Rhode Island PBS Weekly

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.