After years of advocacy, two state lawmakers are hopeful that 2024 will be the year we see funding for suicide barriers along some Rhode Island bridges – a strategy that’s been effective elsewhere in the U.S. And school shooter drills have become a regular part of life for Rhode Island students. But how are they […]
Mareva Lindo
Mareva joined The Public’s Radio in 2022 and oversees daily news production, writes our Daily Catch newsletter and edits two weekly productions, Artscape and The Weekly Catch.
In 2023, Mareva received two awards from the Public Media Journalists Association for her work with The Public's Radio, including a first-place Multi-Media Presentation award for the 2022 Elections page, and a second-place Short Documentary award for editing and co-production of “The Secret of Chiqui Versace."
A Chicago-made journalist and musician, Mareva strives to document and tell stories driven by community, curiosity, and listening. She is the creator of The Archives podcast at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where in 2017 she conducted an oral history of the school in partnership with StoryCorps. In the past Mareva has reported on public meetings as a City Bureau Documenter, led workshops on podcasting and audio storytelling, and crafted ethnography-based theater as a company member of the Albany Park Theater Project.
She holds a B.A. from Smith College in American Studies with a focus in popular culture. When not at The Public's Radio, she's been known to sing sea shanties and play the fiddle.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
Behind the maternal health crisis, the debate over institutional neutrality, and more
Universities and their leaders are facing increased pressure to take a stand on political and social issues – most recently, the war in Gaza. When is it time for educational institutions to be silent, and when do they have a responsibility to weigh in? We’ll dig into the topic. Also, pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are soaring compared to many of our peers. What’s behind it? Rhode Island PBS is launching a new documentary series that looks into the issue here in the Ocean State. And we speak with the director of a new production at Trinity Rep inspired by the real-life stories of Latinos in Rhode Island. Plus, a look back on the week in politics. That and more coming up on The Weekly Catch.
Posted inStories
Behind the Watch Hill lighthouse transfer, regulating short-term rentals, and more
Despite months of pushback from local fishermen and shoreline access advocates, the Watch Hill Lighthouse in Westerly is now in the hands of a private nonprofit, with no guarantee of public access. And Rhode Island is home to a lot of short-term rentals, via sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. Opponents say they can be disruptive, and contribute to the long-term housing shortage. We hear from the chair of a new State House commission that’s looking at the impact of short-term rentals on local communities. Plus, a look ahead to the year in politics, starting with the latest from Rhode Island’s General Assembly. That and more coming up on The Weekly Catch.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
Best of 2023: Underage and Unprotected, Nuestras Raíces, and ‘the Unmaking of America’
For our last episode of the year, a look back at a few of our top stories from 2023. We start by revisiting our multi-part series, Underage and Unprotected, with the story of a migrant teenager in New Bedford who spent his days juggling a full high school schedule with a full-time job at a seafood processing plant. Also, from our collaboration with Latino oral history project Nuestras Raíces, we hear how Maria Rivera overcame her fear of public speaking to become the first Latina mayor of Central Falls. And finally, we listen to an extended version of our conversation with Abraham Josephine Riesman, author of “Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America.”
Posted inHealth, Labor, The Weekly Catch
A migrant teenager with debts to pay, Rhode Island’s history tourism potential, and more
In New Bedford, a migrant teen traded her job in a fish processing plant for a high school education. Now, she’s struggling to figure out how to survive financially. And, is Rhode Island losing tourism dollars by not emphasizing the Ocean State’s prominent role in American history? Also, the holidays are here and so are some unwelcome guests: COVID, the flu and the virus known as RSV. We’ll hear from a medical director at the Rhode Island Department of Health. Plus, stone carver Karin Sprague makes grave markers that are works of art and comfort.
Posted inEnvironment, Local, The Weekly Catch
Rhode Island’s many aging bridges, Sen. Whitehouse on COP28, and more
The abrupt closure of the Washington Bridge on Monday affected thousands of drivers, in some cases adding hours to their commutes. We hear from two engineers about the state’s large number of aging bridges, and how to address the issue. And U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) just got back from COP28, the UN climate summit in Dubai. He talks about key takeaways and what he’d like to see happen next. Also, a new report connects the dots between fossil fuel interests, climate denial think tanks, and local groups collaborating to oppose offshore wind farms in the northeast. Plus, we look at a few holiday theater productions, and talk about what’s to come in Rhode Island politics in 2024. That and more on this episode of The Weekly Catch.
Posted inHealth, Immigration, The Weekly Catch
Immigration scams, primary care provider shortage, ‘Israelism’ and more
Like many other states, Rhode Island has a shortage of primary care physicians. We’ll hear from a doctor at Brown who says things could worsen by the decade’s end. And thousands of immigrants are going to Massachusetts to seek asylum and shelter. Many are falling victim to scammers promising to fast-track their immigration status. Also, a new documentary called “Israelism” follows the journey of two young Jewish people reckoning with differing narratives around Israel. And Ian Donnis looks back on the biggest political stories of 2023. Plus: a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Breaking down the Brown protests, new Mass. law allows free phone calls in prisons and jails, and more
There is a growing tension on the campus of Brown University between students and the school’s administration over the war between Israel and Hamas. Those tensions came to a head at a recent vigil-turned-protest on campus. And one year after recreational cannabis sales began in Rhode Island, what progress has the state made on its promises over social equity? Also, there’s a new law in Massachusetts that makes phone calls free in prisons and jails – it’s welcome news for the prisoners and their loved ones, who until today have had to pay exorbitant fees. And UMass Dartmouth’s chancellor speaks out for the first time since the abrupt closure of the Star Store in August. Plus: The week in politics, and a few things to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Primary care provider shortage, a gun range leaves residents on edge, and more
With a worsening shortage of primary care providers, Rhode Island’s most vulnerable communities are struggling to get basic care – and losing trust in the American medical system. Also, noise pollution from things like traffic or leaf blowers can be bad enough, but imagine hearing gunshots for hours on end. We hear about a Cranston neighborhood’s fight to silence a nearby police shooting range. And one of the reporters on our series about migrant teens working in seafood processing plants shares some of the responses she got at a recent community listening session. Plus, a conversation about the role of seaweed in New England life, and the ways it’s been immortalized in art. That and more on this week’s episode.
Posted inArticle, Local, Politics
Live elections coverage in R.I. and South Coast: Amo wins CD1 race
The Associated Press reports that Democrat Gabe Amo has won special election to U.S. House in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, becoming the first person of color elected to Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation. Follow for more live reporting of the Nov. 7, 2023 elections.
