Thousands of Rhode Islanders could lose Medicaid benefits if congress passes new work requirements. We hear about who would feel the greatest impact of such changes, including many people who already work full-time jobs. Also, DOGE has cut more than half a million dollars that was to go to Rhode Island Humanities, money that was appropriated for the nonprofit’s operating funds as well as grants for cultural programming. The group’s executive director shares what the loss will mean for the local economy and culture, and how the organization plans to fight the cuts. Plus, we talk with poet, actor and musician Kwame Dawes, a Brown University professor and the new poet laureate of Jamaica. That and more on this week’s show.
Links:
- How Work Requirements Would Affect Medicaid Coverage in Each Expansion State (analysis)
- TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 18, 2025
- NEH Funding of Rhode Island Humanities Is Cut (RI Humanities)
- Artscape: Meet Kwame Dawes, Brown University professor and new poet laureate of Jamaica
- Noah Campbell: Jazz at RISD Fleet Library (April 18)
- Rhode Island Report, Live: Washington decisions, Ocean State impact (April 22)
- Blackstone River Bikeway
Guests:
- Katherine Hempstead, Senior Policy Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Ian Donnis, The Public’s Radio political reporter
- Elizabeth Francis, Executive Director, Rhode Island Humanities
- Kwame Dawes, Brown University professor of literary arts, and poet laureate of Jamaica
The Weekly Catch is a production of The Public’s Radio. Our host is Luis Hernandez. Our assistant producer is Joe Tasca. Our producer is James Baumgartner. 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.
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