THIS WEEK, DAN MCKEE'S CHIEF OF STAFF IS OUT WITHIN DAYS OF THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSING CONFIDENCE IN HIM, DESPITE HIS ROLE AND A CUT OF URSCHEL LAND A DEAL, PLUS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF POLICE ORANG BODY CAMERAS ON THE BEAT, ATTENTION NOW TURNS TO WHEN AND HOW MUCH OF THE VIDEO WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT ON IMPORTANT ISSUES.

I AM JOHN HAYES AND WHITE JR. AND I PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS AM GREAT PROGRAM ON RHODE ISLAND PBS.

>> JOINING US FOR OUR ROUNDTABLE THIS WEEK, TARGETS RARE -- TARGET 12 REPORTER STEPH MACHADO, POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR, SCOTT MCKAY, AND BOSTON GLOBE REPORTER ED FITZPATRICK.

WELCOME TO LIVELY.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SPENDING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

WHAT CHANGED, LAST WEEK THE GOVERNOR WAS STANDING BY HIS MAN, TONY SILVA, AND BY MONDAY HE WAS LEAVING HIS JOB.

WHETHER YOU CALL IT RETIREMENT OR RESIGNATION, THE EFFECT IS STILL THE SAME, THE ELIMINATION OF WHAT HAD BECOME A DISTRACTION FOR THE GOVERNOR.

THERE WAS ALSO A CONTROVERSIAL LANDA DEAL AND SOME SAID HE GOT INVOLVED TO BOOST HIS POSITION IN GOVERNMENT.

EITHER WAY THE OPTICS ARE BAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BACKSPASH WILL BE ON THE GOVERNOR.

WHETHER THIS WILL JUST BE A FOOTNOTE IN HISTORY.

WSBE.COM -- >> THE GOVERNOR WAS SIGNING BILLS AFTER TWO MONTHS AFTER THE LEGISLATURE ENDED AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT REOPENING THE ECONOMY AND MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH THE PANDEMIC, BUT NOW IT HAS GOTTEN BUMPY.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SAID HE WAS FLIP-FLOPPING WHEN IT CAME TO THE CLIMATE BILL AND THAT MASK MANDATE FOR THE SCHOOLS.

I DO NOT THINK THOSE STICK WITH YOU, BUT THIS IS ISSUE DOES HAVE LEGS BECAUSE HE IS BEING ATTACKED, THAT THIS IS A NOLA GUY STATE.

I CAN SEE SOME POLITICAL ADS STILL TAKING ISSUE WITH THIS THIS WEEK.

>> WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE OTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES ATTACKING THE KEY, I'VE THINK I SAW ONE TWEET -- THE REPUBLICANS ARE KIND OF STANDING BACK AND JUST SEE HIM CRASH AND BURN.

I AM SURE WITH THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE WE WILL SEE, WE MIGHT SEE MORE CANDIDATES TALKING ABOUT IT PROACTIVELY, BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE BEEN MOSTLY SILENT, JUST SORT OF LETTING IT HAPPEN.

>> IT IS -- HE IS RIGHT ON THE HONEYMOON ASPECT, SO FAR HE HAS HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF HAVING A LOT OF MONEY, NOT HAVING DEFICITS, FAIRLY GOOD RELATIONS UNTIL RECENTLY, LITTLE BLIP THERE WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BUT THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT GETS POLITICS IN TROUBLE.

THIS LOCAL STUFF, I THINK YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO IS TRYING TO TURN THE PAGE, AND HE WANTS TO LISTEN TO THESE LOCAL FOLKS, THE MUNICIPAL LEADERS, SOME OF THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOREVER.

SOMETIMES THEY JUST WANT A LICENSE PLATE AND YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT AND SOMETIMES THEY WANT SOMETHING MORE.

YOU CAN SEE THE ADVERTISING, THOSE SPOT ADS, THE CUMBERLAND CRONIES WITH A BUNCH OF MUSIC IN A DARK BACKGROUND.

JIM: YOU COULD BE A CONSULTANT.

I WONDER IF THERE WAS MORE THAT WE DIDN'T SEE OR WHETHER THE GOVERNOR SAW WHAT WE ALL SAW.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT IT, EVERYBODY WAS LIKE OF COURSE HE WAS INVOLVED.

I KNOW THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF PERSONAL LOYALTY.

DO YOU THINK THERE MAY HAVE BEEN MORE THAT WE DIDN'T SEE?

>> THEY DID NOT HANDLE IT WELL BECAUSE AT FIRST THE MESSAGE WAS WE ARE STICKING WITH HIM, THERE IS NO UNDUE INFLUENCE, AND THEN WE SAID WE ARE ACTION GOING TO CALL IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THEY WILL INVESTIGATE IT.

THEN HE'S GONE.

IT WAS NOT HANDLED WELL, AND IT IS HARD TO KNOW WHAT HE WAS THINKING.

>> YOUR COLLEAGUE, I THINK IT GOES DOWNHILL WHEN THE PERSON YOU ARE INTERVIEWING BEGINS TALKING ABOUT HIMSELF AND THE THIRD PERSON, THAT IS NOT WHO TONY SILVA IS.

I THINK THOSE INTERVIEWS ARE TELLING, BUT I ALSO WONDER WHETHER THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF WHAT SET THE PROCESS ULTIMATELY.

>> WE ALWAYS WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES.

HE DECLINED TO SIT DOWN WITH US FOR AN INTERVIEW, SO HE GOT HIS CHANCE TO STAY ON THE RECORD, THAT HE DID NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG AND I AM SURE WE WILL USING THOSE SOUNDBITES FOR MONTHS TO COME IS THIS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S BEST A GOES ON.

AS A REPORTER IT WAS AN UNUSUAL TIMELINE TO SEE THE GOVERNOR DEFENDING HIM COME AND THEN CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION THEN ASKING HIM TO LEAVE ULTIMATELY.

ON A MONDAY MORNING, ALLOWING IT TO BE A NEW NEWS CYCLE.

WE ARE SO ACCUSTOMED TO FRIDAY AFTERNOON OR OVER THE WEEKEND, SEEING SOMEONE RESIGNED KIND OF QUIETLY.

MAYBE A BIT OF A ROOKIE POLITICAL SNAFU FOR THE GOVERNOR.

JIM: ABOUT THE RACE OVERALL, I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CONSULTANTS ARE TELLING HIM TO DO THIS, BUT WE NEED REAL LEADERSHIP AND THAT IS WHY EVERYBODY SHOULD BE VACCINATED.

LET, HANDLE THE PENSION FUND, STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE UNTIL YOU ANNOUNCE FOR GOVERNOR.

WHAT ABOUT THIS KIND OF CAT AND MOUSE IF I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES COME UP BUT I'M NOT DECLARING QUESTION WORK >> -- NIGHT -- DECLARING?

>> I THINK SETH WILL DECLARE MAYBE MID OCTOBER AND WHEN HE DOES THAT, I THINK HE WILL MAKE HIMSELF AS A TARGET.

I THINK HE IS TRYING TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE HIM COME OUT, AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW HE PHRASED HIS COMING OUT PARTY AND WE WILL SEE THAT.

AND THING HE HAS DONE WELL IS RAISE MONEY AND GET HIS PROFILE SOME STRONG ELEMENTS WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, PARTICULARLY WITH ORGANIZED LABOR.

JIM: YOU HAVE YOUR EYE ON PROVIDENCE.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME QUIET JUMPING OFF THE SHIP, HIS COMMITTEE K SHOULD TEAMS -- COMMUNICATION TEAM -- THERE HAS BEEN THAT PIPELINE OVER THE YEARS.

WHAT DO YOU SENSE IN TERMS OF A RUN?

WE HAD THAT INCIDENT WITH THE GOVERNOR A MONTH AGO.

>> I THINK HE WILL RUN, BUT IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE HE WILL ANNOUNCE SOON.

FRANKLY I THINK BOTH HIM AND THE KEY COULD USE THAT -- MCKEE COULD USE THAT TUSSLE IN CAMPAIGN ADS.

I THINK BOTH OF THEM THINK THEY WERE IN THE RIGHT, BUT I TALK TO FOLKS IN PROVIDENCE AND MANY ARE DEMOCRATS, OF COURSE.

I DON'T THINK BY ANY MEANS ELORZA HAS THE PROVIDENCE DEMOCRATS LOCKED UP BY ANY MEANS, SO HIS CAMPAIGN IS CONSIDERED A LONG SHOT AND I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO SEE IF AND WHEN HE ANNOUNCES.

>> IT IS ALWAYS HARD FOR A PROVIDENCE MAYOR TO GO UP AGAINST THE STATEHOUSE, BUT HE DOES HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONJECTURE THAT MAY BE TO RUN FOR ANOTHER OFFICE LIKE TREASURER, BUT HE SEEMS FOCUS ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

JIM: DON'T YOU GET THE FEELING THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE, IF YOU WANT TO RUN YOUR CITY, THAT IS FINE, DON'T TRY TO BE MY GOVERNOR.

>> THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT HARD.

YOU HAVE TO COMMITTEE KATE WITH A BROADER AUDIENCE, AND THERE IS NOT A LOT OF PRECEDENT.

>> I DO NOT SEE THE BASE RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK IN A PRIMARY THAT WILL BE SPIRITED, YOU WILL HAVE TO HAVE SOME SOLID FOLKS WITH YOU.

IT TURNS OUT THAT NOBODY FROM SOUTH PROVIDENCE KNOWS WHO HE IS, I DON'T THINK.

HE HAS NOT DONE A LOT OF THE KIND OF BANQUET CIRCUITS, THE TOWN COMMITTEES, RETAIL STUFF THAT YOU DO TO GET AROUND THE STATE.

I WONDER EXACTLY WHAT HE IS THINKING.

EVEN PEOPLE ON THE EAST SIDE WHO REALLY SUPPORTED HIM WHEN HE RAN FOR MAYOR ARE KIND OF DISGRUNTLED WITH HIM AND A LOT OF PEOPLE, THE WORD IS HE DOES NOT LISTEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

JIM: ANOTHER THING THAT GOVERNOR IS HAVING TO FACE, YOU TALK ABOUT THE HONEYMOON BEING OVER, HEAT MANDATED HEALTH CARE WORKERS, WHICH ULTIMATELY INVOLVES EMTS TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BY OCTOBER 1.

I FIND THIS INTERESTING BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS DUG IN AND SAID WE NEED TO BE HEALTHY AND NEED TO BE VACCINATED, BUT THERE IS A SURPRISING NUMBER OF PEOPLE IS THAT I'M NOT GOING TO GET THE SHOT AND I'M GOING TO LEAVE MY JOB -- I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE JOB WOULD BE THE HAWK, BUT WE HEAR PEOPLE SAYING I MAY LEAVE.

>> I AM CURIOUS IF THAT IS JUST ALL TALK OR IF ACTUALLY PEOPLE WILL LEAVE.

I PUT IN IN A AND EIGHT IN PROVIDENCE BY OCTOBER 1 FOR ALL CITY EMPLOYEES, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER OPTION, IF YOU DO NOT GET IT YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT PROOF LEAP -- WEEKLY PROOF OF A VACCINE TEST.

THEY WENT ALL OF THE WORKERS TO BE VACCINATED.

THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE OR SICK, SO WE WILL SEE IF THAT ENDS UP BEING INCENTIVE ENOUGH.

>> THE STAKES ARE HIGH.

IT COULD BE A LICENSE, BUT THE OTHER DAY THE GOVERNOR STOOD BY THAT POSITION AND SAID THESE ARE THE PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF THE MOST FRAIL AND OLDER POPULATION AND THEY NEED TO BE HEALTHY.

>> JUST GET VACCINATED.

THAT IS THE MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ON DOWN TO THE GOVERNOR, I THINK IT IS THE RIGHT MESSAGE, AND SOME PEOPLE MAY BE UPSET.

BUT YOU ARE IN THE HEALTH CARE BUSINESS AND YOU HAVE TO KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ABIDE BY TO KEEP YOUR JOB.

>> THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WOULD ARGUE THAT LOOK, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ALL ALONG AND WE HAVE DOUBLE PPE AND WE DO ALL OF THIS AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A HUGE OUTBREAK, SO IF WE ARE TAKING PRECAUTIONS AND WE FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THIS, I UNDERSTAND, BUT I WONDER IF IT GETS TO A MASS EXODUS WHETHER THE GOVERNOR WILL CHANGE HIS MIND OR WHETHER HE STAYS THE COURSE.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THEY COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF ACCOMMODATION, BUT HIS POINT WAS THAT THE PERCENTAGE IS VERY HIGH ALREADY, SO IT IS NOT THAT LARGE OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE.

>> IF YOU ARE A DOCTOR OR A NURSE YOU ARE PROBABLY ALREADY VACCINATED, AND I THINK IT MIGHT BE SOME OF THE ANCILLARY WORKERS IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> HE SAID I'M TRYING TO HELP THEM, THE HOSPITAL, MAINTAIN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

JIM: AND THE NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION VERY INTERESTED IN THE ISSUE OF BODY WORN CAMERAS.

IT IS A COROLLARY TO THE ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS, BUT THERE IS PRIVACY INVOLVED.

SET THE TABLE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE FOLLOWING, BECAUSE THIS WILL BE A BIG ISSUE.

THE BUDGET WAS $3.5 MILLION, AND NOW WHEN AND WHAT DO YOU RELEASE?

>> THEY PROVIDED THE MONEY, AND IT IS A POSITIVE MOVE.

BUT IT IS A PUBLIC RECKONING.

INPUT WILL BE PROVIDED ON MAKING THE RULES FOR THESE CAMERAS, BUT ONE THING IS CLEAR, IT IS A PUBLIC RECORD, PROVIDING A GLIMPSE OF THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER.

I THINK IT CAN HELP BOTH IN CASES OF POLICE BASED CONDUCT AND TO SHOW THAT THEY ACTED APPROPRIATELY.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

THE KEY IS GOING TO BE WHEN IT IS RELEASED, IF THERE IS A DELAY , AND YOU WILL ALLOW MISINFORMATION OR SUSPICION OR PUBLIC DISTRESS TO GROW, I THINK THE SOONER THE BETTER.

>> THE VIDEOTAPE DOES NOT LIE.

>> GET IT OUT THERE.

THE OTHER DAY WITH THE BB GUNS, IT TOOK SIX WEEKS.

I THINK YOU NEED TO GET IT OUT THERE AND THE CONCERN THAT THE AUTHORITIES HAVE IS THAT IT WILL TATE THE WITNESS TESTIMONY, THAT IS A DANGER, BUT SO IS THE DANGER OF ALLOWING PUBLIC DISTRESS TO FESTER.

>> WE HAVE HAD BODY CAMERAS IN PROVIDENCE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, SO THAT IS SORT OF THE TEST CASE.

IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF AN EVEN IN TERMS OF WHEN THEY RELEASED THE VIDEO, AND THERE HAVE BEEN ACCUSATIONS THAT YOU RELEASE IT WHEN IT MAKES OFFICERS LOOK GOOD BUT THEN YOU WITHHOLD IT WHEN IT MAKES THEM LOOK BAD.

I OFTEN PRAISE THE POLICE FOR BEING ONE OF THEM MORE TRANSPARENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE STATE, BUT WHEN WE HAD SERGEANT HANLEY ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING A MAN IN PROVIDENCE LAST YEAR, THEY REFUSED TO RELEASE IT FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS.

AND THEN IT HAD TO BE SUBPOENAED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND RELEASED BY THE HEAD OF THE AUTHORITY WHO WAS THEN FIRED FOR RELEASING IT.

NOW HE IS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE, BUT IT WAS A HUGE RIGMAROLE, LIKE EIGHT MONTHS AFTER IT HAPPENED THAT WE FINALLY SAW IT, AND THE VIDEO WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE POLICE HAD SAID IN WRITING.

JIM: IS HE USING THAT AS PART OF HIS APPEAL?

>> HE HASN'T FILED ANY ARGUMENTS FOR THE APPEAL YET SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE IS ARGUING.

BUT BEFORE HIS ORIGINAL TRIAL, HE FILED A MOTION TO DISMISS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE VIDEO HAD BEEN RELEASED AND THE JUDGE DISMISSED AT THAT, SO THAT ARGUMENT HAS SO FAR NOT HELD UP.

>> I THINK YOU'LL SEE LITIGATION AROUND THIS ISSUE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE YET.

IT IS TRUE, EVEN WITH VIDEO, ALL OF US WATCH BASEBALL AND SOMETIMES YOU GET A DIFFERENT ANGLE AND YOU CANNOT TELL WHETHER THAT CATCHER THROUGH THE RUNNER OUT OR NOT, BUT I THINK THE EARLY DISCLOSURE OF THIS, SO THE PUBLIC CAN MAKE UP ITS MIND, REALLY WOULD BE CRUCIAL IN MOST OF THESE SITUATIONS.

AND THEN YOU PUT IT OUT THERE AND THEN PEOPLE CAN GET THEIR INTERPRETATION.

OBVIOUSLY A JUDGE MAY NOT ALLOW SOME ASPECT OF THIS INTO THE TRIAL, BUT I THINK THIS WILL PROBABLY BE, AT SOME POINT, IN SOME KIND OF A SUPREME COURT DECISIONS.

WE KNOW THE POLICE UNIONS ARE FAIRLY WELL-FINANCED AND THEY HAVE GOOD LAWYERS.

SOMEBODY WILL PROBABLY TAKE THE SITUATION TO THE COURT SYSTEM AND WE WILL GET SOME KIND OF A RULING.

>> ANOTHER POINT, THERE HAS TO BE SOME CLARITY ON WHEN THEY SHOULD BE TURNED ON AND WHEN THEY ARE OFF.

IT CAN'T JUST BE LIKE AD HOC -- >> WE OFTEN SEE THEM TURN IT ON IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INCIDENT BECAUSE THEY REALIZE IT IS NOT ON.

JIM: WHAT IS THE PENALTY?

WELL, THERE'S GOING TO BE A PERIOD, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT IT IS NOT ON AT THE TIME THAT YOU NEED IT.

IT IS THE PENALTY GOING TO BE IF YOU ARE NOT TURNING IT ON?

IT SHOULD BE SECOND NATURE.

>> I THINK IT IS BECOMING SECOND NATURE, BUT SOMETIMES YOU FORGET IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT.

IT NEEDS TO BE ON THE WHOLE TIME YOU'RE DRIVING THERE.

JIM: HERE'S WHY THESE RULES ARE SO IMPORTANT, AS YOU KNOW, IN RHODE ISLAND YOU CANNOT GET ACCESS TO 911 CALLS UNLESS THE PERSON WHO MAKES THE CALL AGREES , LIKE THAT WILL HAPPEN.

OR IT IS PART OF A COURT THING, SO FOR THE NEWS, WE SEE THIS, WE GET THAT 911 CALL, AND THAT IS BECAUSE A STATE SENATOR 25 YEARS AGO HAD A CLIENT WHO WAS EMBARRASSED BY A 911 CALL AND RAMMED THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND THAT HAS BEEN -- IT IS THE ONLY PIECE OF LEGISLATION I HAVE EVER GONE UP AND TESTIFY FOR.

OF COURSE WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT PRIVACY, WHATEVER, BUT WE CANNOT GET THAT ACCESS WHEN THAT RULE IS SET.

THAT IS CRUCIAL.

>> THERE ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS ABOUT PRIVACY, AND THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

I TOTALLY AGREE, THE PRESUMPTION SHOULD BE TRANSPARENCY, NOT SECRECY.

>> WE WENT TO PROTECT PRIVACY TOO, IF THEY WANT TO REDACT A NAME BECAUSE THEY DID NOT AGREE -- JIM: REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PAYGO DOES COME THE GAS -- WITH TOYOTA, AND THE GAS PEDALS WERE STICKING.

IF YOU HEARD THE CALLS FROM SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE FREAKED OUT, IT PAINTS A PICTURE.

JUST GOING ON MY REPORTER RANT.

YOU HAD A GREAT LONGFORM INTERVIEW, STEPH WITH THE NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.

HE HAS BEEN -- THE GOOD PART FOR HIM IS HE IS HOMEGROWN, BUT I WONDER ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU TALKED ABOUT, COMING UP THE PANDEMIC, COMING OFF THE HOPKINS REPORT.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION IT IS A DIFFICULT TIME TO BECOME THE SUPERINTENDENT.

HE SEEMS UP TO THE TASK, BUT THE STATE TOOK OVER IN LATE 2019, A FEW MONTHS INTO THE TAKEOVER THE PANDEMIC HIT, AND THE FIRST STATE TURNAROUND SUPERINTENDENT ARISON PETERS RESIGNED IN SCANDAL.

HE WAS VERY UNPOPULAR AMONG THE TEACHERS.

THEY DISAGREED WITH A LOT OF HIS DECISIONS.

THEN WE HAD THE PANDEMIC, WHICH IS HORRIBLE FOR EDUCATION IN TERMS OF STUDENTS LOSING LEARNING.

I DID A STORY IN THE SPRING, MORE THAN HALF OF THE PROVIDENCE STUDENTS WERE CHRONICALLY ABSENT LAST YEAR, SO THESE ARE ALL THINGS HE WILL HAVE TO GRAPPLE WITH.

HE HAS ONE BIG THING GOING FOR HIM, WHICH IS THAT HE IS CURRENTLY VERY POPULAR.

OBVIOUSLY WITH THE COOPERATION FROM THE UNION, IT WILL BE EASIER TO IMPLEMENT WHAT HE WANTS TO DO.

HE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COVID PROTOCOLS ARE SUCH THAT PEOPLE CAN STAY IN SCHOOL AND THERE IS NOT AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF QUARANTINING AMONG STUDENTS AND STAFF.

THERE IS THE ACTUAL TURNING AROUND AT THE DISTRICT AND THE ACADEMICS, SO A LOT FOR HIM TO WORRY ABOUT.

JIM: WHAT IS THE PARENT PERSPECTIVE?

>> MY KIDS GO TO PROVIDENCE SCHOOLS, AND MY COLLEAGUE THE OTHER DAY HAD A STORY ABOUT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE HEADLINE WAS HOMELESS, DYSLEXIC, DROPOUT, AND THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

I JUST THINK IS A VERY INSPIRATIONAL STORY AND HE CAN REALLY -- RELATE TO SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT PROVIDENCE IS FACING.

THEY HAD THAT JOHNS HOPKINS REPORT WITH ALL OF THE CHALLENGES, AND HE SEEMS LIKE HE IS A GOOD PERSON.

JIM: HE HAS BEEN IN THE TRENCHES WITH THE PEOPLE, AND IT DOES NOT TAKE HIM A YEAR TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE BATHROOM IS WHEN HE ARRIVES FROM TAMPA.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS HAS BEEN LIKE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS THEY HAVE SOME OUTSIDER WHO IS A GENIUS, AND THEN DIANA COMES IN AND PUTS HIS -- -- AND TOM BRADY, THE OTHER GUY, BUT WE REALLY NEED SOMEONE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME CONSISTENCY, AND I THINK THE SAD PART IS WE ARE GOING INTO THE THIRD YEAR OF THE COVID, THIS AWFUL VIRUS, WHICH HAS DISRUPTED EVERYTHING.

I THINK THE NEW LEADERSHIP IS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

I REMEMBER GOVERNOR RAIMONDO, THE FAMOUS JOHNS HOPKINS REPORT, AND SHE SAID I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS THIS BAD.

HELLO.

JIM: 25 YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS, AND THERE'S JUST TOO MANY BLUE-RIBBON PANELS AND WHITE PAPERS, AND THE SHELVES ARE GROANING UNDER ALL OF THESE OLD REPORTS.

I THINK THE BASICS, THE EMPSON T -- THE ABSENTEEISM RATES ARE VERY HIGH.

THIS GOES BACK TO THE 1980'S, EVEN DURING THE ESSENTIAL SCHOOL ERA, THERE HAS BEEN A LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG PROBLEM IN THE PROVIDENCE SCHOOLS, AND THAT INCLUDES ABSENTEEISM.

WE HAVE SEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE TEACHERS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> HE TOLD HE USED TO KEEP HIS STORY PRIVATE, BUT NOW HE WANTS TO SHARE IT BECAUSE HE CAN TALK TO KIDS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH MAYBE WHAT HE WENT THROUGH OR JUST DEALING WITH FAMILY PROBLEMS.

PROVIDENCE IS A DISTRICT FULL OF KIDS IN POVERTY AND HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT WHO CAN RELATE TO THAT, WHO DID NOT COME FROM ELSEWHERE, WHO GREW UP HERE AND DEALT WITH STRUGGLES, I THINK THAT IS IMPACTFUL.

JIM: SO HE IS A FOR THE JOB, HE WAS COY ABOUT SAYING WHETHER HE WANTED IT, BUT WHAT AN INCENTIVE TO GET SOME STUFF DONE THIS YEAR IF HE WANTS TO KEEP IT.

>> THE RIDE HAS NOT SAID WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO, IF THEY -- THEY HAVE NOT EVEN POSTED THE JOB.

>> ISN'T THAT THE WAY -- HE COULD BE LIKE COULD COOLLY, THE LOCAL GUY OF SUPERINTENDENTS, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE THAT WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT IT, WHO IS LOCALLY ATTACHED AND COULD SERVE SOME KIND OF AN INSPIRATION FOR SOME OF THESE KIDS WHO ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME.

JIM: OUTRAGES AND KUDOS.

WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND?

>> AFGHANISTAN, THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH WRITTEN, BUT I AM FOCUSED ON WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE JOURNALIST TRYING TO COVER IT.

SOME OF THE FEMALES HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE TALIBAN YOUR TIME IS UP, YOU ARE GETTING OUT, AND THEY HAVE BEEN THREATENING AND ATTACKING PEOPLE.

JUST THINKING OF THE JOURNALISTS, WE MIGHT GET AN ANGRY PIO TELLING US OFF IF WE DO A BAD STORY BUT THEY GET SHOT AT.

>> I WAS REALLY OUTRAGED WATCHING AND NBC REPORTER COVERING HURRICANE IDA EARLIER THIS WEEK DOWN SOUTH GET ACCOSTED I A MAN WHO DROVE OVER IN HIS TRUCK TO THE LIVE SHOT AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN AT HIM AND ASSAULTED HIM.

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WITH THESE PEOPLE THAT RUN UP TO US.

IT REALLY TRIGGERS ME BECAUSE I REMEMBER FIVE YEARS AGO THERE WAS A REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER WHO WERE SHOT AND KILLED BY A VIEWER, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE RUN UP TO US ALL THE TIME AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

I DO NOT RUN UP TO YOU AND TELL YOU HOW TO DO YOUR JOB.

DON'T RUN UP TO US AND TOUCH US OR GET IN OUR FACE.

WE ARE TRYING TO REPORT VITAL SAFETY INFORMATION TO PEOPLE IN THAT STATE.

I DID SEE THERE WAS AN ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR HIM.

JIM: THE REPORT IT WAS SMOOTH.

HE KEPT WALKING AWAY.

THE TIP I ALWAYS SAID WAS, DO NOT SET UP A MONITOR.

IF YOU ARE IN A CROWD, PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AND THEY WENT TO GO LIKE THIS, SO JUST FAKE IT.

NO MONITORS.

I AM DATING MYSELF.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT ME LIKE -- >> I JUST THINK WHAT IS GOING ON IN TEXAS IS SAID, THE SIX-WEEK ABORTION LAW AND THE VOTING RIGHTS STUFF, IT IS ALMOST LIKE THEY'RE SETTING UP A VIGILANTE TYPE OF THING WHERE NEIGHBORS ARE GOING TO SUE YOU AND RAT YOU OUT IF THEY THINK ALL OF A WEIGHT AND THEN SHE LOST SOME WEIGHT, DID SHE GET AN ABORTION?

SOME OF THE STUFF IS CRAZY.

A LOT OF WOMEN IT TAKES MORE THAN SIX WEEKS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE PREGNANT.

MAYBE THEY MISSED A PERIOD AND MAYBE THEY DIDN'T.

IT SEEMS OVERLY RESTRICTIVE AND A LITTLE RIDICULOUS.

>> DON'T YOU THINK THAT SUPREME COURT WILL HAVE TO HIT IT HEAD ON RATHER THAN THIS BACKDOOR SITUATION?

THEY WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT IT NATIONALLY.

THE WAY THEY DID IT WAS KIND OF WE ARE JUST NOT QUICK TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE, BUT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

>> I WAS SURPRISED, BUT YOU HAVE A NEW COMPOSITION OF THE SUPREME COURT, AND IN A LOT OF THE LOWER COURT TO HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT TRUMP PUT IN AND THIS WILL BE THE NATIONAL BACKLASH THAT WE ARE SEEING.

IT IS REALLY SAD TO SEE PEOPLE LIKE THIS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ANGLING FOR PRIMARY VOTES IN 2024 AND NOT REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT THE CONSTITUENTS NEED.

BOTH OF THESE STATES ALSO HAVE A SURGE IN THE DELTA VARIANT AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PUSHING VACCINES.

THEY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING MASK MANDATES, USING SOME OF THESE OTHER RATHER SKETCHY WAYS TO TREAT IT.

JIM: THE HORSE THE WARMER.

-- DE WORMER THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

WE HAVE ALL OF OUR ARCHIVED SHOWS ON TWITTER, BUT THE BEST WAY TO KEEP UP WITH THE NEWS IS TO COME BACK HERE NEXT WEEK AS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK, AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT WEEK.

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

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT ON