Globe Rhode Island’s founder of The Food Club, Alexa Gagosz, recently hosted the first Food Club Live, a series of one-on-one "fun and honest" conversations with some of the biggest names in Providence’s food scene. From the trends shaping where and what we eat, to what it takes to build something worth reserving a table for, the early May event brought out restaurateurs, chefs, industry insiders and patrons. Because everyone's gotta eat. This is a lightly edited recording of the event. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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A flawed bridge, frayed nerves, fraught politics – this has been a daily reality for Rhode Islanders since the abrupt closure of the Washington Bridge westbound in 2023. But it’s not the first time the state has grappled with how to replace a critical highway bridge. Rhode Island Report partnered with GBH's Big Dig podcast for a live conversation about Providence’s complicated relationship with its urban highways. The Big Dig host Ian Coss joined host Edward Fitzpatrick to interview Mike Lewis, former director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and Zachary Cunha, former United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.

This is a lightly edited recording of that discussion. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Last week’s US Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana’s election map has gutted the landmark federal Voting Rights Act. That’s according to Shahidah Ali, the Political Action Committee Chair for the Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women, and John Marion, the executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island. They join host Edward Fitzpatrick to react to the high court ruling and talk about a proposed Rhode Island Voting Rights Act that would prohibit voter suppression on the local level. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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You might have heard of the Green Book, a guidebook that was widely circulated from the 1930s through the 1960s to help Black travelers find welcoming places across the country to stay, eat, and fill up their cars. But did you know that many of those locations were in New England? Emily Sweeney, a Boston Globe reporter, has documented and mapped more than 350 spots in this part of the country. She joined host Ed Fitzpatrick in 2025 to talk about what she uncovered. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. 

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The biggest race in Rhode Island this election season is the Democratic primary for governor. Incumbent Daniel McKee is facing a rematch with former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, whom he narrowly defeated in the 2022 primary.

So, we brought both candidates into the studio separately to explain where they stand on major issues, including the high cost of energy and housing, the proposed millionaires tax, the Washington Bridge crisis, the opioid crisis, and "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island." Then we put their responses together so voters could easily compare and contrast. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected]. 

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In the Ocean State, surrounded by water, we’re vulnerable to climate change and in particular, sea level rise. We’re seeing the effects everywhere – from the collapse of part of the Newport Cliff Walk to the erosion of local beaches. Salve Regina University biology and biomedical sciences professor Christine Ramsay joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about ways to protect the places we love as the climate changes. We want to hear from you! Fill out our listener survey, and we’ll send you a Rhode Island Report sticker - https://bit.ly/RIpodsurvey.

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It’s been just over a month since President Trump declared war on Iran. The Constitution gives Congress the power to initiate war, but the president started the surprise airstrikes without their approval. Is that constitutional? Host Edward Fitzpatrick talks to Salve Regina University History Professor William Leeman about the history of presidential war powers. We want to hear from you! Fill out our listener survey, and we’ll send you a Rhode Island Report sticker - https://bit.ly/RIpodsurvey

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Launched nearly three decades ago in a prime location between the State House and downtown as an economic catalyst for Rhode Island's capital city, the Providence Place mall now has more than 20 empty storefronts and restaurant spaces. It's been in receivership since 2024, and is up for sale. What happens next? Globe reporters Steph Machado and Alexa Gagosz have been following this story, and join guest host Megan Hall for an update. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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The Melania Trump movie is putting first ladies back in the spotlight. How has their role evolved over the years? Salve Regina University Political Science Professor Mary Anderson joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to offer some perspective. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Rhode Island recently nearly lost two safety-net hospitals; there’s a shortage of primary care providers, reimbursement rates are lower than in neighboring states, and nursing homes are understaffed. Anna Matos-Mournighan, the graduate program director for healthcare administration at Salve Regina University and board president of a senior center in Newport, R.I., joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to make sense of it all. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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Earlier this week, in front of a live audience, Globe Rhode Island’s Dan McGowan and Alexa Gagosz moderated a panel discussion about what it really takes to start, fund, and grow a small business in Rhode Island. This is a lightly edited recording of that discussion. Tips and ideas? Email us at [email protected].

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