How safe are our beaches? According to a new report from Environment America, about half the beaches in the country were potentially unsafe for swimming in 2022. We talk with John Rumpler, a co-author of the report. And after a week of heavy rain and flooding, we hear from our Metro Reporter Olivia Ebertz about Providence’s new plan to upgrade the city’s hurricane barrier. Also, Patrick Anderson of The Providence Journal gives us some highlights from the week in Rhode Island politics and more. Plus, a few tips on what to do this week, and a conversation with some of the artists and curators of the Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art.
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.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
College diversity in post-affirmative action world, a fight over housing affordability in Charlestown, and more
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.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, RI’s new shoreline access law, and more
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.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Opioid settlements, Matos’ support for a controversial hospital deal, actor Alan Cumming, and more
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.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Documenting the pandemic, Middletown’s affordable housing problem, and more
An exhibit at the Providence Public Library shares images from a COVID-19 archive; a URI grad is priced out of his hometown; local musician Asher White plays a song from their latest album; the week in politics; and what to do this weekend.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
The latest in the fight for shoreline access, a panel on peace and nuclear abolition, and more
The fight over shoreline access took a big step this week. Also, The Golden Rule peace boat comes to Rhode Island. Plus: the week in Rhode Island politics, and the latest in arts and culture.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
June 2, 2023: Housing vouchers, local longshoremen’s protest, and ‘Sweeney Todd’ at Trinity
Housing and homelessness has become a political tennis ball in the capital. But local nonprofit Amos House isn’t waiting for lawmakers to find a solution. Also: work on the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm will resume after coming to an agreement with the New Bedford longshoremen’s union that protested the project for six days. And: “Sweeney Todd” is the latest production at Trinity Rep. We go in depth on these stories and more in this edition of The Weekly Catch.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
The Weekly Catch: Politics, poetry, and the uphill battle to tackle the housing crisis in RI
House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on the housing crisis in Rhode Island: “I recognized from the very beginning it would be a multi-year effort.”
Posted inArts And Culture, Episode, Health, Politics, The Weekly Catch
The Weekly Catch: May 19, 2023
We go in-depth on some of the top local stories from the past week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
The Weekly Catch: May 12, 2023
We go in-depth on some of the top local stories from the past week.
