Steve Klamkin & The Saturday Am News

Rhode Island native Sarah Potenza has a new album: "Road to Rome" #WPRO The Rhode Island native came to fame on TV's "The Voice". With its themes of female empowerment, "Road to Rome" was issued on International Women's Day. https://sarahpotenza.net/

Dr. Star Hampton, Women & Infants Hospital. #WPRO Since 2005, she has led a team from Women & Infants Hospital's Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery on a trip to Rwanda to perform surgeries there. Her work is in conjunction with the International Organization for Women and Development http://www.iowd.org/

Prof. Brian Meeks; chairman of the Department of Africana Studies at Brown University. #WPRO He is also the author of "The Coup Clock Clicks", a collection of his poetry.

Dr. Frank Sanchez, President of Rhode Island College. #WPRO Gov. Gina Raimondo is proposing to fund the final two years of tuition at RIC to students who pay for the first two years, and maintain a certain grade average.

Jeffrey Diehl, Executive Director and CEO of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. #WPRO The agency that finances clean water, road and building projects on the local level across RI is marking it's 30th anniversary. https://www.riib.org/

Dr. Patrice Harris, talks about the opioid crisis and rising rate of deaths from synthetic opioids in Rhode Island. #WPRO Dr. Harris is President-elect of the American Medical Association and chairs the AMA Opioid Task Force. https://www.ama-assn.org/

Colonel James Manni, new Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police. #WPRO He spoke with reporters immediately after his swearing-in at a ceremony at the State House.

Professor Terence Roehrig looks at the collapse of the summit in Hanoi between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. #WPRO Roehrig is Professor of National Security Affairs and Director of the Asia - Pacific Studies Group, and speaks for himself, not for the Naval War College Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

Dr. Henry Sachs, the Chief Medical Officer at Bradley Hospital. #WPRO A new Bradley Hospital outpatient program will treat youths with co-occurring (mental health and substance use) disorders. CVS contributed a grant to help start the clinic. https://www.bradleyhospital.org/

Scott Harshbarger chairs the steering committee of the recently formed "Lawyers Defending American Democracy" #WPRO The lawyers issued an open letter: "demanding that President Donald Trump honor the fundamental principles, norms and values of our democracy". https://lawyersdefendingdemocracy.org/

Pam Houston, the author of "Deep Creek - Finding Hope in the High Country" #WPRO She will headline a book launch event Feb. 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at Alchemy at 71 Richmond St. in Providence, in part to benefit the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. https://www.facebook.com/events/805901086420868/ www.pamhouston.net

Claudia Wack is a legal fellow with the nonprofit group SouthCoast Fair Housing. #WPRO They've done a study that finds rampant discrimination against Rhode Island housing voucher recipients, and urged the adoption of corrective legislation. http://southcoastfairhousing.org/

Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport. #WPRO Sail Newport is teaming up with American Magic, one of the teams expected to challenge for the 36th America's Cup in Auckland, New Zealand in 2021. https://www.sailnewport.org/

Dr. Chris Nasin, the Medical Director at URI Health Services. #WPRO URI is partnering with South County Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, to curb suicide in Washington County, which has the highest rate of suicides in Rhode Island.

John Flaherty, Deputy Director of Grow Smart RI talks about a study exploring transit-oriented development to help solve Rhode Island's acute housing shortage. #WPRO http://www.growsmartri.org/

Joseph Broadmeadow - author of Choices You Make ‘em You Own ‘em: The Jerry Tillinghast Story. #WPRO A retired police officer, Joe Broadmeadow tells the story of Jerry Tillinghast. From the book blurb: "In his own words, Jerry Tillinghast speaks out about Vietnam, his reputation as a "feared mob enforcer." and the choices that led him into the life." https://www.authorjoebroadmeadow.com/

Ashley Bendiksen, A domestic violence expert and national speaker. #WPRO February is teen dating violence awareness month, and she talks with teenagers about teen dating & domestic violence – also, talks in workplaces, with first responders and more. https://www.ashleybendiksen.com/

Brad Shear, Executive Director of the Potter League Animal Shelter. #WPRO The Middletown shelter was credited by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for its response housing pets during the Newport gas emergency. https://www.potterleague.org/

Nancy Murray, manager of the Rhode Island Lottery Commission's Problem Gambling Services Program talks about the services available to program gamblers. #WPRO Those looking for help can call 1-877-9GAMBLE or, in Rhode Island call 2-1-1 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. https://www.rilot.com/en-us/player-zone/play-responsibly.html

Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) was recently named to chair the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law. #WPRO He explains his new position, which has been described as making him the country's most powerful antitrust figure. https://bit.ly/2G9PCma