Black and brown people in Rhode Island are being exposed to more harmful pollutants than their white peers. RIDEM says it wants to address that.
Article
Posted inArticle, Education, South Coast Bureau
UMass Dartmouth payments to Star Store developer under review by Inspector General
Two years after a lease-to-own agreement expired, the university continued paying the Star Store’s private owner, Paul Downey, a monthly rent of nearly $160,000. State Sen. Mark Montigny, who passed legislation triggering the review, said Downey collected that money without making any “discernible improvements to the building,” leaving a maintenance backlog that could imperil any hopes of the university returning to its downtown arts campus.
Posted inArticle
At least 27 dead with dozens more missing after boat capsizes in northwest Congo
A senior Congolese official says a boat capsized in Congo’s northwest killing at least 27 people. More than 70 others were missing as rescuers searched frantically for survivors. The locally made boat capsized late Friday in the town of Mbandaka in Equateur Province as it transported more than 100 passengers along the Congo River to the town of Bolomba. That’s according to Taylor Nganzi, deputy provincial governor, who said 27 bodies had been recovered. The New Civil Society of Congo, a local civil society group, said 49 people died in the accident, which it said occurred after an engine failure. The contradictory death tolls could not immediately be reconciled.
Posted inArticle, Politics
The Public’s Voice: Live discussion on politics, partisanship, and the 2024 election
The Public’s Radio Political Reporter Ian Donnis leads a forum discussion with panelists Corey Lang Brettschneider, writer and professor of politics and constitutional law at Brown; State Sen. Jessica de la Cruz of North Smithfield; and State Rep. Katherine Kazarian.
Posted inArticle, Local, Newport Bureau
Local Jewish organization offers comfort to Rhode Island community and raises money for those in Israel affected by war
The nonprofit Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island today launched a fundraiser to provide humanitarian support to those in Israel affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
‘Nothing will stick in the end’: Attorney General Peter Neronha ready to fight challenges to RI’s shoreline access law
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha will take the lead on defending the state’s new shoreline access law in the months, and possibly years, to come. Neronha has taken an interest in the broader shoreline access issue and is now involved in two other closely-watched beach access cases in Westerly.
Posted inArticle
After delays, California unveils first site of state tiny home project to relieve homelessness
Sacramento leaders and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration announced Wednesday the state will build the first group of 1,200 tiny homes at an abandoned office park. The project is part of a plan by Newsom to address California’s homelessness crisis. The homes are much cheaper and quicker to build than permanent housing. Newsom is under pressure to make good on his promise. The 1,200 tiny homes were slated to be ready by this fall in four cities, but the state has yet to award any contracts for builders, the Sacramento Bee reported. Newsom’s administration said it has made good progress. The Sacramento site will be surrounded by a medical campus with mental health treatment.
Posted inArticle, Health
What’s missing in the effort to encourage Spanish-speaking Rhode Islanders to get vaccinated against COVID-19?
Rhode Island’s Spanish-speaking communities need trusted sources of health information in their own language. That’s what long-time public health advocate Dr. Pablo Rodriguez is attempting to provide.
Posted inArticle, Politics
‘I need to set the example’: Maria Rivera on her unexpected journey to becoming the first Latina mayor in Rhode Island
Ten years ago, Maria Rivera was terrified of public speaking. Running for office wasn’t in the plan. But years later, Rivera found herself on the Central Falls city council, and in 2021 she was elected mayor of Central Falls – the first Latina mayor in Rhode Island. In this recent conversation with organizer and former city hall intern Lorraine Quintero, Rivera says she ran because she wanted to address the issues facing her community – issues she had faced herself.
Posted inArticle, Health
COVID-19 is back in nursing homes. So where is the vaccine?
In Rhode Island, where many nursing homes have yet to begin vaccinating their residents, nearly three-quarters of all nursing homes and assisted living centers have reported COVID-19 outbreaks over the past two months