Behind the Story

Eli Sherman, Dan McGowan, Kim Kalunian
  • 5.0 (4)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 3D AGO

    ‘Sludge’: Alex Kuffner breaks down Rhode Island’s emerging biosolids problem

    Alex Kuffner, who covers energy and the environment, first shed light on the issue last month with an in-depth report on the state’s largest sludge disposal facility in Woonsocket, which residents are fighting to shut down. More than 90% of the state’s sludge — a mix of human waste, organic materials and chemicals filtered out of wastewater — is disposed of at the facility in northern Rhode Island. “If that closes, you’re going to have dozens of cities and towns that will have not have a place to take their sludge,” he said. “They’re going to be faced with essentially finding places that can landfill it, and cities and towns now that have been forced to do this they are taking their sludge by rail to Massachusetts and then it goes all the way to Ohio or Pennsylvania.” Now, a similar issue is emerging in North Kingstown, where residents are calling on the Quonset Development Corp. to rescind approval of a proposed sludge facility. Meanwhile, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has supported legislation to create a commission to study biosolids, and Gov. Dan McKee is urging greater transparency around the proposed project. Kuffner said there’s no link between the two projects in different parts of the state, but many people are watching closely to what happens in both communities to get a better sense of where sludge will go in the future. “For people in the industry who are trying to find a place for their sludge, they’re thinking, ‘If this thing can get up and running, it’d be great because then it takes the pressure off Woonsocket and Woonsocket can then close,’” he said. But Kuffner acknowledged the science behind the Quonset project is still relatively new and has faced challenges in other parts of the country. He said the project has several hurdles to clear before it might become a reality, and there are several factors that could prevent it from getting off the ground. “There are a lot of stakeholders that make it very complicated,” he said. Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Kim’s pick Homeowner dug up what looked like a toy. Was it part of a 1978 homicide? by Mark Reynolds, The Providence Journal As residents dodge potholes, approved repair budget will fix less than 6 miles of road by Colin Hogan and Brooke Kushwaha, The New Bedford Light Eli’s pick Parents voice frustration, anger over Attleboro school rules on restraint and seclusion by Rhianwen Watkins, The Sun Chronicle Barrington Police: Suspects lurking in bushes were playing ‘senior assassin’ by EastBayRI

    23 min

  2. MAR 27

    ‘Optimistic’: Ethan Shorey talks 20 years in newspapers, what comes next

    Ethan Shorey, who served as the newspaper’s editor, has said in the past that he always wanted to spend his entire career at one news organization. But he acknowledged it has become tougher in recent years and felt now was the time for a change. He left the paper on March 6. “I was able to make it work for a really long time,” Shorey said, adding the long hours required at a local newspaper were affecting his ability to spend time with his family. “I was ending up having to do almost a full-time extra job 15 to 20 weeks a year.” Shorey said he’s currently exploring options to continue reporting in Rhode Island. He said people should expect to see his byline again within the next four months. “Digital really is the future,” he said. “I’m more optimistic, even in Rhode Island, you see this news collaborative, with a lot of the digital sites and it’s sharing some resources, and I think they’re going to do more of that in the future. There’s a lot of them now.” The long-time journalist also discussed how the industry has changed, especially with the influence of social media. A 2025 Pew Research Center poll found Americans continue to trust local news more than any other type of information. But the poll also found Americans ages 18 to 29 are equally likely to trust information from social media as from national news outlets. And trust in social media has grown across all age groups since 2016, according to the poll. Shorey said it’s changed dramatically over his career, and media literacy is always something he tried to highlight to students and younger journalists. “I don’t want to disparage 18 to 29 year olds, but there is less news literacy than there’s ever been, in my opinion,” Shorey said. Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Dan’s pick Providence residents ran a $1M budget. Then the system fell apart by Ben Berke, Ocean State Media Monopoly Man? by Eli Sherman, 12 News (for Rhode Island Monthly) Eli’s pick Ads for preppy store in liberal Newport co-opted by White nationalists by Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal State pays union dues for thousands of employees after paycheck mistake by Brian Crandall, NBC 10 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. “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

    23 min

  3. MAR 19

    'Unusual circumstances': Patrick Anderson breaks down ethics trial of Jim Thorsen

    Patrick Anderson, who covers politics and government, has followed the story since former state directors Jim Thorsen and David Patten became embroiled in the scandal three years ago. The two men traveled to Philadelphia to visit a redeveloped space known as “Bok.” Afterward, state contractors who gave them a tour alleged Patten behaved inappropriately during the trip and that Thorsen failed to intervene. The two men were also treated a free lunch at a restaurant called Irwin’s, which opened early specifically for them. Thorsen paid for Patten and himself days later after realizing trouble was brewing. “It was a very unusual circumstance that Thorson was walking into, with no menus, no waitstaff, no table settings at the other tables, the chef personally preparing meals — no bill,” Anderson said. “So, something even beyond the unusual nature of what happens in political lunches was going on here,” he added. The issue became a scandal after the McKee administration was forced to release an email detailing the alleged behavior, following a public records battle with Target 12 and The Providence Journal. Both former directors later came under scrutiny from the R.I. Ethics Commission, which alleged they violated the state’s ethics code. Patten was fined $5,000 to resolve the matter, while Thorsen is contesting the allegations. Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including:   Kim’s pick Five years in, ‘world’s shortest’ parade is an institution by Ted Hayes, EastBayRI Monopoly Man? by Eli Sherman, 12 News (for Rhode Island Monthly) Eli’s pick MORE MILLIONS: Seven-figure home sales spreading away from waterfront by Veer Mudambi, Providence Business News Investigation into alleged affair between judge and prosecutor concludes by Grace Ferguson, The New Bedford Light 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. “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

    23 min

  4. MAR 12

    'The mall is in limbo': Alexa Gagosz breaks down the future of Providence Place

    Alexa Gagosz, who covers business for the newspaper, has spent years reporting on the mall. She described it as currently being in a state of limbo. “It’s this place that used to be a luxurious place to shop with the Nordstrom’s — with classic mall stores like The Gap, J. Crew and a lot of those have been replaced and gone,” Gagosz said. “When we say the mall is in limbo, it’s like, what is the future of this major development?” The mall has been under court-ordered receivership, a state-level version of bankruptcy, since the former operator defaulted on millions of dollars of debt in 2024. Gagosz and her colleague Steph Machado detailed the current state of the mall’s vendors, including a mounting number of empty storefronts alongside businesses that continue to bustle. The duo also looked at what it would take to reinvent the struggling shopping complex, which is poised to lose a longstanding tax break with the city in 2028. “If it failed, it would completely transform downtown Providence in such a negative way,” Gagosz said. “luckily though, it is literally at the front door of the state House, lawmakers have to drive by it in order to go park and get into the State House and deliberate over whatever they’re going to deliberate that day,” she added. “I think the same with City Hall, and I don’t think that there is an appetite for anybody to allow this mall to fail. It just can’t.” Later in the show, Dan and Eli talked about the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Dan’s pick Families now being affected by SNAP benefit changes by Mara Hagen-Spath, The Valley Breeze Jamestown boy captures world record with a spoon and his nose by Joe Tasca, Ocean State Media Eli’s pick How two troubled RI lives came to an end in room 207 of a CT Super 8 by Jack Perry, The Providence Journal GoFundMe raising money for ‘John’ the Brown University tipster by Melanie DaSilva and Shiina LoScuiuto, 12 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. “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

    23 min

  5. MAR 5

    'Mind-rot moment': Bekah Berger talks 'Real Housewives of Rhode Island'

    Bekah Berger is the co-host of the morning show on 92 PRO-FM and one of the most recognizable radio voices in the region. She has been covering the rollout of “Real Housewives of Rhode Island,” which marks the network’s 20th season of the hit reality franchise. Although the show was filmed locally and Rhode Island is featured throughout, Berger said first-time viewers will quickly learn it is more about the cast and their relationships than the setting. “You see them at the polo tournament, you see them at Newport Vineyards, you see them at Goddard Park, you see them at all these different locations that we will recognize,” Berger said Wednesday. “But someone in Peoria isn’t going to know what beach they’re on.” Berger, who has worked across multiple media platforms during her career, also voiced support for entertainment news and encouraged Rhode Islanders to embrace the national attention the show brings. “My favorite thing is when I post something on social media and someone writes, ‘Well, who cares?’” she said. “I do. I care, and a lot of people do. And especially these days, you need a break. You need a mind-rot moment, and it’s fun.” Later in the show, Kim and Eli talked about the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Kim’s pick The Providence Place mall is up for sale. But is the age of the indoor mall over? by Alexa Gagosz and Steph Machado, The Boston Globe DNA in 1988 murder a possible link to New Bedford highway killings by Frank Mulligan, The Standard -Times Eli’s pick As Woonsocket plans to close sludge incinerator, a regional crisis looms by Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal RIDOT Director Alviti insults local official on blizzard call by Brian Crandall, WJAR-TV 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. “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

    23 min

  6. FEB 26

    ‘It’s on us to show them’: Inside the Blizzard of ’26

    In a special blizzard edition of “Behind the Story,” 12 News journalists Kayla Fish and Corey Welch discussed covering the Blizzard of ’26. Fish, an anchor and reporter, was stationed on Aquidneck Island with Welch, the station’s chief photographer. For hours during the height of the historic snowstorm, the breaking news duo trudged through wind and snow to show viewers the dangerous whiteout conditions. “It’s active, it’s interesting. People are usually sitting at home and can’t go anywhere because they’re snowed in, so it’s on us to show them what’s happening outside,” Fish said, adding that she has always enjoyed snow and covering major weather events. Beyond documenting the snowfall, Welch emphasized the importance of finding stories afterward that highlight the human resilience that often emerges during emergencies. The pair recalled one story about a younger man who stopped to help an older woman shovel, sparking a new friendship between neighbors in Middletown. “We heard something that made us think they didn’t know each other,” Welch said. “We went over and talked to them, and that was the case. So we instantly put a microphone on them and started recording and told them, ‘Do your thing.’” “It was a prime example of people who didn’t know each other coming together,” he added. 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. “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

    24 min

  7. FEB 19

    ‘It was heavy’: Inside the reporting of the Pawtucket hockey rink shooting

    The hosts of “Behind the Story” devoted a special episode this week to examining the coverage of the deadly shooting at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket. The shooting killed two people and wounded three others, who remained in critical condition as of Wednesday. The incident quickly drew national attention. Police identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, a transgender person who also went by the name Roberta Dorgan. Authorities said Dorgan shot and killed Rhonda Dorgan and Aidan Dorgan during a hockey tournament at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena. Robert Dorgan later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after bystanders intervened to stop the gunfire. Kim Kalunian of 12 News was among the first journalists on the scene, where she encountered a chaotic environment filled with first responders, student-athletes and families trying to understand what had happened. It was the second deadly shooting Kalunian had covered in two months. She was also on the scene of the December attack at Brown University. “I just remember thinking on the drive there, ‘This is the start of vacation week, we’re going to an ice rink, it is undoubtedly going to be packed with families,’” Kalunian said. “Heading to that scene not knowing what we would encounter — it was heavy.” In the 48 hours after the Pawtucket shooting, coverage quickly expanded into national conversations about transgender rights, gun violence and gun control, public safety and mental health. Dan McGowan, a columnist for The Boston Globe, wrote in his daily newsletter Tuesday that it is important not to lose sight of the victims as the public narrative shifts after a deadly event. “I’m trying to say something that’s somewhat humanizing,” McGowan said on the show. “You put yourself in that spot and think about what you might be going through if you were in that kind of situation, so I just tried to put words on paper.” Later in the show, Kim, Dan and Eli talked about the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Kim’s pickWile E. Coyote on the loose, part of wider trend in Woonsocket by Mara Hagen-Spath, The Valley BreezeDan’s pickCranston, Pawtucket sue to block charter school By Rosegalie Cineus, The Cranston HeraldEli’s pickA record-breaking night for URI basketball vs. Saint Louis. Here’s why by Bill Koch, The Providence JournalWatch “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 appIt 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. “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

    23 min

  8. FEB 12

    ‘Gaslighting’: Jonny Williams discusses AI chatbots used for therapy

    Jonny Williams, who covers health-related topics for the Journal, said researchers found troubling patterns in chatbot responses after feeding them scripts over several months and prompting the technology to act as mental health counselors. “Even after putting iterations of different prompts into the AI chatbot, the chatbot was still violating ethical guidelines for counseling,” Williams said. “It was doing things like gaslighting, false empathy and giving advice that didn’t line up with guidelines.” Williams said the research was prompted by recent headlines showing more people are turning to AI chatbots for mental health counseling. He said the trend comes at a time of high demand for therapists and limited resources. Despite the concerning trends highlighted in the research, Williams said, “it’s not surprising that people will turn to ChatGPT.” “You can essentially have a free therapy session whenever you want,” he added. Williams also discussed a recent story examining proposed legislation aimed at capping administrative and glucose-monitoring costs that help drive up the price of insulin. He said the economic impact of insulin costs totals $1.5 billion annually in Rhode Island, according to the American Diabetes Association. “It’s glucose-monitoring strips and the administration of insulin that research has shown can be just as expensive, if not more expensive, than insulin itself,” he said. “So it ends up adding up for families who have to monitor their blood sugar levels.” Later in the show, Dan and Eli talked about the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Dan’s picksMeet the Cranston man who was barber to the mob by Pamela Watts, Ocean State MediaLegal fight foreshadowed Plant City’s closure by Alexandra Leslie and Eli Sherman, 12 NewsEli’s picksLizzie Borden House says coffee shop owner owes $160K for defamation by Dan Medeiros, The Fall River Herald NewsDreier youngest to win district spelling bee in North Providence by Luzjennifer Martinez, The Valley BreezeWatch “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 appIt 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. “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

    23 min
See All (41)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Behind the Story

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