This week on Artscape, two plays: a conversation with the playwright of “2216: The Remix of a Global Experiment,” making its worldwide debut at the Wilbury Theatre, and a review of “Becky Nurse of Salem,” a dark comedy now playing at Trinity Rep.
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 inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Behind efforts to save Morley Field in Pawtucket, redlining in Rhode Island, and more
A group of Pawtucket residents, elected officials and activists have been campaigning to save the city’s Morley Field. Now they say the city may have been violating land-use laws for years. And many people think of redlining as a thing of the past, but the justice Department this week found evidence of discriminatory lending in a number of American cities – including in Rhode Island. Also, we share the first in a series of stories from Latinos in Rhode Island, a new collaboration with a local oral history project. Plus, a conversation with a Sephardic musician who sings songs in Ladino set to original music.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Behind our investigation on underage migrants working in seafood plants, and more
This week we brought you “Underage and Unprotected,” a three-part investigation into migrant teens working in New Bedford seafood plants. We hear part one of the series, and talk with the Public’s Radio reporters who spent two years working on this special project. Also, advocates this week called on Rhode Island to fix what they called “systemic discrimination” against minority- and women-owned businesses in public contracting. The state says it has plans to make the process more equitable. And apocalypse survivors reimagine an episode of “The Simpsons” in the latest show from Contemporary Theater Company. We give you our review.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Apocalypse survivors reimagine ‘Simpsons’ episode in latest show from Contemporary Theater
“Mr. Burns, a Post Electric Play” is on now at the Contemporary Theater Company in Wakefield, Rhode Island. It’s a 2012 play written by Anne Washburn with music by Michael Friedman. For Artscape this week, producer James Baumgartner and morning host Luis Hernandez give you their review of the show.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Hurricane Lee approaches, microplastics in Narragansett Bay, and more
Hurricane Lee has weakened and continues to do so as it moves off the New England Coast. But that doesn’t mean it won’t have an impact on the area. We talk about how to prepare. Also, a former White House COVID advisor shares what you need to know about the new vaccines. Plus, we hear about a new URI study that found an alarming amount of microplastics in Narragansett Bay. And we introduce you to a local singer and harmonium player who’s gained a huge following by sharing his love of Bengali music with the world.
Posted inArticle, Environment
Hurricane Lee is on its way. Here’s how to prepare
Hurricane Lee is moving north, and parts of coastal Rhode Island and Massachusetts could see some effects this weekend. Sara Porter, Public Information Officer with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, offers some tips on how residents can prepare.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Teacher shortage, primary election surprise, and more
The CD1 primary came and went, with Democratic winner Gabe Amo surprising some pundits by pulling off a victory early in the night. We’ll talk about the takeaways from Tuesday’s election, and hear from Amo himself. Also, students are back in school – but a lot of teachers in Providence left over the summer. They say the culture of the district is mostly to blame. Reporter Amy Russo from The Providence Journal tells us about that and other challenges facing the city’s struggling education system. And 19th-century Providence artist Edward M. Bannister is getting a statue this weekend. We’ll tell you why he’s one of the most important Black artists in U.S. history.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
CD1 preview, safe consumption center fate, Newport schools superintendent, and more
The 1st Congressional District special election primary is upon us. After weeks of ads and controversy, on Tuesday, Democratic voters will decide between 11 candidates and Republican voters between two. Our reporters roundtable talks about where the candidates stand, and what the outcome could mean for the district. Also, Rhode Island is on track to open its first-ever supervised consumption site to help those struggling with substance addiction. We hear why officials are moving cautiously. And with the first day of school around the corner, the Newport schools superintendent talks about the challenges and possibilities ahead. Plus, New Orleans-style jazz band Tuba Skinny comes to the Rhythm and Roots festival this weekend.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Harborside Inn fire, CD1 forum takeaways, and more
Ten Democratic candidates took to the stage on Tuesday in a special CD1 forum co-hosted by The Public’s Radio. But did any of them distinguish themselves enough to pull ahead? We break it down and give you the highlights from the night. Also, folks on Block Island are still in shock about the fire that destroyed the 144-year-old Harborside Inn. We hear how the town acted quickly to house hotel guests and contain the fire. Plus, a collection of memories about the late Ira Cohen, a bookseller and art model who was the subject of the final art show at UMass-Dartmouth’s downtown New Bedford campus.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Gov. McKee’s education plan, Wickenden development dispute, and more
Rhode Island schools are struggling, leaving many students falling behind, and absenteeism is on the rise. We talk with Gov. Dan McKee, who hopes to change that with his new education plan, Learn365RI. And Providence appears to be moving forward with a hotly debated development on Wickenden Street. We hear about what it could mean, and why the City Plan Commission approved it despite neighborhood opposition. Also, why is UMass-Dartmouth leaving the Star Store in New Bedford, and how will it affect the city’s downtown? Plus, a look back on the week in politics; and a few tips on what to do this week.
