It’s the first day of the 2026 legislative session. Lawmakers return to face a series of major issues, including looming cuts in federal funding, the potential closure of two hospitals, and a state budget deficit of more than $100 million. Globe Rhode Island’s Steph Machado and Dan McGowan join host Edward Fitzpatrick to preview the session and what to expect from legislators this year. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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Brown University has been on our minds a lot since the deadly shooting on campus. So, we're bringing back this conversation with former president Ruth Simmons. She made history in 2001 as the first Black president of an Ivy League institution. She joined us on the podcast to talk about her memoir, “Up Home.” Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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We're taking a little break for the holidays. While we're gone, enjoy this episode about host Edward Fitzpatrick's memories of chestnut fights at his elementary school. Listen in as he returns to his native Greenville for a showdown with his childhood friend Sue Tremblay. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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Providence Mayor Brett Smiley sits down with host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about the past 48 hours since the mass shooting at Brown and where the investigation goes from here. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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It's the holiday season, and cities across the country are having tree lighting ceremonies. But how many of them light a bug? Rhode Island's version of the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center is the lighting of the Big Blue Bug off I-95. So, host Edward Fitzpatrick tagged along as they flipped the switch. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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Have you ever completely messed up a marathon? Or maybe you’re thinking about running one and want to avoid the common mistakes? RISD grad Alen Yen says he’s been “bad” at marathons for more than a decade. But he stuck with it and finally figured out how to conquer the 26.2 miles. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to share what he’s learned in a new book called “50 Ways to F*** Up a Marathon! An amateur’s guide to #marathonfails.” Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.

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More than 50 years ago, in a Providence apartment, some of the band members of Talking Heads recorded an early demo of what would eventually become their hit, "Psycho Killer." Over the years, that recording eventually made its way to RISD. And on Friday, fans can finally hear it. The track is included in a new collection of demos and live recordings from the band called "Tentative Decisions." Talking Heads Drummer Chris Franz and RISD Assistant Provost for Academic Engagement Margot Nishimura join host Christopher Gavin to talk about the recording. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com

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If you live in Rhode Island, you’ve heard of Roger Williams. But do we really know what our founder was like? Roger Williams University History Professor Charlotte Carrington-Farmer is out with a new book exploring his story through his own writings and what other people wrote about him. She’s also the force behind a new exhibit about his wife, Mary. She joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to dig into what she’s learned about Rhode Island’s first couple. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com

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