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Jeremy Bernfeld

Jeremy leads the investigations desk at The Public’s Radio, helping the newsroom publish more investigative and accountability journalism that matters to Rhode Island and the Southcoast.

Prior to joining The Public’s Radio, Jeremy was the director of collaborative reporting at WAMU in Washington, D.C., and founder of Guns & America, an award-winning national reporting project covering the role of guns in American life. He was also editor of Harvest Public Media, a collaborative project covering our food system based in Kansas City.

A native New Englander, Jeremy currently lives in Providence, where he spends his time chasing after his wife, daughter and dog, and occasionally riding his bike.

jbernfeld@ripr.org
Posted inArts And Culture, Local

Providence’s Betty Hasse is riding for another national championship

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When Providence’s Betty Hasse swings her leg over her bike frame on Wednesday, she’ll be ready to defend her national title. Hasse, 21, won the individual time trial in the under-23 division at last year’s USA Cycling Road National Championships. Often called “the race of truth,” the time trial is a solo event. The winner— […]

Posted inHealth, Local

Federal investigation alleges RI ‘warehouses’ children in psychiatric treatment

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U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha is accusing the state of Rhode Island of violating the federal civil rights of children with mental health or developmental disabilities. A multi-year federal investigation alleges the state has kept children hospitalized at Bradley Hospital, an acute-care psychiatric facility, for longer than necessary by not providing them with the services they […]

Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Transportation

Washington Bridge westbound must be demolished and undergo years-long rebuild

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The state of Rhode Island plans to demolish and completely rebuild the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, a project officials expect to take two years or more. “We will be replacing the bridge,” Gov. Dan McKee said at a news conference Thursday. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation closed the westbound span, which carries […]

Posted inCriminal Justice, Local

Federal appeals court rejects challenge to Rhode Island’s ban on high-capacity magazines

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A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected a challenge to the Rhode Island law banning large-capacity gun magazines. The law, passed in 2022, bans ammunition magazines that carry more than ten rounds. Several Rhode Island gun owners and a Chepachet gun store sued the state. In December 2022, a federal judge declined to issue a […]

Posted inLocal

Rhode Island man charged with setting fires at predominantly Black church in North Providence

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A Rhode Island man was arrested Thursday, accused of setting multiple fires around the Shiloh Gospel Temple in North Providence on Sunday. The majority of the congregation is Black, the church’s administrator told investigators. Kevin Colantonio of North Providence is in federal custody and charged under a federal arson statute, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha […]

Posted inLocal, Metro Desk

Officials assessing Washington Bridge to determine if full rebuild is necessary

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More than a month after the westbound side of the Washington Bridge was abruptly closed to traffic, officials were still determining if the bridge could be repaired or must be completely rebuilt, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti said Monday during a press conference. “It could be a repair of the existing structure, […]

Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Stories

RIDOT closing I-195 West on the Washington Bridge

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The westbound side of the Washington Bridge carrying I-195 between East Providence and Providence is closed, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) said in an “emergency announcement” Monday afternoon. The closure is due to “a critical failure of some bridge components,” the agency said. The components were part of the original Washington Bridge, built […]