school hundreds of millions to fix up its campus. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArts And Culture, Business, Politics, The Weekly Catch
How climate change affects home insurance, our Washington Bridge project, and more
The issues with the Washington Bridge have affected all of us, and will for years to come. This week we launched Breaking Point: The Washington Bridge, a new, community-centered project exploring how we got here, the impact of the bridge on our lives, and what the future holds. And we want to hear from you. Also, the threat of climate change is making it harder and more expensive for Rhode Islanders to insure their homes. How can the state and homeowners prepare? Plus: We hear about Track 15, a food hall opening in March that will transform Providence’s historic Union Station, featuring seven restaurants from local chefs. That and more on this week’s show.
