Nineteen students at Brown University say they’ve begun a hunger strike, in the hopes that the board that oversees the school will agree to bring the issue of divestment to a vote. The news comes amid Brown’s Corporation Board’s winter meetings, which end on Feb. 10. The students say they will not end their hunger strike […]
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Posted inArticle, Education, Local, Metro Desk
Providence superintendent remains optimistic about student performance, absenteeism
TRANSCRIPT: Luis Hernandez: Superintendent Montañez, it’s such a pleasure to speak with you again. How are you doing? Javier Montañez: Fabulous. Thank you for having me on your show today. Thank you. Hernandez: Lots to talk about, but let me get started with the star ratings that the Rhode Island Department of Education released earlier this year. […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local, Newport Bureau
Rhode Island lawmakers propose plan to tackle climate-related coastal threats
On a recent weekday, state Representative Terri Cortvriend climbed the rock outcropping at Surfers End at Sachuest Beach in Middletown. It was raining, and she climbed slowly, her boots seeking traction. At the top, in every direction, she saw areas that are being impacted by the effects of climate change. To the southwest, she mentioned […]
Posted inHealth, Local, Stories
A place to use illegal drugs under medical supervision near Rhode Island Hospital
Two Rhode Island nonprofits announced Wednesday the location of the country’s first state-regulated center where people can use illegal drugs under medical supervision. Project Weber/RENEW, a peer-led harm reduction and recovery group, and its partner, the clinical services provider VICTA, plan to open the “overdose prevention center” next to the campus of Rhode Island Hospital, […]
Posted inBook club, Local
Book club: Elizabeth Rush, Providence-based author of ‘The Quickening’
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. Transcript: Luis Hernandez: This is the Public’s Radio. I’m Luis Hernandez. Thwaites Glacier was first spotted by polar researchers in 1940. It’s named after American glaciologist Frederick Thwaites. As the climate changes, this glacier could be one of the greatest contributors to sea level rise, […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Legislative Democrats unveil progressive ‘Working Families’ agenda
About two-dozen Democratic state representatives rallied Tuesday behind what they call the Working Families Agenda – which includes proposals to lower prescription drug costs, build more affordable housing, and expand free meals for students – and they want to pay for it by hiking taxes on affluent Rhode Islanders. The agenda has the backing of […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Stories
Ethics Commission dismisses RI GOP complaint against Speaker Shekarchi
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission on Tuesday dismissed a state GOP complaint alleging that House Speaker Joe Shekarchi had violated ethics rules. The GOP complaint last year argued that Shekarchi, as a state representative in 2017, supported a bill that would have overridden local zoning regulations stopping large weddings from being held on farms for […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Federal officials seek details on Washington Bridge closure
Gov. Dan McKee’s office revealed the development in a statement Friday evening. “This is not unexpected, and the Governor welcomes the review,” McKee spokeswoman Olivia DaRocha said. DeRocha said McKee instructed the state Department of Transportation to fully cooperate with the information request from federal officials, and she noted that the governor previously directed the […]
Posted inLocal, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Jan. 26, 2024
Don’t look now, but we’re gaining daylight every afternoon in the march to February. 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 *** UPDATE: Feds seek details […]
Posted inLocal, On Sports
Ed Cooley’s return becomes the sideshow to a Big East thriller
As expected, a thunderstorm of boos cascaded from every section of the Amica Mutual Pavilion when Ed Cooley strode into the arena at 12:26 last Saturday afternoon. The noisy, sold-out crowd of 12,580 resumed booing when Cooley was introduced with his Georgetown basketball team. Providence College students — 2,000 behind each basket — used more […]