In Depth

An underwater photo

Politics This Week with John DePetro: Growing Signs of Distrust

By Justin Katz | June 28, 2021 |

From a U.S. Senator to the news media to a local school committee, Rhode Islanders’ trust is slipping, but John DePetro and Justin Katz aren’t sure it’s enough to bring change.

Town Clerk Joan Chabot and Solicitor Michael Marcello

How a Town Clerk, Town Solicitor, and Superior Court Judge Can Brush Your Rights Aside

By Justin Katz | June 23, 2021 |

Watching local government is a great way to learn how politics really works and to observe how representative democracy can deteriorate into an exercise of raw power.

Jorge Elorza speaks at a Pride event

Politics This Week with John DePetro: The Privileged in Rhode Island

By Justin Katz | June 21, 2021 |

This week, John and Justin discuss the special interests who get special privileges in the Ocean State.

South Kingstown bond mailer

A Start to Fixing South Kingstown Schools’ Misbehavior

By Justin Katz | June 15, 2021 |

Revelations about the source of student information for a political mailer in South Kingstown give hints of the statewide machine taxpayers have to resist.

Cut roots on a wall

Politics This Week with John DePetro: Systemic Avoidance of Root Causes

By Justin Katz | June 14, 2021 |

This week, John and Justin discuss homelessness, gun crime, and the common theme that activists and politicians don’t want to touch the real problems behind them both.

An Analytical Eye for Systemic Racism

By Justin Katz | June 11, 2021 |

Studies purporting to find evidence of “systemic racism” often miss the mark or, alternately, identify “systemic racism” for which progressive ideology is to blame and that Critical Race Theory (CRT) will only make worse.

A shush post at VisionLab

When Journalists Deride Requests for Public Access in Government

By Justin Katz | June 8, 2021 |

With their ideological bias, Rhode Island journalists don’t see themselves as aligned with those seeking public accountability regardless of worldview, but with the powerful seeking to impose their worldview on the powerless.

Colors in a bubble

Politics This Week with John DePetro: Blowing Progressive Bubbles in RI

By Justin Katz | June 7, 2021 |

This week, John and Justin discuss how Rhode Island media, politicians, and officials trip themselves and others up because they see the world from within bubbles.

Firedancer in a ring of fire

Politics This Week with John DePetro: Office on Fire, Candidates Not

By Justin Katz | June 2, 2021 |

For their weekly conversation, John and Justin review the changing political landscape from the point of view of gubernatorial candidates and Providence school children.

Poker hand

Governor McKee can do better. We hope he does.

By Rhode Island House Republicans | June 1, 2021 |

Legislation to offer a 20-year deal to Rhode Island’s casino operators inexplicably leaves hundreds of millions of dollars on the table, and RI House Republicans hope the governor vetoes the bill.