Fitzpatrick, who also hosts “The Rhode Island Report,” is a Rhode Island-based reporter for the Globe, covering statewide government and politics.

Recently, he’s covered a developing controversy in his hometown of Smithfield, where there have been allegations of antisemitic hazing involving the high school football team.

An attorney representing the accused players has disputed the allegations, which were filed as a complaint with the R.I. Attorney General’s Office.

Fitzpatrick said the controversy has been scrutinized by many in the town, along with broader Rhode Island and multiple Jewish advocacy groups.

“This has been a big deal in the community,” Fitzpatrick said.

“It has divided the community,” he added. “You had people out there really concerned about what this says about Smithfield.”

In another segment of the show, Fitzpatrick talked about how there have been many decisions coming out of Rhode Island U.S. District Court challenging the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.

Many of those decisions were made by U.S. District Chief Judge John McConnell, which has made him the focus of nationwide scrutiny.

Fitzpatrick has covered McConnell during his time on the federal bench, including recent criticism that has ramped up after his most recent decision requiring the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November, despite the government shutdown.

“People have threatened him even before this case came into focus,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s an issue that divides people and it has politics involved.”

Later in the show, Dan and Eli discussed the “Stories We Wish We Wrote.” They included:

• A tattoo artist lands in an unexpected role in Maine’s Senate race by Kimberlee Kruesi, The Associated Press
• The average SNAP recipient gets $6 a day. What’s it like to live on that little? by Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal

• Grassroots movement takes on Eversource by Abigail Pritchard McNulty, The New Bedford Light
• Mayor: Employees’ union exit ‘on the shelf for now’ by Ethan Shorey, The Valley Breeze

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.

Steve Klamkin over the years has covered high-profile criminal trials, including the one of Vincent "Buddy" Cianci after the FBI investigation known as Plunderdome.

Klamkin is recognizable for being at the forefront of media scrums over the years. But he's also well-known for the unique signoff he's had at the end of news reports for WPRO radio: "Steve Klamkin, WPRO News."

"I don't have a big booming voice, I never have," Klamkin said Wednesday. "The signoff from my stories over the years — it just happened and I never gave it a thought. And then people started saying it back to me ... so I thought, 'I guess it's a thing.' Well, come to find out, it's a thing."

Klamkin recently entered semiretirement, but he's continued to report for Latino Public Radio, which now broadcasts entirely online. Klamkin said he's hard back to work, interviewing multiple people himself before appearing as a guest on the show.

"It's been great fun," Klamkin said.

Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “Stories We Wish We Wrote.” They included:

• At nearly 108, this Middletown woman may be the second-oldest living RIer. What's her secret? by Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal
• Meet the Providence 5th-graders running their own newsroom by Ben Berke, Ocean State Media

• THE ‘AMAZON EFFECT’: Warehouse looms over Johnston, but will it fulfill economic promise? by Matthew McNulty, Providence Business 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

McNamara is a longtime sports journalist who covers college and professional sports. He focuses heavily on college basketball, which kicks off Monday for programs across Rhode Island.

McNamara, who also runs the website KevinMcSports.com, said he's unsure whether Providence College, the University of Rhode Island or Bryant University will make the NCAA Tournament this season.

But he said the Friars may have a competitive advantage because the program has been spending big money under new rules that allow colleges to pay student-athletes up to a combined $20 million.

"At Providence, it's men's and women's basketball, hockey, some cross-country teams," he said. "But the focus is certainly men's basketball. No one knows how much Providence is investing in their men's basketball team this year. But it's new, and I can tell you, it's a lot of money."

McNamara also discussed last week's illegal gambling scandal involving the NBA and the New York Mafia. The FBI indicted big-name players and coaches, alleging game-rigging and coordination with gambling operators.

The scandal has fueled skepticism of sports betting and how it's affecting the integrity of competitive athletics. McNamara said it's something college sports need to examine more closely, as there have already been issues bubbling up at some schools across the country.

"Those are kids who did not or do not make much money, beyond their scholarship," he said. "They've gotten in trouble with sports gambling because it's legal and it's everywhere. And you think about how many people they come in contact with on a given day on campus, in their communities who say, 'Hey, you want to make an easy $5,000 to $10,000?'"

Later in the show, Dan and Eli talked about the "Stories We Wish We Wrote." They include (not all mentioned on-air):

• Why Does Rhode Island Have Such a Full House? by Ellen Liberman, Rhode Island Monthly.
• Massive Schools Plan Proves Hard to Pin Down by Jonathan Howard, The Providence Eye.

• The Great New Bedford election ‘plunking’ controversy by Jack Spillane, The New Bedford Light
• Police chief clarifies speed camera hours by Jon Baker, Blackstone Valley's Call & Times.

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.