The Hummel Round-up - Aggregated News, A Lively Experiment & Hummel Latest Investigations

Latest News

Hummel Investigations

Left Out

Engineers hired by the state to find out why the westbound side of the Washington Bridge failed in 2023 concluded that broken rods which led to the closure had been corroding for more than 15 years. But that conclusion was omitted from the 64-page draft report that Wiss Janney Elstner Associates provided The Rhode Island Department of Transportation in April 2024, according to documents obtained by The Hummel Report. Jim Hummel takes a closer look. Read the full report here.

No Thank You

Six years ago, The Rhode Island Department of Transportation declined multiple offers from the company repairing the Washington Bridge to...

Shifting Costs

Fire Departments in a handful of Rhode Island communities are using a new online database to catalogue inspections of fire alarm boxes,...

New Charlie Hall Toons

New cartoons are available at the bottom of the page.

Here We Go Again

Nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island take note: if you have an exemption certificate that allows your organization to avoid paying...

Not So Fast

The former owners of Johnson’s Pond in Coventry filed a federal lawsuit Friday that paints the picture of an orchestrated – and illegal –...

A Lively Experiment

Lively 1/30/2026

This week on Lively, Providence mayor Brett Smiley has a message for ICE: don't try to trespass on city property. But will a new executive order have any teeth? Plus, Roger Williams Medical Center and Fatima Hospital are said to be too big to fail, but just what is the state's plan? Host Jim Hummel talks with former Cranston mayor Allan Fung and political contributor Pablo Rodriguez. Watch the show here.

Lively 1/23/2026

This week on Lively: from a millionaire's surtax to a controversial scaleback in renewable energy mandates, we break down the most important measures in the governor's nearly 15 billion-dollar budget bill. Plus, moderator Jim Hummel examines the state's head-scratchingly high energy costs with former RI GOP Chairman Joe Powers and Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies of the Economic Progress Institute. Watch the show here.

Lively 1/16/2026

This week on Lively: in a year he is fighting for his political life, what does Governor Dan McKee deliver during his State of the State address? We'll also hear the people's answer to his speech, with one message ringing out loud and clear: give Rhode Islanders shelter. Jim Hummel breaks down the key issues with attorney and former prosecutor Eva Mancuso and political contributor Harrison Tuttle. Watch the show here.

Lively 1/9/2026

This week on Lively: with a call to buckle up and buckle down, a new legislative session kicks off a challenging year. Lawmakers worried about the effects of federal cuts on the state budget face critical issues like healthcare and housing. Plus, campus security in the wake of the Brown University shooting. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by WPRI's Tim White and Ed Fitzpatrick of the Boston Globe. Watch the show here.

Lively 12/26/2025

This week on Lively, predictions and prognostications - plus a look back at the eventful year that was 2025. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Brown University professor Wendy Schiller and Ocean State Media's Ian Donnis for Lively's annual year-ender episode. They are looking at highlights through a political lens and offering up some surprising predictions for next year. Watch the show here.

Lively 12/5/2025

This week on Lively, how should school districts handle hazing among students? Some are calling for a zero-tolerance policy. Plus, as many of us worry about heating costs this winter, Rhode Island Energy asks for a steep rate increase. Moderator Jim Hummel breaks down the week's issues with Bill Bartholomew of the Bartholomewtown Podcast and former RI state representative, Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. Watch the show here.