Rhode Island Report

You’ve heard about how federal cuts to research funding are affecting elite institutions like Harvard and Brown, but what about our state universities? University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange says these reductions are just as harmful for colleges like his that educate the working class and create innovation in the local economy. He talks to host Edward Fitzpatrick about the impacts. Tips and ideas? Email us at&n...

The General Assembly wrapped up the 2025 legislative session Friday, June 20, at 1 in the morning. So, what happened? Host Edward Fitzpatrick talks with Globe Rhode Island's Steph Machado and Jim Hummel, the host of “A Lively Experiment” on Rhode Island PBS, to break down the final decisions. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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The runner-up in the latest season of Survivor lives right here in Rhode Island. Eva Erickson is a Brown University Ph.D. candidate and the first openly autistic person to compete on the show. She joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about Survivor, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and her work studying seal whiskers. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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Colleges and universities across the country are under intense pressure from the federal government, both financially and politically, and Rhode Island’s institutions of higher learning are no exception.

For the latest episode of Rhode Island PBS Weekly, Globe Rhode Island’s Steph Machado sat down with Dan Eagan, the president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, which represents all eight of Rhode I...

Last week, Globe RI’s Dan McGowan and Alexa Gagosz moderated a discussion on Rhode Island’s health care crisis with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, Brown Health President and CEO John Fernandez, and Maura Iversen, the dean of the College of Health & Wellness at Johnson & Wales University.

A handful of protesters were at the event and outside, as a contract dispute between the health care system and nurs...

Today, we’re getting out of the studio and onto the field with the Providence Hurling Club. That’s hurling with an H- it’s one of the most popular sports in Ireland, but it’s also gaining steam in the United States. Here in Providence, the team has been around for 10 years. And they're pretty good- they've already won two regional championships.

Host Edward Fitzpatrick visited one of their practices to learn more. Tips and ...

There’s a new team leading the Rhode Island Senate. Senator Frank Ciccone became the Democratic majority leader late last month, succeeding Senator Valarie Lawson, who is now Senate president. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about a proposed ban on assault weapons, smoking in casinos, taxing the rich, and other hot topics. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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Scientific researchers in Rhode Island are reeling from canceled grants and other potential cuts to federal funding for their work. Globe Rhode Island's Steph Machado just finished a story for Rhode Island PBS Weekly about the effects of these cuts. She joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to talk about what she learned. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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Last week, President Trump proposed cutting more than 150 billion dollars in federal spending for next fiscal year. The cuts would axe a range of programs related to climate, education, health, and housing.

US Representative Seth Magaziner joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about that proposal, potential cuts to Medicaid, and his efforts to support a local nonprofit that feeds starving children. Tips and ideas? Email us ...

US Senator Jack Reed and US Representative Gabe Amo joined hosts Edward Fitzpatrick and Jim Hummel live at RI PBS studios this week to address questions about the impact that decisions in Washington are having here in the Ocean State.The event marks the 200th episode of the Rhode Island Report podcast, and celebrates the ongoing partnership between Globe Rhode Island and Rhode Island PBS. Tips and ideas? Email us...

Local harpist Emma Newton, who performs under the name Space Cowboy Newt, has an opportunity for other Rhode Island musicians: If you have a protest song, they’ll help you record it for free. Newton, a music producer and audio engineer as well as a musician, talks about the project with guest host Christopher Gavin, and performs some of their own music. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com. 

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A Rhode Island company that provides life-saving nutrition to children around the world is getting caught up in the Trump administration’s dismantling of the US Agency for International Development.

Edesia Nutrition has been on a roller coaster of canceled contracts and late payments. Founder and CEO Navyn Salem says every hour the plant is closed means 415 children aren’t getting the food they need. "We must be the problem...

A Tufts University PhD candidate was arrested by six immigration officers near her apartment. A Columbia University student is facing deportation for his role in pro-Palestinian campus protests. And a Brown Medicine kidney doctor was deported to Lebanon. Is this legal? And what kind of rights do green card and visa holders have here in the United States?

Deborah Gonzalez, Director of the Immigration Clinic at Roger William...

We’ve got a special bonus episode for you today. Earlier this month, in front of a live audience, Globe columnist Dan McGowan interviewed House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. From the Washington Bridge funding to an assault weapons ban, education to the governor's race, Shekarchi had a lot to say. This is a lightly edited recording of their conversation. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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Attorney General Peter Neronha railed at Governor McKee at a House Finance hearing last week for not funding new positions for his office as it battles President Trump’s agenda. Neronha says if “you are not standing with us, then you are standing with Trump.” The attorney general joins host Ed Fitzpatrick to explain what he means. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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It's been nearly 18 years since security officers discovered a one-room apartment within the walls of the Providence Place Mall. It was built by a group of local artists, led by Michael Townsend and Adriana Valdez Young. Now there's a full-length documentary about their "Secret Mall Apartment." Its first theatrical screening is March 21, at - where else - the Providence Place Mall. Michael and Adriana join host Ed Fitzpatr...

Dorcas International, which serves thousands of refugees and immigrants annually, is facing funding cuts and layoffs amid changing policies in Washington. For the latest episode of Rhode Island PBS Weekly, guest host Steph Machado sat down with Kathy Cloutier, the executive director of Dorcas International, to learn more about what’s happening on the ground under the Trump administration. This podcast is an ...

As the Trump administration threatens to remove federal funding for a range of initiatives, from scientific research to health insurance, local lawmakers are pushing back. Providence Democrats Senator Tiara Mack and Representative David Morales are the co-chairs of the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian- American, and Pacific Islander Caucus – or RIBLIA. They say the group’s legislative priorities aim to give Rh...