Rhode Island PBS Weekly is a Newsmagazine anchored in journalism that searches for truth and examines today's most important regional and local issues. Viewers are introduced to individuals, ideas and places in Rhode Island and beyond that they won't see anywhere else.
On this episode, we revisit a North Kingstown sanctuary that rescues horses. Then, a second look at a conversation with a former Providence Journal journalist forging a new path on the hiking trails of Rhode Island. Finally, we return to Bristol’s Linden Place, a historic home museum grappling with a troubled past.
On this episode, Olivia Ebertz travels to Jamestown, where residents are facing a shortage of drinking water. Then, the latest in the astounding story of Betty Anne Waters, who exonerated her brother from a false murder conviction. Plus, a new installment of Weekly Insight explores why Governor Dan McKee refused to sign the state budget.
On this episode, David Wright examines bridge safety across the state, in the wake of the Washington Bridge closure. Then, Pamela Watts heads to Industrious Spirit Company, or ISCO, a distillery creating unique flavors like seaweed and oyster. Plus, 66-year-old endurance athlete Paul Mellor gives a lesson on perseverance, and a new installment of Weekly Insight.
On this episode, Isabella Jibilian looks at why many Rhode Islanders are being priced out of the housing market. Then, we revisit Michelle San Miguel’s interview with a Providence Centenarian who embodies what it means to live a life of service, even when it wasn’t always welcome. Finally, Anaridis Rodriguez our contributor, WPRI 12’s Politics Editor Ted Nesi discuss the revised State budget for the new fiscal year and the plans and the cost of rebuilding the Westbound side of the Washington Bri...
On this episode, Michelle San Miguel reports on how climate change is fueling the dwindling lobster population off the Rhode Island coast. Then, Pamela Watts takes ah look at how climate change and rising sea levels threaten some of Rhode Island’s historical and iconic homes. Both stories are part of our continuing Green Seeker series. Finally, Michelle San Miguel and our contributor, WPRI 12’s Politics Editor Ted Nesi discuss transportation director Peter Alviti’s response to Rhode Island PBS W...
On this episode, our contributor Steph Machado explores the intense pressure that higher education is under amid massive changes in Washington, and ongoing financial issues with an in-depth interview with Dan Egan, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, which represent Rhode Island’s eight private colleges. Then, as America’s 250 anniversary approaches, we take a second look at Pamela Watts report on a daring raid in Warwick Rhode Island that may have sparked the ...
On this episode, Michelle San Miguel and Jeremy Bernfeld have an in-depth report on our continuing investigation into the Washington Bridge. Our story looks at how and why Rhode Island’s Department of Transportation (RIDOT) may have missed warning signs lurking inside critical components which ultimately led to closure and demolishing of the Westbound side of the bridge. Then, our contributor Anaridis Rodriguez and producer Isabella Jibilian report on how violence affects young people’s mental h...
On this episode, political reporter Ian Donnis interviews Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on climate, dark money, the tax code, Rhode Island’s loss of federal funding and what they may mean to the future of scientific research in our state and beyond. Whitehouse also takes on Democrats and why they lost the election….and, yes he talks about that vote on tariffs that he missed. Then, Michelle San Miguel profiles Ana Flores, a Cuban-born painter and sculptor, who has spent decades turning materials fro...
On this episode, Pamela Watts finds out why some school districts are turning to remote mental health therapy to help Rhode Island students. Then, Contributor Steph Machado reports on what the Trump Administration cuts of tens of millions of dollars in science research funding will ultimately mean to Rhode Island’s universities. Finally, we hear one local family's story of survival.
On this special edition of Rhode Island PBS Weekly we take an in-depth look at youth and mental health issues. All of our segments on this episode were generously underwritten by a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. We begin with Michelle San Miguel’s report on the mental health issues that many of the Ocean State’s young people struggle with every day. And the role race and sexual orientation plays in their emotional wellbeing. Then, Isabella Jibilian has a report on loneliness ...
On this episode, Olivia Ebertz reports from Prudence Island where residents are struggling to find clean, fresh drinkable water. Then, a second look at a group of Rhode Islanders who call themselves Anti-Graffiti Vigilantes as they clean-up graffiti one rock at a time to help preserve some of the state’s most beautiful natural areas. Finally, on this installment of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and our contributor, WPRI 12's politics editor Ted Nesi break down the heated debate in Providen...
On this episode, local lawmakers recently introduced legislation to prohibit library censorship. Michelle San Miguel has an in-depth report on the Freedom to Read Bill aiming to stop the banning of books here in Rhode Island. Then, a second look at the stone walls that surround New England. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and our contributor, WPRI 12's politics editor Ted Nesi discuss local toymaker Hasbro’s decision to stay in Rhode Island, and how the proposed F...
On this episode, as part of our Green Seeker series, Pamela Watts updates her report on how and why climate change is helping fuel the exodus of bees in Rhode Island. Then, a second look at the decades-long dispute over beach access in Ocean State. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and our contributor, WPRI 12's politics editor Ted Nesi discuss the installation of the state’s new Catholic Bishop, and why thousands of Rhode Islanders are scrambling to find a new doct...
On this episode, Pamela Watts reports on the financial impacts both good and not so good for two Rhode Island cities since the Washington Bridge closure. Then, contributor David Wright introduces us to some entrepreneurs who turned the crumbling Washington Bridge into an ice cream flavor. Also on this episode, as much of the country this week is gripped by final four fever – the NCAA basketball championships, we take another look at the incomparable Providence college hoopster, the legendary, Er...
On this episode, Breaking Point: The Washington Bridge, Rhode Island PBS Weekly is devoting the entire broadcast to the issue. Michelle San Miguel has an in-depth report exploring why more than a year after the bridge was shut down no one has been held accountable. Then, Ian Donnis has an extended interview with Rhode Island’s attorney general Peter Neronha who talks about the state’s lawsuit over the failure of the Washington Bridge. Finally, we hear from Rhode Island’s former attorney general ...
On this episode, teenagers often spend more than 5 hours a day online. For many it can be habit forming, which may just be what the creators of these platforms are looking for. Producer Isabella Jibilian explores how technology that is designed to be addictive can have tragic consequences for kids and teens. Then, contributor Steph Machado has an in-depth interview with Kathy Cloutier, the Executive Director of DORCAS International, Rhode Island's largest immigration nonprofit as they grapple wi...
On this episode, the cost of child care can drive parents out of the workforce. For some, it’s more expensive than their mortgage or rent. Michelle San Miguel reports on a pilot program that is trying to bring those costs down by incentivizing people to work in Rhode Island’s child care industry. Then, Pamela Watts interviews veterans who served in Iraq more than two decades ago. Their real-life stories are playing a starring role on stage at Trinity Rep Theater in Providence in an original prod...
On this episode, Michelle San Miguel interviews Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien about his city’s future as many of its schools are failing, an iconic business is considering leaving and people are worried about how President Trump’s new policies will affect them. Then, Pamela Watts interviews a local professor who discovered a long-lost fugitive slave’s article, which had been written years before the Civil War. Finally, we take another look at our story on Growing up Hmong. The Hmong people are ...
On this episode, Ian Donnis reports on why some Rhode Island craft brewers say state laws are restricting their growth. Then on this episode of Weekly insight, Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12's politics editor Ted Nesi discuss how the Trump Administration’s federal spending cuts to a whole host of programs, including Medicaid and cancer research will affect Rhode Islanders. Finally, we take another look at producer Isabella Jibilian in-depth report on loneliness and its detrimental physical and ...
On this episode, we take another look at Michelle San Miguel’s in-depth report on why many women with dense breast are at greater risk of developing cancer. And how a new Rhode Island law is helping uncover this risk. Then we meet again, Keith Nunes and hear about his journey to redemption after taking another man’s life. His story is part of our continuing Turning Point series. Finally, the election for Rhode Island's next governor is more than a year away, but this year will shape how that rac...
On this episode, contributor Steph Machado goes inside one of Rhode Island’s medium security prisons where inmates are learning the language of computers, also known as coding. They’re hoping that high demand for those skilled in web development and software design could lead to jobs that keep them out of prison for good. Then, producer Isabella Jibilian reports on the recent cyberattacks in Rhode Island and how we all can protect ourselves from future attacks here and beyond. Finally, on this e...
On this episode, we revisit producer Isabella Jibilian’s report on medical treatments for women going through menopause. Then, the winter birds are back and we take another at Michelle San Miguel’s report on their journey to the Rhode Island coastline. Finally, we take another look at Dwo Wen Chen’s pottery and he gives us his take on turning clay into art.
On this episode, Pamela Watts has an in-depth report on how whaling logs from the 19th century are helping modern-day scientists track weather patterns and assess changes in the climate. Then, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12’s politics editor Ted Nesi discuss Governor McKee’s annual State of the State address. McKee told Rhode Islanders he plans to close a roughly $250 million deficit without a broad-based tax increase. Finally, a second look at how climate cha...
On this episode, Michelle San Miguel has an in-depth report on the efforts to secure funding for the Arts in Rhode Island. Then, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12’s politics editor Ted Nesi discuss the incoming Administration and what impact that might have on New England, and they unpack what’s in store for Rhode Islander’s as the legislative session gets underway. Finally, a second look and update on contributor Steph Machado’s story on the Federal Government’s...
On this episode, contributor Steph Machado has a wide- ranging interview with Michelle Wilcox, who this year rose to President and CEO of the State's largest provider of housing for the homeless -- Crossroads Rhode Island. Then, Rhode Islanders have long flocked to Trinity Reparatory Company for their annual performance of a Christmas Carol. But this year – there’s a twist. Producer Isabella Jibilian takes us behind the scenes to see how costume designer Amanda Downing Carney is giving Scrooge a...
On this episode, Michelle San Miguel has an in-depth report on the city of Central Falls efforts to take back their schools, which the state has been running for 33 years. Then, Pamela Watts reports on the resurgence of vintage typewriters at a repair shop in Pawtucket. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12’s politics editor Ted Nesi discuss the latest on the Washington Bridge ... nearly one year after the westbound side was shut down, and why Providence has...
On this episode, producer Isabella Jibilian has an in-depth report on loneliness and its detrimental physical and mental effects on both the young and the old here in Rhode Island and beyond. Then, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12’s politics editor Ted Nesi discuss how local lawmakers are preparing for a new Presidential Administration and why next year’s State budget is causing concern. Finally, at this time of Thanksgiving, we revisit Pamela Watts interview wi...
On this episode, Michelle San Miguel has an in-depth report on the mental health issues that many of Rhode Island’s young people struggle with every day. And the role race and sexual orientation plays in their emotional wellbeing. Then, in honor of Native American Heritage Month, Pamela Watts takes us on a journey with members of the Wampanoag tribe as they build and set sale an ancient wooden canoe known as a Mishoon. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12’s...
On this episode, in honor of Native American Heritage Month we revisit Pamela Watts story on Native American children taken from their families and forced into boarding schools by the Federal Government where they endured a brutal assimilation. This resulted in multi-generational trauma for indigenous people such as the Narragansetts of Rhode Island. Then, producer Isabella Jibilian reports on the fast growing world of Chat GPT. This story is part of our continuing My Take series. And, on this e...
