‘Dedicated people’: South County Star founders aim to expand RI coverage

‘Dedicated people’: South County Star founders aim to expand RI coverage

The South County Star focuses on covering communities throughout southern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Nancy Burns-Fusaro, sometimes referred to as the “dean” of the Westerly shoreline, will focus much of her reporting on the arts and lifestyle, which she said are flourishing in South County. “I’m writing about my wonderful community and wonderful people and, as you can imagine, the diversity in Westerly is just terrific,” Burns-Fusaro said. Alex Nunes, the nonprofit’s founder and publisher, has covered different parts of the state over the years. He said the idea behind the Star is to expand coverage in a part of the state that receives less attention than the Providence metro area. “If something happens in Providence, or happens at the State House, there’s a lot of people there to cover it, and people do a really good job,” he said. “But if something happens down in Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton, you really have to have dedicated people who are going to be looking to do those stories — and that’s what we’re trying to do.” Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including (not all mentioned on air): DAN’S PICK * In R.I., Senate power becomes a primary focus as candidates declare [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/23/metro/ri-senate-power-primary/] by Ed Fitzpatrick, The Boston Globe * After seven years, Providence has its schools back — and all of the same institutional problems too [https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/06/15/after-seven-years-providence-has-its-schools-back-and-all-of-the-same-institutional-problems-too/] by Julia Steiny, Rhode Island Current ELI’S PICK * The good pirates of the South Coast [https://newbedfordlight.org/the-good-pirates-of-the-south-coast/] by Eleonora Bianchi, The New Bedford Light * Providence couple say they were evicted after their children were lead poisoned [https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/courts/2026/06/24/providence-couple-sues-their-former-landlord-for-lead-poisoning-eviction/89550511007/] by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Providence Journal “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman, Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

Tim White, Ted Nesi discuss RI politics, cold-case sentencing

Tim White and Ted Nesi, Target 12 investigators and hosts of the political show “Newsmakers,” broke down recent endorsements in the race for Rhode Island governor, including one from Cumberland Democrats who snubbed incumbent Gov. Dan McKee, the town’s former mayor. White also took viewers behind the scenes of the sentencing of Frank Theis, who was convicted of sexually assaulting two teenagers in the 1980s. Forensic evidence tested decades later helped investigators crack the case. Later the show, White, Nesi and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: TIM’S PICK * Mystery of Marmac: Why a cable-laying barge is docked in Providence [https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/state/2026/06/17/barge-in-providence-habor-marmac-306-offshore-wind-cables/90576387007/] by Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal TED’S PICK * America’s Great Dad Divide [https://www.thefp.com/p/america-fatherhood-childless-men] by Brad Wilcox, The Free Press ELI’S PICK * One year after steepest premium increase in a decade, RI health insurers seek double-digit hikes [https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/06/16/one-year-after-steepest-premium-increase-in-a-decade-ri-health-insurers-seek-double-digit-hikes/] by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current

Ted Nesi on covering elections

Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan are joined by Ted Nesi for a look at how reporters tackle campaign coverage.

Real Housewives of Rhode Island with Bekah Berger

Bekah Berger joins Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

Breaking down the Providence school control saga with Steph Machado

Steph Machado joins Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.