JIM: THIS WEEK, AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT HAS CHANGED THE TENURE OF THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT.

AND THOSE SEEKING GREATER ACCESS TO RHODE ISLAND'S SHORELINE.

>> HI, FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT PROVIDED INSIGHT TO THE POLITICAL INSIGHTS FACING RHODE ISLANDERS.

I'M A PROUD SUPPORTER.

JIM: JOINING US, TIM WHITE, ANTONIA NOORI FARZAN AND IAN DONNIS.

WE HAVE A HOST OF LOCAL ISSUES WITH REPORTERS WHO HAVE BEEN DEEP IN THE COVERAGE OF THEM.

LAST WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN POTENTIALLY DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE.

THIS WEEK THE FOCUS IS DONALD TRUMP SURVIVING IN A TEST NATION -- SURVIVING AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AND CHOOSING A VP PICK.

THE TALK EARLIER IN THE WEEK WAS WE WILL TONE IT DOWN.

LOOKS LIKE THAT LASTED A COUPLE DAYS.

TIM: WE ARE TALKING ON A THURSDAY MORNING.

THE SITUATION IS FLUID.

A LOT COULD CHANGE BY THE TIME FOLKS WATCH THIS, INCLUDING THE CHATTER ABOUT WILL HE OR WON'T HE WHEN IT COMES TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND IF HE WILL STAY.

THERE IS SO MUCH HANDWRINGING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESIDENCY AND THE DOWN BALLOT AFFECT BIDEN COULD HAVE ON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL OF LOSING THE SENATE.

REPUBLICANS ALREADY CONTROL THE OTHER CHAMBER.

SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE TOLD MY COLLEAGUE TED, HE WAS ONE OF THE EARLY DEMOCRATS TO RAISE ALARMS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT PRESIDENT BIDEN SHOULD BE THE NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT.

HE CALLED THE DEBATE HORRIFYING AND SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN HAS TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH AND WHETHER HE IS FIT FOR OFFICE.

JIM: THERE HAS BEEN A REMARKABLE SERIES OF EVENTS STARTING WITH THAT DEBATE PERFORMANCE.

DIVISION AMONG DEMOCRATS.

THE NEAR MISS ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF SECURITY TO HAVE A ROOFTOP WITH CLEAR SIGHTLINES TO THE PODIUM, OUTSIDE THE SECURITY PERIMETER.

THAT BOGGLES THE MIND.

FAVORABLE COURT READINGS FOR DONALD TRUMP THAT FIRST ALL THE FORWARD MOTION -- THAT FORESTALL THE FORWARD MOTION AGAINST HIM.

THERE ARE SOME INDICATIONS A LANDSLIDE VICTORY, THERE ARE SOME INDICATIONS THIS REMAINS A CLOSE RACE.

THERE IS A LOT OF ANTIPATHY PROVIDED AND TRUMP.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER BIDEN WILL STAY IN OR OUT.

ANTONIA: A NEW AP POLL SAID TWO THIRDS OF DEMOCRATIC VOTERS WANT HIM TO DROP OUT.

JIM: THOSE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT WILL STILL VOTE FOR HIM.

THERE IS A LOCAL ANGLE.

MIKE TOMLIN, TERRY DONLON, THEY ARE ON THE INNER CIRCLE.

YOU HAVE TO WONDER WHAT THEY ARE TELLING HIM.

CHUCK SCHUMER, THE REPORT WAS, HE SHOWED HIM SOME POLLS.

BIDEN HAS SAID I'M DOING WELL.

I HAVEN'T SEEN OTHERWISE.

THAT'S WHAT WOULD CONVINCE ME.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO CRACK THAT PERIMETER.

>> CHUCK SCHUMER, THAT WAS BIG NEWS.

BEFORE THAT, PERSON THE DEMOCRATS WATCH WHEN IT COMES TO THIS IS THE FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI.

A WEEK AGO SHE PUT HER FOOT IN THE DOOR FRAME, NOT COMPLETELY SAYING OK BIDEN IS THE NOMINEE.

WHEN SHE ALLOWED AIR INTO THE ROOM TO RAISE THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE SHOULD BE THE NOMINEE, THAT ALLOWED OTHER DEMOCRATS TO START QUESTIONING.

>> HER GRANDPARENTS ON ONE SIDE WERE FROM PAWTUCKET.

ANOTHER RHODE ISLAND ANGLE.

THE CONCERN FOR BIDEN, IF HE STAYS, IS NOT THAT PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED HIM ARE GOING TO GO TO TRUMP.

IT IS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO STAY HOME.

THERE SEEMS TO BE MORE ENTHUSIASM AMONG TRUMP SPACE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT TRUMP.

THE TASK FACING THEM IS TO BRING UP THE LEVEL OF ENTHUSIASM.

OTHERWISE THIS RACE COULD BE DECIDED IN NOVEMBER ON THE MARGINS, LITTLE MORE SUPPORT AMONG PEOPLE OF COLOR FOR TRUMP, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS.

>> WE USED TO TALK ABOUT SEVEN SWING STATES.

NOW WE TALK ABOUT 12 BECAUSE OF% THE SITUATION RIGHT NOW.

>> ARIZONA, NORTH CAROLINA.

>> IT'S ABOUT INDEPENDENCE IN THESE STATES.

JIM: 2016, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

8-10 FEWER MILLION VOTERS THAT VOTED IN 2012 STAYED HOME.

A LOT OF THEM THOUGHT HILLARY CLINTON WILL WIN.

HOW IS THIS GUY GOING TO WIN?

THEN TRUMP GOT IN.

ANTONIA: I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE IS THINKING BIDEN'S GOING TO WIN .

NO ONE IS TAKING ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

THE LACK OF ENTHUSIASM ABSOLUTELY.

LAST SPRING WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A LACK OF ENTHUSIASM FOR BIDEN AND NOW IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE.

JIM: THE RNC, YOU ALWAYS GET A BOOST COMING OUT OF IT.

THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, I WONDERED, DOES THAT GET BIDEN MORE TIME?

EVENTUALLY THE CLOCK WILL RUN OUT.

HE'S GOT COVID NOW.

>> HE IS STAYING IN DELAWARE.

LUCKILY HIS SYMPTOMS ARE MILD.

HE'S NOT OUT ON THE TRAIL.

THAT ALLOWS HIM TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH CHUCK SCHUMER, MORE IMPORTANTLY HIS FAMILY IN DELAWARE.

AS WE SPEAK, I THINK, THIS IS THE MOMENT IN THE CAMPAIGN ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT BIDEN IS OR ISN'T.

JIM: THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE CONTINUES TO BE IN THE NEWS.

LAST WEEK THERE WERE TWO PRESS CONFERENCES, CONSECUTIVE DAYS.

GOVERNOR HAD AN UPDATE.

THE LEGAL TEAM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE PURSUING BUT WE WILL FIND OUT IN AUGUST.

HE AND, WHAT DID YOU TAKE?

IAN: OFF TO THE SIDE, ONE OF THE SURPRISING THINGS WAS HOW THE RIDOT DIRECTOR WAS PAINTING THE PICTURE ABOUT TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGE.

EASTBOUND TRAFFIC BACKS UP TO 95, TRYING TO GET TO THE STATE HOUSE BACK TO THE EAST BAY IS A REAL STRUGGLE BECAUSE OF THE RIPPLE EFFECT FROM THE TRAFFIC, IT TAKES THREE TIMES AS LONG AS IT DID BEFORE THE BRIDGE DEBACLE.

THE OUTSIDE LEGAL TEAM TO THE STATE, MAX, A VERY INTELLECTUAL GUY.

HIS NEWS CONFERENCE WAS MORE INTERESTING THAN THE ONE BY GOVERNOR MCKEE.

JIM: SHOCKING.

TIM: I'M REFERENCING THE MCKEY CONFERENCE.

IT WAS A NEWS CONFERENCE WITHOUT NEWS.

THE DIRECTOR ACKNOWLEDGED THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO REBUILD WAS A FAILURE.

NO COMPANY, NOT SURPRISINGLY, WANTED TO BID WHEN THERE WAS TURMOIL AROUND THE BRIDGE, SUCH AN AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE AND BY THE WAY, MAX COULD BE SUING THE PEOPLE REBUILDING THE BRIDGE.

WHAT THEY WOULDN'T SAY OUT LOUD IS WHAT EVERYONE KNOWS.

THE SEPTEMBER '26 TIMELINE LOOKS IN DOUBT.

JIM: NOBODY WOULD SAY THAT.

TIM: ALSO, MORE IMPORTANT, THE COST.

WE ALREADY KNOW THE COST OF DEMOLITION OF THE OLD WESTBOUND WASHINGTON BRIDGE HAS GONE FROM $31 MILLION TO $48 MILLION.

THE $350 MILLION ESTIMATE, HUGE QUESTION.

JIM: THE 800 POUND GORILLA IS WHETHER THIS AFFECTS THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO SEEK REELECTION IN '26.

ALL INDICATIONS IS THAT HE WILL.

THIS IS CLEARLY A POLITICAL QUESTION, THAT IS SOMETHING TO WATCH.

ANTONIA: SEEMS LIKE THE HEADLINE IS WE KNOW EVEN LESS THEN WE DID MONTHS AGO.

THE HEAD OF THE BAY COMMISSION SUGGESTED REBUILD A TUNNEL IN SAID -- INSTEAD.

>> I LIVED THROUGH THE BIG DIG.

[LAUGHTER] JIM: WE COVERED A LOT OF POLITICIANS.

GOVERNOR MCKEE JUMPED UGLY ON YOU.

GOES WITH THE TERRITORY.

IT'S LIKE WHEN BRIAN CRANDALL ASKED ABOUT PETER L FEENEY.

THESE ARE BASIC QUESTIONS AND HE TURNED IT ON YOU.

IT SEEMS FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN AROUND THAT LONG, HIS SKIN IS GETTING THINNER.

>> A COUPLE THINGS HAPPENED.

ONE, THE ADMINISTRATION IKES TO CONTROL THE CONFERENCES IN TERMS OF WHO IS ASKING QUESTIONS.

JIM: THE FOLLOW-UP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> IT DID NOT SIT WELL WITH ME OR THE BOSTON GLOBE.

WE DECIDED NOT TO GO ALONG WITH THAT CONTROL.

ALSO JUST PUSHING HIM ON, THE DAY OF RECKONING.

EVEN IF YOU WON'T TELL US, DO YOU HAVE A BETTER SENSE NOW?

IS IT MORE IN FOCUS TO YOU ABOUT WHAT LED UP?

THERE'S BEEN ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS.

POTENTIAL CIVIL LITIGATION.

HE DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO SAY -- TALK TO THE LAWYERS.

IAN: TIM HAD A GREAT QUIP.

THIS IS NOT A CLASSROOM.

TO THEIR DEFENSE, THEY ALLOWED PLENTY OF TIME FOR QUESTIONS AND GOT TO EVERYBODY.

IT IS ODD HOW GOVERNOR MCKEE, SEEMINGLY THE MORE HOSTILE THE QUESTION, THE MORE POLITE HE WAS IN RESPONDING AND THE MORE LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS LIKE TIM, HE BASICALLY SHUT DOWN.

THERE IS A SHARP CONTRAST BETWEEN THE DEALINGS AND RESPONSE OF THE GOVERNOR AND HIS PREDECESSOR, GOVERNOR RAIMONDO, TO THE MEDIA.

GOVERNOR RAIMONDO MORE FULLY EMBRACED THE NEED TO BE HER OWN ADVOCATE AND UNPACK HER THINKING AND RATIONALE FOR THE DECISIONS SHE MADE.

GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS BEEN CHIPPY AND SHORT WITH MANY OF US.

JIM: I REMEMBER THE COVID BRIEFINGS.

SHE RELISHED THAT.

SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS WERE TOUGH.

THERE WAS FOLLOW-UP, SECOND AND THIRD FOLLOW-UP.

THAT'S A LOT OF REPORTING.

YOUR COLLEAGUE HAD GONE TO MAX ALREADY AND ASKED HIM A QUESTION.

HE SAID TALK TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR MSTHREW IT RIGHT BACK.

ANTONIA: IT MAKES IT VERY EASY TO PASS THE BUCK.

VERY EASY TO DODGE.

IT'S A PRESS CONFERENCE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT THESE QUESTIONS.

>> KATHY RAISED A GOOD POINT.

BECAUSE THE LAWYERS ARE SO INVOLVED, SHE PRESSED THE GOVERNOR.

WHATEVER THE OUTCOME IS ON THIS REPORT, WILL YOU MAKE A PUBLIC OR IS IT TIED UP IN LITIGATION WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT?

KATHY GOT THE GOVERNOR TO EVENTUALLY SAY, IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER, IT WILL BE PUBLIC.

BUT WE WILL SEE.

JIM: THEY'VE KIND OF BOXED THEMSELVES IN.

WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE OF LEGAL.

I WOULD RATHER HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND LESS MONEY COMING IN.

THE MONEY IS ALWAYS NICE BUT THE BUDGET IS $14 BILLION NOW SO WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?

SEEMS LIKE WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT ANYONE IN D.O.T.

OR OTHERS HELD RESPONSIBLE UNTIL WE GET TO THIS LEGAL SITUATION AND THAT COULD BE YEARS AWAY.

>> MANY RHODE ISLANDERS PROBABLY FEEL THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET AT THE ROOT OF WHY THINGS WENT SO WRONG WITH THE BRIDGE SO ABRUPTLY AND IF THAT IS A COUPLE MILLION DOLLARS LESS, THEY WOULD PROBABLY BE FINE WITH THAT.

>> THE CIVIL LITIGATION IS LOOKING AT TRYING TO GET MONEY.

I DON'T THINK WHAT WE WILL SEE IS WHO SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE WITHIN THE DOT?

THE AGENCY ITSELF?

THOSE QUESTIONS WON'T BE ANSWERED BY THAT CIVIL.

JIM: WHO IS ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS?

>> THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORENSIC AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS.

THAT IS MURKY.

THAT'S ONE THING I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT.

OK YOU HAVE THE MAX THING GOING ON.

WHO IS LOOKING INTERNALLY AT ACCOUNTABILITY?

JIM: ONE OF THE OTHER SIGNAL FAILURES IS THE CREDIT UNION CRISIS IN 1990.

>> THERE WAS A PUBLIC REPORT CARBON SAND THAT EXPLAINED HOW IT HAPPENED AND A REAL POSTMORTEM.

JIM: WHO HAS BEEN THE SAVIOR OVER THE YEARS OF RHODE ISLAND?

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

YOU WONDER WHERE LURKING IN THE BACK, THE U.S. ATTORNEY HAS PEOPLE LOOKING AT THIS BECAUSE THERE IS FEDERAL MONEY INVOLVED IN THE FEDS DON'T SAY ANYTHING UNTIL THE SOUP IS READY BUT YOU WONDER THE BACKGROUND WHETHER THAT MIGHT BE THE ACCOUNTABILITY?

TIM: GOOD POINT.

THERE SO MUCH FEDERAL MONEY THAT FLOWS INTO THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF HIGHWAY PROJECTS ARE FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INCLUDING THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE AND THE MONEY DUMPED INTO THAT.

YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, D.O.T., U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ISN'T IN THE BACKGROUND RIGHT NOW.

JIM: LAST YEAR THEY PASSED A MAJOR SHORELINE ACCESS BILL, NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

YOU HAVE BEEN COVERING THIS FROM THE START.

MAJOR SHIFT.

THERE'S A COURT CASE GOING ON AND A DECISION THIS WEEK, PROBABLY THE FINAL DECISION NEXT WEEK?

ANTONIA: THE LAW HAS NOT BEEN OVERTURNED.

A BUNCH OF SHORELINE PROPERTY OWNERS SUED, SAY IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL TAKING PRIVATE PROPERTY.

THERE WERE ARGUMENTS.

THE JUDGE CAME THIS WEEK AND SAID NO, THEY HAVE A POINT.

THIS CAN GO FORWARD.

THE PLAINTIFFS HAVE SAID THEY ARE EXPECTING A FINAL ORDER IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN.

IT WILL PROBABLY BE FAVORABLE TO THE PEOPLE WHO SUED.

IN THE DECISION, SAYING THIS COULD GO FORWARD, SHE WAS SAYING SHE AGREED WITH THE ARGUMENT THAT THIS WAS TAKEN.

JIM: OUR DEED SAYS WHEN WE BROUGHT THE PROPERTY, IT WENT DOWN TO HEAR AND THIS LAW IS TAKING AN ASSET FROM US.

ANTONIA: CORRECT.

>> I'VE BEEN FASCINATED BY THIS.

I HAVEN'T REPORTED ON IT.

TO ME, THE LAW, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, COMES OUT OF A 1986 REVISION TO THE RHODE ISLAND CONSTITUTION THAT OPENED THE DOOR TO DEFINING WHERE SHORELINE IS.

IS THIS AT THE END OF THE DAY GOING TO BE A LEGAL FIGHT BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND STATE CONSTITUTION AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, THE FIFTH AMENDMENT, WHICH IS UNLAWFUL TAKING OF LAND?

ANTONIA: ANOTHER ELEMENT IS WHEN CAN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVERRIDE A JUDGE AND CAN THEY?

THE JUDGE IN THIS CASE WAS GOING BACK TO 1982 WITH A SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT SET THE LINE, WHICH S DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT, VERY SCIENTIFIC MEASUREMENT, AND SHE SAID THE ASSEMBLY WENT TOO FAR BY OVERWRITING THAT AND SETTING THEIR OWN STANDARD.

THAT IS A BIG PART OF WHAT WILL BE ARGUED IF IT GOES TO THE SUPREME COURT.

JIM: A LOT OF CASES, THE JUDGES INVITE THE ASSEMBLY TO PASS A LAW THAT WOULD SOLVE IT IF IT IS MURKY.

IN THIS CASE IT SEEMS TO HAVE MUDDIED IT MORE.

>> THE JUDGE, JUDGE SARAH CARTER, WHO SIGNED OFF ON THE CONTROVERSIAL PENSION OVERHAUL CHAMPION, SHE AND GOVERNOR RAIMONDO IN 2011, BUT, THESE ARE INTERESTING POINTS.

IT SUGGESTS THIS ISSUE WILL REMAIN A PERENNIAL AND HARD-FOUGHT ISSUE.

>> THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON DECADES ALREADY.

ANTONIA: THERE WILL BE MORE LEGAL FIGHTING.

JIM: GET THE BEACH CHAIR AND GO TO CHARLESTOWN NOW OR WHAT?

ANTONIA: THE LAW IS STILL IN PLACE.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

JIM: LET'S GO DOWN THE ROAD.

IF SHE DOES WIND UP RULING FOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS, THERE'S ANOTHER APPEAL.

DOES THE LAW STATE IN PLACE?

I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE UPPER COURTS SAY.

ANTONIA: IT IS LIKELY THE AG'S OFFICE WILL KEEP FIGHTING THIS.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN SPECIFIC.

IT IS FAIR TO SAY IT WILL GET APPEALED.

>> LET'S SAY THE JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

THE AG'S OFFICE WOULD PROBABLY SEEK A STAY OR SOMETHING FROM THE STATE HIGH COURT TO SAY LOOK, LET'S KEEP IT IN PLACE UNTIL YOU MAKE A DECISION.

THAT'S UP TO THE FIVE JUSTICES OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD DO IT.

JIM: IT'S GOOD WE HAVE YOUR LEGAL.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING CLASSES.

>> ALSO COVERING THE COURTS A LONG TIME.

THAT'S THE BEST CLASSROOM THERE IS.

JIM: WE'VE ALL SAT THERE.

ANOTHER FIRE.

STOP ME IF YOU HEARD THIS.

ANOTHER FIRE AT RHODE ISLAND RECYCLED METALS ON ALLEN'S AVENUE.

AS WE WERE PUTTING TOGETHER THE RUNDOWN THIS WEEK, IT OCCURRED TO ME -- WHEN DID I DO MY FIRST STORY ON RHODE ISLAND RECYCLED METALS?

2012.

THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SHUT IT DOWN.

IT BOGGLES THE MIND THIS GUY HAS STAYED AS LONG AS HE HAS AND HAS BASICALLY STEAMROLLED GOVERNMENT.

>> NUMBER ONE EXPORT IN RHODE ISLAND.

JIM: SCRAP METAL.

>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

JIM: WHICH USED, THAT HUGE PILE WE SEE COMING IN ON 95.

THAT'S NOT RHODE ISLAND BUT IT IS CLOSE.

>> THE WORKING WATERFRONT, THAT AREA, IT IS SUCH A VISIBLE THING FOR PEOPLE.

THEY DRIVE-BY ON 95.

THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR DECADES.

YOU REPORTED ON IT 13 YEARS AGO, WHATEVER.

IT SHOWS YOU JUST HOW WELL THAT COMPANY HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN A FOOTHOLD ON THE WORKING WATERFRONT.

THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO IS AGGRESSIVE, WE HAVE SEEN FROM PETER NAVONA, HAS HIS SIGHTS SET ON THE SCRAPYARD.

WE WILL SEE AT THE END OF THE DAY IF THEY ARE ABLE TO SHUT DOWN.

>> PATRICK CONNOLLY COINED THE PHRASE THE SCRAPALLACHIAN TRAIL.

[LAUGHTER] IT'S BEEN HARDSHIPS FOR THOSE RESIDENTS AROUND PROVIDENCE WHO BEAR THE BRUNT OF POLLUTING INDUSTRIES.

THE STRIKING THING IS THIS STORY IS UNCHANGED.

THIS BUSINESS EXCEEDED ITS MANDATE AND HAS BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATING AND IT HASN'T BEEN MITIGATED OR HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY GOVERNMENT UP TO THIS POINT.

THE AG IS MORE AGGRESSIVE.

THE ONUS IS ON THE BUSINESS TO SHOW IT IS NOT BEING IRRESPONSIBLE.

ANTONIA: WE HEAR ALL THE TIME RHODE ISLAND ISN'T BUSINESS FRIENDLY BUT IN THIS CASE.

[LAUGHTER] JIM: YOU WOULD APPRECIATE THIS.

I REMEMBER, I WENT TO GET VIDEO, IT'S PRIVATE PROPERTY, I WANTED TO GET A LOOK DOWN.

WHERE THE HONEYDEW DOUGHNUTS IS ON ALEX AVENUE, I PARKED, I TOOK MY CAMERA AND WALKED UP THE RAMP.

I'M SHOOTING DOWN.

I GET BACK, THE GUY SPOTTED ME, HE COMES BACK, WHOEVER THE OWNER WAS, LAUNCHING F BOMBS RIGHT AND LEFT.

HE HAD BEEN DOING THIS TO INVESTIGATORS.

IT OCCURRED TO ME, AT THE POINT, HE LET LOOSE AND I SAID SIR, I WOULD RECOMMEND ANGER MANAGEMENT.

[LAUGHTER] THAT SENT HIM OFF.

I HOPE HE IS NOT PACKING.

>> THE DIFFERENCE NOW IS CHANNEL 12 SENDS UP A DRONE.

IT'S MUCH EASIER TO GET VIDEO.

JIM: YOU LOVE THE FUN FACTS.

WHY WERE THEY ORIGINALLY LICENSED?

IAN: THE SUMMARY.

JIM: THE RUSSIAN SUB.

IT SUNK AND THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO TAKE IT OUT AND THEY DIDN'T.

>> A GOOD HARRISON FORD MOVIE WAS SHOT ON THAT SUB.

ANTONIA: YOU SEE THE GOVERNOR, THE MAYOR, SAYING THIS SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN.

WHO IS IN CHARGE?

WHO'S GOING TO SHUT IT DOWN?

IT'S WILD.

JIM: PETER'S PREDECESSOR DIDN'T DO A LOT AND DEM DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE THE CHOPS TO GO AFTER IT.

IT'S A QUICK SHOW.

APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING TIME.

NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

FINALLY, RHODE ISLAND PBS MAKING USE OF OUR OWN THIS WEEK.

WE AND THE PUBLIC'S RADIO HAVE A NEW CEO, PAM JOHNSTON, WHO COMES FROM ONE OF THE MOST DOMINANT PUBLIC NEWS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTRY, GBH IN BOSTON.

SHE HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO LEAD US IN A MEDIA LANDSCAPE THAT HAS SHIFTED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AS WE'VE ADAPTED TO THE CHANGING HABITS OF VIEWERS AND LISTENERS.

YOU WILL HEAR FROM HER IN HER FIRST PUBLIC INTERVIEW SINCE BEING NAMED CEO, MOMENTARILY.

WE ARE BACK WITH PAM JOHNSTON.

PAM: I'M THRILLED TO BE HERE.

-- JIM: YOU COME FROM SUCH A POWERHOUSE STATION.

YOU HAVE WORKED ON SHOWS PEOPLE WILL KNOW.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE JOB HERE?

PAM: THERE'S A LOT.

THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

JIM: WE'VE ONLY GOT FIVE PAM: I WILL TRY TO BE BRIEF.

JIM: PAM: IT'S ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING CITIES AND STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

I AM A NEW ENGLAND GIRL.

I LOVE THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY.

THE BIG INSPIRATION WAS THIS MERGER BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND PBS AND THE PUBLIC'S RADIO AND THE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC MEDIA, LOCAL JOURNALISM AND THIS COMMUNITY IN A BIG WAY BY BRINGING THESE ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER, JUST MARKS A REALLY IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, OUR AUDIENCES AND JOURNALISM IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY.

JIM: GBH, YOU KNOW THE MODEL.

IT HAS THE STRONG RADIO AND TV SIDE.

HERE YOU START WITH A BLANK CANVAS.

PAM: THAT IS ART.

STARTING WITH A CANVAS.

A STRONG FOUNDATION.

HERE WE ARE TALKING WITH YOU, A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY, LOTS OF PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE, WHO ARE READY AND WILLING TO BE CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE AND DO NEW THINGS.

IT'S BLANK BUT IT'S ON SUCH A STRONG FOUNDATION.

WE GET TO KIND OF PUT THAT ART ON THAT CANVAS TOGETHER.

IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY BEAUTIFUL.

JIM: WHEN WE WENT TO SCHOOL YEARS AGO, NO ONE ENVISIONED WHAT THE INTERNET WOULD DO AND HOW THAT WOULD AFFECT.

PEOPLE HAVE SAID, HOW DID YOU GO FROM PRINT TO RADIO TO TV AND THEN PRIMARILY TO INTERNET AND BACK TO TV?

I JUST KIND OF CHANGED WITH THE TIMES.

IT'S GOING SO QUICKLY NOW.

WHERE DOES DIGITAL FIT IN NOW?

PAM: IT'S AN IMPORTANT THING FOR US, THOSE OF US IN MEDIA, WHO GREW UP IN TV/RADIO/PRINT -- DIGITAL IS HOW PEOPLE FIND US NOW.

PEOPLE WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND WE REACH FOR OUR PHONES, TABLETS.

WE READ NEWSLETTERS.

BEING THERE WHERE FOLKS ARE LOOKING, THAT'S DIGITAL.

BEING AUDIENCE CENTERED.

THINKING ABOUT HABITS, WHERE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR NEWS/INFORMATION/ENTERTAINMENT AND BEING THERE.

THAT'S OFTEN ON YOUR HANDHELD DEVICE.

JIM: ISN'T THAT THE CHALLENGE IS BRIDGING TRADITIONAL VIEWERS OVER THE YEARS, RADIO AND TV, TRYING TO BRING IN THE NEXT GENERATION?

PAM: ABSOLUTELY.

AS THE LANDSCAPE CHANGES AND WE THINK ABOUT AUDIENCES, WE WANT TO REACH EVERYONE.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AND BE OF SERVICE TO FOLKS WATCHING THIS SHOW ON TV AND LISTENING ON THE RADIO.

WE WANT TO THINK ABOUT PODCASTS, NEWSLETTERS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEB.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE IN A WAY WE NEVER HAVE BEFORE.

THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US.

IT IS STRETCHING US AND MAKING US BUILD NEW MUSCLES.

THAT IS PART OF WHAT WE EXPLORE HERE.

JIM: THE MOST EXCITING THING IS AFTER YEARS, PUBLIC TV STATIONS HAVE STRUGGLED.

THERE'S ALWAYS FINANCIAL ISSUES.

HERE WE ARE PRETTY STABLE.

TO COME IN AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE BUDGET AS MUCH, TO CONCENTRATE ON PROGRAMMING AND MARKETING -- WHAT IS THAT LIKE FOR YOU?

PAM: THAT WAS A BIG REASON WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY WAS SPECIAL AND COMPELLING.

NOT ONLY ARE WE WELL SOURCED AND FUNDED BUT WE HAVE A BOARD THAT REALLY WANTS TO INVEST IN PUBLIC MEDIA HERE IN RHODE ISLAND AT THIS MOMENT.

THERE'S AN ENERGY AROUND THAT.

NOT ONLY HAVING THE FUNDS AND SUPPORT BUT WANTING TO INVEST IN THAT AND INVITING OTHERS TO SEE WHAT WE DO AS WE DO IT IS REALLY EXCITING.

JIM: WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM YOU.

THANKS.

PAM: THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

JIM: JOINING A SIX-WEEK, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT CONTINUES.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪ [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] ANNOUNCER: A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> HI, FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS TO THE POLITICAL ISSUES FACING RHODE ISLANDERS.