Behind the Story

6/18/25: John Howell goes in-depth on the Butler Hospital strike

Episode Summary

Warwick Beacon editor John Howell joins Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian to talk Butler Hospital strike, journalism in Rhode Island.

Episode Notes

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Warwick Beacon editor John Howell joins Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian on this week's episode of "Behind the Story" to discuss the ongoing contract dispute at Butler Hospital.

Howell goes behind the scenes on the issue, having landed a one-on-one interview with Mary Marran, president of Butler Hospital. He's also been spending his days at the picket line talking with health care workers about the strike that's spanned more than a month.

Later in the show, Eli and Kim talk about the "Stories We Wish We Wrote." They included:

• Remembering the electric trolley that once ran through Lincoln by Sophia Barr, The Valley Breeze
• Bitter battle over Johnson's Pond continues as former owner files federal lawsuit, Jim Hummel, The Hummel Report/The Providence Journal
• Blue parrot swears a blue streak: Caring for this pet bird isn't for the 'faint of heart', Dan Medeiros, The Fall River Herald News

Watch Behind the Story Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence) and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.