For most rental housing, Rhode Island law requires landlords to regularly inspect units and obtain “lead certificates” showing they’re safe from immediate lead hazards like peeling or pulverized paint. But this week, an investigation by The Public’s Radio revealed that landlords rarely face consequences for failing to obtain the certificates. We talk with the reporter behind the investigation, Nina Sparling. And Providence has a new Office of Housing and Human Services. We talk with director Emily Freedman about how the office will guide the city’s strategy around affordable housing and public health. Plus: Political Reporter Ian Donnis on the week in politics; Ukrainian pastor Boris Kroner reflects on the war in Ukraine, two years in; T.F. Green features local artists; and a few tips on what to do this week.
James Baumgartner
James produces and engineers Political Roundtable, The Weekly Catch and other special programming on The Public’s Radio. He also produces Artscape, the weekly arts & culture segment heard every Thursday. His favorite part of the job is talking with artists, musicians and other creators about their process and what inspires them.
James learned the basics of audio editing while studying music at Missouri State University. He went on to get a Master of Fine Arts in Electronic Art at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he created electronic music, video art and internet-based media art. While at RPI, James went on the air for the first time, hosting an electronic music show on Rensselaer's station, WRPI, but his love of radio came from staying up late so he could hear punk rock on KKFI, the community radio station in Kansas City, Missouri.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
Art gallery at T.F. Green gives visitors a first impression of the local culture
When you think about seeing great art, you probably think about a visit to a museum or gallery – someplace like the RISD Museum or the Waterfire Arts Center. But some really good art can be found at airports, including T.F. Green International. Plus, we’ll have a preview of the Providence Children’s Film Festival that opens this weekend.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Latest on Brown students’ hunger strike, search for new RI health director, and more
Students at Brown University are a week into a hunger strike. They’re trying to pressure the school’s board to divest from companies they say profit from human rights abuses in Palestine. And Rhode Island has been without a permanent health director for more than two years. The interim director is retiring next month. We’ll find out why it’s so hard to find a new one. Also, Rhode Island’s housing crisis is even worse in rural communities, but one town seems to have found a way forward. Plus, a restaurant in Warren closes its doors. Known for its unique take on Southern-inspired food, it was also home to a community of folk musicians. That and more on this episode of The Weekly Catch.
Posted inStories, The Weekly Catch
Police misconduct in Fall River, a plan for coastal resiliency in Rhode Island, and more
A Fall River police officer was found guilty this week of covering up a beating at the police station. It’s the second time in less than a year that a city police officer was found guilty of covering up excessive force with false reports. Also, Providence Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez is optimistic about the future of the district, despite lagging test scores and high absenteeism. And Rhode Islanders living near the water are increasingly vulnerable to flooding. A group of lawmakers say we need a statewide plan for coastal resiliency. Plus, our review of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” at The Gamm Theatre. And a look back on the week in Rhode Island politics.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ at the Gamm is a thrilling experience
The Gamm’s latest production is Edward Albee’s iconic play: a tragic story of a middle-aged couple, George and Martha, in a marriage that is held up by emotional torture and humiliation. The show opened on Broadway in 1962, won the Tony for best play in 1963, and became a film in 1966 starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. The play opened last week at the Gamm Theatre. Morning Host Luis Hernandez and Artscape Producer James Baumgartner have a review of the production.
Posted inStories, The Weekly Catch
Abuse and neglect allegations at St. Mary’s, repatriating Indigenous human remains, and more
St. Mary’s Home, a place for children seeking drug rehabilitation and psychiatric help in Rhode Island, is under tough scrutiny. A recent report from the Rhode Island Office of the Child Advocate showed that the home was understaffed, and abuse was running rampant. Can the long-time facility be saved? And Brown University’s Haffenreffer Museum plans […]
Posted inStories, The Weekly Catch
McKee’s ‘return to reality’ budget, preventing bridge suicides in Rhode Island, and more
After years of advocacy, two state lawmakers are hopeful that 2024 will be the year we see funding for suicide barriers along some Rhode Island bridges – a strategy that’s been effective elsewhere in the U.S. And school shooter drills have become a regular part of life for Rhode Island students. But how are they […]
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
Behind the maternal health crisis, the debate over institutional neutrality, and more
Universities and their leaders are facing increased pressure to take a stand on political and social issues – most recently, the war in Gaza. When is it time for educational institutions to be silent, and when do they have a responsibility to weigh in? We’ll dig into the topic. Also, pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are soaring compared to many of our peers. What’s behind it? Rhode Island PBS is launching a new documentary series that looks into the issue here in the Ocean State. And we speak with the director of a new production at Trinity Rep inspired by the real-life stories of Latinos in Rhode Island. Plus, a look back on the week in politics. That and more coming up on The Weekly Catch.
Posted inStories
Behind the Watch Hill lighthouse transfer, regulating short-term rentals, and more
Despite months of pushback from local fishermen and shoreline access advocates, the Watch Hill Lighthouse in Westerly is now in the hands of a private nonprofit, with no guarantee of public access. And Rhode Island is home to a lot of short-term rentals, via sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. Opponents say they can be disruptive, and contribute to the long-term housing shortage. We hear from the chair of a new State House commission that’s looking at the impact of short-term rentals on local communities. Plus, a look ahead to the year in politics, starting with the latest from Rhode Island’s General Assembly. That and more coming up on The Weekly Catch.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
Best of 2023: Underage and Unprotected, Nuestras Raíces, and ‘the Unmaking of America’
For our last episode of the year, a look back at a few of our top stories from 2023. We start by revisiting our multi-part series, Underage and Unprotected, with the story of a migrant teenager in New Bedford who spent his days juggling a full high school schedule with a full-time job at a seafood processing plant. Also, from our collaboration with Latino oral history project Nuestras Raíces, we hear how Maria Rivera overcame her fear of public speaking to become the first Latina mayor of Central Falls. And finally, we listen to an extended version of our conversation with Abraham Josephine Riesman, author of “Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America.”