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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 inEconomy, Housing, Local

David Sweetser, owner of Providence’s Superman Building, dies at 70

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The head of the Massachusetts company that owns the “Superman Building” in downtown Providence has died. David C. Sweetser was 70 years old. “A devoted family man, beloved friend to many, and a titan in the real estate development industry,” said Bill Fischer, a spokesman for Sweetser, in a statement on Tuesday. “He will be […]

Posted inLocal, Politics

Speaker Shekarchi on the state budget, RIPTA, a potential run for governor, and more

Jim Hummel

Rhode Island’s 2025 legislative session is in the books. But the focus for many politics-watchers remains firmly on Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. Rhode Island PBS reporter Jim Hummel sat down with Shekarchi to reflect on the progress and pitfalls of the legislative session. They discussed several topics, including the state budget, funding for […]

Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, South Coast Bureau

9 dead, 30 injured after five-alarm fire at assisted living facility in Fall River

Avatar photoPaul C. Kelly Campos by Jeremy Bernfeld and Paul C. Kelly Campos
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Nine people are dead and at least 30 injured after a five-alarm fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River on Sunday night, according to city officials. “This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said in a statement early Monday morning. […]

Posted inEconomy, Local

Two companies being sued over the Washington Bridge claim the state never flagged the bridge’s problems

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Two of the companies being sued by the state of Rhode Island over the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge say the state did not tell them about concerns engineers raised about the bridge decades before they were hired for a rehabilitation project.  The joint-venture of Barletta Heavy Division Inc. and Aetna Bridge Company – […]

Posted inLocal, Transportation

Washington Bridge: Did Rhode Island miss critical warning signs ahead of the 2023 crisis?

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When the westbound Washington Bridge was suddenly shut down in December 2023, never to re-open, many wondered if the crisis could have been prevented. An investigation by Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio found that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) may have failed to perform crucial inspections of the span that could […]

Posted inEnvironment, Local

How climate change will affect Rhode Island’s drinking water, and how we can better prepare

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This story is part of our series One Storm Away: How climate change is threatening drinking water on the Ocean State’s islands As Rhode Island’s climate continues to change, scientists expect big changes to the state’s drinking water supply. Climate models suggest that average air temperatures will increase over the next century, and predict more […]

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