The Fall River City Council could vote Tuesday on a proposal to radically change the role of mayor. That comes just days after the second federal indictment of the current mayor, Jasiel Correia. He faces charges of bribery, extortion, wire and tax fraud. The amendment to the city charter would do away with the current governing […]
John Bender
Reporter
John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.
Posted inArticle
Mayor’s Indictment Highlights Concerns Over Marijuana Industry
Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia’s indictment on charges of bribery and extortion of local marijuana businesses has cast a spotlight on how such shops are approved. Recreational marijuana shops in Massachusetts get state licenses, but need municipal approval as well, in the form of a letter of non-opposition and a host community agreement, according to […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Students Demand Input In Takeover, As School Board Gives Approval
On Wednesday, the board also provided a list of recommendations for the takeover. The board currently oversees disciplinary hearings and approves contracts and policies for the district. Those powers could be stripped from the board in a state takeover. In an introduction to the list, the school board wrote that many of the recommendations had […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Students Return To School In Providence, With Major Changes Looming
On Tuesday students went back to classes, and to a district still licking its wounds after a bruising summer. For decades, Providence public schools haven’t provided a quality education to the city’s children. That’s the thesis of a scathing report on the district from Johns Hopkins University that came out as the last school year […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Providence Schools Sued For Release Of Documents Regarding English Language Learners
Attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union and Rhode Island Legal Services are suing the Providence Schools in connection with efforts to improve education for students learning English. Last summer, the U.S. Department of Justice announced their investigation into the schools found the district was not adequately teaching students in need of English language education. […]
Posted inArticle
Detainee Being Held At Wyatt Detention Center Dies
A detainee in custody at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls died Sunday after being transported to Rhode Island Hospital. According to a statement from the Wyatt Detention Facility, Gilbert Delestre had been previously been diagnosed with chronic health issues. He was transported to the ICU late last week. He’d been at Wyatt for […]
Posted inArticle, Education
PVD Schools Superintendent Concerned Some Buildings Won’t Be Ready For Students
School starts in two weeks for Providence students, after a very difficult summer. Providence interim superintendent Fran Gallo said in the wake of the scathing Johns Hopkins report, she fears teacher morale is low. In addition, building repairs are behind schedule, Gallo said. The city is working to repair numerous issues in the city schools, […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Official PVD Schools Takeover Proposal Released
The Rhode Island takeover of the Providence schools is one step closer to reality. The proposal released Thursday could strip jurisdiction over the schools from the Providence school board, city council, and the mayor’s office and consolidate power with the Rhode Island Department of Education or RIDE, and commissioner Angelica Infante-Green. The proposal outlines the […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Providence Councilor Aponte To Resign After Pleading No Contest To Embezzlement
Currently the longest-serving city councilor and one-time Council President Luis Aponte is resigning from office after pleading no contest to felony embezzlement charges. Scott MacKay, political analyst for The Public’s Radio, talked with Dave Fallon about what Aponte’s resignation means for the city.
Posted inArticle, Education
After Council Vote, A State Takeover Of Providence Schools Imminent
On Tuesday, the state Council on Elementary and Secondary Education voted to begin the process of a state takeover of the Providence Schools. The move follows a highly critical report on the Providence Schools, which has drawn outrage from parents, students and teachers across the district. A takeover could give the state much more control […]
