Behind the Story

Eli Sherman, Dan McGowan, Kim Kalunian
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Come Behind the Story with WPRI 12 News in Providence, Rhode Island with conversations that take you beyond the headlines. Hear it from the journalists bringing you the most interesting news across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Hosted by Target 12 Investigator Eli Sherman, 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian, and Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan, this 30-minute show pulls back the curtain on how impactful stories come to light — and why they matter. Each week, reporters reveal the questions they asked, the obstacles they faced, and the moments that made the difference. It’s a front-row seat to the journalism that shapes your community.

  1. 6 days ago

    ‘See justice done’: Chris Gavin discusses capture of RI Most Wanted fugitive

    Christopher Gavin, a reporter with the Globe’s Rhode Island bureau, has been covering the arrest of 70-year-old Ronald Fischer, who was on the run for more than 20 years. Fischer was found aboard a sailboat off the coast of New Jersey after disappearing just before a jury found him guilty of sexual assault in 2005. “This is somebody who was convicted by a jury of his peers 20 years ago,” Gavin said. “There’s a family here that wants to see justice done. That’s what I’ll be looking for in that courtroom, because that’s what this comes down to.” Target 12 Investigator Tim White, who co-hosted the show, reviewed federal documents detailing the steps Fischer allegedly took before fleeing in 2005. Those actions included transferring ownership of two vehicles to his daughters, selling a Jaguar, purchasing American Airlines tickets and researching ways to change his identity. White said he’s closely watching what defense Fischer may mount now that so much time has passed since he was convicted in absentia. “You have to think a defense attorney is going to make a very spirited argument that the whole trial has to get tossed out and we do the whole thing again,” White said. “It’s a long shot that they’ll retry the case — a jury has already spoken. It would take a lot to overturn that verdict. But we’re going to see those motions filed.” Later in the show, Tim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Tim’s pick University report finds split AI adoption patterns, concerns of risks by Ivy Huang, The Brown Daily Herald Eli’s pick One of RI’s most seasoned defense lawyer steps into infamous killer’s case by Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal New federal rule could put New Bedford’s piping plovers in harm’s way by Brooke Kushwaha, The New Bedford Light “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.

  2. 16 Jul

    'A gift': Aniekan Okon reflects on covering FIFA World Cup in Providence

    What's it like to cover a global tournament through a local lens? 12 News sports anchor Aniekan Okon joined this week's episode of "Behind the Story" to discuss his experience covering the FIFA World Cup, with international matches hosted at Gillette Stadium, which has been dubbed "Boston Stadium" for the tournament. "These days where there are so many difference and it seems like we're kind of pulling as people in opposite directions, events like the World Cup remind you that we're a lot more similar than we are different," Okon said. In addition to covering the matches, Okon spent several days reporting from the Fan Zone in Providence, where he delivered countless live shots for both local and national audiences. Okon said described it as an experience of a lifetime. "It doesn't matter if you know your team is in it," he said. "Just a chance to watch some of the biggest stars in the world on your home soil is a gift." Okon and his 12 News colleague, Melanie DaSilva, also launched a special digital TV show, "48 Nations," featuring interviews with soccer figures and discussions about all aspects of the tournament. Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the "stories we wish we wrote," including: Dan's pick RI coastal regulators reluctant to shore up entire Newport Cliff Walk by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current Family calls for transparency after Lincoln graduate’s diploma questioned by Rochelle Medeiros, The Valley Breeze Eli’s pick Doctors hope to cut back on unnecessary C-sections by Kim Kalunian, 12 News anchor and "Behind the Story" cohost Is South Coast Rail bringing ‘a bunch of rich people’ to New Bedford? by Grace Ferguson, The New Bedford Light “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman, Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

  3. 26 Jun

    Special: Nicholas Alahverdian saga told by reporters who covered him for years

    Nicholas Alahverdian, who grew up in Rhode Island, famously faked his own death in 2020 before going on the run while wanted for rape in Utah. Authorities eventually tracked him down at a hospital in Scotland, where he had been living under the alias Arthur Knight. “It wasn’t the law that caught him — it was COVID,” White said. “Arthur Knight is also the name of a DJ from Rhode Island from when Nicholas Alahverdian was growing up. He was Sir Arthur Knight, who was on the radio, and you have to wonder if that’s where he stole the name from.” Before becoming known internationally, Alahverdian had already become well known among Rhode Island politicians and journalists, largely for his advocacy on behalf of children living in the state’s child welfare system. Buteau, a former Target 12 investigator, covered Alahverdian throughout that period — all the way up until he received a phone call from someone claiming to be Alahverdian’s wife, telling him he had died. Buteau said Alahverdian frequently called him and other reporters with story ideas and pitches, though he often struggled to get to the point. “You ever meet a guy that inserts a lot of big words, and they don’t really pronounce them well? Well, that was Nicholas,” Buteau said. Buteau also tracked Alahverdian’s trail of cons and criminal offenses across the country leading up to his disappearance. He said whatever positive work Alahverdian may have done in Rhode Island was ultimately overshadowed by the damage he caused over the years. Alahverdian was serving a 10-year prison sentence after being convicted of rape in Utah. He was extradited there after unsuccessfully trying to convince authorities overseas they had the wrong man. Buteau said he knew it was Alahverdian the moment he saw a photo from Scotland, describing him as someone who could be both convincing and ruthless toward people he believed had crossed him. “I talked to several people, and none of them wanted to go on the record because they feared him,” Buteau said. “But they all also brought up that he was charismatic. I never found him to be charismatic, but I think he was a good talker, and with a little information, he could make you believe a lot.” “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman, Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

  4. 25 Jun

    ‘Dedicated people’: South County Star founders aim to expand RI coverage

    The South County Star focuses on covering communities throughout southern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Nancy Burns-Fusaro, sometimes referred to as the “dean” of the Westerly shoreline, will focus much of her reporting on the arts and lifestyle, which she said are flourishing in South County. “I’m writing about my wonderful community and wonderful people and, as you can imagine, the diversity in Westerly is just terrific,” Burns-Fusaro said. Alex Nunes, the nonprofit’s founder and publisher, has covered different parts of the state over the years. He said the idea behind the Star is to expand coverage in a part of the state that receives less attention than the Providence metro area. “If something happens in Providence, or happens at the State House, there’s a lot of people there to cover it, and people do a really good job,” he said. “But if something happens down in Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton, you really have to have dedicated people who are going to be looking to do those stories — and that’s what we’re trying to do.” Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including (not all mentioned on air): Dan’s pick In R.I., Senate power becomes a primary focus as candidates declare by Ed Fitzpatrick, The Boston Globe After seven years, Providence has its schools back — and all of the same institutional problems too by Julia Steiny, Rhode Island Current Eli’s pick The good pirates of the South Coast by Eleonora Bianchi, The New Bedford Light Providence couple say they were evicted after their children were lead poisoned by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Providence Journal “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman, Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

  5. 18 Jun

    Tim White, Ted Nesi discuss RI politics, cold-case sentencing

    Tim White and Ted Nesi, Target 12 investigators and hosts of the political show “Newsmakers,” broke down recent endorsements in the race for Rhode Island governor, including one from Cumberland Democrats who snubbed incumbent Gov. Dan McKee, the town’s former mayor. White also took viewers behind the scenes of the sentencing of Frank Theis, who was convicted of sexually assaulting two teenagers in the 1980s. Forensic evidence tested decades later helped investigators crack the case. Later the show, White, Nesi and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Tim’s pick Mystery of Marmac: Why a cable-laying barge is docked in Providence by Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal Ted’s pick America’s Great Dad Divide by Brad Wilcox, The Free Press Eli’s pick One year after steepest premium increase in a decade, RI health insurers seek double-digit hikes by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current

  6. 13 Jun

    Ted Nesi on covering elections

    Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan are joined by Ted Nesi for a look at how reporters tackle campaign coverage.

  7. 13 Jun

    Real Housewives of Rhode Island with Bekah Berger

    Bekah Berger joins Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

  8. 13 Jun

    Breaking down the Providence school control saga with Steph Machado

    Steph Machado joins Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan.

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About

Come Behind the Story with WPRI 12 News in Providence, Rhode Island with conversations that take you beyond the headlines. Hear it from the journalists bringing you the most interesting news across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Hosted by Target 12 Investigator Eli Sherman, 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian, and Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan, this 30-minute show pulls back the curtain on how impactful stories come to light — and why they matter. Each week, reporters reveal the questions they asked, the obstacles they faced, and the moments that made the difference. It’s a front-row seat to the journalism that shapes your community.

Information

  • Creator
    Eli Sherman, Dan McGowan, Kim Kalunian
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Behind the Story