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Democrat Helena Foulkes, Republican Aaron Guckian and independent Ken Block took the stage at Rhode Island College for a live debate hosted by 12 News. Debate moderators Tim White and Ted Nesi joined Kim Kalunian on this episode of Behind the Story to breakdown the highlights and preparation that went into the debate.  Watch new episodes of Behind the Story on Thursday's at 10 a.m. on the 12+ app, WPRI.com or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, joined this week’s episode of “Behind the Story” to discuss the organization’s public records work and legal fund. In his conversation with Eli Sherman and Tim White, Silverman detailed NEFAC’s first legal-fund victory, a Sept. 8 Maine Superior Court decision ordering the release of records sought by local news outlets related to an October 2024 domestic violence homicide.

Hogan, who recently started covering the capital city, attended a board meeting last week that erupted into chaos. Multiple members called for the school board president to step down, while residents aired their frustrations about the dysfunction. “This is not how school board meetings normally go, including in Providence,” Hogan said. The internal strife comes as Providence is in its first school year since regaining control of the school district, which had been under state control for nearly seven years. Hogan said the board now oversees a host of important decisions involving budgets, personnel and policy. But it didn’t appear to Hogan that those issues were a high priority at that meeting. “For a community looking for answers about what the future will look like, what the school board will do, the majority of this meeting did not serve to answer those questions,” Hogan said. Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including (not all mentioned on air): Dan’s pickFlock camera review, Morley Field reopening among Greenman’s first priorities as Pawtucket mayor next year by LuzJennifer Martinez, The Valley BreezeEli’s pickTwo RI towns got their BearCats amid order surge fueled in part by ICE by Marc Reynolds, The Providence Journal“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.

Tim White, who covers the criminal justice system, has been tracking a developing story in Cranston, where police raided the former home of a notorious drug dealer that they suspected was being used as a stash house. The stash-house theory didn’t pan out, but police nonetheless arrested one man for illegally selling marijuana and abusing a pit bull. Two other men were also charged with animal cruelty. The home was formerly occupied by Jasdrual “Josh” Perez, who’s currently serving time in prison for running a multistate illegal narcotics operation based in Providence. The Cranston home is owned by his mother, who’s the sister of Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez. The mother is now renting out the home, and Oscar Perez said he didn’t know the man arrested for dealing drugs. According to a police affidavit, detectives were examining whether people in Josh Perez’s orbit were trying to pick up where he left off in the drug trade. “Narcotics detectives will tell you that their investigations are like whack-a-mole,” White said. “Josh Perez was … a kingpin in fentanyl dealing. There were going to be other people that filled that vacuum because unfortunately, the demand is still there and other people want a slice of that pie.” White also discussed another case receiving attention this week involving former Central Falls Municipal Court Judge Joseph Molina Flynn, 43, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion. Federal prosecutors said Molina Flynn, who worked as an immigration attorney, was ripping off clients to pay for personal expenses. He has agreed to pay more than $83,000 in restitution and must repay the government between $550,000 and $1.5 million. “Molina Flynn himself was a real success story,” White said, explaining how he immigrated to the United States as a child, attended college, taught law and served as a municipal judge. “His whole world collapsed because he was taking advantage of the very people that were like him when he came here at 9 years old,” White added. “It’s just a fascinating story.” Molina Flynn faces more than 20 years in prison. He’s scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 17. Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including (not all mentioned on air): Kim’s pickExpert warns true crime can exploit real people and history by Dan Medeiros, The Herald NewsProvidence whistleblower hotline leads to four investigations in first year by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island CurrentEli’s pickSmiley lists carriage house for rent for $5,500 a month by Colin Hogan and Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Providence JournalNewport’s $20M harbor plan complicated by ownership mistake by Philip Cozzolino, The Newport Daily News“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.

Nancy Lavin has been tracking the issue for months and most recently reported on the city’s contract with a new company to operate its wastewater treatment facility. Meanwhile, the city is still trying to figure out what to do with its sludge incinerator, which has long been a source of controversy. The facility serves a regional need but has also been a source of pollution, lawsuits and frustration for local officials and residents. Efforts to build new sludge-treatment facilities elsewhere have also sputtered. “It seems like overall, no one is going to want to have any kind of sludge treatment in their community,” Lavin said. “And we’re going to need one somewhere.” City officials have long promised to close the controversial sludge incinerator, but Lavin said it could take some time because of existing agreements the city has with other communities that would have to be wound down. “If you have lived there for 50 years and every seventh day it stinks — that’s terrible stuff,” Lavin said. Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote.” They included: Dan pickWith Morales’s win, rent control is on the table again in Providence by Steph Machado, The Boston GlobeHow hearing loss shaped two RI football players’ paths by Eric Rueb, The Providence JournalEli’s pickCity Council to vote on ordinance restricting Flock use by Anastasia E. Lennon, The New Bedford Light“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.

The “Behind the Story” crew gets together to break down the results, the biggest takeaways and what comes next for the candidates who emerged on top. “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman, Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

Antonia Noori Farzan, who has worked at the newspaper since 2021, recently reported on a political ad launched by Republican congressional candidate Vic Mellor that used AI to create footage of incumbent U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Democrat, standing in a room with men in suits around a table stacked with cash. Magaziner’s aides called the ad “sleazy politics,” while Mellor’s campaign ridiculed the Democrat for failing to embrace “perhaps the most powerful technology.” Farzan said she’s seeing AI emerge across the political spectrum and among candidates seeking office at all levels of government. “Down-ballot races is where you start to see a lot of people just using it to make like fliers and graphics and stuff like that, people who would not have the budget or the campaign funds to be hiring a graphic designer,” Farzan said. “So it’s almost kind of leveling out the barrier to entry, because you can make something that’s sort of professional looking with the click of a button.” A 2025 state law requires Mellor to disclose his use of AI in the ad, which he did. But the law does not extend to third-party groups that voluntarily produce campaign material supporting or criticizing candidates. Farzan reported on that issue in South County, where an anonymous group launched an attack ad against state Rep. Megan Cotter. “I would not want to be the person responsible for policing this because how do you even track down how this is spreading and who’s posting it?” Farzan said. Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Dan pick Meet John Pagano, the 94-year-old golfer who just parred Jamestown by Michael Petraske, The Providence Journal They kept a secret about a priest for more than 50 years. Now, thanks to a new R.I. law, they’re suing the Catholic church. by Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe Eli’s pick She moved 1,000 miles away. She’s still getting paid as a Rhode Island lawmaker. by Dan McGowan, The Boston Globe Taking on Jack Reed: Inside a longshot campaign for U.S. Senate by Ian Donnis, Ocean State Media “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.

Anastasia E. Lennon, who covers New Bedford, broke the news that Officer Emily Pacheco was placed on leave after an ex-girlfriend accused her of using the automatic license plate reader technology to track her movements. Her reporting prompted the city to suspend its Flock program pending further review. Pacheco has denied the allegations. “If you’re a law-abiding citizen, and you’re not doing anything wrong, you will have privacy concerns and ask, ‘Why?’” Lennon said of the response she has heard from residents. “Why am I being entered into a database and particularly a database that, up until mid- or late 2025, could be accessed in New Bedford by agencies across the country? So it’s a privacy concern people are having.” The controversy in New Bedford was quickly followed by municipalities across the region reexamining their own Flock policies, with some voting to reject contracts or suspend their programs. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee also ordered a pause on the implementation of any new Flock cameras by the Rhode Island State Police. New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody announced Wednesday that his department would continue to audit the city’s Flock system and “thoroughly and expeditiously” investigate all allegations of misuse. The announcement came after Lennon filed several additional records requests with the department. “I just know that in my previous conversations with the chief before this came to light, he takes this seriously,” Lennon said during the show, which was taped before Thody’s announcement. “He said that it could result in termination, and so we have to wait and see,” she added. “I have several questions about this case, but also there’s the suspension of the system and the undisclosed number of officers they say they’re now investigating.” Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Kim’s pick RI casino operator Bally’s sees stock price plunge nearly 30% after solvency warning by Eli Sherman, 12 News Eli’s pick $10 coffee gains popularity in RI even as budgets tighten by Gail Campia, The Providence Journal Discovery of unknown sailor from War of 1812 to be celebrated this weekend by Emma Grunwald, The Westerly Sun “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.

The duo has moderated dozens of debates over the years, including Tuesday’s debate between the Democratic candidates for Rhode Island attorney general. White and Nesi discussed how they prepare for different types of debates and how that process can vary depending on candidates’ participation and name recognition. Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Dan’s pick Warwick cannabis shop applicant sues state, challenges city by Barbara Polichetti, Warwick Beacon Cumberland School Committee considers high school backpack ban by Sandy Hall, The Valley Breeze Eli’s pick At 76, Jack Reed’s age could be a vulnerability, or asset, in reelection by Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal New Bedford police officer accused of using Flock cameras to track and follow ex-romantic partner by Anastasia E. Lennon, The New Bedford Light “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.

Gail Ciampa, who covers food and dining, has spent years reporting on the restaurant industry, becoming one of the state’s most prominent voices on culinary news. But that’s not how her career at the newspaper began. “The day I arrived I was a fashion editor, of all things, which was one of my least favorite jobs,” she said, explaining that things changed after a conversation with the food editor. “She said, ‘You’re Italian, you must love food, and you’re going to be one of my restaurant reviewers,'” Ciampa recalled. “I always filled in for her, and when she retired, I applied for the job. It’s been the job of a lifetime.” Ciampa also discussed her recent reporting on the retirement of a public official who played an outsized role in Rhode Island agriculture. She reflected on the challenges restaurateurs have faced since the COVID-19 pandemic and explained how she decides which stories to pursue. This week, Ciampa wrote about the surprising feedback she received from a reader in another state after publishing a story on presidential wines. (Spoiler: George Washington’s favorite was Madeira.) “She saw the story and was thrilled with the idea of serving Madeira,” Ciampa said. “She called me the ‘instigator of her party,’ and she said she had to tell me about it.” Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Kim’s pick One tiki bar, plenty of turbulence by Jim McGaw, EastBayRI Washington Bridge closure lengthened East Bay ambulance trips, study finds by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current Eli’s pick A closer look at Foulkes’ record on opioids by Philip Eil, Rhode Island Current “We can’t keep doing this”: Mayor warns Attleboro fireworks may be a thing of the past by Rhianwen Watkins, The Attleboro Sun Chronicle “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.

Christopher Gavin, a reporter with the Globe’s Rhode Island bureau, has been covering the arrest of 70-year-old Ronald Fischer, who was on the run for more than 20 years. Fischer was found aboard a sailboat off the coast of New Jersey after disappearing just before a jury found him guilty of sexual assault in 2005. “This is somebody who was convicted by a jury of his peers 20 years ago,” Gavin said. “There’s a family here that wants to see justice done. That’s what I’ll be looking for in that courtroom, because that’s what this comes down to.” Target 12 Investigator Tim White, who co-hosted the show, reviewed federal documents detailing the steps Fischer allegedly took before fleeing in 2005. Those actions included transferring ownership of two vehicles to his daughters, selling a Jaguar, purchasing American Airlines tickets and researching ways to change his identity. White said he’s closely watching what defense Fischer may mount now that so much time has passed since he was convicted in absentia. “You have to think a defense attorney is going to make a very spirited argument that the whole trial has to get tossed out and we do the whole thing again,” White said. “It’s a long shot that they’ll retry the case — a jury has already spoken. It would take a lot to overturn that verdict. But we’re going to see those motions filed.” Later in the show, Tim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Tim’s pick University report finds split AI adoption patterns, concerns of risks by Ivy Huang, The Brown Daily Herald Eli’s pick One of RI’s most seasoned defense lawyer steps into infamous killer’s case by Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal New federal rule could put New Bedford’s piping plovers in harm’s way by Brooke Kushwaha, The New Bedford Light “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.

What's it like to cover a global tournament through a local lens? 12 News sports anchor Aniekan Okon joined this week's episode of "Behind the Story" to discuss his experience covering the FIFA World Cup, with international matches hosted at Gillette Stadium, which has been dubbed "Boston Stadium" for the tournament. "These days where there are so many difference and it seems like we're kind of pulling as people in opposite directions, events like the World Cup remind you that we're a lot more similar than we are different," Okon said. In addition to covering the matches, Okon spent several days reporting from the Fan Zone in Providence, where he delivered countless live shots for both local and national audiences. Okon said described it as an experience of a lifetime. "It doesn't matter if you know your team is in it," he said. "Just a chance to watch some of the biggest stars in the world on your home soil is a gift." Okon and his 12 News colleague, Melanie DaSilva, also launched a special digital TV show, "48 Nations," featuring interviews with soccer figures and discussions about all aspects of the tournament. Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the "stories we wish we wrote," including: Dan's pick RI coastal regulators reluctant to shore up entire Newport Cliff Walk by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current Family calls for transparency after Lincoln graduate’s diploma questioned by Rochelle Medeiros, The Valley Breeze Eli’s pick Doctors hope to cut back on unnecessary C-sections by Kim Kalunian, 12 News anchor and "Behind the Story" cohost Is South Coast Rail bringing ‘a bunch of rich people’ to New Bedford? by Grace Ferguson, The New Bedford Light “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman, Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

Nicholas Alahverdian, who grew up in Rhode Island, famously faked his own death in 2020 before going on the run while wanted for rape in Utah. Authorities eventually tracked him down at a hospital in Scotland, where he had been living under the alias Arthur Knight. “It wasn’t the law that caught him — it was COVID,” White said. “Arthur Knight is also the name of a DJ from Rhode Island from when Nicholas Alahverdian was growing up. He was Sir Arthur Knight, who was on the radio, and you have to wonder if that’s where he stole the name from.” Before becoming known internationally, Alahverdian had already become well known among Rhode Island politicians and journalists, largely for his advocacy on behalf of children living in the state’s child welfare system. Buteau, a former Target 12 investigator, covered Alahverdian throughout that period — all the way up until he received a phone call from someone claiming to be Alahverdian’s wife, telling him he had died. Buteau said Alahverdian frequently called him and other reporters with story ideas and pitches, though he often struggled to get to the point. “You ever meet a guy that inserts a lot of big words, and they don’t really pronounce them well? Well, that was Nicholas,” Buteau said. Buteau also tracked Alahverdian’s trail of cons and criminal offenses across the country leading up to his disappearance. He said whatever positive work Alahverdian may have done in Rhode Island was ultimately overshadowed by the damage he caused over the years. Alahverdian was serving a 10-year prison sentence after being convicted of rape in Utah. He was extradited there after unsuccessfully trying to convince authorities overseas they had the wrong man. Buteau said he knew it was Alahverdian the moment he saw a photo from Scotland, describing him as someone who could be both convincing and ruthless toward people he believed had crossed him. “I talked to several people, and none of them wanted to go on the record because they feared him,” Buteau said. “But they all also brought up that he was charismatic. I never found him to be charismatic, but I think he was a good talker, and with a little information, he could make you believe a lot.” “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman, Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

The South County Star focuses on covering communities throughout southern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Nancy Burns-Fusaro, sometimes referred to as the “dean” of the Westerly shoreline, will focus much of her reporting on the arts and lifestyle, which she said are flourishing in South County. “I’m writing about my wonderful community and wonderful people and, as you can imagine, the diversity in Westerly is just terrific,” Burns-Fusaro said. Alex Nunes, the nonprofit’s founder and publisher, has covered different parts of the state over the years. He said the idea behind the Star is to expand coverage in a part of the state that receives less attention than the Providence metro area. “If something happens in Providence, or happens at the State House, there’s a lot of people there to cover it, and people do a really good job,” he said. “But if something happens down in Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton, you really have to have dedicated people who are going to be looking to do those stories — and that’s what we’re trying to do.” Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including (not all mentioned on air): Dan’s pick In R.I., Senate power becomes a primary focus as candidates declare by Ed Fitzpatrick, The Boston Globe After seven years, Providence has its schools back — and all of the same institutional problems too by Julia Steiny, Rhode Island Current Eli’s pick The good pirates of the South Coast by Eleonora Bianchi, The New Bedford Light Providence couple say they were evicted after their children were lead poisoned by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Providence Journal “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman, Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

Tim White and Ted Nesi, Target 12 investigators and hosts of the political show “Newsmakers,” broke down recent endorsements in the race for Rhode Island governor, including one from Cumberland Democrats who snubbed incumbent Gov. Dan McKee, the town’s former mayor. White also took viewers behind the scenes of the sentencing of Frank Theis, who was convicted of sexually assaulting two teenagers in the 1980s. Forensic evidence tested decades later helped investigators crack the case. Later the show, White, Nesi and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Tim’s pick Mystery of Marmac: Why a cable-laying barge is docked in Providence by Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal Ted’s pick America’s Great Dad Divide by Brad Wilcox, The Free Press Eli’s pick One year after steepest premium increase in a decade, RI health insurers seek double-digit hikes by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current