More than 80,000 Rhode Islanders depend on food from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its network of food pantries. But the Trump administration’s recent cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture put that food aid at risk. Also: Rhode Island PBS Weekly co-host and correspondent Pamela Watts tells us about the very different ways the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge has impacted the economy in Providence and Bristol County. Plus: we talk with the directors of “La Tempestad” at Trinity Rep and “Fat Ham” at the Wilbury Theatre Group – two fresh takes on Shakespearean classics. That and more on this week’s show.
Washington Bridge
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 28, 2025.
Spring, when the presence of a more promising Sox team, tends to put a, uh, spring in your step, right? You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
McKee says federal money for Washington Bridge is secured
The Trump administration has signed off on $220 million in previously appropriated federal grants to help replace the westbound Washington Bridge, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee announced during a hastily arranged late afternoon news conference at the Statehouse on Thursday. The governor thanked President Trump and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “The full funding for […]
Posted inLocal, Transportation
Neronha says accountability on Washington Bridge will take time
Peter Alviti, director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, agreed almost two months ago to do an interview about the Washington Bridge. Altivi’s office canceled the interview three days before it was supposed to happen, so we instead talked with Attorney General Peter Neronha. Here are some highlights from the interview. You can watch […]
Posted inLocal, Transportation
Who’s responsible for the Washington Bridge failure?
More than one year after the westbound Washington Bridge was abruptly shut down, critical questions remain unanswered. “Folks really want to know why did this happen?” said state Rep. June Speakman (D- District 68). She represents constituents in Bristol and Warren, on the east side of the bridge. The westbound Washington Bridge carried traffic on […]
Posted inArts And Culture, The Weekly Catch, Transportation
Washington Bridge accountability, federal workers’ uncertain future, and more
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to hire back fired government workers. They’re getting paid, but they’re not doing any work for now. Our South Coast Bureau reporter Ben Berke tells us how federal employees are reacting. Also, is enough being done to hold government officials accountable for the Washington Bridge debacle? We dive deeper into that question with Michelle San Miguel from Rhode Island PBS Weekly. And in this week’s Artscape: we meet North Providence knifemaker, artist and fishmonger Joyce Kutty. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 21, 2025
April 1 is approaching, so don’t let yourself get Rickrolled along the way. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: As we roll into the […]
Posted inEnvironment, Politics, The Weekly Catch
How NOAA cuts may harm local fishermen, protecting the ‘Freedom to Read,’ and more
Recent job cuts by the Trump Administration could have a negative impact on New Bedford’s huge fishing industry. Our South Coast Bureau reporter Ben Berke tells us how. Also, Rhode Island has spent millions battling lawsuits from people challenging books. Since 2021 there have been more than 30 such challenges. We’ll learn about a bill before the General Assembly that would protect schools and libraries from litigation and censorship. And in the midst of a trade war between the U.S. and Canada sparked by the Trump administration, a local museum is celebrating ties between the Ocean State and French Canadian culture. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
RIDOT head says RI has enough bridge money even with possible Trump block on funds
Even if the Trump administration hangs onto hundreds of millions of federal dollars already promised to Rhode Island, the state will have more than enough money to build a new westbound Washington Bridge, Transportation Director Peter Alviti said Thursday. Alviti said more than $600 million has been allocated for the bridge and a series of […]
Posted inEconomy, Local, Politics
R.I., Mass. sue Trump administration over freeze in federal funding
Editor’s note: On Wednesday, President Trump issued a memo rescinding the funding freeze. Attorneys General Peter Neronha of Rhode Island and Andrea Campbell of Massachusetts have joined a coalition of other AGs in suing the Trump Administration over its sudden freeze in federal spending via grants, loans, and other avenues. “What a ham-handed way to […]
