News

By Bill Gale

Providence, R.I. – Yes, indeed, "frisky" is just the word for this century old German tour de farce by a now mostly forgotten fellow named Carl Sternheim. His script ran on about . . .Oh, well, let's not worry about that.

For you see, Herr Sternheim's script has been adapted - and you strongly suspect __ largely re-engineered by that man of many an artistic talent, Steve Martin.

By Bob Seay and Megan Hall

Providence, R.I. – When the Association for the Advancement of Retired persons, or AARP, selected its new board of directors last week, a Rhode Islander moved up to the rank of board chairman.

Phil Zarlengo from Jamestown has served on the National Board since 2006. Before that, he was the President of Rhode Island's AARP for five years. He recently joined WRNI's Bob Seay in the studio to talk about what's next for the AARP and seniors under the new health reform law.

By Frederic Reamer

Providence, RI – How often have you stood impatiently in what turned out to be the interminably long line at the supermarket, or felt at a complete loss for what to do in those all-too-rare, often unexpected hiatuses in your overly scheduled life? As Henri Flikier observes, boredom is in the eye of the beholder and, often, is not what it seems.

By Flo Jonic

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Island's six gubernatorial candidates squared off over poverty issues in a forum sponsored by the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition yesterday.

In 2008, over 118,000 Rhode Islanders -- 12 percent of the population -- were living below the federal poverty level. All six gubernatorial candidates agree this is a problem but disagree on ways to solve it.

By Elisabeth Harrison

Providence, R.I. – State lawmakers consider three bills this week that would more fairly distribute state aid to school districts.

Under the current system, many districts say they are getting short-changed. Woonsocket City Councilman John Ward says his community faces school deficits for the fourth year in a row.

"Music, art, extra curricular programs, high school electives, teacher aides for elementary classes and now all-day Kindergarten have been or will be eliminated from our offerings to our children," Ward says.

By Flo Jonic

Warwick, R.I. – Warwick Mall may not be fully re-opened until November. That's the word from mall co-owner Aram Garabedian.

He says Longhorn Steakhouse and Firestone have already reopened and The Sports Authority will re-open Monday.

But Target isn't scheduled to resume business until July 11 and it may be November before Macy's opens its doors again.

The mall was badly flooded in the March 30 rainstorm. October marks the mall's 40th anniversary and Garabedian says there will be quite a celebration.

By Frederic Reamer

Providence, RI – Who hasn't had a close encounter or two with a remarkably exasperating, perhaps eccentric, relative -- that legendary family fixture who has an astonishing ability to push the proverbial envelope and test our patience? And then, as so often happens, this is the relative who, over time, manages somehow to seep into and truly touch our soul. This is what happened to Janine Weisman.

By Scott Mackay

Central Falls, RI – By SCOTT MACKAY -- Central Falls is Rhode Island's poorest community. Its schools are wards of the state, unemployment is soaring and too many of the sturdy triple-deckers that have housed generations of immigrants are boarded up. But the saddest recent news in Central Falls is how its citizens are being betrayed by their leaders.

By Amy Quinton

Providence, RI – Regulations designed to eliminate childhood lead poisoning go into effect this month. The change brings strict new requirements for building contractors, property owners, renovators and a host of others who work with lead paint.

While health advocates call the regulations long overdue, some contractors say the cost to comply is way too high.

At the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, contractors are spreading large sheets of plastic over the floor.

By Trinity Rep Radio Theater

Providence, RI – Janice Duclos, Fred Sullivan, Jr., and guest artist Nance Williamson join Curt Columbus and host Bob Seay to read and discuss:

* "Last Christmas of the War" by Primo Levi: Rare delicacies arrive at Auschwitz
* "The Fruits of Family Trees" from Jonathan Safron Foer's Eating Animals: A new father considers his grandmother's legacy of cooking
* "Enough" by Alice McDermott: A woman's appetites mark her life