Events will be held around Rhode Island this weekend in honor of the federal Juneteenth holiday. Several are being hosted in Newport, organized by the Rhode Island Slave History Medallions project.
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Posted inEpisode, Housing, Local, Newport Bureau
URI grad fought for affordable housing in Middletown. Now he’s priced out, too
Rhode Island’s Low and Moderate Income Housing Act says every city and town in the state needs to have at least 10 percent of its housing stock be affordable. But decades after the law went into effect, only six municipalities have met the goal. In the third installment of our series, “Falling Short: In search of affordable housing,” we find that Middletown is one community that still has far to go.
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice, Local, South Coast Bureau
Former Fall River cop convicted of covering up excessive force with false reports
On Wednesday, a Bristol County jury found Michael Pessoa, a former patrolman who spent 19 years on the Fall River Police Department, guilty of assault and battery and three other criminal charges.
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice, Local, South Coast Bureau
Excessive force trial begins for Fall River cop with long rap sheet
Opening arguments are scheduled to begin Monday in the trial of Michael Pessoa, a police officer accused of beating a man and arresting him on false charges four years ago. Prosecutors said Pessoa has a history of “utilizing his authority as a police officer to engage in violent behavior towards individuals engaging in lawful behavior and lying about it to cover up his illegal actions.”
Posted inArticle, Local, Newport Bureau
11th Hour Racing Team heads for its home port, Newport, in The Ocean Race, 32,00 nautical miles around the world
Five sailing teams are heading to Newport this week on the fourth leg of The Ocean Race. It’s a grueling six-month yachting competition that takes each crew around the world. Newport is the home port for the 11th Hour Racing team. Sailing on Malama, they’ve been battling for the lead with the German Team Malizia. 11th Hour Racing is expected to arrive in Newport sometime Wednesday. Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch caught up with team skipper and Rhode Island native Charlie Enright, by satellite connection.
Posted inArticle, Housing, Local, Politics, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford city council reverses course on rent control ballot question
A non-binding referendum approved by the city council last month would have polled voters on whether they support limiting rent increases. But several councilors flipped their votes Thursday night and supported Mayor Jon Mitchell’s veto of the ballot measure.
Posted inArticle, Education, Local, Politics
McKee’s $13.7B budget includes tax cuts, more education money and expanded abortion coverage
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee on Thursday unveiled a $13.7 billion budget for 2023-24 that his administration touts as a way to boost incomes, improve student performance and make the state healthier. “It is the governor’s specific plan on how to deliver on these priorities, to make Rhode Island a better place to live, to […]
Posted inArticle, Education, Local, Politics
Kalus offers more details on her education approach
Republican candidate for governor Ashley Kalus offered more details Tuesday about her ideas for improving public schools in Rhode Island, while also steering clear of directly answering some questions
Posted inArticle, Education, Local, Politics
During State of the State, McKee touts investment in housing, education and small business
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee used his first State of the State address Tuesday to tout new efforts to promote the state’s economy through investments in housing, education, and small business. Using the upbeat tone typical of the annual address, McKee sketched out some of the themes and initiatives he’ll emphasize while trying to fend […]