Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo expresses optimism about flattening the curve in the state, even as the number of COVID-19 cases climbs. But she warns some social distancing may be necessary for months.
John Bender
Reporter
John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.
Posted inArticle
Court orders Wyatt Detention center to provide COVID updates
A U.S. District Court Judge is requiring the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls to submit twice-weekly reports on the status of COVID-19 illnesses within the facility.
Posted inArticle, Education
A month into distance learning, hundreds still have trouble logging on
At least 500 students across Rhode Island still don’t have the technology to access online classes needed for distance learning, according to estimates from the state Department of Education. There’s a new effort to close that gap. For nearly a month, students and teachers have been working on classes through email, video conferences, and websites. […]
Posted inArticle, Business
Rhode Island joins regional governors in forming plans to reopen businesses
Goldman Sachs is planning to provide $10 million in small business loans to Rhode Island businesses struggling to stay afloat.
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture
Catholics find new Easter traditions
Easter Sunday will be celebrated around the world today without many of the usual traditions, like extended family gatherings and time inside a church. But new ways of observing the day are being born.
Posted inArticle
As coronavirus cases continue to rise, Governor urges RI to celebrate Easter differently
Governor Gina Raimondo is urging Rhode Islanders to forgo their Easter traditions this Sunday, and continue social distancing and self-isolation.
Posted inArticle, Education
Schools search remotely for absent at-risk kids
When Rhode Island schools closed last month, each school had to quickly come up with its own plan for “distance learning” for their students. Three weeks into the shutdown, those schools are now scrambling to come up with ways to keep kids in school and find the ones who are already disappearing.
Posted inArticle, Health
Message to Rhode Islanders with symptoms of COVID-19: Get tested
Governor Gina Raimondo Saturday announced three more deaths in Rhode Island from COVID-19, bringing to 17 the number of people in the state who have died from causes related to the coronavirus. She urged that health care providers authorize testing for all patients showing symptoms of the disease.
Posted inArticle, Health
Early release agreement may free up to 76 RI prisoners
Inmates serving time for nonviolent offenses at the state’s Adult Correctional Institutions could be granted early release to reduce the number of inmates in close quarters.
Posted inArticle, Education
Distance Learning Challenges Are About More Than Technology
Schools in Rhode Island will remain closed through April to contain the spread of the coronavirus. This is the beginning of the second week of wide-scale online learning for public schools. State officials say the experiment is working, but teachers and parents say not for everyone. And the challenges go far beyond whether all students have access to the internet.