Public schools in the capital city are mired in layers of bureaucracy, where students are not being held to high standards and teachers feel demoralized. That’s part of the findings in a new report by Johns Hopkins University’s Institute for Education Policy. The report was commissioned by the Rhode Island Department of Education and the […]
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, Environment
Controversial Burrillville Power Plant Project Denied Permit
On Thursday, state regulators unanimously voted to reject a proposal to build a $1 billion natural gas power plant in the northwestern part of the state. The three-member Energy Facility Siting Board denied the permit on the grounds that the company building the plant could not prove it was necessary to meet the state and […]
Posted inArticle
ICE Once Again Holding Detainees At Wyatt Detention Center In Central Falls
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is holding immigrant detainees at Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls. According to a spokesman for ICE, approximately 120 people are being held in the facility, the only privately-run prison in Rhode Island. In April, Wyatt Detention Center began holding immigrants for the agency in connection with controversial Southwest Border Policy, […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Single Sentence Makes A Big Difference In Statute Of Limitations Legislation, Advocates Say
For the past two years, lawmakers have worked to extend the amount of time survivors of childhood sexual abuse have to file a civil lawsuit in Rhode Island. After dying before receiving a vote on the House floor last session, the legislation appears close to passing now. However, if the Senate passes the legislation as […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Q&A: Cicilline On Tech Anti-Trust Investigation
Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline is leading a House sub-committee inquiry into possible anti-trust violations by some of the nation’s tech giants. It comes as many of them, including Facebook, Google, and Amazon, face increased scrutiny for the role they play in our politics and our pocketbooks. We spoke with Rep. Cicilline about the investigation.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Statute Of Limitations Extension Bill Makes Its Way To Full House Vote
A bill that would extend the amount of time survivors of childhood sexual abuse have to file a civil lawsuit is close to passage. The Rhode Island House is set to vote on legislation that would extend the statute of limitations on filing a civil suit from seven to thirty five years, or seven years […]
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice
Cybercrime Hotline Opens In Rhode Island
Rhode Islanders have a new resource should they be the victim of online scams or harassment. With a $280,000 federal grant, Rhode Island has created a 2-1-1 call service to offer advice and resources for people targeted online, a nationwide first. Phone operators will be able to help people report crimes, or try to recoup […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Warwick Lunch Saga Appears To End After Company’s $50K Donation
The Warwick public school lunch debacle ended, in part because of a donation by an out-of-state company, estimated to be worth more than a billion dollars. The Greek-yogurt maker Chobani plans to donate nearly $50,000 to the Warwick public schools to pay off debts owed by families in the district for school lunch. Warwick captured […]
Posted inArticle, Health
Providence College Lab, Part Of Major Medical Innovation
A medical breakthrough that made headlines last week has a Rhode Island connection.
Posted inArticle, Health
RI Lawmakers To Consider Increasing Age Requirements For Tobacco Products
As E-cigarettes continue to grow in popularity among teens, more states are looking to restrict their use. Rhode Island lawmakers are proposing to increase the age requirement for buying tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. This high-tech version of a cigarette, delivers nicotine hits in the form of a cloud of vapor. The products were once heralded […]