The abrupt closure of the Washington Bridge on Monday affected thousands of drivers, in some cases adding hours to their commutes. We hear from two engineers about the state’s large number of aging bridges, and how to address the issue. And U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) just got back from COP28, the UN climate summit in Dubai. He talks about key takeaways and what he’d like to see happen next. Also, a new report connects the dots between fossil fuel interests, climate denial think tanks, and local groups collaborating to oppose offshore wind farms in the northeast. Plus, we look at a few holiday theater productions, and talk about what’s to come in Rhode Island politics in 2024. That and more on this episode of The Weekly Catch.
Local
Posted inEpisode, Local, Political Roundtable, Politics
Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore on voting, state archives, and the traffic this week in East Providence
Rhode Island’s top official with responsibility for voting-related issues is Secretary of State Gregg Amore. So how does he feel about the outlook for small-d democracy as America hurtles toward 2024? What can be done to boost confidence in elections and dispel misinformation? And how did Amore, an East Providence resident, fare amid the traffic nightmare caused this week by the closing of the westbound part of the George Washington Bridge?
Posted inLocal, Politics, South Coast Bureau, Stories
Fairhaven’s first Black selectman will not seek re-election, citing racial discrimination
“The time has come for me to stop taking time away from my family to serve people who either don’t want me here or aren’t willing to stand up to their friends and call out the racist acts that are happening in front of their face,” Correy said.
Posted inLocal, On Sports
Mount Saint Charles leaving Interscholastic League for prep ranks
A century of making high-school sports history in Rhode Island will end next spring for Mount Saint Charles Academy. More than 100 championship plaques mounted on a hallway wall — and glass trophy cases filled with hardware — will remind future Mount Saint Charles students of the glory their predecessors earned while competing in the […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape, Local
Holiday favorites with a few twists from local theaters
For Artscape this week, we have a wrap up of a few of the holiday season favorites from three local theater companies and one ballet, each offering a fresh take on a familiar holiday classic.
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Stories
RIDOT closing I-195 West on the Washington Bridge
The westbound side of the Washington Bridge carrying I-195 between East Providence and Providence is closed, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) said in an “emergency announcement” Monday afternoon. The closure is due to “a critical failure of some bridge components,” the agency said. The components were part of the original Washington Bridge, built […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape, Local
Jewish youth reckon with differing narratives about Israel in new documentary ‘Israelism’
When it comes to support for Israel, there is a growing difference between young Jews and the older generations. And that difference is apparent in the new documentary, “Israelism.” The film follows two young people, Simone Zimmerman and Eitan, who doesn’t share his last name. In it, we see how they grew up with a view of Israel that doesn’t fit what they experience when they go there. For this week’s Artscape, Morning Edition host Luis Hernandez spoke with Rhode Island-based filmmaker Sam Eilertsen, who makes his directorial debut with this film.
Posted inArticle, Local
US expels an ex-Chilean army officer accused of a folk singer’s torture and murder
The U.S. has expelled a former Chilean Army officer accused of torturing and killing folk singer Victor Jara during the country’s bloody 1973 coup. Pedro Barrientos had emigrated to Florida in 1990, the same year the bloody dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet came to an end. In 2016, Earlier this year he was stripped of his U.S. citizenship after it was found he concealed information about his Chilean military service during his immigration proceedings. Homeland Security Investigations said that Barrientos was removed Thursday on a flight from Miami and taken into custody by Chilean law enforcement officials upon his arrival in the South American country.
Posted inArticle, Local, Politics
Attorney General Neronha files motion to quash meeting with Judge Procaccini over tweet
The judge ordered Neronha earlier this month to appear in his court, seemingly regarding a comment he made on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Posted inArticle, Local, South County Bureau
Dark sky fans worry push for more lights in Ninigret Park could hurt popular Frosty Drew Observatory
Some residents say adding lights for youth sports at Ninigret Park would benefit teams that need a place to practice when it gets dark early. But the idea is getting fierce pushback from opponents who say it would alter the dark night skies necessary for stargazing and planetary viewing.