Advertise on podcast: Rhode Island Report

The biggest race in Rhode Island this election season is the Democratic primary for governor. Incumbent Daniel McKee is facing a rematch with former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, whom he narrowly defeated in the 2022 primary. So, we brought both candidates into the studio separately to explain where they stand on major issues, including the high cost of energy and housing, the proposed millionaires tax, the Washington Bridge crisis, the opioid crisis, and "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island." Then we put their responses together so voters could easily compare and contrast. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the Ocean State, surrounded by water, we’re vulnerable to climate change and in particular, sea level rise. We’re seeing the effects everywhere – from the collapse of part of the Newport Cliff Walk to the erosion of local beaches. Salve Regina University biology and biomedical sciences professor Christine Ramsay joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about ways to protect the places we love as the climate changes. We want to hear from you! Fill out our listener survey, and we’ll send you a Rhode Island Report sticker - https://bit.ly/RIpodsurvey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been just over a month since President Trump declared war on Iran. The Constitution gives Congress the power to initiate war, but the president started the surprise airstrikes without their approval. Is that constitutional? Host Edward Fitzpatrick talks to Salve Regina University History Professor William Leeman about the history of presidential war powers. We want to hear from you! Fill out our listener survey, and we’ll send you a Rhode Island Report sticker - https://bit.ly/RIpodsurvey   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Launched nearly three decades ago in a prime location between the State House and downtown as an economic catalyst for Rhode Island's capital city, the Providence Place mall now has more than 20 empty storefronts and restaurant spaces. It's been in receivership since 2024, and is up for sale. What happens next? Globe reporters Steph Machado and Alexa Gagosz have been following this story, and join guest host Megan Hall for an update. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Melania Trump movie is putting first ladies back in the spotlight. How has their role evolved over the years? Salve Regina University Political Science Professor Mary Anderson joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to offer some perspective. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rhode Island recently nearly lost two safety-net hospitals; there’s a shortage of primary care providers, reimbursement rates are lower than in neighboring states, and nursing homes are understaffed. Anna Matos-Mournighan, the graduate program director for healthcare administration at Salve Regina University and board president of a senior center in Newport, R.I., joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to make sense of it all. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Earlier this week, in front of a live audience, Globe Rhode Island’s Dan McGowan and Alexa Gagosz moderated a panel discussion about what it really takes to start, fund, and grow a small business in Rhode Island. This is a lightly edited recording of that discussion. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do Rhode Islanders feel about Governor Dan McKee and his Democratic opponent, Helena Foulkes? What about a tax on millionaires? The Rhode Island AFL-CIO recently commissioned a poll to find out. Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to discuss the results: "There is a path to victory for the governor in the numbers from the AFL-CIO poll, it's a narrow path." Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Earlier this year, US District Court Judge William Smith retired after 23 years on the bench. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about President Trump's criticism of judges, threats against the judiciary, and some of his key decisions over the years. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

US foreign policy is taking a dramatically different turn under the Trump administration. How is this affecting America's relationships with the rest of the world? "We've heard privately from European diplomats - and some in public - that they will not trust the United States again, period." Salve Regina University Vice President Jim Ludes joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about Greenland, Canada, Venezuela, and the new world order. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Donald Trump recently floated an idea to nationalize the US elections. That violates the Constitution, according to Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to outline what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to running elections. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, starts on Feb. 6. Like every Olympics, they will showcase the best athletes from around the globe, and reveal something about world politics. Erin Redihan, a lecturer in the history department at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., teaches a course on this subject every two years. She joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about the history of the Olympics, and what to expect at the 2026 games. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Globe Rhode Island’s Dan McGowan and Steph Machado moderated a panel discussion in front of a Rhode Map Live audience earlier this month about a report that aims to reform Rhode Island’s school funding formula. The panel featured David Cicilline, the head of the Rhode Island Foundation; Georgetown University Professor and education economist Nora Gordon; and John Papay, the director of the Annenberg Institute at Brown University. This is a lightly edited recording of that conversation. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

US District Court Chief Judge John McConnell was thrust into the national spotlight last year after ruling on some of the most high-profile challenges to Trump administration policies. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk to us about that experience, and the public threats against him and others in the judiciary: "It did shake my faith at the time, but my faith is still there." Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roger Williams University runs prison education and reentry programs for Rhode Islanders who are serving time. Now, he has a master's degree in community development and runs programs to help people re-enter society after being in prison. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick, along with Gena Bianco, the dean of Roger Williams University’s Extension School, to talk about what it means to walk out of prison with a credential. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.