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| Press Release |
Ocean State Policy Research Institute |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Parker Lacoste
P.O. Box 2401
Providence, RI 02906
Tel: 401-228-6691
Hummel Returns to Investigate Waste and Corruption
Ocean State Policy Research Institute Partners with WPRO to Launch Investigative Report
PROVIDENCE, RI - The Ocean State Policy Research Institute announces that it is partnering with former ABC 6 reporter Jim Hummel and WPRO radio to launch the Hummel Report, which will investigate waste and corruption in state and local government.
Hummel's investigations will debut on WPRO radio and its Web site and be posted in video form on www.hummelreport.com once a week.
"We're excited to partner with WPRO, Jim Hummel and the dedicated Rhode Islanders that sponsor this important work," said William Felkner, Director of Operations for the Hummel Report and President and Founder of the Ocean State Policy Research Institute (OSPRI). "This partnership is exactly what is needed to expose the government waste and corruption that has mired and embarrassed our state for decades."
Added WPRO Program Director Paul Giammarco, "Jim Hummel's association with our award-winning news team and Web site 630WPRO.com creates an outstanding opportunity for all Rhode Islanders to see and learn first-hand about corruption and government mismanagement. Hopefully these reports will inspire Rhode Islanders to become more aware so that we can begin to facilitate systemic change."
The Hummel Report Web site, which will feature its first report on October 15, also will provide a daily compilation of links to state, local, and town news and access to a database of municipal salaries, benefits, public employee union contracts, state legislative voting records, and other public document databases provided by OSPRI. Hummel will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Hummel Report.
Hummel, who has nearly three decades experience as a television and newspaper reporter in Providence, brings a depth of institutional knowledge to the project. Hummel was a reporter for the local ABC affiliate, WLNE-TV Channel 6 in Providence, from 1995 to 2008. In the 1990s he led the station's coverage of corruption at Providence City Hall. He also reported from Washington, DC on issues pertinent to Rhode Island. In 2004, he became the chief reporter, managing the station's political and investigative unit and hosting the Sunday morning show, "Six News on the Record."
Hummel also resurrected the "You Paid for It" news segments. In 2007, he won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reportingfor a story on the North Kingstown school administration, which spent restricted federal special-education funds on food and drinks for a staff retreat. His two-part series, "Steak and Lobster," prompted state and federal investigations into the district, resulting in the ouster of two top officials. The state concluded that the district had misspent nearly $250,000 in federal dollars.
Prior to joining ABC 6, Hummel was a reporter for the Providence Journal, where he was a reporter, editor, and manager for 13 years. While at the Journal, Hummel covered local politics, crime, the courts, the state General Assembly, and the Governor's office. He also managed three of the newspaper's local news offices.
"It's great to be returning to the Rhode Island as part of such an innovative project," Hummel said. "The combination of online media and talk radio formats, partnered with an organization that is committed to making government operations transparent, provides an outlet for information that is unequaled in the market today."
Further distinguishing the Hummel Report from other media sources is its formation as a non-partisan, nonprofit entity. Dedicated to exposing waste and corruption for the people of Rhode Island, the Hummel Report is funded by tax-deductible donations.
"I've always felt that I worked for the people of Rhode Island," said Hummel. "Now I really do. I take that as a great honor and responsibility and I will maintain the integrity and vigilance to my job that the public has come to expect."
For more information, including how to donate, visit www.hummelreport.com.
About Ocean State Policy Research Institute:
Founded in 2007, OSPRI is a 501(c)(3) research institute that advocates for sound public policy based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, and traditional American values. We offer timely research and analysis on important issues for elected officials, the media, business leaders, community organizations, and citizens. We also maintain the Transparency Train-public financial and legislative information repository.
About The Hummel Report:
The Hummel Report is a non-profit 501 C-3 organization dedicated to exposing waste and corruption for the people of Rhode Island. Its investigative reports, produced by veteran reporter Jim Hummel and debuting on WPRO, will combine with news and public information to offer the first local multimedia news outlet of its kind at www.hummelreport.com.
About WPRO:
WPRO is the dominant news and talk radio station in Rhode Island. WPRO operates simultaneously broadcasts on 630 AM and 99.7 FM. With 167,000 listeners a week, WPRO has the largest audience in Rhode Island.
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