Dominic Ruggerio was a force in Rhode Island politics. His death this week leaves a power vacuum in the senate. Ian Donnis tells us when a new Senate president could be picked. This weekend many will celebrate Arbor Day. The annual celebration of trees takes on new meaning as climate change continues to put pressure on our forests. Also we hear from local Catholic church leadership on the passing of Pope Francis and their hopes for the Vatican’s next leader. And on Artscape, we have a profile of artist Ian Cozzens. All this and more on this week’s episode.
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, Health, The Weekly Catch
Medicaid work rules could cut benefits for thousands, DOGE slashes RI Humanities funding, and more
Thousands of Rhode Islanders could lose Medicaid benefits if congress passes new work requirements. We hear about who would feel the greatest impact of such changes, including many people who already work full-time jobs. Also, DOGE has cut more than half a million dollars that was to go to Rhode Island Humanities, money that was appropriated for the nonprofit’s operating funds as well as grants for cultural programming. The group’s executive director shares what the loss will mean for the local economy and culture, and how the organization plans to fight the cuts. Plus, we talk with poet, actor and musician Kwame Dawes, a Brown University professor and the new poet laureate of Jamaica. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArtscape
Meet Kwame Dawes, Brown University professor and new poet laureate of Jamaica
Kwame Dawes is a poet, actor and musician whose work is shaped by a journey that started in Ghana, where he was born, all the way to Jamaica, where he was raised. Dawes, who joined the staff at Brown University in 2024, was recently named the poet laureate for Jamaica. Morning host Luis Hernandez spoke with Dawes about his journey, his poetry, what it means to be a poet laureate, and the current environment on college campuses.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
R.I. feels impact of Trump tariffs, the battle for South County Hospital, and more
President Trump has upended global markets with a series of executive actions on import tariffs. We talk with a URI economist about the potential impact here in Rhode Island and some ways the state’s economy has already been affected. Also: the battle over the future of South County Hospital continues. Reporter Lynn Arditi tells us what’s driving the dispute and what’s at stake. And: Can you name five women artists? In this week’s Artscape, we talk with a local art history professor who says most people can’t – and she’s on a mission to change that. All that and more on this episode of The Weekly Catch.
Posted inEconomy, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Federal food aid cuts hit RI, economic impacts of Washington Bridge issues, and more
More than 80,000 Rhode Islanders depend on food from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its network of food pantries. But the Trump administration’s recent cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture put that food aid at risk. Also: Rhode Island PBS Weekly co-host and correspondent Pamela Watts tells us about the very different ways the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge has impacted the economy in Providence and Bristol County. Plus: we talk with the directors of “La Tempestad” at Trinity Rep and “Fat Ham” at the Wilbury Theatre Group – two fresh takes on Shakespearean classics. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArts And Culture, Local
What’s on in April 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 book sales, to opportunities to pick up a new skill. We highlight a few of these events in our monthly community libraries segment. For April, morning host […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local
Remembering The Mad Peck, eccentric artist behind iconic Providence poster
One of the most iconic pieces of artwork associated with Providence is a black and white poster with comic book panels that makes the city look like a film noir. Some people know it’s text by heart, which ends with a classic line: “Rich folks live on Power Street, but most of us live off […]
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
R.I. Southeast Asians facing deportation, McCoy Stadium demolition, and more
ICE agents are continuing efforts to detain people in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We’ll hear from members of the Southeast Asian community who say that, while the Trump administration is employing new tactics, many Southeast Asians in Rhode Island have been living under the threat of detention and deportation for over 20 years. Also, with the wrecking ball coming for Pawtucket’s McCoy Stadium, some PawSox fans tell us how they’re feeling, and share a few favorite memories. And a new documentary, “Westerly’s Gold: Sweet, Spicy, and Full of Tradition,” tells the story of the local delicacy, soupy sausage, and the families who have been making it for decades.
Posted inImmigration, Local
‘There’s an escalation’: Southeast Asians in R.I. confront deportation threats
Members of Rhode Island’s Southeast Asian community say parallels exist between America’s intervention in Vietnam and President Trump’s current efforts to detain and deport Southeast Asians living in the U.S. Morning host Luis Hernandez spoke with two people who helped organize a rally in Providence on Monday to protest the administration’s policies. Sarath Suong is […]
Posted inEducation, Local
Rhode Island eighth graders trek south to learn about the Civil Rights Movement
Each winter, eighth grade students at the Gordon School take a trip to Alabama and Georgia to visit historic sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement. The experience has had a profound impact on many students over the years, both professionally and personally. Morning host Luis Hernandez spoke about the trip with Viva Sandoval, an […]
