As part of an effort to protect local cities and towns from the negative impacts of climate change, Gov. McKee and Rhode Island Commerce this month kicked off a new initiative called “Ready, Set, Rhody.” Under the program, the engineering firm Fuss & O’Neill will help municipal leaders determine how to increase the resilience of […]
Luis Hernandez
Posted inLocal
‘It’s an honor’: Iraq veteran takes the helm at the Rhode Island National Guard
This year, Governor Dan McKee named U.S. Army Brigadier General Andrew J. Chevalier the new Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard. Chevalier is from North Kingstown, and brings to the role over 35 years of experience with the state’s National Guard. In this conversation with afternoon host Dave Fallon, he said serving in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local
Remembering Bruce Selya, federal judge known for his creativity and neutrality
Judge Bruce Selya, one of Rhode Island’s longest-serving judges, died last week at the age of 90. Attorney Karen Ellsworth, a former court reporter for the Providence Journal, covered many federal cases presided over by Judge Selya. She joined morning host Luis Hernandez to reflect on the judge’s life and legacy. TRANSCRIPT: This interview has […]
Posted inEducation, Local
‘It’s heartbreaking’: Rhode Island children’s advocate laments the potential loss of federal funding for schools
The Trump administration is reportedly considering an executive order to scale back or abolish the U.S. Department of Education, which oversees federal funds for things like special education services, school infrastructure improvements, and student loans. Paige Parks, executive director of the nonprofit Rhode Island Kids Count, spoke with morning host Luis Hernandez about the potential […]
Posted inBusiness, Local
New bill aims to regulate crypto ATMs in Rhode Island
As cryptocurrency ATMs are becoming more popular, so are crypto scams. FBI data shows that Rhode Islanders lost over ten million in 2023 to fraud linked to crypto kiosks. A new bill in the General Assembly aims to establish rules for those kiosks to better protect consumers. Morning host Luis Hernandez spoke about the issue […]
Posted inLocal
Mapping the Green Book in New England
In the decades before the 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination in public places, traveling throughout the country could be a minefield for Black Americans, including in New England. Finding safe places to stay or eat where they wouldn’t be turned away was a challenge. That’s where the Green Book came in. A nationwide travel […]
Posted inEconomy, Local
Reimagining downtown Providence in a hybrid work world
Providence, like many cities across the country, has seen office spaces emptying out, as some companies are downsizing and moving towards hybrid work models. That can have a ripple effect on the city’s economy, including local businesses like restaurants and shops. What is Providence doing to avoid falling into the so-called doom loop that is […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
RI state senator gives Trump an ‘A’ for first weeks in office
Interview highlights: On President Trump’s performance in his first weeks in office Jessica de la Cruz: I would say [he gets] an A. He campaigned on these promises and now he’s following through. I just feel that sometimes if I put my phone down for a couple of hours, I’ve missed what could be two […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local
With climate change increasing wildfire risk in Rhode Island, how can state officials prepare?
Transcript: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: Last spring, a massive wildfire burned hundreds of acres at the Queens River Preserve in Exeter. It was the largest forest fire in Rhode Island since 1942, and it prompted the creation of a special legislative commission tasked with providing recommendations on proper […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local
Criminal justice advocate calls for independent investigation into Cranston prison deaths
Transcript: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Dave Fallon: Over the past three months, four inmates have died at the ACI in Cranston. Advocates for criminal justice reform have written a letter to the Rhode Island Department of Corrections calling for an independent investigation into those fatalities, along with a series of […]
