Last summer, two full-time working artists in Providence organized a small outdoor festival called The Lemonade Stand. They wanted to provide a welcoming space for artists in the community to collaborate, and give the public a chance to witness the creativity of local artists first-hand. This year, they’re expanding, adding live performances from Providence-based musicians, […]
Luis Hernandez
Luis helms the morning lineup. He is a 20-year public radio veteran, having joined The Public's Radio in 2022. That journey has taken him from the land of Gators at the University of Florida to WGCU in Fort Myers to KNPR in Las Vegas and then to WLRN in Miami.
Luis sees himself as a journalist and an entertainer, which is what drives him every morning—bringing more local news to the listeners and doing it in an interesting and sometimes fun way.
He also co-hosts Artscape and hosts The Weekly Catch. In his spare time, Luis is working on a couple of novels, a couple of podcasts and is getting back into painting.
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, Metro Desk
Why Curt Columbus plans to step away from Providence’s Trinity Rep
The theater scene in Rhode Island got some big news this month: The Trinity Repertory Company in Providence will be looking for a new artistic director. Curt Columbus will step down next fall. At that point, he’ll have been artistic director of the Trinity Rep for two decades. Morning Host Luis Hernandez sat down with […]
Posted inEducation, Local
Has Rhode Island Gov. McKee’s ‘Learn365RI’ initiative been effective?
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is making a big bet on his Learn365RI initiative, a state program that funds out-of-school learning opportunities for students to complement their traditional schooling. McKee is hoping it can help him at the polls next year in what is shaping up to be a competitive gubernatorial race. Two years into […]
Posted inHealth, Local
How patients can protect themselves in the wake of recent medical data breaches in Rhode Island
Last month, Wood River Health announced a data breach that affects nearly 55,000 patients in Rhode Island and Connecticut. It was the latest in a string of instances that have seen hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders’ personal health data exposed. Morning Host Luis Hernandez spoke with Lee Kim, senior principal of cybersecurity and privacy […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local
What actually happens to recycled plastics in Rhode Island?
In order to help reduce plastic waste and help the environment, Rhode Islanders are encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics. But what actually happens to the plastic the state collects for recycling after it leaves the Materials Recycling Facility in Johnston? A lot of it ends up in landfills, according to an investigation led […]
Posted inEducation, Local
‘I’m so excited’: Barrington High School graduate wins journalism scholarship from Rhode Island PBS/The Public’s Radio
Each summer, Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio award a $60,000 college scholarship to a local high school graduate who is planning to pursue a career in journalism. This year’s recipient is Scarlet Biancuzzo. She’s a Bristol native and a Barrington High School graduate. This fall she’ll enroll at the University of Missouri, one […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local
What’s on in August at the Community Libraries of Providence
We highlight a few of the many events happening across the Community Libraries of Providence – from a theater workshop in Spanish and English to your chance to make a giant cyanotype image from vintage Apollo mission moon photographs. Plus: the Smith Hill block party.
Posted inLocal, Sports
As rumors swirl around Connecticut’s WNBA team, could Providence be a suitable destination?
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee recently met with an investor who is interested in potentially purchasing the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and moving them to Providence, according to WPRI. The meeting comes on the heels of reports that the Sun, who play at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., may be up for sale. Morning Host […]
Posted inEconomy, Immigration, Local
‘Immigrant defense zones’? Here’s what Rhode Island businesses should know
More than two dozen Rhode Island business owners announced a joint effort this month to create what they’re calling “immigrant defense zones,” where they pledge to prohibit immigration enforcement agents from their stores if they don’t have a warrant. The advocacy group the Rhode Island Deportation Defense Coalition says at least 25 businesses have signed […]
Posted inHousing, Local
Can a new land bank help produce more affordable housing in Rhode Island?
The state of Rhode Island has a new strategy to spur development of housing: a “land bank.” The goal: make it easier for municipalities to identify unused property that can be used for housing projects, while reducing land acquisition costs for developers. The General Assembly created the land bank during the 2025 legislative session. It […]
