A Lively Experiment - Presented by Rhode Island PBS

Bartholomewtown Podcast Host Bill Bartholomew, The Rhode Island Current’s Nancy Lavin, and Political Contributor Raymond Baccari join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the lack of affordable housing across the state, the future of RIPTA, the fate of the Washington Bridge, plus voter enthusiasm among Millennials and Gen Z.  

The Providence Journal’s Antonia Noori Farzan, Author Ken Block, and BLM RI’s Harrison Tuttle join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Tidewater Landing to cost taxpayers more than $100M, the RI tourism board released a new slogan and series of promotional videos, RI DOT announces a plan to squeeze six lanes onto the open side of the bridge, plus RIPTA proposes numerous route cuts. 

The Boston Globe’s Amanda Milkovits, Retired Professor Pablo Rodriguez, and the Economic Progress Institute Executive Director Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss how Gov. McKee and the DOT has handled the bridge debacle, shocking maternal mortality statistics in RI, a scathing report on St. Mary’s Home for Children, and legislative priorities for this session. 

The Public’s Radio Ian Donnis, National Committeewoman for the RI GOP Sue Cienki, and Legal Analyst Lou Pulner join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the Federal Highway Administration visits the Washington Bridge, retirees in RI feeling squeezed by pension cuts, magistrates could hear more cases, and a report card released about the public’s ability to make comments in meetings. 

The Boston Globe’s Steph Machado, Providence College’s Adam Myers, and Political Contributor Don Roach join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss internal emails released about the Washington Bridge closure, Fenton-Fung enters the race for Cranston mayor, an interview with Providence Police Chief Perez, and the future of public transportation in Rhode Island. 

RI Republican National Committeeman Steve Frias, Former RI State Rep. (D) Mike Marcello, and Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the fate of the Washington Bridge, McKee ethics investigation dismissed, what’s in (and out) of the budget this year, and will police reform finally pass this year?

URI Political Science Professor Emily Lynch, Libertarian Party of RI Chairman Billy Hunt, and Political Contributor Jim Vincent join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Gov. McKee’s State of the State Address, affordable housing, the Minority Leader’s response and plan for an Inspector General, police reform, and same day voter registration.

Leaders in both the RI House and Senate join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss their goals for the 2024 legislative session, including the state budget, affordable housing, tax cuts, and under-the-radar bills.

The Rhode Island Current’s Nancy Lavin, The Providence Journal’s Patrick Anderson, and The Boston Globe’s Ed Fitzpatrick join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss what to expect from the upcoming legislative session, the state’s plan to build more housing, visiting the Independent Man, public records in RI, and the Washington Bridge debacle.

Our special end-of-year program: Brown University Professor Wendy Schiller, The Public’s Radio Ian Donnis, and Former URI Professor Maureen Moakley join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the top local and national stories of 2023, the biggest winners and losers of 2023, moments that could only happen in Rhode Island, and the panel makes their predictions for what 2024 has in store for Rhode Island and the U.S.

Brown University Professor Wendy Schiller, The Public’s Radio Ian Donnis, and Former URI Professor Maureen Moakley join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the major disruptions caused by the I-195 bridge closure, more Brown students arrested during a sit-in, legislative priorities for the 2024 session, and AG Neronha in a public spat with Judge Procaccini.

The Boston Globe’s Steph Machado, Former RI Representative (R) Nick Gorham, and Black Lives Matter RI PAC Exec. Dir. Harrison Tuttle join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Ethics Commission appointee drops out after sexual harassment allegations, a debate over school resource officers, the state hopes relaxed zoning laws will lead to more housing, plus the first year of recreational marijuana sales. 

The Boston Globe’s Dan McGowan, Political Contributor Bob Walsh, and RI GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Brown University finally asks for charges to be dropped against student protestors, Mayor Smiley wants Providence to take back control over the schools, plus a debate over wind turbines off the coast of RI.

The Providence Journal’s Amy Russo, Political Contributor Pablo Rodriguez, and Attorney Lou Pulner join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss RI Attorney General Neronha ordered to appear in court over social media posts, Brown not dropping charges against student protestors, a McKee staffer fired after calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, plus a developer in hot water over tax breaks.

The Boston Globe’s Steph Machado, Political Strategist Rob Horowitz, and Chairman of the RI GOP Joe Powers join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss election day results, along with other news around the state. We interview Sen. Zurier on alternate voting options, and interview the Presidents of Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio to discuss their newly planned merger.

Political Science Professors from Brown - Wendy Schiller, URI - Emily Lynch, and Providence College - Adam Myers, join Moderator Jim Hummel to dissect results from a URI poll on Rhode Islanders’ attitudes towards politics, as well as Attorney General Peter Neronha announcing a possible run for governor and reactions to the CD1 debate from this week. Then in an extra segment, they discuss the latest in national politics, including a new speaker of the house and a looming federal shutdown. 

Libertarian Party of RI Chairman Billy Hunt, Political Contributor Jim Vincent, and Rhode Island Current’s Nancy Lavin join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss school funding bonds, CO2 emissions benchmarks, and a sleep CD1 race.

The Providence Journal’s Patrick Anderson, The Public’s Radio Ian Donnis, and Anchor TV’s Raymond Baccari join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss RICAS scores and the state of education in RI, retirees seek help with cost of living, Gina Raimondo visits RI, plus the latest reporting from each panelist.

The Boston Globe Report Ed Fitzpatrick, Former Mayor of Providence Angel Taveras, and National Committeewoman for the RI GOP Sue Cienki join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss RI unprepared to shelter the unhoused as another winter approaches, Steve Laffey leaves the GOP, chaos in the U.S. House, frustration from Gabe Amo’s lack of debate participation, and outrage over the Hamas attacks in Israel. 

RI Republican National Committeeman Steve Frias, Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi, and Political Contributor Bob Walsh join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Gabe Amo turning down debates ahead of the CD1 general election, former Speaker of the House McCarthy ousted, how RI officials should give the surplus back to the taxpayers, plus the Providence city council approves Smiley’s PILOT program.