After more than five years under state control, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is asking state lawmakers to force the Department of Education to return the city’s schools to local control. Meanwhile, during the recent drop in temperatures, the Providence City Council opened its doors this week as an emergency warming center. We talk with the mayor about his plans for the city’s schools and the homelessness crisis. Plus, the Weird Island podcast delves into strange and little-known stories from Rhode Island history. We hear from the creator, Sara Corben. That and more on this week’s show.
Links:
- Providence legislative priorities to center around schools and housing
- Providence City Council opens makeshift warming center in council chambers
- TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Jan. 10, 2025
- ‘Weird Island’ podcast spotlights strange stories from the Ocean State
- “Arctic Voices” at the New Bedford Art Museum (through Feb. 23)
- “Parallel Threads — Entangled Ends” at the Bristol Art Museum (through Jan. 26)
- Vudu Sister at Myrtle (Jan. 12)
- Vudu Sister Brings ‘Songs to Sing in the Dark’ to Ocean State Sessions
Guests:
- Providence Mayor Brett Smiley
- Ian Donnis, The Public’s Radio political reporter
- Sara Corben, host of the Weird Island podcast
The Weekly Catch is a production of The Public’s Radio. Our host and producer this week is James Baumgartner. Our assistant producer is Joe Tasca. Our editor is Mareva Lindo. Thanks to Maddie Mott for our podcast artwork. Our Chief Content Officer is Sally Eisele, and our President and CEO is Pam Johnston.
Listen to The Weekly Catch every Friday at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. You can also find it in your podcast feed of choice on Friday afternoons. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or use this RSS feed for your podcatcher of choice.Got a question, comment, or suggestion? We’d love to hear from you. Email us: weeklycatch@thepublicsradio.org. Follow or reply to us at @thepublicsradio on Instagram, X (Twitter), or Facebook.
