This week on A Lively Experiment: what a second Trump Administration looks like; Rhode Island's Senate leader keeps his seat; and a lead attorney quits the Washington Bridge case. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by attorney and former Chief of Staff to Governor Almond, Joe Larisa; Brown University Political Science Professor, Wendy Schiller; and Bill Bartholomew of The Bartholomewtown Podcast.
Nov 09, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3720
This week on a Lively Experiment: no fire but plenty of smoke even after Governor McKee is cleared of charges in the ILO investigation. The controversy continues in a war of words. Plus, an even longer timeline for the Washington Bridge? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet, Ken Block of Watchdog Rhode Island, and Boston Globe Columnist Dan McGowan.
Nov 01, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3719
This week on a Lively Experiment, a change order more than doubles the cost of the Washington Bridge replacement. Plus, a look at local political races. And is using AI in school cheating? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi, Providence Journal State House reporter Patrick Anderson, and Boston Glober Reporter and Rhode Island Weekly contributor Steph Machado.
Oct 25, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3718
his week on a Lively Experiment, state officials answer the public's questions about the Washington Bridge and outline a pushed-back timetable. Plus, rising friction between Providence and the state over school funding. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former Cranston mayor Allan Fung, Rhode Island Current reporter Nancy Lavin and former chair of the Rhode Island Democratic Party Bill Lynch.
Oct 18, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3716
This week on A Lively Experiment, a new poll reveals where local election officials stand with Rhode Islanders. Plus, the state Board of Election responds to election process concerns. We'll also hear the local take on the Vice-Presidential debate. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Political Contributor Scott MacKay, URI Political Science Professor Emily Lynch, and GOP Strategist Jesus Solorio.
Oct 04, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3715
This week on A Lively Experiment, the response to a computer hack in the Providence School system. Plus, when can we really expect the Washington Bridge to be fixed? And in North Kingstown, the fight to retain a controversial seawall. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Providence Journal reporter Antonia Noori Farzan, Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers, and political contributor Pablo Rodriguez.
Sep 27, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3714
This week on A Lively Experiment, the Washington Bridge saga takes a turn when crews are told to stop working to preserve evidence. What does that mean for commuters? Plus, local analysis of the presidential race. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Boston Globe reporter Steph Machado, Democratic Strategist Rob Horowitz, and attorney and former Governor Almond's Chief of Staff, Rob Horowitz.
Sep 20, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3713
This week on A Lively Experiment, the local take on the Presidential Debate, low voter turnout in Rhode Island's primary races, and news on a few fronts about the troubled Washington Bridge. Joining moderator Jim Hummel for Outrages and Kudos are political contributor Don Roach, Rhode Island GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki, and Political Contributor Bob Walsh.
Sep 13, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3712
This week on A Lively Experiment, the state extends its takeover of Providence schools by 3 years. Plus, the local take on Kamala Harris' first extended interview since becoming the presidential nominee. Joining Moderator Jim Hummel are Brown University Political Science Professor Wendy Schiller, Former State Representative Nick Gorham, and Paige Clausius-Parks of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT.
Aug 30, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3710
This week on A Lively Experiment, the state sues firms that worked on the Washington Bridge and what this might mean for Governor McKee. Plus, can Kamala Harris keep up the momentum after the convention? Joining Jim Hummel are Bill Bartholomew of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Providence College Political Science Professor Adam Myers, and Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies of The Economic Progress Institute.
Aug 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3709
This week on A Lively Experiment, why the AG says the Washington Bridge lawsuit needs his approval, plus the timeline for replacement. Also, is shoreline access about to change for Rhode Island beachgoers? Joining Moderator Jim Hummel are Former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet, Harrison Tuttle of Black Lives Matter RI PAC, and Former National Committeeman of the RI GOP, Steve Frias.
Aug 16, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3708
This week on A Lively Experiment, what's new with the Washington Bridge? Plus, Dominick Ruggierio answers his challenger's call to follow Biden's lead and drop out of the state Senate race, and we'll get the local take on Harris' VP pick. Joining Moderator Jim Hummel are WPRI Investigative Reporter Ted Nesi, Retired URI Political Professor, Maureen Moakly, and Founder of Watchdog RI, Ken Block.
Aug 09, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3707
This week on A Lively Experiment, proponents of Con Con get their turn to testify. Plus, examining the consequences of a sharp rise in uncontested General Assembly seats. And the AG puts agencies withholding public records on notice. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by political contributor Ray Rickman, Republican strategist Lisa Pelosi, and Billy Hunt of the Libertarian Party of Rhode Island.
Aug 02, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3706
This week on a Lively Experiment, rising opposition to a constitutional convention. Plus, the General Assembly pushes the governor's proposed budget to $14 billion, and why 500 Providence kids are in urgent need of dental care. Joining Moderator Jim Hummel are former Lieutenant Governor candidate Aaron Guckian, Rhode Island Current Reporter Nancy Lavin, and Political Commentator Pablo Rodriguez.
Jul 26, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3705
This week on A Lively Experiment: renewed debate over beachfront access, looking for answers about the troubled Washington Bridge, and local analysis of the presidential race after the Trump assassination attempt. Joining Moderator Jim Hummel are Tim White of WPRI Target 12, Antonia Noori Farzan of the Providence Journal, and Ian Donnis from The Public's Radio.
Jul 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3704
This week on A Lively Experiment, an update on the Washington Bridge, yet we still don’t know when it will be built, who will rebuild it, and how much it will cost. How did we get here? Joining Jim Hummel are Steph Machado of the Boston Globe and a RI PBS Weekly Contributor, Former Providence City Council President David Salvatore, and Political Contributor, Rob Horowitz.
Jul 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3703
This week on Lively: digging deep with local analysis of the Presidential Debate. Meantime, a new poll shows the Presidential race is tight in the Ocean State and Governor McKee has a lot of work to do to boost his ratings among voters. Joining Jim Hummel are Former State Representative Nick Gorham, Brown University Political Professor Wendy Schiller, and The Boston Globe’s Edward Fitzpatrick.
Jun 28, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3701
This week on Lively : with the legislative session in the rearview mirror, we'll look at what lawmakers accomplished since January. Plus, Rhode Island voters get another shot at greenlighting a Constitutional Convention. Joining me are Former State Representative Mike Marcello, Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies of the Economic Progress Institute, and Providence Journal State House Reporter Patrick Anderson.
Jun 21, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3652
This week on Lively, it’s all things General Assembly: what made it and what didn't. Plus, Providence schools get more money, but will it be enough? We'll also analyze the debate over an Inspector’s General office and the Constitutional Convention question. Panelists are Boston Globe Columnist Dan McGowan, Rhode Island GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki, and Political Contributor Bob Walsh.
Jun 14, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3651
This week on Lively, what’s in and what’s out for next year’s budget, with a few surprises along the way. Plus, should Rhode Island hold a Constitutional Convention? It’s been 40 years since the last one - and the topic is again sparking controversy. And the debate over lawmakers’ proposed changes to the State Pension System.
Jun 07, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3650
This week on Lively, the local take on the Trump verdicts: what happens next? Weighing in this week are Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi, Bill Bartholomew of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, and Harrison Tuggle of Black Lives Matter RI PAC. Plus, a late snag in the police reform bill over the release of body cam video evidence.
May 31, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3649
Former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Attorney Lou Pulner, and Paige Clausius-Parks from Rhode Island KIDS COUNT join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss big decisions looming for state lawmakers before the gavel comes down. The big decisions surround budget - but payday lending, public records law changes and gun legislation are all up in the air. And the Washington Bridge: costs could top $600 million.
May 24, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3648
This week on Lively, the price tag for the Washington Bridge replacement skyrockets. The total, with some additions to the original estimate, could be pushing nearly half a billion. Also, more college protests in Providence...and an update on reforms to the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights
May 10, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3646
Boston Globe Reporter Steph Machado, The Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson and Nancy Lavin from Rhode Island Current join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss affordable housing in Rhode Island and the latest on the Washington Bridge.
May 03, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3645
National Committeewoman for the RI GOP Sue Cienki, Providence College Professor Adam Myers, and Political Contributor Pablo Rodriguez join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Pro-Palestine protests reaches Brown, the Washington Bridge opens six lanes, proposed changes to how Rhode Islanders vote, plus effects of abortion restrictions around the country.
Apr 26, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3644
The Public’s Radio Ian Donnis, The Libertarian Party of RI Chairman Billy Hunt, and Economic Progress Institute Executive Director Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss a report that engineers knew about structural problems with the Washington Bridge almost a decade ago, the CEO of RIPTA resigns, plus updates from the legislative session.
Apr 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3643
The Providence Journal’s Antonia Noori Farzan RI GOP Chairman, and former Providence City Council President David Salvatore join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss removing bike lanes to alleviate Washington Bridge traffic leads to protests, RIPTA CEO pleads not guilty in hit-and-run, RI struggles with lack of housing, takeaways from the RI Presidential primary, plus should families be allowed to put cameras in nursing home rooms?
Apr 05, 2024•38 min•Ep. 3641
Former State Reps Mike Marcello and Nick Gorham, and The Boston Globe’s Steph Machado join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss an Ethics complaint settled from the Philadelphia fiasco business trip last year, Steph’s report on Central Falls’ strategy for dealing with cellphones in schools, who will be held responsible for the Washington Bridge closure?
Mar 29, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3640
The Providence Journal’s Amy Russo, The Boston Globe’s Ed Fitzpatrick, and Political Contributor Scott MacKay join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Pete Buttigieg’s visit to the Washington Bridge, noise cameras proposed in Providence, a bill related to the Access to Public Records Act, and walking back some changes to PVD Fest.
Mar 22, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3639
The Boston Globe’s Dan McGowan, Political Strategist Rob Horowitz, and Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the Washington Bridge’s impending demolition, RIPTA underfunding and new bus hub, McKee asks for salary raises for cabinet members, safe weapons storage bill advances to senate floor, plus political leaders in D.C. taking on TikTok.
Mar 15, 2024•29 min•Ep. 3638
