Rhode Island Current is an independent, nonprofit news outlet focused on state government and public policy.
The Rhode Island Current is an independent, nonprofit news outlet focused on state government and the impact of public policy decisions in the Ocean State. Readers can expect relentless reporting with the context needed to understand key issues affecting the lives of Rhode Islanders.
Poll finds Hispanic voters most deeply concerned about the rising cost of living and strongly supporting access to abortion. By a 71% to 21% margin, Latinos oppose abortion bans.
Latino voters are concerned with the high cost of living, the minimum wage and rising housing costs heading into the November elections, according to a comprehensive survey released Wednesday by UnidosUS, the largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy center in the nation.
After a New Jersey judge tossed a lawsuit asking the courts to end casinos’ exemption from the state’s 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act, the union that filed the lawsuit on behalf of 3,000 Atlantic City casino workers said it will break with the AFL-CIO, the umbrella organization of several other unions that sought a dismissal of the casino workers’ lawsuit. Via New Jersey Monitor
Casino workers and their union leaders warned Wednesday they’ll take “more militant actions” to end the casino carveout in New Jersey’s indoor-smoking ban after a state judge last week threw out a lawsuit they hoped would force the issue in court.
“It’s unfortunate this happened,” Rhode Island State Crime Lab Director Dennis Hilliard said in an interview Wednesday. “It’s caused a real ripple effect.”
Roughly 50 active criminal cases involving fi****ms have been on hold since a national fi****ms database used by Rhode Island State Crime Lab last month flagged a cartridge authorities believe is involved in a 2021 Pawtucket murder for being linked to another criminal case.
An anonymous donor has gifted the Community College of Rhode Island $2 million to fund a three-year pilot program aimed at boosting student success by providing them with personalized tutoring.
An anonymous donor has gifted the Community College of Rhode Island $2 million to fund a three-year pilot program aimed at boosting student success by providing them with personalized tutoring.
ICYMI: The Rhode Island Life Science Hub wants a qualified firm to build out and run a lab and incubator space within an existing state building. But the quasi-public agency needs a little more time to decide which firm it will pick.
The state's fledging life science agency expects to award a bid by September for the long-anticipated, dedicated wet lab space.
The Danish offshore wind company plans to “more than double” its existing, 100-person workforce in Rhode Island in the coming years.
Danish wind developer Orsted is opening a new construction and engineering hub in downtown Providence with plans to double its 100-person workforce in the state.
From a shared critique of the Washington Bridge crisis to the best district eats — The Big Cheese & Pub in Cranston won top marks with three of the five — the contenders seemed to agree on topics both political and personal during the one-hour forum. By
The five Democrats running to represent District 28 in the Rhode Island Senate shared similar viewpoints on environmental and housing policies during a public forum in Cranston on Thursday.
From States Newsroom's DC Bureau: Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended her values and vowed, if elected, to appoint a Republican to her cabinet in her first major sit-down interview since her presidential campaign began just over a month ago.
Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended her values and vowed, if elected, to appoint a Republican to her cabinet in her first major sit-down interview since her presidential campaign began just over a month ago
“RIDE does not intend — and I wanna repeat that — does not intend to keep the district forever.” Rhode Island's education commissioner wants the state takeover of PVD schools to end (eventually).
Rhode Island's takeover of Providence public schools has been extended through Oct.15, 2027 after unanimous approval from the K-12 council.
Pending approval by a federal bankruptcy court judge, the Ocean State hospital giant would become owner of St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton.
Lifespan Corp. will pay $175 million to buy a pair of Massachusetts hospitals from bankrupt operator Steward Health Care.
While more than 75% of respondents said that they feel skeptical, scared or overall negatively about AI, they reported more positive feelings when they learned about specific uses in industries like healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing. Via States Newsroom
Americans’ perception of AI is generally negative, though they see ‘beneficial applications’
A joint legislative study commission tasked with studying school transportation in Rhode Island kicked off on Wednesday. Ironically, one of its leaders faced her own transport woes getting there.
How should Rhode Island’s K-12 students get to school? Hoping to answer that question is a special commission to study school transportation in the Ocean State, which met for the first time Wednesday.
Via KFF Health News: The FDA has approved an updated COVID shot for everyone 6 months old and up, which renews a now-annual quandary for Americans: Get the shot now, or hold it in reserve for the winter wave?
The FDA has approved an updated COVID shot for everyone 6 months old and up, which renews a now-annual quandary for Americans: Get the shot now, with the latest COVID outbreak sweeping the country, or hold it in reserve for the winter wave? The new vaccine should provide some protection to everyone....
“We could have asked the state librarian to put something together like this.” Was the ConCon report worth it? One lawmaker wondered at the commission's final meeting.
After a little over a month of collecting testimony, the bipartisan commission needed just 26 minutes to review and approve its report weighing the pros and cons of Rhode Island holding a constitutional convention.
Rhode Island's Department of Administration announced it will take up to another 30 days to decide the fate of the state's Medicaid contracts, after two losing bidders filed appeals.
Rhode Island Department of Administration Director Jonathan Womer is giving the state more time to review and respond to a pair of appeals challenging the award of a five-year, $15.5 billion Medicaid contract.
ICYMI: RIPTA planners are asking questions about Rhode Island's bus stops as the agency continues a statewide cataloging effort.
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is in the midst of cataloging more than 3,600 bus stops across the state. The $77,000 project looks to improve the look and comfort of the stops.
New accusations fuel an already fiery primary for House District 9, with all three candidates offering up a smorgasbord of criticism, from personal attacks to alleged ethical violations and accusations over election interference.
Santos Javier has filed a complaint with the Rhode Island Board of Elections against primary opponent Enrique Sanchez, alleging mail ballot tampering and voter intimidation in the legislative primary for House District 9.
A plain package approach to retail cannabis draws upon best practices for to***co, which aims to minimize kids' interest. But the R.I. Cannabis Control Commission could OK a broader palette for pot packaging. (Just don't expect any neon.)
State regulators may allow for some color in the future as the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission ponders changes to its packaging and labeling regulations.
How Brown University’s finances could be wounded by the attorneys general challenge is unclear on several points.
24 GOP attorneys general say Brown University could face financial retribution and legal battles should it agree to divest from Israel-associated companies.
Via Stateline: Vermont is the first state trying a new approach to climate policy: charging fossil fuel companies money to cover the damages caused by natural disasters worsened by climate change. Other states could be close behind.
Vermont is the first state trying a new approach to climate policy: charging fossil fuel companies money to cover the damages caused by natural disasters worsened by climate change. Other states could be close behind. New York lawmakers passed their own measure in June, though it’s unclear if Demo...
ICYMI: Republican infighting is uncommon in Rhode Island’s electoral landscape. That's not the case in the primary race for Cranston's mayoral seat.
Sitting Mayor Ken Hopkins and Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung sparred over housing, economic development and a lack of residential parking in Cranston mayoral debate
More than a year after its creation, the Rhode Island Life Science Hub is nearly ready to act on plans for a commercial wet lab incubator. Nearly, but not quite.
The state's fledging life science agency expects to award a bid by September for the long-anticipated, dedicated wet lab space.
Riley Power Group, a subcontractor for General Dynamics Electric Boat, plans to lay off 117 workers starting October 21.
Riley Power Group, a subcontractor that provides specialty welding services for General Dynamics Electric Boat in Quonset, plans to lay off 117 Rhode Island workers in October.
COMMENTARY: Americans should be beyond the question of whether or not America is ready for a woman president writes Joan Johnson-Freese "The question that is still being asked by some individuals is really about being ready to let go of gender stereotyping shown detrimental to men, women and nations."
The 2024 presidential election ought to be about electing a leader who will put country over self and specific plans to address issues, not a candidate’s reproductive physiology, writes Joan Johnson-Freese.
RIPTA is launching a one-year, on-demand program with a rideshare-like approach to public transportation.
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority debuting pilot program offering on-demand public transit services in Narragansett and South Kingstown.
A series of town hall events to educate Rhode Island state workers about changes to the pension system starts Monday.
Rhode Island treasurer to host info sessions on changes to state workers' pensions
"Contrast mailers" from the Ken Hopkins campaign in the Cranston mayoral race led to a strong response Thursday from Hopkins' opponent Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung.
https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/08/22/cranston-gop-mayoral-candidates-spat-over-tuition-costs-for-immigrants/
State regulators gave long-awaited authorization Thursday to a long-term plan to expand liquefied natural gas storage on the Portsmouth-Middletown line.
State regulators unanimously approved a five-year license on Thursday, authorizing an expanded LNG storage facility on Old Mill Lane in Portsmouth.
Next summer the University of Rhode Island will launch a new graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Mental and Behavioral Health Counseling, a move designed to ease the shortage of mental health clinicians in the state.
Approximately 10 students are expected to begin studies next summer when the University of Rhode Island launches a new graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Mental and Behavioral Health Counseling, a move designed to ease the shortage of mental health clinicians in the state.
Providence, RI
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Here is drone video released by the office of Governor Dan McKee on Friday showing a problem with the dome base upon which the Independent Man stands atop the Rhode Island State House. https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2023/09/15/rhode-islands-independent-man-is-coming-down-for-restoration/
The Independent Man hasn't taken a break from his perch atop the Rhode Island State House in almost 50 years. That will change soon now that drone footage captured a problem in the dome on which the statue stands. https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2023/09/15/rhode-islands-independent-man-is-coming-down-for-restoration/
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