Steve Klamkin & The Saturday Am News

Jennifer Wood is Director of the Rhode Island Center for Justice in Providence, and co-counsel for a group of students who unsuccessfully charged the state did not provide them with an adequate civic education. #WPRO She said the judge cleared away some issues raised by the state, paving the way for an appeal. centerforjustice.org

Marcela Betancur, Executive Director of the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University. #WPRO She has authored a "Latino Impact Plan" that assesses the inequities and barriers Rhode Island Latinos faced before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, developed by leaders in the Latino community and others. https://tinyurl.com/y39qsla7

David Beauchesne, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra talks about the RI Phil's 75th Anniversary Gala concert, October 17, 2020. #WPRO The show goes on with both the orchestra and the audience socially distanced and with special guest violin soloist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman, and cellist Amanda Forsyth. riphil.org

Rachel Robinson is the Director of Preservation at the Providence Preservation Society, which is celebrating the "Superman" building. #WPRO The art deco building, still the tallest structure on the Providence skyline, turns 92 years old this year. It has been vacant for seven years.

About 10 days after classes resumed in many Rhode Island schools following the #coronavirus shutdown, Principal Julie Dorsey hosted Governor Gina Raimondo in a tour to assess K-5 classes held outdoors in Smithfield's Raymond C. LaPerche Elementary School. #WPROThere are about 240 students in the school. They are divided into about 13 "pods" for outdoor learning, recess and lunch periods.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Health Science Professor Samantha Rosenthal at Johnson & Wales University thinks that Halloween can be celebrated safely. #WPRO jwu.edu

Ben Arnold is the Principal Forest Ranger at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. #WPRO Southern New England's drought was elevated from severe to extreme, and the RI DEM is expressing concern about the increased fire danger. Ben Arnold at the DEM is offering ways to prevent fires, and talks about the teamwork employed with local fire districts to fight forest fires. https://tinyurl.com/y3gcq9gm Machinery is shown being used to install a fire break during a controlled burning in Charlestown. Photo courtesy RI DEM

Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea is sending mail ballot applications to every registered voter in Rhode Island. #WPRO The aim is to help people who want to avoid voting in person, and to avoid crowding at polling places. The RI National Guard will also be deployed to help process the applications. www.sos.ri.gov

Henrietta White-Holder, founder of Higher Ground International talks about the food distribution they've undertaken during the coronavirus pandemic to serve hundreds of residents in the Upper South Providence neighborhood. #WPRO highergroundintl.org

Joseph McNamara, Chairman of the RI Democratic Party looks ahead to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which will be held virtually as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. #WPROMcNamara also talks about the selection by presumed presidential nominee Joe Biden of Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced a record settlement with Sims Metal Management over longstanding air pollution from a metal shredding operation in Johnston. #WPRO

Kristen Adamo of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau is expanding Restaurant Weeks in response to the coronavirus panedmic. Matt Tortoro of What's Good is delivering food and meals to customers on behalf of farmers, fishermen and restaurants. #WPRO goprovidence.com/rw sourcewhatsgood.com

Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea says that Sunday, August 9 is the deadline to vote in Rhode Island's September 8th primary election. #WPRO For both the primary, and the November 3rd general election, you can vote early, by mail or in person. vote.sos.ri.gov

Turnaround Superintendent Harrison Peters talks about the Providence Public Schools' coronavirus reopening plan. #WPRO He spoke after the district issued a detailed, 75-page plan outlining various options ranging from full or partial reopening to resuming at-home distance learning.

John Flaherty, Deputy Director of the planning group Grow Smart RI is calling on RIPTA and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to rework plans to shift the downtown Providence bus and transit hub away from Kennedy Plaza to multiple locations. #WPRO

As venues work toward reopening from the coronavirus pandemic, Alan Chille, General Manager of the Providence Performing Arts Center talks about how PPAC & The Vets work to meet the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® STAR™ accreditation for cleaning, disinfection and preventing disease. #WPRO

Governor Gina Raimondo and RI Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott try to bolster confidence among parents, teachers & educators about returning to school amid the #coronavirus pandemic. #WPRO

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza talks about the city's effort to "reimagine" the role of police, in response to calls to "defund" the police following the death of George Floyd. #WPRO https://www.providenceri.gov/mayors-office/

Amanda Skinner, President and Chief Executive of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England responds to a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a Louisiana law regulating abortion clinics. #WPRO https://bit.ly/2VOAqlx

Gary Sasse of the Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership at Bryant University. #WPRO The Center issued a poll of Rhode Islanders' perceptions of Gov. Gina Raimondo's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and other issues, including health care, the budget deficit, race relations and more. https://bit.ly/3eOtM5U