One in three Rhode Islanders depend on Medicaid. That’s why there’s grave concern if the Senate passes Trump’s budget plan, which includes massive cuts to the health insurance program. We’ll talk about what’s at stake with Rhode Island representative Gabe Amo. Also, RIPTA officials are facing a $33 million deficit. Lawmakers in the General Assembly need to pass a budget with the money to fill that gap, or cut bus lines and schedules throughout the state. And we speak with Westerly documentarian Hilary Steinman, who tackles the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act in her new film “Change, Not Charity.” Plus: A look back on the week in Rhode Island politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.
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 inArts And Culture, Education, Politics, The Weekly Catch
RIC program cuts, warning signs about the Washington Bridge, and more
Rhode Island College recently announced it will cut 20 degree programs this fall, mostly in the humanities. We’ll hear from a professor and student at RIC who say the cuts are short-sighted, and were done with little input from faculty or students. And did the Rhode Island Department of Transportation miss the warning signs about the Washington Bridge? Our reporters talked with engineers who say that critical components deserved special attention years before the closure. Also, Newport Art Museum’s latest show features a 28-foot-long painting of a plaid whale. Plus: A look back on the week in Rhode Island politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inNPR
Congress moves to loosen toxic air pollution rules
The House and Senate both voted to loosen regulations on air pollutants like dioxin and mercury, which are associated with higher cancer risk.
Posted inNPR
Trump administration revokes Harvard’s ability to enroll international students
International students make up more than a quarter of Harvard University’s student body. Harvard says the government’s actions, which could cut off a major revenue stream, are “unlawful.”
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
‘Food, art, lawmakers, politicians, law breakers’: Remembering John Rector and Leo’s bar
Back in the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s in Providence, Leo’s bar and restaurant was an institution and a pioneer in the city’s Jewelry District, known for its support of local artists, and its eclectic clientele, late hours, and great food. And the man behind it all was John Rector. John passed away March 6 at the age of 75. When she heard the news, Artscape editor Mareva Lindo started asking around to see who might want to talk with us about John and the bar. And people came out of the woodwork. So many people wanted to share their memories about John, and that time and place. Now we bring you but a slice of what they all had to say about John Rector and Leo’s.
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 inNPR
Judges would be accountable for abuse even if they retired or resigned, under new bill
A new bill from a top Democrat seeks to close a loophole that federal judges have used to collect pension benefits despite facing credible accusations of wrongdoing by employees.
Posted inNPR
Expect more immigration enforcement in next 100 days, says DHS spokesperson
DHS official Tricia McLaughlin pushed back on claims that the Trump administration is ignoring due process, saying it is “going to look different” based on legal status or alleged gang affiliation.
Posted inNPR
Trump-appointed federal judge blocks use of Alien Enemies Act for Venezuelans in South Texas
The Trump administration, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr., ruled, does not “possess the lawful authority under the (Alien Enemies Act), and based on the Proclamation, to detain Venezuelan aliens, transfer them within the United States, or remove them from the country.”
Posted inNPR
Education Department stops $1 billion in funding for school mental health
Congress created the grants in the aftermath of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The goal was to help schools hire mental health professionals, including counselors and social workers.
