Buried deep in residential property records across Rhode Island lies an ugly truth: old restrictions in deeds that prohibited people of color from buying a given home. We hear from our own Nina Sparling about how racist restrictions in housing deeds helped shape where Rhode Islanders live today. Also, Providence public schools will remain under state control for another three years. Political reporter Ian Donnis gives us his take on the news, and a few highlights from the week in Rhode Island politics. And we have a studio session from The Whelks, an acoustic trio defined by their three-part harmonies, and a shared love of early country, swing, and Rhode Island. Plus: Our picks for what to do this week.
Links:
- State to keep control of Providence schools for up to three more years
- How racist restrictions in housing deeds helped shape where Rhode Islanders live today
- Zoned Out: How local zoning hurts efforts to solve Rhode Island’s decades-long housing shortage
- Studio Session: The whimsical three-part harmonies of The Whelks’ ‘Reverse Mermaid’
- TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Aug. 30, 2024
- Community Listening Sessions: What do you love about your community — and what could be better?
- Rhythm & Roots festival (Aug. 30-Sept. 1)
- WaterFire Providence full lighting (Aug. 31)
- “The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots” book reading at RiffRaff (Sept 5)
Guests:
- Ian Donnis, The Public’s Radio political reporter
- Nina Sparling, The Public’s Radio reporter
- Musicians Erin Lobb Mason and Mark Dobbyn of The Whelks
The Weekly Catch is a production of The Public’s Radio. Our host is Luis Hernandez. Our producer this week 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.
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