In a special edition of "Behind the Story," 12 News reporter Ted Nesi fills in to host a conversation with 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian and Target 12 chief investigative reporter Tim White about how news outlets have covered the shooting at Brown University and its aftermath.

Alex Kuffner, who covers energy and the environment, said Rhode Islanders should expect some relief this winter on their heating bills. But he warned that regulators have mostly moved around existing funds to offset the higher winter costs, meaning ratepayers end up paying for those credits.

He also highlighted a new rate hike proposed by Rhode Island Energy for its distribution charges, which is the portion of customers’ bills where the company can make a profit.

“They agreed to hold off on filing this, this distribution rate case for several years, so now it’s actually been eight years since we changed this distribution costs,” Kuffner said. “They’re saying that through inflation, supply chain costs — all the costs that they pay have gone up, and their revenues haven’t matched that, so it’s squeezed their profits.”

Kuffner also talked about how the state is lagging in its effort to meet lofty carbon-cutting goals by 2030 and 2040, even though some leaders are optimistic the benchmarks can still be made.

“It’s going to be hard to get there,” he said.

Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “Stories We Wish We Wrote,” including (not all mentioned on air):

• Companies being sued over the Washington Bridge are inspecting these RI bridges by Kathy Gregg, The Providence Journal
• Neighbors see big trouble with undersize lots by Greta Shuster, Warwick Beacon

• After going viral, Auntie’s House in Pawtucket adapts to high demand by LuzJennifer Martinez, The Valley Breeze
• A holiday ritual of fellowship and flour by Ellen G. Lahr, EastBayRI

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.

Mark Patinkin, who’s been a newspaper columnist for over four decades, recently wrote about the issue of hazing in schools following incidents in Newport and Smithfield, respectively. Hazing has also been the focus of an opinion piece written by BTS cohost Dan McGowan, a columnist for the Boston Globe.

Patinkin said student athletes who behave badly should be held responsible for their actions. But he also called on adults — specifically coaches — to take some ownership of what’s going on.

“Coaches have the power to be able to sit kids down and a football team or a comparable situation and say, ‘Look, if any of you haze a kid, you’re off the team,'” Patinkin said. “Coaches can do that. They have the power. And I just have to think those conversations have not been happening in Rhode Island.”

Patinkin also discussed his experience writing about the Israel-Hamas war, which included him traveling to the Middle East to interview people on both sides of the conflict. Patinkin, whose writing has leaned pro-Israel, said he’s rarely received such sharp criticism over his position.

“It was withering … but I’ll tell you, it didn’t sway me,” Patinkin said. “When you’re a columnist putting your personality out there and people disagree with you, they say, ‘You’re a disgrace to humanity,’ so it gets very personal.”

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

• Records reveal R.I. pediatrician wrote more than a hundred prescriptions for his own daughter by Amanda Milkovits, Boston Globe
• Union leans on lawmakers to keep School Budget Commission on track by John Howell, Warwick Beacon

• As winter heating costs rise, so does consumer anxiety in Rhode Island, poll finds by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current
• BROKEN NEWS? Outlets in search of sustainable community journalism model by John Lahtinen, 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.