U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner has been taking to the House floor to protest President Trump’s cuts to funding for life-saving food for malnourished children. We talk with him about that, and some of the ways Rhode Island has been impacted by the president’s first few months in office. Also, State Senator Tiara Mack is against Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s efforts to raise property taxes. She says there are better ways to raise the much-needed revenue for the city. And we talk about a painting at the Statehouse of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the Revolutionary War, a rare military group composed almost entirely of Black soldiers. That and more on this week’s episode.
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 inThe Weekly Catch
Remembering Dominick Ruggerio, the pope’s legacy in Rhode Island, and more
Dominic Ruggerio was a force in Rhode Island politics. His death this week leaves a power vacuum in the senate. Ian Donnis tells us when a new Senate president could be picked. This weekend many will celebrate Arbor Day. The annual celebration of trees takes on new meaning as climate change continues to put pressure on our forests. Also we hear from local Catholic church leadership on the passing of Pope Francis and their hopes for the Vatican’s next leader. And on Artscape, we have a profile of artist Ian Cozzens. All this and more on this week’s episode.
Posted inArts And Culture, Health, The Weekly Catch
Medicaid work rules could cut benefits for thousands, DOGE slashes RI Humanities funding, and more
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.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
R.I. feels impact of Trump tariffs, the battle for South County Hospital, and more
President Trump has upended global markets with a series of executive actions on import tariffs. We talk with a URI economist about the potential impact here in Rhode Island and some ways the state’s economy has already been affected. Also: the battle over the future of South County Hospital continues. Reporter Lynn Arditi tells us what’s driving the dispute and what’s at stake. And: Can you name five women artists? In this week’s Artscape, we talk with a local art history professor who says most people can’t – and she’s on a mission to change that. All that and more on this episode of The Weekly Catch.
Posted inEconomy, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Federal food aid cuts hit RI, economic impacts of Washington Bridge issues, and more
More than 80,000 Rhode Islanders depend on food from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its network of food pantries. But the Trump administration’s recent cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture put that food aid at risk. Also: Rhode Island PBS Weekly co-host and correspondent Pamela Watts tells us about the very different ways the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge has impacted the economy in Providence and Bristol County. Plus: we talk with the directors of “La Tempestad” at Trinity Rep and “Fat Ham” at the Wilbury Theatre Group – two fresh takes on Shakespearean classics. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
R.I. Southeast Asians facing deportation, McCoy Stadium demolition, and more
ICE agents are continuing efforts to detain people in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We’ll hear from members of the Southeast Asian community who say that, while the Trump administration is employing new tactics, many Southeast Asians in Rhode Island have been living under the threat of detention and deportation for over 20 years. Also, with the wrecking ball coming for Pawtucket’s McCoy Stadium, some PawSox fans tell us how they’re feeling, and share a few favorite memories. And a new documentary, “Westerly’s Gold: Sweet, Spicy, and Full of Tradition,” tells the story of the local delicacy, soupy sausage, and the families who have been making it for decades.
Posted inArts And Culture, The Weekly Catch, Transportation
Washington Bridge accountability, federal workers’ uncertain future, and more
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to hire back fired government workers. They’re getting paid, but they’re not doing any work for now. Our South Coast Bureau reporter Ben Berke tells us how federal employees are reacting. Also, is enough being done to hold government officials accountable for the Washington Bridge debacle? We dive deeper into that question with Michelle San Miguel from Rhode Island PBS Weekly. And in this week’s Artscape: we meet North Providence knifemaker, artist and fishmonger Joyce Kutty. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inEnvironment, Politics, The Weekly Catch
How NOAA cuts may harm local fishermen, protecting the ‘Freedom to Read,’ and more
Recent job cuts by the Trump Administration could have a negative impact on New Bedford’s huge fishing industry. Our South Coast Bureau reporter Ben Berke tells us how. Also, Rhode Island has spent millions battling lawsuits from people challenging books. Since 2021 there have been more than 30 such challenges. We’ll learn about a bill before the General Assembly that would protect schools and libraries from litigation and censorship. And in the midst of a trade war between the U.S. and Canada sparked by the Trump administration, a local museum is celebrating ties between the Ocean State and French Canadian culture. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArts And Culture, Immigration, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Trump’s science cuts, fear of ICE raids in Central Falls hurts businesses, and more
The Trump administration’s cuts in science research have led to lost jobs and stalled research in the Ocean State. Protesters showed up to the State House on Friday as part of a national movement called Stand Up For Science. We hear from one of the protest’s organizers. Also, there is a lot of fear and anxiety in the majority-Latino city of Central Falls. Business owners say they’re already feeling the impact because people without legal status are avoiding public places. Plus, the campus of UMass Dartmouth is built in the architectural style of Brutalism. We’ll take a look at why that style was used and why it’s gonna cost the school hundreds of millions to fix up its campus. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArts And Culture, Business, Politics, The Weekly Catch
How climate change affects home insurance, our Washington Bridge project, and more
The issues with the Washington Bridge have affected all of us, and will for years to come. This week we launched Breaking Point: The Washington Bridge, a new, community-centered project exploring how we got here, the impact of the bridge on our lives, and what the future holds. And we want to hear from you. Also, the threat of climate change is making it harder and more expensive for Rhode Islanders to insure their homes. How can the state and homeowners prepare? Plus: We hear about Track 15, a food hall opening in March that will transform Providence’s historic Union Station, featuring seven restaurants from local chefs. That and more on this week’s show.
