Ben@tpr.org - Podcast Details

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The Weekly CatchPayday lending reined in, fish processors face fines for underage workers, and more 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 Payd...2025-07-1107 min

The Weekly CatchWashington Bridge accountability, federal workers’ uncertain future, and more A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to hire back fired government workers. They’re getting paid, but they’re not doing any work for now. Our South Coast Bureau reporter Ben Berke tells us how federal employees are reacting. Also, is enough being done to hold government officials accountable for the Washington Bridge debacle? We dive deeper into that question with Michelle San Miguel from Rhode Island PBS Weekly. And in this week’s Artscape: we meet North Providence knifemaker, artist and fishmonger Joyce Kutty. That and more on this week’s show. The post Washingt...2025-03-2106 min

The Weekly CatchHow NOAA cuts may harm local fishermen, protecting the ‘Freedom to Read,’ and more Recent job cuts by the Trump Administration could have a negative impact on New Bedford’s huge fishing industry. Our South Coast Bureau reporter Ben Berke tells us how. Also, Rhode Island has spent millions battling lawsuits from people challenging books. Since 2021 there have been more than 30 such challenges. We’ll learn about a bill before the General Assembly that would protect schools and libraries from litigation and censorship. And in the midst of a trade war between the U.S. and Canada sparked by the Trump administration, a local museum is celebrating ties between the Ocean State and Fren...2025-03-1407 min

ArtscapeUMass Dartmouth’s $660 million problem: preserving its Brutalist campus Brutalism had its heyday 60 years ago, but this polarizing style of architecture is back in the spotlight. At the Oscars, Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his performance of a Brutalist architect. In Washington, President Trump has re-issued an executive order deploring Brutalism. And in southeastern Massachusetts, our reporter Ben Berke brings us this story about a Brutalist college campus designed by a celebrated architect whose buildings are disappearing across the country. The post UMass Dartmouth’s $660 million problem: preserving its Brutalist campus appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.2025-03-0608 min

RE: Real Estate PodcastBuyers: Response to InspectionSummaryIn this conversation, Clint C. Galliano and Ben Harang discuss the intricacies of home inspections as part of the residential property purchase process. They delve into the importance of understanding inspection reports, navigating appraisal flags, and the mechanics of responding to inspection findings. The discussion emphasizes the need for clear communication between buyers and sellers, particularly regarding repairs and expectations during the closing process. The episode concludes with thoughts on future discussions and the potential for including third-party insights. Takeaways· We review the inspection and we have a...2025-03-0117 min

ArtscapeStudio Session: The ‘unhindered joy,’ community spirit and Ocean State pride of The Vox Hunters The Vox Hunters are a duo-turned-trio defined by their affinity for unaccompanied vocal music, a unique mix of folk influences, and the traditional songs and tunes of Rhode Island. If you’re a player or a fan of folk music in Rhode Island, there’s a good chance you’ve been to a Vox Hunters show, or attended one of the many community jams and sings they’ve led over the years. “I would say that our music would fall under the category of social music,” said Ben Gagliardi, one of the two founding members of The Vox H...2024-12-1903 min

The Weekly CatchSouth Coast elections preview, Rhode Island’s $53 million green economy bond, and more This election, South Coast residents will pick candidates for the state legislature, decide on five statewide ballot questions, and vote on a contested Congressional race. Our South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke reviews what you need to know. And we continue our breakdown of Rhode Island’s ballot referenda, this time with question four, a $53 million green economy bond that will go towards green infrastructure, climate resiliency, land conservation, and more. Also, a conversation with Hamilton de Holanda, world-renowned composer and player of the Brazilian bandolim. That and more on this week’s show. The post South Coas...2024-10-2507 min

Sports, Clicks & PoliticsEP170: Trump v Harris, Hochul & Adams Under Fire, Hannibal Directive, GameStop Earnings, Roaring KittyEP170: Trump v Harris, Hochul & Adams Under Fire, Hannibal Directive, GameStop Earnings, Roaring Kitty QUICK HITS US Troops Leaving Iraq https://www.zerohedge.com/military/deal-will-mark-end-near-quarter-century-us-troop-occupation-iraq#google_vignette Gov Hochul’s Chinese Spy https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/exhochul-aide-linda-sun-was-chinese-agent-feds-allege.html FBI Raids Mayor Eric Adams Staff https://nypost.com/2024/09/08/us-news/school-chancellors-brother-bragged-about-political-connections-but-scrubbed-his-website-after-federal-raid/ GameStop Earnings 9/10, MOASS? https://www.barrons.com/articles/gamestop-stock-price-7fdcbf75 Federal Reserve to Cut Rate https://finance.yahoo.com/news/0-50-fed-rate-cut-112153059.html SPORTS NFL Week 1 - https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-season-week-1-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-games 2024-09-091h 27

The Weekly CatchPreparing for coastal erosion, Vineyard Wind to compensate fishermen, and more Offshore Wind company Vineyard Wind is establishing a fund to pay fishermen for financial losses they may suffer as a result of the wind farm being built near Martha’s Vineyard. As South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke tells us, it’s the first program of its kind in the nation. And the General Assembly is considering a bill that would create a comprehensive plan to deal with threats to the Rhode Island coastline. We hear from bill sponsor State Rep. Tina Spears. Meanwhile, Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch talks with a group of residents in Portsmouth that are taki...2024-03-2907 min

ArtscapeInterview: UMass Dartmouth chancellor sees slim chance of returning to Star Store In his first interview since the Star Store closed abruptly in August, Chancellor Mark Fuller told our reporter Ben Berke that he does not see a pathway for moving the university’s art school back into downtown New Bedford. The post Interview: UMass Dartmouth chancellor sees slim chance of returning to Star Store appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.2023-11-3009 min

The Weekly CatchFall River police abuse allegations, building a Latino community at RIC, and more A new investigation into a former Fall River police officer reveals flaws within the department’s internal affairs process. We talk with South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke about some key takeaways from his report. And when José Gonzalez came to Rhode Island College in the 1970s, he felt like an outsider – we hear how that experience led him to create the Latin American Student Organization. Also, we give our review of the latest show at Trinity Rep: A dark comedy about a modern-day descendent of a woman executed during the Salem Witch Trials. Plus, the latest in politics, and a...2023-10-0607 min

ArtscapeNew Bedford says goodbye to a downtown eccentric Ira Cohen, a bookseller and art model who kept a literary spirit alive in a tough New England seaport, died this January at 70 years old after a brief illness. Cohen was the focus of what turned out to be the last show UMass Dartmouth exhibited at its gallery in downtown New Bedford before the university abruptly closes its campus there at the end of the month. For this week’s Artscape, South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke interviewed more than a dozen people who knew Cohen. The result is a collection of stories, memories and impressions that form another la...2023-08-2407 min

The Weekly CatchOffshore wind, housing insecurity in Newport, homelessness solutions in Woonsocket, and more Rhode Island Energy this week dropped their plans to be part of another large wind farm project off the coast. But that’s not slowing down the push to put up more of these giant turbines to generate renewable energy. We’ll get the latest from South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke. And, a look back on an eventful week in politics from Political Reporter Ian Donnis. Also, two stories about housing insecurity in Rhode Island—one from Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch, about a man who was priced out of Newport, now living in his car; and another from H...2023-07-2107 min

Roadside Cycling PodcastBen Swift: The Academy, Ineos and moreThis week on TPR we chat with the reigning back to back British Road Champion, Ben Swift of Ineos Grenadiers. Ben recalls his time coming through the famous British development academy and we touch on his career to date and how the peloton has changed in recent years. If you enjoyed the episode please leave a review or a rating on your podcast player. - - - The Press Room Podcast is presented by Zwift. Head to www.zwift.com to get your 7 day free trial. The Press Room i...2022-04-2457 min

LIFE DOWNUNDER︻╦̵̵̿╤── PORT ARTHUR MASSACRE: 'A False Flag To Disarm AUSTRALIA'SYNOPSIS: Episode eight. Our final episode for Season One. A MUST LISTEN. Tonight covers the following topics: Interview conducted 04 MARCH 2017 by Allen RICHIE (his guest: Dr Keith Allan NOBLE on Martin BRYANT's irrefutable innocence), In depth analysis of the 28 APRIL 1996 Port Arthur Massacre (Tasmania, AUSTRALIA), Ari Ben Menashe (aka Joe VIALLS, and former Israeli Signal Intelligence and Military Intelligence Officer 1974 - 1987) and his direct ties to "Mista'arvim" (i.e., an elite undercover counterterrorist police unit known as 'Gideonim' (aka Unit-33)) and their direct involvement in the Port Arthur Massacre', The Townsville Blackhawk crash 12 JUNE 1996 that resulted in the deaths...2021-12-301h 52

The Mock Review with Ben and DrewEpisode 49: Nationals Preview (with Gurbir Singh)Ben and Drew are joined by highly decorated witness Gurbir Singh of Cal Berkeley to break down the NCT field and the prep process, including the challenge of managing burnout and exhaustion this time of year, possible sleeper teams in each division to outperform their TPR, Gurbir's thought on the west coast teams at Nationals (@ u MTCBIAU), who could win the entire tournament, and whether the two divisions are balanced.2021-04-1359 min

The Mock Review with Ben and DrewEpisode 46: ORCS Analysis, Week OneBen and Drew discuss some recent decisions by AMTA and break down the first week of 2021 ORCS results. 04:23 - Discussion of recent AMTA moves on TPR and scouting 20:20 - ORCS 1A 34:14 - ORCS 1B 44:15 - ORCS 1C 57:17 - ORCS 1D 2021-03-161h 13

Your Favorite Coaster SucksEpisode 65 - Sean Flaharty's Coastered '99This week on the premier comedy roller coaster podcast Sean Flaharty joins Ben and Zach to share his recently unearthed "Coastered '99" video. This video predates TPR home videos and helped define the template for coaster videos for years to come. You can stream or download "Coastered '99" right here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lrt3t85rumbd0nd/Coastered99.mp4?dl=0 Also Sean shares a video of Tom Green getting pissed off at the guy from Jackyl for chainsawing his desk, which you can see here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x34e7ol Check out Sean Flaharty's YouTube...2021-02-053h 29

Your Favorite Coaster SucksEpisode 38 – Jonathan's Coaster Expeditions Volume 2This week Ben and Zach are joined by our friend Jonathan from Carowinds Connection to discuss some Cedar Point stories and to give some commentary on TPR’s coaster expedition vol. 3 which features appearances from Jonathan himself. Watch along or download the video compliments of YFCS by visiting the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gu891qsb94a882q/Coaster_Expedition_Volume_3.mp4?dl=0 Please give us a 5 star rating, comment and subscribe on whatever app you’re using to listen to Your Favorite Coaster Sucks. Find and contact us here: YourFavoriteCoasterSucks@gmail.com Text/Voicemail (312) 572-9552 Instagram @YourFavoriteCoasterSucks Twit...2020-06-123h 32

Your Favorite Coaster SucksEpisode 35 – Your Favorite Coaster (expedition) SucksThis week Ben and Zach battle the boredom of quarantine as a coaster enthusiast by digging into the coaster content archives and found a classic to provide commentary on. If you’ve heard the show you know we love TPR, we just have a funny way of showing it, so we decided to “review” the TPR coaster expedition volume 1. Don’t have a copy to watch along? No problem, download or stream it for free right here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0k4n0klxo2bsqfn/coaster_expedition_vol_1.mp4?dl=0 Please give us a 5 star rating, comment and subscribe on whate...2020-05-221h 47

The Prefect ReportThe Prefect Report Podcast - Forth Edition1 - Hosts Ben & Jared address the controversial segment in the most recent video episode of TPR 2 - Jared sits down with Mark Merzon to discuss his tips and tricks of surviving and thriving at Ridley 3 - Tomi Johnson joins TPR team to discuss the spirit night on November 23rd and confirms that he will be doing his college commitment on TPR Introductory music curtesy of: Marjan Gjorgjievski - Undefeated 2018-12-0400 min