In the Arena – Ashley Kalus, candidate for Governor

Ashley kalus is a candidate for rhode island governor.

Each week Joe Paolino, Jr. features leaders in Rhode Island – this week Ashley Kalus, Republican candidate for Governor. They talk about why Kalus wanted to run for Governor, what inspires her, what the issues are that are important to Rhode Island in the campaign that she will focus on. They talk about education and…

Read More

Defining our truth.

A picture of a hand holding a thumbs up and a thumbs down sign.

Politico was the first to report that the Department of Homeland Security -DHS – “is standing up a new Disinformation Governance Board to coordinate countering misinformation related to homeland security, focused specifically on irregular migration and Russia. Nina Jankowicz will head the board as executive director. She previously was a disinformation fellow at the Wilson…

Read More

RI Vigil for Ukraine – Saturday, 4pm, RI State House

Rhode island stand with ukraine flyer.

A broad coalition of community, government, and religious leaders will gather together this Saturday, March 26th at 4pm on the south side of the RI State House to pray and raise financial support for humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.  This is a bipartisan effort with neighbors representing many of the world’s religions coming together in a moment…

Read More

Bill would (re)create a RI Department of Healthy Aging – Herb Weiss

A woman helping an older woman on a computer.

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues (This article has been updated) There are new efforts on Smith Hill to transform the state’s Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) into a department making it far more visible and effective as an advocate for the state’s growing senior population.  H. 7616, introduced by Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-District 75, Newport), would expand the office in the Department of Human Services…

Read More

In the Arena – Helena Foulkes, candidate for Governor

A woman in a suit is smiling in front of a desk.

Weekly, Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews interesting people in Rhode Island. Here is his interview this week with candidate for Governor, Helena Foulkes. Foulkes and Paolino talk about her candidacy and what her priorities are for the state, as well as her past career success. Each week Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews people of interest on his…

Read More

In the Arena – Seth Magaziner, RI General Treasurer, candidate for Congress

A man in a suit and tie in front of a map.

Weekly, Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews interesting people in Rhode Island. Here is his interview this week with Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner. Magaziner has also announced he is running for Congress, the set being vacated by Congressman James Langevin. They talk about investments, pension accounts, the Providence pension system, and what his priorities will…

Read More

Gambia refugee running for US Congress: What’s the possibility? – Ann Clanton

A man in a blue suit sitting in an office.

by Ann Clanton, “Speak-Up” contributing writer Can a refugee from Gambia, in a predominately white, Catholic and Protestant state win a federal election in the Ocean State? Dr. Omar Bah, founder of the Refugee Dream Center and an advocate for Rhode Island’s refugee community, joined a long list of would-be candidates when he announced his…

Read More

In the Arena – Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews U.S. Rep. James Langevin

A man in a suit and tie sitting in front of a desk.

Weekly, Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews interesting people in Rhode Island. Here is his interview this week with Congressman James Langevin, who has announced his retirement after 30 years in public service. They discuss Rhode Island issues, politics, national and local concerns, and his interests and projects for the future. They talk about why he is…

Read More

In the Arena – Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews Gov. Dan McKee

A man in a suit and tie is sitting in a room.

Weekly, Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews interesting people in Rhode Island. Here is his interview this week with Gov. Dan McKee, who will be running for re-election. They talk about issues in Rhode Island, COVID, Dr Scott’s leaving, the new interim director, Dr. McDonald, and the restructure of the department. They also talk about the proposed…

Read More