A New Bedford man – who spent weeks in an ICE detention center – is out. He could pursue legal action for wrongful detainment. We’ll get an update on the story. Also,- community health workers provide a unique service that advocates say is vital to keeping healthcare costs down. Rhode Island lawmakers are considering a bill that forces private insurers to cover many of the services provided by these workers. And Leo’s bar was an institution in Providence. For Artscape we look back on how the bar, and its owner John Rector were so important to so many people. That and more on this week’s show..
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 inHousing, Local, Politics
Why Woonsocket’s ban on camping worries homelessness advocates
The city of Woonsocket is moving forward with a new ordinance that makes it illegal to camp on public property and carries a fine of up to $250 for repeat violators. Critics say the change is going to harm unhoused people who will be burdened with legal troubles and fines they can’t pay. Months after […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Health, Housing, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Woonsocket moves to fine people who camp on city property
Earlier this week Woonsocket city leaders followed the actions of many communities across the country. They voted to fine people who camp out on city property. . One unhoused advocacy group says the fines that are part of a new city law will make things even harder for those struggling to find shelter. Also, Rhode Island PBS is shining a light on youth mental health. We’ll talk with one of their contributors about the effect violence has on mental health. And, WaterFire Providence has had financial struggles lately. They have a new interim director who says he plans to be a bridge to a brighter future. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
New leader at WaterFire hopes to be a bridge to the future
As we move closer to summer, we edge closer to the first WaterFire lighting ceremony of the year. It will take place at the end of the month. WaterFire Providence is going through some changes. This year they named Mark Allan as the interim Executive Director. We’ll talk with him about the future of WaterFire.
Plus: ArtWeek SouthCoast runs from May 8th to May 18th and offers more than 50 different experiences all over Bristol County, Massachusetts. We talk with two of the event organizers.
Posted inArts And Culture, Education, Local
Should Rhode Island require Ethnic Studies to graduate high school?
Should Rhode Island high schools be required to offer an Ethnic Studies course? State lawmakers are considering a bill that would do just that. Some supporters say it’s a crucial step at a time when the Trump administration is targeting curriculum that the president has described as “discriminatory equity ideology.” That can include teaching about […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Health, Local
RIPBS project on pediatric mental health is ‘Finding Hope’
Study after study has shown young people across the country are facing a mental health “crisis.” And that’s no different here in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. That’s one reason why this week, Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio are launching “Finding Hope,” a project spotlighting how local youth are facing mental health challenges with […]
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
Rep. Magaziner decries cuts to aid for starving children, and why state Sen. Mack opposes a Providence tax hike
U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner has been taking to the House floor to protest President Trump’s cuts to funding for life-saving food for malnourished children. We talk with him about that, and some of the ways Rhode Island has been impacted by the president’s first few months in office. Also, State Senator Tiara Mack is against Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s efforts to raise property taxes. She says there are better ways to raise the much-needed revenue for the city. And we talk about a painting at the Statehouse of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the Revolutionary War, a rare military group composed almost entirely of Black soldiers. That and more on this week’s episode.
Posted inLocal, Politics
‘People are already cost burdened’: State Sen. Tiara Mack says Providence residents can’t afford a major tax hike
The state senator who represents Providence says the city should explore new ways to raise revenue.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
‘Brave Men as Ever Fought’: Painting depicts the story of Black Revolutionary War soldiers in R.I.
There’s a painting on display right now in the Rhode Island Statehouse that tells an important tale of American history: It’s the story of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment — a military regiment composed mostly of Black enlistees. The painting is called “Brave Men as Ever Fought.” It’s by historical military artist Don Troiani. Morning host Luis Hernandez talked with Ray Rickman, the co-founder of the non-profit Stages of Freedom, which addresses racial inequities in Rhode Island, and Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore.
Posted inArts And Culture, Local
What’s on in May at the Community Libraries of Providence
The Community Libraries of Providence offer a slew of programming every week for kids and adults at their nine locations around the city – from book clubs, to gardening resources, to artist talks. We highlight a few of these events in our monthly community libraries segment. For May, morning host Luis Hernandez spoke with Cheryl […]
