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.
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 inThe Weekly Catch
Rep. Magaziner decries cuts to aid for starving children, and why state Sen. Mack opposes a Providence tax hike
U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner has been taking to the House floor to protest President Trump’s cuts to funding for life-saving food for malnourished children. We talk with him about that, and some of the ways Rhode Island has been impacted by the president’s first few months in office. Also, State Senator Tiara Mack is against Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s efforts to raise property taxes. She says there are better ways to raise the much-needed revenue for the city. And we talk about a painting at the Statehouse of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the Revolutionary War, a rare military group composed almost entirely of Black soldiers. That and more on this week’s episode.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
‘Brave Men as Ever Fought’: Painting depicts the story of Black Revolutionary War soldiers in R.I.
There’s a painting on display right now in the Rhode Island Statehouse that tells an important tale of American history: It’s the story of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment — a military regiment composed mostly of Black enlistees. The painting is called “Brave Men as Ever Fought.” It’s by historical military artist Don Troiani. Morning host Luis Hernandez talked with Ray Rickman, the co-founder of the non-profit Stages of Freedom, which addresses racial inequities in Rhode Island, and Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
Remembering Dominick Ruggerio, the pope’s legacy in Rhode Island, and more
Dominic Ruggerio was a force in Rhode Island politics. His death this week leaves a power vacuum in the senate. Ian Donnis tells us when a new Senate president could be picked. This weekend many will celebrate Arbor Day. The annual celebration of trees takes on new meaning as climate change continues to put pressure on our forests. Also we hear from local Catholic church leadership on the passing of Pope Francis and their hopes for the Vatican’s next leader. And on Artscape, we have a profile of artist Ian Cozzens. All this and more on this week’s episode.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
Dissonance, queer culture, and Providence architecture in artist Ian Cozzens’ prints
On this week’s show: A profile of artist Ian Cozzens.
Cozzens moved to Providence in 1999, and quickly started making screen prints for bands, art gallery shows, and community events. He also documented the buildings of Providence, using his architectural training to depict a half-demolished mill in Eagle Square and the three smokestacks of a power station on the Providence River. Since then, he moved on to screen prints depicting a single word, including “dissonance” and “QUEERS!” His latest installation at Angell Street Galleries is called “Reality.”
Also, Barnaby Evans and Emily Gray from WaterFire Providence remember the life and work of Rhode Island painter Gretchen Dow Simpson.
On this week’s show: A profile of artist Ian Cozzens.
Cozzens moved to Providence in 1999, and quickly started making screen prints for bands, art gallery shows, and community events. He also documented the buildings of Providence, using his architectural training to depict a half-demolished mill in Eagle Square and the three smokestacks of a power station on the Providence River. Since then, he moved on to screen prints depicting a single word, including “dissonance” and “QUEERS!” His latest installation at Angell Street Galleries is called “Reality.”
Also, Barnaby Evans and Emily Gray from WaterFire Providence remember the life and work of Rhode Island painter Gretchen Dow Simpson.
Posted inArts And Culture, Health, The Weekly Catch
Medicaid work rules could cut benefits for thousands, DOGE slashes RI Humanities funding, and more
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.
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.
