Rhode Island’s entire congressional delegation gathered at T.F. Green Airport Warwick Monday to condemn the partial government shutdown, now in its fourth week. TSA officers and air traffic controllers are some of the many across the country have continued to work the nation’s airports. The state’s two Democratic Representatives and two Senators took the […]
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, Politics
Interfaith Vigil Urges Lawmakers To Take Up Causes Of The Poor
Religious leaders from across Rhode Island gathered in the statehouse Tuesday to urge lawmakers to deal with poverty. Members of various faith groups stood under the dome of the Statehouse asking lawmakers not to forget the homeless, hungry and poor during the 2019 general assembly session. “We ask them to stop housing discrimination; stop landlords […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Considering Medical Marijuana In Fighting The Opioid Epidemic
The Rhode Island Department of Health will soon consider whether opioid dependency should qualify patients for using medical marijuana. Bill Cotton is petitioning the state for the change. He owns B and B Consulting a Rhode Island business that helps get people get into the medical marijuana program. Cotton says medical marijuana could be used […]
Posted inArticle, Business
RI Supreme Court To Hear Foxy Lady Appeal
The owners of the Foxy Lady strip club in Providence are asking the Rhode Island Supreme Court to let it reopen. As John Bender reports, the club was forced to close earlier this week, following a prostitution sting.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Ex-City Councilor Faces Sentencing
Former Providence City Councilor Kevin Jackson is set to be sentenced Wednesday morning in Superior Court. As John Bender reports Jackson pleaded no contest to stealing thousands from a youth track program he ran.
Posted inArticle, Business
Providence City Council To Gather Once More On Hope Point Tower
The Providence City Council convenes Tuesday for a vote that could determine the future of major construction project in the city. The 46 story Hope Point Tower is the point of contention. Last month the council voted in favor of a zoning change for the project, which would allow the 600-foot tower in a neighborhood […]
Posted inArticle, Education
CCRI Moves Ahead With Winter Term, Despite Faculty Opposition
A new winter term at the Community College of Rhode Island will happen as scheduled. But as John Bender reports, the term has become a point of contention between CCRI professors and administrators.
Posted inArticle, Business
Sports Betting Is Here, Will More Problem Gaming Come Next?
Legal sports betting expanded in Rhode Island this week. You can now place bets on games at both Twin River facilities in Lincoln and Tiverton. Some experts in problem gambling are watching to see what impact this will have in the region. “We don’t have any data on it yet, we do know because we’re […]
Posted inArticle, Business
Sports Betting Expands In Rhode Island
Starting Monday, you’ll be able to place bets on sports at Twin River’s new casino in Tiverton. The company rolled out Rhode Island’s first legal sports betting in Lincoln just one week ago. Local politicians and a crowd of gamblers lined up to place the very first bets when sports betting became an above-board operation […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Reading, Math Proficiency Remain Low For RI Students
About one-third of Rhode Island elementary and middle school students are proficient in reading and a little more than a quarter are proficient in math. Those are the results of new standardized testing in Rhode Island public schools.
