As CVS employees await word on whether their jobs will be among the nearly 3,000 the Rhode Island-based company plans to eliminate, Woonsocket Mayor Christopher Beauchamp says the city should be able to weather the layoffs, though concerns remain for the future. CVS Health, which is headquartered in Woonsocket, said Monday that it plans to […]
Business
Posted inBusiness, Immigration, Local, South Coast Bureau
Seafood supplier for top supermarkets sued for allegedly using child labor at Fall River plant
Legal aid groups filed a lawsuit this week on behalf of three migrant teenagers who allegedly worked at a seafood processing plant in Fall River that supplies some of the region’s biggest supermarket chains. The minors, who are not identified by name in the complaint, allegedly started working at Raw Seafoods’ processing plant in the […]
Posted inBusiness, Shoreline Access, The Weekly Catch
What the loss of Hasbro would mean for Rhode Island, Westerly taxpayers call for new town solicitor, and more
What would it mean if Hasbro left Rhode Island? News broke this week that the company is considering moving their headquarters to the Boston area. Political Reporter Ian Donnis talks about what’s at stake. Also, Westerly’s town solicitor is facing scrutiny over work related to the Watch Hill Lighthouse, which was transferred in January to a private nonprofit amidst public outcry. Our South County Bureau reporter Alex Nunes gives us an update. And we talk to the co-creators of “Scandalous Conduct: A Fairy Extravaganza,” a musical documentary inspired by the Newport Navy sex scandal of 1919. That and more coming on this week’s show.
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
Rhode Island officials surprised by Hasbro’s potential move
Rhode Island officials are scrambling after being surprised by the news that the iconic toy-maker and entertainment company Hasbro is considering moving its headquarters out of state. “It’s all hands on deck to keep Hasbro in Pawtucket,” Governor Dan McKee said in a statement. McKee said Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien and he are seeking a […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, Local
South County Hospital defends against outcry from doctors, patients
South County Hospital is losing money and some longtime clinicians – and its top administrators are at odds with a group of doctors about what ails the hospital and how to treat it. Patients and community members are joining a mounting public outcry over one of Rhode Island’s last remaining independently-operated community hospitals. And they’re […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, Local, South Coast Bureau
Making sense of Rhode Island’s latest offshore wind procurement
Rhode Island officials have set a goal of meeting the state’s electricity needs with 100% renewable energy by 2033, and there’s still a long way to go. Last week, the three southern New England states were hoping to procure enough offshore wind to make serious progress toward their climate goals. But Rhode Island only secured […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, Local, South Coast Bureau
Mass. and R.I. to buy power from 3 new offshore wind farms, reviving stalled plans
Massachusetts and Rhode Island officials announced on Friday they plan to buy power from three new offshore wind farms, signaling that energy regulators in both states still consider the renewable energy source economically viable in New England after an industry wide contraction last year. Private utility companies in both states will now negotiate contracts to […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, Local, South Coast Bureau
States to announce Friday if New England is ready for more offshore wind farms
The Captain Les Eldridge used to chase bass and tuna out of New Bedford. Now, the vessel has a new role in the nation’s emerging offshore wind industry. “We’re bringing people out to the offshore wind farms,” said Ed Anthes-Washburn, whose company Coast Line Transfers manages the vessel. “People and stuff.” The Captain Les Eldridge […]
Posted inBusiness, Local
What could the loss of Macy’s mean for the future of Providence Place Mall?
TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: Joining me now is Katie Castellani, reporter with the Providence Business News. Katie, it’s such a pleasure. Thanks so much. Katie Castellani: Yeah, thanks for having me. Hernandez: There’s conflicting information about the future of the Macy’s location at the Providence Place Mall. […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford business improvement district will not move forward
Business leaders hoping to establish a business improvement district in downtown New Bedford have withdrawn their proposal, ending a fierce debate over whether property owners should pay additional fees to spruce up the neighborhood and market it to visitors. In a letter sent to the City Council president on Monday afternoon, a consultant leading the […]