Posted inLocal, Politics

What you need to know to vote in the Massachusetts presidential primary

On March 5, Super Tuesday, voters in Massachusetts and 14 other states will decide on the presidential candidates for the November general election, as well as a handful of other offices that will appear on the ballot. Here’s what you need to know to vote in the Massachusetts presidential primary election.  Important dates: How do […]

Posted inArts And Culture, Housing, The Weekly Catch

Renters at risk of lead poisoning, links between housing and public health, and more

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.

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 inArts And Culture, Artscape, Local

Hunky Dory closes after more than 2 years of serving Southern-inspired food – and cultivating a folk music community

Less than three years after opening, and just months after being featured in The New York Times, Hunky Dory in Warren has closed. The restaurant was known for its unique approach to local, seasonal, Southern-inspired food – but it was also home to a community of folk musicians. Every month on the first and third Wednesdays, […]

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 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 inArts And Culture, Artscape, Local

NEH grants $444K to Tomaquag Museum for new home on URI campus in Kingston

The Tomaquag Museum is Rhode Island’s only museum that’s totally devoted to telling the story of Indigenous peoples from a first-person perspective. Thanks to a substantial grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, it’ll soon have a new home at the University of Rhode Island campus in Kingston. In a conversation with Morning Edition […]

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.

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