The rising costs of food, gas and other basics is continuing to put financial strain on people across the country and here in Rhode Island. The pressure can be especially tough on households already facing challenges brought on by the pandemic. As part of our ongoing series on the impact of inflation, reporter Joe Tasca introduces us to a mother in Providence who’s balancing caring for a husband sickened long-term by COVID-19 and working to provide for their family.
Joe Tasca
The local voice on Weekend Edition for several years, Joe stepped into the role of morning producer in October 2023. Joe is also a reporter, covering stories in the field and conducting interviews with newsmakers.
From an early age, Joe was determined to become a broadcaster, and began his broadcast career as a high school student. His first job was working as a newscaster and engineer for WERI, a full-service radio station in his hometown of Westerly. Prior to coming to The Public's Radio in 2018, Joe spent 15 years as a news anchor and reporter for a cluster of six radio stations in eastern Connecticut.
He graduated from Westerly High and earned his bachelor's degree from Quinnipiac University. When he's not working, he enjoys reading, writing, hiking, playing golf, and traveling to Canada.
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As costs rise, Ashaway mother says her hope for financial stability is “being slowly taken away”
With rising costs hitting consumers everywhere from the gas pump to the grocery line, President Biden recently declared that fighting inflation is his top domestic priority. The impact of soaring expenses can be especially hard on people with tighter budgets and families to support. As part of a new series on inflation’s impact on Rhode Islanders, reporter Joe Tasca introduces us to a single mother from Ashaway who’s struggling to keep up with her bills and looking for a second job.
Posted inArticle, Business
Fidelity Investments expected to bring 1,000 new jobs to Rhode Island
Rhode Island is benefiting from a major hiring surge at Fidelity. The investment management firm says it plans to add nearly 1,000 jobs at its Smithfield campus this year.
Posted inArticle, Health
New panel seeks to combat rise in domestic violence in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has signed an executive order creating a Domestic Violence Working Group. The announcement was made last week following a roundtable discussion amongst stakeholders on how to combat the increasing prevalence of domestic violence in the state. Panel member Lucy Rios, who serves as interim executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, spoke with reporter Joe Tasca about the group’s purpose and the disturbing trends that prompted its creation.
Posted inArticle, Business
High gas prices not expected to impact summer travel in Rhode Island
Triple A Northeast says Rhode Islanders haven’t changed their driving habits significantly because of the recent surge in gas prices. If that continues, it could mean good news for the approaching summer tourism season.
Posted inArticle, Business
Rhode Island economy not expected to benefit from increase in defense spending
Military manufacturing experts say the war in Ukraine will not likely have a significant impact on defense production in Rhode Island.
Posted inArticle, Business
‘Let’s hope that we’re ready’: URI economist says Rhode Island should be able to withstand the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are being felt across the global economy, including right here in Rhode Island. URI economist and author of the Rhode Island current conditions index Len Lardaro says the impact has been especially hard on families, small businesses and the state’s manufacturing sector. But despite the challenges, Lardaro thinks the state’s $1.1 billion share of federal pandemic relief money will help stimulate overall growth in 2022. Reporter Joe Tasca spoke with Lardaro about Rhode Island’s economic outlook.
Posted inArticle, Politics
‘It’s soul-crushing’: Ukrainian pastor in Woonsocket says Russian invasion is another chapter in his country’s bloody history
Ukrainians in Rhode Island are watching as events unfold following Russia’s invasion of their native country. Father Borislav Kroner is the pastor at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Woonsocket. He spoke with reporter Joe Tasca about the implications of the Russian attack and his hopes for a speedy end to the conflict.
Posted inArticle, Business
Despite pandemic challenges, Rhode Island’s brewery industry continues to grow
Since 2014, the number of breweries in Rhode Island has nearly doubled. 11 of the state’s 38 breweries have opened in the past two years alone. Despite the economic challenges posed by COVID-19, none of them have been forced to close. “The fact that we haven’t lost any is kind of remarkable, but only because […]
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture
'It's not tenable what restaurants are doing right now': Food writer says Rhode Island restaurants have to raise prices to stay alive
If you ask 100 restaurant owners what business is like two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, you might get 100 different answers. That’s according to David Dadekian, a board member of the Rhode Island Small Business Coalition and owner of the food news and marketing website Eat Drink RI. Some restaurants have closed, some are still struggling, and some are just getting by. Reporter Joe Tasca met with Dadekian in his hometown of Coventry to discuss the current state of the restaurant industry.