Jack Reed’s first term in the U.S. Senate coincided with the so-called “vacation from history.” That was the period between the end of the Cold War and 9/11, a time marked by a lack of conflict on the world stage. Now, things are very different. The state of war between Hamas and Israel raises concerns […]
Episode
Posted inArtscape, Episode
The gospel roots behind Jontavious Willis’ Georgia blues
Before Jontavious Willis became a Grammy-nominated blues artist, taken under the wing of elder bluesmen like Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’, he grew up in rural Georgia singing gospel in church. This week on Artscape, in a conversation with producer James Baumgartner, Willis said it was the connection to gospel that first sparked his interest in the blues.
Posted inEpisode, On Sports
It’s time for Belichick and his hoodie to retire
Plus: Remembering Tim Wakefield, Dick Butkus, Brooks Robinson, and Russ Francis
Posted inEpisode, Possibly Podcast
What does a Public Utilities Commission have to do with climate change?
If we want to avoid the worst of climate change, it’s pretty clear that we need to start getting our energy from sources that don’t create greenhouse gasses, like solar and wind power. But how do we get there? One powerful partner is a state agency you’ve probably never heard of.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Fall River police abuse allegations, building a Latino community at RIC, and more
A new investigation into a former Fall River police officer reveals flaws within the department’s internal affairs process. We talk with South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke about some key takeaways from his report. And when José Gonzalez came to Rhode Island College in the 1970s, he felt like an outsider – we hear how that experience led him to create the Latin American Student Organization. Also, we give our review of the latest show at Trinity Rep: A dark comedy about a modern-day descendent of a woman executed during the Salem Witch Trials. Plus, the latest in politics, and a few things to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ roundup on Rhode Island politics for Oct. 6, 2023
Summer’s last gasp in autumn may well be Rhode Island’s best season. Thanks for stopping by. You can follow me through the week on what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here *** STORY OF THE WEEK: […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Rep. David Morales on fighting for the working class, being pragmatic and what to do about income inequality
David Morales was 22 years old when he was elected as the state representative for Providence’s Mount Pleasant, Valley and Elmhurst sections. Morales was raised by a single mother in a rural town in California and in 2019, at age 19, he became the youngest person to ever graduate from Brown University’s master’s program in public affairs.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Plays from Trinity and Wilbury reexamine the past and imagine the future
This week on Artscape, two plays: a conversation with the playwright of “2216: The Remix of a Global Experiment,” making its worldwide debut at the Wilbury Theatre, and a review of “Becky Nurse of Salem,” a dark comedy now playing at Trinity Rep.
Posted inEpisode, Possibly Podcast
After the wildfires, what has life been like on Maui?
Lahaina, Maui has experienced the deadliest wildfire the country has seen in the last century. Reporter Emily Tom spoke with a survivor about the challenges ahead — and hopes for the future.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Behind efforts to save Morley Field in Pawtucket, redlining in Rhode Island, and more
A group of Pawtucket residents, elected officials and activists have been campaigning to save the city’s Morley Field. Now they say the city may have been violating land-use laws for years. And many people think of redlining as a thing of the past, but the justice Department this week found evidence of discriminatory lending in a number of American cities – including in Rhode Island. Also, we share the first in a series of stories from Latinos in Rhode Island, a new collaboration with a local oral history project. Plus, a conversation with a Sephardic musician who sings songs in Ladino set to original music.
