Rhode Island PBS Weekly

On this episode of Rhode Island PBS Weekly, Michelle San Miguel reports on efforts to reduce teen pregnancy in Rhode Island. Then, for our continuing My Take series, producer Isabella Jibilian introduces us to Rhode Island filmmaker and urban explorer Jason Allard who gives us his take on why the State’s iconic, but abandoned buildings should not be forgotten. Finally, Michelle San Miguel and Ted Nesi discuss how soaring home prices in Rhode Island continue to fuel a housing shortage on this episode of Weekly Insight.

On this episode Michelle San Miguel visits a local hatchery as they prepare to stock local streams and lakes with tens of thousands of fish. And, in celebration of women’s history month we revisit Pamela Watts profile of gilded age socialite Alva Vanderbilt Belmont who became a vibrant voice in the fight for women’s right to vote. Then, contributor Dorothy Dickie’s profile of artist, Sara Holbrook and how her work took a dramatic turn as her husband lost his way. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and Ted Nesi talk about the continuing Washington bridge closure and high cost of building the Pawtucket soccer stadium.

On this episode, contributor Dorothy Dickie explores the heated debate around enacting gun control measures in Rhode Island. Then, Pamela Watts introduces us to a man who left his law practice to make – literally – beautiful music. Finally, in honor of Black History month, we again explore the often-forgotten history of Black folk music with the help of Providence based musician Jake Blount.

On this episode, Pamela Watts explores the push to build a state archives to preserve Rhode Island’s historical past. Then, in celebration of Black History month, Michelle San Miguel interviews a Rhode Island woman who embodies what it means to live a life of service…even when her service wasn’t always welcome. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and Ted Nesi talk about the Department of Transportation Director, Peter Alviti taking the hot seat before State Legislatures over the closure of the Washington Bridge.

On this episode, alternative energy technology is driving the construction of windfarms in our area. But as more ships are needed to bring building materials out to sea, a new environmental concern emerged. Protecting Right Whales and other species from ship collisions. Contributor Elena Mannes reports, on why AI may be one answer to balance energy needs with the survival of whales and other marine life. Then, producer Isabella Jibilian explores the science of making soy sauce with a Connecticut chemist. And finally, Michelle San Miguel and Ted Nesi look into the mayoral races in Cranston and Woonsocket, campaign finance and the continuing investigation of the Washington Bridge closure.

Weekly revisits a profile of Olympic ice-skating champion and Brown University student Vincent Zhou, who is about to get Olympic gold as Team USA advances to the top spot. Then, contributor Dorothy Dickie profiles an artist who spent more than three decades behind bars. Finally, Michelle San Miguel and Ted Nesi unpack the federal government's investigation of the Washington Bridge closure.

On this episode, contributor Steph Machado has a wide-ranging interview with Providence Police Chief, Col. Oscar Perez about his first year on the job, crime rates and his plans for the future. Then, we take a second look at Michelle San Miguel’s segment on the winter birds that flock to the Rhode Island coastline. Finally, Michelle San Miguel and Ted Nesi discuss Governor McKee’s proposed budget.

On this episode, we meet 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. Then, we revisit  Michelle San Miguel’s plastic pollution story and new evidence of the dangers of micro plastics in all aspects of our lives.  Finally, we share a portion of Rhode Island PBS’s three-part docuseries, The Risk of Giving Birth. In this clip, Tyler Sutton tells the tragic story of his wife Ariana who suffered from postpartum depression and took her life just nine weeks after giving birth to their premature twins.

On this episode Michelle San Miguel has an in-depth interview with the freshman Democratic Congressman, Gabe Amo. Then Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12 politics editor and Rhode Island PBS Weekly contributor, Ted Nesi sit down to take a closer look at Congressman Amo’s campaign and other changes in Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation. Finally, Pamela Watts has an interview with local artist and handbag designer, Kent Stetson.

On this episode Michelle San Miguel has a report on the fastest-growing student population in Rhode Island – multilingual learners, reaching record highs – going up by 76 percent over the last decade. Then, we debut a new segment called “Weekly Insight” Michelle San Miguel and WPRI 12 politics editor and Rhode Island PBS Weekly contributor, Ted Nesi will sit down several times a month to talk about issues affecting viewers here in Southern New England, ranging from politics to education. Finally, they say magicians never reveal their secrets, but, as part of our continuing My Take series, local magician Lon Cerel gives us a behind the scenes look at his bag of tricks

On this episode contributor Steph Machado interviews Rhode Island’s Speaker of the House, Joe Shekarchi. Then, we take another look at Michelle San Miguel’s segment on local artists who have a neurological disorder called synesthesia. For many with the condition, music is not only heard, but also seen and words have flavors and colors have a smell. Finally, Pamela Watts features the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center and its tropical Winter Wonderland, where for the first time patrons can go all aboard to explore two toy train exhibits wrapped up in an exotic setting.

On this episode contributor Steph Machado has an in-depth report on the controversy surrounding police officers in public schools in Rhode Island and beyond. Then, we meet again Wampanoag chef and James Beard award winner as the best chef in the Northeast, Sherry Pocknett. Pocknett continues to look for ways to change how we think about food. Finally, Michelle San Miguel takes us to the Christmas Festival of Lights at La Salette shrine in Attleboro.

On this episode as part of our Green Seeker series, Michelle San Miguel sits down with researchers at the University of Rhode Island to explore how microplastics are infiltrating all aspects of our lives and why reducing the waste may very well lower the health dangers they present. Then, Pamela Watts introduces to middle-aged workers who gave up their steady jobs to follow their dreams and are enjoying their second acts. Finally, the art of hunting through the eyes of Native American hunter Nakai Northup shares how his Narragansett and Mashantucket Pequot heritage influences how he hunts in the wild. This is part of our continuing My Take series.

It is estimated that one in 36 nationwide is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. On this episode, producer Isabella Jibilian explores neurodiversity and the efforts here in Rhode Island to embrace neurological differences through theatre. Then we take another look at a practice that began in the late 1800’s and continued for almost a century. Pamela Watts reports on Native American children taken from their families and placed in boarding schools by the Federal Government where they were forced to assimilate to quote, “white ways of life” This often brutal practice resulted in multi-generational trauma for indigenous people such as the Narragansetts of Rhode Island. And, finally, in our continuing Window on Rhode Island series, we revisit a cultural center in Woonsocket where visitors can see the genius of an artist who paid homage to the great Italian master for the Renaissance one glorious brush stroke at a time.

On this episode, Pamela Watts introduces us to Barrington resident Navyn Salem and her worldwide mission to save millions of children from starvation. Then, Michelle San Miguel interviews a Rhode Island content creator who reveals how he makes a living on social media. Finally, they call themselves Anti-Graffiti Vigilantes and they are determined to  tackle one defaced rock at time and preserve Rhode Island’s beautiful natural resources. Pamela Watts has their story.

On this episode, we mark the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a defining moment in the Holocaust in which nearly 100 Jews were killed and about 30 thousand Jewish men were sent to concentration camps. Michelle San Miguel interviews Rhode Island Holocaust survivors who describe what happens when violence against Jewish people is left unchecked. Then, in remembrance of Veterans Day, we take another look at Pamela Watts profiles of a program that is helping combat veterans cope with Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD). Finally, in our continuing My Take series, Rhode Island Quahogger Jody King tells us everything we need to know about Quahogs, Rhode Island's favorite clam.

On this special Halloween episode, Weekly takes a second look at the life of H.P Lovecraft—an author whose haunting work has an even darker past. Then, David Wright visits the Lizzie Borden house, the site of one of America’s most notorious murders. Finally, historian and author Beth Caruso shares her take on witches.

In this episode, Michelle San Miguel explores the importance of “trees” in our environment and the tree inequities that poorer neighborhoods in Rhode Island experience. Then, another look at the Rhode Island School of Design’s nature lab where unusual creatures are the norm. Finally, Pamela Watts interviews a Rhode Island author who has been collecting stories about the Ocean State’s haunted past and present.

On this episode, Isabella Jibilian travels to Martha’s Vineyard to uncover the hidden history of sign language on the island. Then, Michelle San Miguel interviews William Kole about his new book, “The Big 100,” which explores how rising numbers of centenarians will have broad reaching impacts on society. Finally, Arlene Violet gives us her take on political division.

In this episode Contributor David Wright reports on the controversy and how a statue of Columbus that stood in a Providence neighborhood for more than 100 years was removed, put in storage for two years, found a new home in Johnston. Then, we revisit a story about Native American Rhode Islander’s who describe in-depth the prejudice they both faced growing up in Rhode Island and their continuing struggle to find their place in today’s society while retaining their indigenous heritage. Finally, another look at contributor Elena Mannes’s report the Ocean State’s special relationship to music and introduces us to one group that’s on a mission to make R&B the state’s official music.