The U.S. General Services Administration now says the deal to transfer the lighthouse to the Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association won’t be finalized until Westerly investigates concerns about public access to the land.
Alex Nunes
Alex oversees the three local bureaus at The Public’s Radio, and staffs the desk for our South County Bureau. Alex was previously the co-host and co executive producer of The Public's Radio podcast, Mosaic. The show explored the history of immigration in Southern New England through the stories of individual immigrants and their descendants and received an Edward R. Murrow Award for best podcast in the New England region. Alex previously worked as an editor at The Westerly Sun and The New London Day.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Local reaction to Israel-Hamas war, reflections from R.I.’s first Latina mayor, blues player Jontavious Willis, and more
We talk with leaders from New England’s Jewish and Palestinian communities to hear about how they’re getting through these difficult times. Also, in the final part of our collaboration with oral history project Nuestras Raíces, we hear from Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera about how she overcame a fear of public speaking to become the first Latina mayor in Rhode Island. And the URI Guitar Festival is right around the corner. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talks with blues performer Jontavious Willis. Plus, Ian Donnis discusses possible names for the next Majority Whip in the Rhode Island legislature.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
‘Nothing will stick in the end’: Attorney General Peter Neronha ready to fight challenges to RI’s shoreline access law
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha will take the lead on defending the state’s new shoreline access law in the months, and possibly years, to come. Neronha has taken an interest in the broader shoreline access issue and is now involved in two other closely-watched beach access cases in Westerly.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Why journalism matters: A discussion with journalists Walter Robinson and Pamela Constable
Listen below to a discussion on the importance of newspapers and local journalism between veteran reporters Walter Robinson of The Boston Globe and Pamela Constable of The Washington Post. The event was hosted Sept. 14, 2023, by Literacy Volunteers of Washington County and recorded live in front of an audience at The United theater in […]
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Rhode Island’s new beach access law
The law passed earlier this year was challenged by a national law firm on behalf of a group of coastal property owners who say it violates the U.S. Constitution.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Westerly harbor commission members to resign in protest over unaddressed concerns with town solicitor
The move to effectively dissolve a key commission that makes recommendations on coastal policy comes as shoreline access advocates say they’ve lost faith in Westerly’s legal counsel to represent the town in matters related to rights-of-way to the shore.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Judge denies Weekapaug Fire District motion against town of Westerly
The decision comes amid multiple shoreline access cases involving the coastal town and a fire district that owns considerable beachfront property but doesn’t fight fires.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Harborside Inn fire, CD1 forum takeaways, and more
Ten Democratic candidates took to the stage on Tuesday in a special CD1 forum co-hosted by The Public’s Radio. But did any of them distinguish themselves enough to pull ahead? We break it down and give you the highlights from the night. Also, folks on Block Island are still in shock about the fire that destroyed the 144-year-old Harborside Inn. We hear how the town acted quickly to house hotel guests and contain the fire. Plus, a collection of memories about the late Ira Cohen, a bookseller and art model who was the subject of the final art show at UMass-Dartmouth’s downtown New Bedford campus.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Watch Hill group says it ‘cannot legally’ guarantee public shoreline access under lighthouse property transfer
The disclosure contradicts characterizations of an agreement made public in July by Rhode Island U.S. Senator Jack Reed.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Sen. Reed wants stakeholders to ‘work it out’ to settle uncertain future of Watch Hill Lighthouse property
Shoreline access advocates are calling for the property to be transferred to the town of Westerly to preserve open access instead of handing the land over to the Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association.