Another homeless encampment has been shut down – this time by the city of Providence. We talk with an advocate about the challenges facing unhoused people in the state, and how to support those communities now. Also, an oceanographer tells us how warming waters are affecting our local fish populations, and how we can prepare for changes to come. And infighting over shoreline access and ownership of a lighthouse has led to the resignation of Westerly’s town council president. Plus, the week in politics; a local artist explores the relationship between freedom and ecology; and a few tips on things to do this week.
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 inArtscape, Episode
Artist explores ‘intimate bond of freedom and green’ at Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice
A new art exhibit at Brown University’s Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice explores a landscape of spiritual and physical freedom through the lens of history.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Narragansett Tribe sues federal government, the latest on CD1, and more
The Narragansett Indian Tribe is bringing a lawsuit against the federal government for land the tribe says is owed to them. Also, the deadline is coming up to register to vote in the upcoming special election. We give you the latest on the CD1 race and more. And what do you want to see in rules and regulations around recreational cannabis in Rhode Island? You can share your opinion in public listening sessions over the next few weeks. Plus, a conversation about the Kingston Chamber Music Festival; a story about a local inter-Tribal drum group; and a few tips on what to do this weekend.
Posted inArticle, Business, Health
New Cannabis Control Commission chair on the future of recreational marijuana in Rhode Island
Over a year after recreational marijuana was legalized in Rhode Island, three people have finally been appointed to the state’s newly formed Cannabis Control Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the regulation, licensing and control of adult use and medical cannabis in the Ocean State. In July the commission began holding listening sessions for members of the public to share what they want to see in rules and regulations around marijuana. Morning Host Luis Hernandez spoke this week with the commission’s chair, Kimberly Ahern.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Shoreline access goes viral, a formerly homeless woman helps the unhoused, and more
Rhode Island’s fight for shoreline access went viral this week, with a TikTok video featuring a confrontation in Middletown between a beachgoer and property owner. We hear from the man behind the video. And what does a controversy over falsified signatures tell us about the integrity of voting in Rhode Island? Ian Donnis gives us the 4-1-1 on that and more from the week in politics. Also, a conversation with Rhode Island’s Housing Secretary, and a story from a formerly homeless woman who is now dedicated to supporting the unhoused. Plus, the Artscape team walked over to Weybosset Street where artist Michelle Perez was finishing a new mural. And we offer a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Empty downtown facade becomes mural dedicated to summertime in Providence
Originally built in 1929, the Providence National Bank Building was demolished in 2005 to make way for a residential tower that was never built. All that’s left now is an empty facade – one brick wall on Weybosset Street propped up by steel struts. Instead of windows, the facade has five panels that feature a new mural every year. This year’s mural, “Parade” was painted by Michelle Perez. It features giant bright orange koi fish, held aloft by people riding bicycles and skateboards on a cool blue background. For Artscape this week, we hear from Michelle as she’s putting the finishing touches on her painting. She says she was inspired by summertime in Providence.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Offshore wind, housing insecurity in Newport, homelessness solutions in Woonsocket, and more
Rhode Island Energy this week dropped their plans to be part of another large wind farm project off the coast. But that’s not slowing down the push to put up more of these giant turbines to generate renewable energy. We’ll get the latest from South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke. And, a look back on an eventful week in politics from Political Reporter Ian Donnis. Also, two stories about housing insecurity in Rhode Island—one from Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch, about a man who was priced out of Newport, now living in his car; and another from Health Reporter Lynn Arditi, about Woonsocket’s latest effort to address homelessness in the city. Plus, Artscape Producer James Baumgartner looks at an immersive new exhibit at the Providence College Galleries, and offers a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Beach pollution, Providence’s hurricane barrier, contemporary art, and more
How safe are our beaches? According to a new report from Environment America, about half the beaches in the country were potentially unsafe for swimming in 2022. We talk with John Rumpler, a co-author of the report. And after a week of heavy rain and flooding, we hear from our Metro Reporter Olivia Ebertz about Providence’s new plan to upgrade the city’s hurricane barrier. Also, Patrick Anderson of The Providence Journal gives us some highlights from the week in Rhode Island politics and more. Plus, a few tips on what to do this week, and a conversation with some of the artists and curators of the Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
College diversity in post-affirmative action world, a fight over housing affordability in Charlestown, and more
How can Rhode Island schools cultivate diverse, inclusive learning environments, now that affirmative action has ended? State Senator and Brown University alum Tiara Mack offers her take. And South County Bureau Reporter Alex Nunes reports on the housing crisis in Charlestown, where residents are at odds over who’s to blame for skyrocketing rents and a lack of affordable housing. Also, we hear about a few highlights from this year’s Newport Classical Music Festival. Plus, a look back on the week in politics, and a few tips for what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, RI’s new shoreline access law, and more
Starting July 1, Rhode Island will allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license. We hear from Marcela Betancur of the Latino Policy Institute about the impact this will have, and how to get the process started. Also, Marine and coastal law expert Dennis Nixon takes us on a deeper dive into the Ocean State’s new shoreline access law – and we hear a few takes from our listeners, too. Looking at the arts, two photo exhibits in Providence explore the power of words and negative speech. Plus, the latest in politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.
