It’s just a matter of time until Opening Day. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. I’m taking a pre-spring break, so this column will next appear on March 29. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just […]
Local
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Transportation
RIPTA staves off service cuts — for now
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority announced today it will postpone implementing unpopular bus service cuts that had originally been planned for early spring. The agency, which planned the cuts because of a driver shortage, said in a statement that the postponement would give more time for RIPTA to attract new drivers. RIPTA said in […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Transportation
Washington Bridge westbound must be demolished and undergo years-long rebuild
The state of Rhode Island plans to demolish and completely rebuild the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, a project officials expect to take two years or more. “We will be replacing the bridge,” Gov. Dan McKee said at a news conference Thursday. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation closed the westbound span, which carries […]
Posted inHealth, Local
URI study finds links between mass violence and online incel communities
In recent decades, we’ve become increasingly accustomed to hearing about mass shootings, hate crimes, and other acts of mass violence in the U.S. The vast majority of these crimes are committed by men, but a recent study identifies another common factor – a growing online community of “incels” who embrace misogynistic attitudes. It’s called “The […]
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
Westerly beach parking bans are being called forms of ‘bigotry’
You could almost call this a tale of two towns, within the confines of one municipality. In downtown Westerly and nearby areas, drivers riding in two-way traffic pass between rows of vehicles parked on both sides of the street. Pedestrians stroll along sidewalks, and trucks make delivery stops in the middle of the road. But […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Langevin testifies against wheelchair repair bill in Connecticut
Former U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, who was the first quadriplegic person to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, testified Tuesday against a bill meant to speed the repair of wheelchairs in Connecticut. Langevin, who noted how he serves on the board of directors of Numotion — which bills itself as a […]
Posted inLocal, On Sports
Rhode Island College Anchorwomen suffer their first and season-ending loss
Editor’s note: This column was updated March 11 to reflect the results of weekend games and tournaments. March Madness, the annual college basketball rite of spring, is upon us. To be precise, it starts March 19 with the men’s Division I tournament and March 20 with the women’s, and ends April 8 for the men […]
Posted inHealth, Local
More people who use cocaine in Rhode Island are dying of overdoses
In an empty stairwell in Pawtucket, R.I., Jackson offered to show a reporter how he tries to reduce his risk of overdosing when he smokes crack cocaine. (Jackson agreed to speak to The Public’s Radio for this story on the condition that we use only his first name.) It had been several hours since his […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local
Federal appeals court rejects challenge to Rhode Island’s ban on high-capacity magazines
A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected a challenge to the Rhode Island law banning large-capacity gun magazines. The law, passed in 2022, bans ammunition magazines that carry more than ten rounds. Several Rhode Island gun owners and a Chepachet gun store sued the state. In December 2022, a federal judge declined to issue a […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 8, 2024
Notice how most folks have a little more spring in their step with extra daylight? You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE […]