A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to hire back fired government workers. They’re getting paid, but they’re not doing any work for now. Our South Coast Bureau reporter Ben Berke tells us how federal employees are reacting. Also, is enough being done to hold government officials accountable for the Washington Bridge debacle? We dive deeper into that question with Michelle San Miguel from Rhode Island PBS Weekly. And in this week’s Artscape: we meet North Providence knifemaker, artist and fishmonger Joyce Kutty. That and more on this week’s show.
Joe Tasca
The local voice on Weekend Edition for several years, Joe stepped into the role of morning producer in October 2023. Joe is also a reporter, covering stories in the field and conducting interviews with newsmakers.
From an early age, Joe was determined to become a broadcaster, and began his broadcast career as a high school student. His first job was working as a newscaster and engineer for WERI, a full-service radio station in his hometown of Westerly. Prior to coming to The Public's Radio in 2018, Joe spent 15 years as a news anchor and reporter for a cluster of six radio stations in eastern Connecticut.
He graduated from Westerly High and earned his bachelor's degree from Quinnipiac University. When he's not working, he enjoys reading, writing, hiking, playing golf, and traveling to Canada.
Posted inHousing, Local
Survey shows housing woes are top of mind for Rhode Islanders
Rhode Islanders are collectively voicing their concerns about the high cost of housing. A new survey by the housing advocacy group Neighbors Welcome! RI shows that 57% of respondents think the ongoing housing crisis is the biggest issue facing the state. “We’ve got a pretty big hole to dig ourselves out of,” said Claudia Wack, […]
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 inEnvironment, Local
Is a foot doctor qualified to be a coastal regulator? Rhode Island’s governor says yes.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s latest nominee to a state council that regulates the coast is renewing calls for reform. Michael Reuter, a podiatrist who has spent time on the Barrington Harbor Commission, was chosen last week to serve on the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. Some critics, including South Kingstown resident and shoreline […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
United Way to offer new grants to nonprofits facing federal funding uncertainty
The United Way of Rhode Island is announcing plans to help local non-profits struggling amid continued uncertainty about federal funding. President and CEO Cortney Nicolato says at least $500,000 in grant money will be made available through a special round of funding later this month. “We’re anticipating grants will be between $25,000 and $50,000, and […]
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, Local
‘Nashville North’: New partnership brings Music City singer-songwriters to Westerly
Beginning this fall, Westerly’s United Theatre will host a series of intimate live shows featuring Nashville singer-songwriters, presented by the city’s legendary Bluebird Cafe. Dubbed “Nashville North,” the initiative is a new collaboration with the Bluebird and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which is home to the Taylor Swift Education Center. “We […]
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.
Posted inBusiness, Education, The Weekly Catch
What Education Department cuts would mean for R.I., crypto scams, and more
The Trump administration has threatened to cut back or even eliminate the Department of Education, which is responsible for enforcing civil rights protections, overseeing student loans, and funding things like special education. What would those cuts mean for Rhode Island? Also, scams involving cryptocurrency ATMs are on the rise. We learn about a new law that would regulate crypto kiosks in Rhode Island – and we hear from a Brown professor who explains how he was recently scammed out of more than $2000. Plus, the WaterFire Arts Center is hosting an exhibit of over one hundred posters spanning 70 years and a dozen countries throughout Latin America. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArts And Culture, Health, The Weekly Catch
How possible cuts to NIH could affect RI, the Green Book in New England, and more
A judge has temporarily blocked a major policy change announced last week by the National Institutes of Health. It would have significantly reduced payments to universities, hospitals, and other research institutions. If the change goes through, how will it affect Rhode Islanders, and the many places here that get funding from the NIH? Also, we hear about a project from the Boston Globe, highlighting more than 300 New England locations featured in the Green Book, the famous guide that listed safe places for Black travelers from the 1930s to the 1960s. Plus, a conversation with writer and director Dave Solomon, the latest artist-in-residence at Westerly Library and Wilcox Park. That and more on this week’s show.
