The Weekly Catch

Payday lending reined in, fish processors face fines for underage workers, and more

[https://i0.wp.com/newspack-thepublicsradio.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/PayDay-Lending_028.jpg?fit=1024%2C646&ssl=1] Earlier this month, Rhode Island lawmakers finally passed a bill aimed at ending the predatory practices of payday lenders. We’ll look at what the new law means and how it took 15 years to get it passed. Our reporting on underage undocumented children working in New Bedford fishing houses has at least one Massachusetts lawmaker looking at ways to end the practice. Our reporter Ben Berke will describe what he’s found and the response from the fishing industry. On Artscape, a conversation about the fusion of Afro Cuban, Puerto Rican, and New Orleans jazz. The post Payday lending reined in, fish processors face fines for underage workers, and more [https://thepublicsradio.org/the-weekly-catch/the-15-year-fight-to-rein-in-payday-lending-fish-processing-plants-could-face-bigger-fines-if-they-hire-underage-workers-and-more/] appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio [https://thepublicsradio.org].

Local tourism slumps under Trump, highlights of the 2025 RI legislative session, and more

salty brine beach [https://i0.wp.com/newspack-thepublicsradio.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/07/salty-brine-beach.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1] 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. The post Local tourism slumps under Trump, highlights of the 2025 RI legislative session, and more [https://thepublicsradio.org/the-weekly-catch/local-tourism-slumps-under-trump-highlights-of-the-2025-ri-legislative-session-and-more/] appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio [https://thepublicsradio.org].

Behind the bills: Rhode Island’s new gun control law and student cell phone ban

[https://i0.wp.com/newspack-thepublicsradio.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/06/AP080408023481.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1] On today's show we look at two significant bills signed into law this week by Gov. Dan McKee. First, a ban on the sale and manufacture of assault-style weapons. How effective are bans like this at actually tackling the problem of gun violence? A national expert breaks it down. Also: Rhode Island has joined the growing number of states banning cell phone use in schools. We'll hear from a Providence teacher who says she hopes it will reverse some of the learning losses that have happened over the past decade. And we remember George Kent, the founding musical director of the Chorus of Westerly, who died recently at the age of 88. That and more on this week’s show. The post Behind the bills: Rhode Island’s new gun control law and student cell phone ban [https://thepublicsradio.org/the-weekly-catch/behind-the-bills-rhode-islands-new-gun-control-law-and-student-cell-phone-ban/] appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio [https://thepublicsradio.org].

‘Why Nothing Works,’ honoring the legacy of Rev. Daniel Davis, and more

[https://i0.wp.com/newspack-thepublicsradio.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/06/Washington-Bridge-May-7th_15.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1] It's been a year and a half since the Washington Bridge was partially closed, and it'll be years more before it's fully repaired. We talk with the author behind the book "Why Nothing Works," who says this is just another example of a national problem: government can't accomplish big things anymore. Also, Daniel Davis escaped slavery in Maryland and found his way to Rhode Island in 1862. He became a beloved reverend at a church in Alton. We’ll hear about Davis’ life, and a ceremony at the church next week to honor his legacy. And on Artscape - a look back on our conversation with Chef Sky Kim, the 2025 James Beard award winner for “best chef Northeast.” The post ‘Why Nothing Works,’ honoring the legacy of Rev. Daniel Davis, and more [https://thepublicsradio.org/the-weekly-catch/why-nothing-works-honoring-the-legacy-of-rev-daniel-davis-and-more/] appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio [https://thepublicsradio.org].

Organizers behind the local ‘No Kings’ protest this weekend, and why the Providence NAACP is practically shut down

[https://i0.wp.com/newspack-thepublicsradio.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/06/041925-TrumpProtests-IMPOTUS2-OliviaEbertz-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C765&ssl=1] his Saturday, the United States Army celebrates its 250th anniversary. Trump is honoring the day with a military parade - the first such event since the end of the first Gulf War in 1991. Millions across the country are expected to hold “No Kings” protests in response. We’ll talk with organizers of two local protests. Also, the Providence NAACP is practically shut down. The president and all the officers were suspended by the national NAACP. We’ll get an update. And for Artscape we meet local artist Jordan Seaberry. He has a new web comic called “WTF can artists do during a fascist takeover?” Plus, Ian Donnis takes a look back on the week in Rhode Island politics and we have a few recommendations for things to do this week. The post Organizers behind the local ‘No Kings’ protest this weekend, and why the Providence NAACP is practically shut down [https://thepublicsradio.org/the-weekly-catch/organizers-behind-the-local-no-kings-protest-this-weekend-and-why-the-providence-naacp-is-practically-shut-down/] appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio [https://thepublicsradio.org].