What’s a tariff — and why do they have the power to shake the global economy, trigger political showdowns, and hit your wallet at the grocery store?

In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen explore how tariffs impact everything from international trade to Rhode Island’s local businesses. They’re joined by Gregory W. Bowman, Dean of Roger Williams University School of Law and former international trade attorney, for a deep dive into how this complex economic tool works — and why we should all be paying attention.

In this episode, we cover:

• What tariffs are and how they influence global trade relationships
• The legal and political process behind implementing tariffs
• Why tariffs don’t just affect big corporations, but everyday consumers
• Historical and current U.S. tariff policies — and the debates surrounding them
• The tension between protecting national industries and global market access
• How future lawyers can prepare to work in this evolving legal landscape

Whether you’re a student of law, a small business owner, or someone trying to make sense of trade wars in the news, this episode unpacks the legal and practical sides of tariffs in an accessible way.

Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.

Rhode Island Impacts:

• Polaris MEP "Tariff Impact Report" (June 2025) https://polarismep.org/news/tariff-impact-report/
• University of Rhode Island report: “Tariff‑induced uncertainties cloud R.I. economy’s recession status”
  https://www.uri.edu/news/2025/08/tariff-induced-uncertainties-cloud-r-i-economys-recession-status-says-uri-economist/
• General:Tariffs—Everything you need to know but were afraid to ask https://www.epi.org/publication/tariffs-everything-you-need-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask/
• Carlo Institute's 'Separating Tariff Facts from Tariff Fictions' https://www.cato.org/publications/separating-tariff-facts-tariff-fictions
• Boston Globe article: "Appeals court finds Trump’s sweeping tariffs unconstitutional but leaves them in place for now" https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/29/business/trump-tariffs-unconstitutional-appeals-court/
  

When reports surfaced about a longtime high school coach conducting "fat tests" behind closed doors, the story shocked Rhode Island — and raised serious legal and ethical questions about student safety, institutional responsibility, and transparency in public education.

In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen are joined by investigative reporter Tim White of WPRI 12 (and RWU Law MSL '22) to unpack the disturbing case out of North Kingstown. Together, they explore what went wrong, why it took so long to come to light, and what it tells us about how misconduct is handled in schools.

In this episode, we cover:

• What happened in the North Kingstown “fat test” scandal — and how it unfolded
• What legal obligations schools have to report and investigate abuse
• The roles of Title IX, mandated reporting laws, and civil litigation
• How journalists approach sensitive investigations involving minors
• What systems failed — and what accountability looks like
• The lasting impact on students, families, and the wider community

This episode explores not just a local scandal but a broader reckoning over power, trust, and institutional silence.

Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.

• People Magazine: "Former High School Basketball Coach Accused of Molesting Boys During Nude 'Fat Testing' Goes to Trial"
  https://people.com/former-coach-accused-molesting-boys-during-fat-testing-goes-to-trial-11707208
• GoLocalProv article: "North Kingstown Naked Fat Test Coach Charged with Sexual Assault and Child Molestation"
  https://www.golocalprov.com/news/new-north-kingstown-naked-fat-test-coach-charged-with-sexual-assault-and-ch
• Tim White and Eli Sherman - WPRI break down the verdict in the "naked fat test" trial of Aaron Thomas.https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1429194511765168
• The Public's Radio | Rhode Island PBS https://www.ripbs.org/news-and-culture/jury-finds-former-ri-high-school-basketball-coach-not-guilty-of-sex-crimes
• RI Relevant Laws
  Second-Degree Child Molestation — R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37-8.4 https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-11/chapter-11-37/section-11-37-8-4/
• Simple Assault or Battery (Misdemeanor Penalties) -- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11‑5‑3https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-11/chapter-11-5/section-11-5-3/
  

Across the country, battles over book bans are intensifying — and Rhode Island is not immune. Who decides what’s appropriate to read? Who gets to make that call for children, schools, and public libraries?

In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen explore the growing wave of book challenges and censorship efforts, and how they intersect with law, policy, and free expression. They’re joined by Cheryl Space, Director of the Community Libraries of Providence, and Dan Novack, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Penguin Random House, to discuss the implications of book bans in Rhode Island andbeyond.

In this episode, we cover:

• How library book challenges typically begin — and who decides what stays on shelves
• Why legal protections for free speech don’t always prevent book removals
• The tension between parental rights, school boards, and public access
• How publishers are pushing back through litigation and advocacy
• What’s at stake for marginalized communities and authors
• How Rhode Island libraries are responding to national trends

From libraries to classrooms to courtrooms, this episode dives deep into the fight over access to ideas — and what it means for democracy.

Resource links:

• House Bill 5726 (Freedom to Read Act – PDF: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H5726.pdf
• Senate Bill 238 (Companion Bill): https://legiscan.com/RI/bill/S0238/2025
• Community Libraries of Providence: https://clpvd.org/
• Penguin Random House https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/

Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.