Ocean State Stories launched on Feb. 7, 2023, with this stated mission:

“Our focus is journalism about issues that often are neglected or under-reported — stories that explore healthcare, education, public policy, socioeconomic and racial disparities and injustices, domestic violence, food and housing insecurities, the environment, agriculture, ageism, suicide prevention, mental health, veterans affairs, and developmental and intellectual disabilities, among others. They are told with data, expert input, and, importantly, the personal experiences of Rhode Islanders.”

We have kept true to that mission, with at least one major news story and one Q & A every week since – 47 weeks in all.

We have also realized our goal of forging partnerships with print newspapers and online news outlets and joining professional news associations that share our objectives. Learn more here.

By topic, here is a sampling of the stories we published in 2023. For the full list, visit our home page – and expect many more in 2024.

● Healthcare

Prescription for Partnership: New Collaboration Provides Medications to Uninsured Rhode Islanders

Q & A with Dr. Francois I. Luks

Dr. Francois Luks – G. Wayne Miller / Ocean State Stories

● Education

For these high school students, the road to doctor starts here, in an innovative Rhode Island Hospital-based program run by Lifespan

Q & A with Madalyn Ciampi

Madalyn Ciampi – Submitted photo

● Public policy

R.I. Colleges react to Supreme Court ruling on Affirmative Action

Q & A with Jim Vincent

Jim Vincent – Submitted photo

● Socioeconomic and racial disparities and injustices

Birthing While Black: Efforts to Improve Maternal Outcomes in Rhode Island

Q & A with Jayashree Nimmagadda

Jayashree Nnimmagadda — Submitted photo

● Domestic violence

Domestic violence occurs in every Rhode Island city and town. Survivors share their stories as advocates work for safety and prevention

Q & A with Lucy Rios

Lucy Rios – Courtesy of RICADV

● Food and housing insecurities

Food insecurity, a statewide issue, part one

Q & A with Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies

Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies – Submitted photo

● The environment

Woonasquatucket River Greenway cleanup helps revitalize core urban areas

Q & A with Joanna Detz

Joanna Detz, with Frank Carini in background – Submitted photo

● Agriculture

Many Farms Suffer, But Some Harvests Benefit as Plants React to Warming World

Q & A with Jesse Rye

Jesse Rye – Submitted photo

● Ageism

Is Rhode Island ready for the senior population boom? Are you ready?

Q & A with Deb Burton

● Suicide prevention

With suicides still taking a toll on Rhode Island, work continues to prevent deaths by that means

Q & A with Melissa Cotta

Melissa Cotta – Submitted photo

● Mental health

Providing behavioral health care in rural regions takes ingenuity and determination

Q & A with Laurie-Marie Pisciotta

Laurie Marie Pisciotta – Submitted Photo

● Veterans affairs

Rhode Island parents of an Army soldier who lost his life to suicide join the national campaign to prevent veteran deaths by that manner

Q & A with Tim Gray

Tim Gray, center, with Lou Conter, a survivor of USS Arizona – Submitted photo

● Immigration

Afghan refugees are learning to call Rhode Island home

Q & A with Channavy Chhay

Channavy Chhay

● Developmental and intellectual disabilities

Off-air, Ch. 10 morning co-anchor Alison Bologna builds programs that help thousands of Rhode Islanders.

Q & A with state Sen. Louis P. DiPalma

Happy New Year from the Ocean State Stories team!