Joe Tasca

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Noronha is co-leading a group of 20 attorneys general challenging the Trump administration’s threat to withhold government funding from states that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Back in February, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation announced that in order for states like Rhode […]

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has announced a settlement with a Massachusetts-based contractor that disposed of contaminated material in Providence during the construction of the Route 6/10 interchange.  Neronha says Barletta Heavy Division has agreed to pay $11 million to the state after admitting it illegally dumped tons of contaminated fill in the Olneyville […]

Rhode Island College recently announced it will cut 20 degree programs this fall, mostly in the humanities. We’ll hear from a professor and student at RIC who say the cuts are short-sighted, and were done with little input from faculty or students. And did the Rhode Island Department of Transportation miss the warning signs about the Washington Bridge? Our reporters talked with engineers who say that critical components deserved special attention years before the closure. Also, Newport Art Museum’s latest show features a 28-foot-long painting of a plaid whale. Plus: A look back on the week in Rhode Island politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.

Butler Hospital announced plans this week to replace the roughly 800 unionized workers that have been striking for the past few weeks. We'll hear about how we got here, and why it might not be so easy to fill those roles. Also, it’s hurricane season. Although New England rarely takes a direct hit, emergency officials want residents to remember the basics needed to get through a storm. We’ll share some of those tips. And we give you a preview of the summer festival season – starting with this weekend’s Providence Porchfest. Plus, Ian Donnis takes a look back on the week in Rhode Island politics.

Butler Hospital announced plans this week to replace the roughly 800 unionized workers that have been striking for the past few weeks. We'll hear about how we got here, and why it might not be so easy to fill those roles. Also, it’s hurricane season. Although New England rarely takes a direct hit, emergency officials want residents to remember the basics needed to get through a storm. We’ll share some of those tips. And we give you a preview of the summer festival season – starting with this weekend’s Providence Porchfest. Plus, Ian Donnis takes a look back on the week in Rhode Island politics.

In Rhode Island, both the House and the Senate approved hikes to the state’s minimum wage on Thursday. Under the legislation, the current $15-an-hour minimum wage would go up to $16 next year and $17 in 2027.  Providence State Rep. David Morales says while he supports the wage hike, $17-an-hour works out to just under […]

The Rhode Island House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved a bill that would ban student use of cell phones during school hours.  The state Senate passed an identical bill in May, leaving Gov. Dan McKee’s signature as the final hurdle for the policy. Under the legislation, Rhode Island school districts would have to craft […]

In the 2025 Rhode Island General Assembly session, lawmakers passed a major gun law and numerous bills tackling housing and healthcare. We’ll look into what legislators achieved and failed to get done, as well as what to expect in 2026. Also, Trump administration policies are scaring off tourists. Hotels have higher than normal vacancies, and restaurants are closing on certain days due to low traffic. What kind of summer season will we have this year? Plus, thousands in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cape Verdean independence this weekend. We talk with two people from our region who are being featured at a national celebration in Washington, D.C. That and more on this week’s show.

Rhode Island businessman and philanthropist Alan Hassenfeld has died at age 76.  Hassenfeld spent 15 years as chief executive officer of Hasbro, the Pawtucket-based toymaker that was founded by his grandfather and grand-uncle. He later served as company chairman. Author and journalist G. Wayne Miller, who has written extensively about Hasbro over the years, says […]

There’s not much that can be done to prevent a series of proposed service cuts to RIPTA, according to the results of an operational efficiency study released today by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. The report, conducted by an independent consultant, shows that RIPTA’s operating costs are comparable to similar transit providers, while administrative […]