The Weekly Catch

The Weekly Catch is a half-hour show hosted by Morning Edition host Luis Hernandez, featuring the work of our local journalists and bringing you more depth on the most important stories of the week. Every Friday at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. you’ll hear interviews, stories and essays that both capture the best of the week and advance stories that continue to evolve.

You’ll hear regular conversations between Luis and our Political Reporter Ian Donnis, and feature reports from our talented newsroom journalists across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We’ll expand on and provide context for investigative and enterprise reporting, regularly showcase our weekly arts segment, Artscape, and offer our tips on what to do each weekend.

You can also find The Weekly Catch on Friday afternoons, wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or use this RSS feed for your podcatcher of choice.
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R.I. feels impact of Trump tariffs, the battle for South County Hospital, and more

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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.

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A quiet showdown in CD1, the growing power of labor, and more

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It’s been a relatively quiet couple of months in the race to represent Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District. The election ends on Tuesday – but what does it mean for voters when candidates or the media treat an election as a foregone conclusion? Also, 2023 has been a big year for labor. Unions representing actors, car manufacturers, janitors and more have gone on strike across the country. Are labor movements gaining momentum, or are these high-profile cases an anomaly? And the city of Providence is making a new comprehensive plan – and they want to hear from you. Plus, a conversation with the new director of the RISD Museum. All that and more on this episode of The Weekly Catch.

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Local reaction to Israel-Hamas war, reflections from R.I.’s first Latina mayor, blues player Jontavious Willis, and more

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We talk with leaders from New England’s Jewish and Palestinian communities to hear about how they’re getting through these difficult times. Also, in the final part of our collaboration with oral history project Nuestras Raíces, we hear from Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera about how she overcame a fear of public speaking to become the first Latina mayor in Rhode Island. And the URI Guitar Festival is right around the corner. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talks with blues performer Jontavious Willis. Plus, Ian Donnis discusses possible names for the next Majority Whip in the Rhode Island legislature.

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College diversity in post-affirmative action world, a fight over housing affordability in Charlestown, and more

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How can Rhode Island schools cultivate diverse, inclusive learning environments, now that affirmative action has ended? State Senator and Brown University alum Tiara Mack offers her take. And South County Bureau Reporter Alex Nunes reports on the housing crisis in Charlestown, where residents are at odds over who’s to blame for skyrocketing rents and a lack of affordable housing. Also, we hear about a few highlights from this year’s Newport Classical Music Festival. Plus, a look back on the week in politics, and a few tips for what to do this week.

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Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, RI’s new shoreline access law, and more

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Starting July 1, Rhode Island will allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license. We hear from Marcela Betancur of the Latino Policy Institute about the impact this will have, and how to get the process started. Also, Marine and coastal law expert Dennis Nixon takes us on a deeper dive into the Ocean State’s new shoreline access law – and we hear a few takes from our listeners, too. Looking at the arts, two photo exhibits in Providence explore the power of words and negative speech. Plus, the latest in politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.

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Opioid settlements, Matos’ support for a controversial hospital deal, actor Alan Cumming, and more

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This week, we reported that Lt. Gov. and CD1 candidate Sabina Matos supported a 2020 proposal that could have threatened the survival of two Rhode Island hospitals. We talk with Political Reporter Ian Donnis about that story, and other highlights from the week in politics. Also, millions of dollars are flowing into Rhode Island cities and towns from opioid settlements. But how are they spending it? Health reporter Lynn Arditi looks for answers. And we talk with Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming, who comes to New Bedford this weekend for an unlikely collaboration with NPR’s Ari Shapiro. Plus, our arts and culture picks for the week.

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