Amid news reports of federal deportation actions against people lawfully in the U.S., Brown University is suggesting that students, staff, and faculty who hold green cards or visas should not travel internationally. In an email sent Sunday, Brown Executive Vice President for Planning and Policy Russell C. Carey, told the campus community, “Out of an […]
Olivia Ebertz
Olivia Ebertz comes to The Public’s Radio from WNYC, where she was a producer for Morning Edition. Prior to that, she spent two years reporting for KYUK in Bethel, Alaska, where she wrote a lot about how the warming climate is forcing local Indigenous communities to change their traditional lifeways.
Prior to her career as a journalist, Olivia worked in film. Her documentaries have screened at festivals worldwide.
Olivia likes to pursue stories inspired by questions from community members.
Ella habla español, lei parla italiano, и она говорит по-русски.
Posted inHealth, Local, Metro Desk
Dozens of Rhode Island scientists protest federal funding cuts to science
On Friday, dozens of scientists turned out to the Rhode Island State House to protest large scale cuts to science funding by the Trump administration. The protest was one of many such “Stand Up For Science” rallies across the country. The rally in Providence included many scientists who said they had either lost their jobs […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local, South Coast Bureau
DOGE considering canceling key NOAA building leases
Late last month, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, mandated that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration get rid of 31 of its rental offices and facilities, including three in New England, The Public’s Radio has learned. Former NOAA scientists say they especially fear the ramifications of losing a building on the list in […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, Metro Desk
Atlantic Mills tenants plan to hire lawyer, escalate fight against building buyers
Tenants renting studios and offices at the Olneyville artists’ hub Atlantic Mills say they plan to escalate their fight against developers who are under contract to purchase the historic building. That’s after, they say, the buyers declined to recognize their commercial tenants’ union in a meeting last week. Tenants say they need the union to […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local, South Coast Bureau
NOAA cuts come to Narragansett Bay and Woods Hole facilities
Multiple employees for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration working in the agency’s Woods Hole and Narragansett Bay facilities had their positions eliminated by the agency on Thursday, according to 10 current and former employees of those labs and offices. The employees affected worked across the agency, including several in facilities and fisheries management. The […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Transportation
Advocates ask General Assembly to pull RIPTA out of perpetual funding crisis
In total, legislators have or plan to introduce seven bills aimed at funding RIPTA. One bill, if passed, would eliminate RIPTA’s deficit for the year left by Gov. Dan McKee’s proposed budget. Some of the bills would add surcharges and taxes to Lyft and Uber rides as well as gas. State Rep. David Morales was […]
Posted inHousing, Local, Metro Desk
Unhoused people allege illegal search and seizure at Providence rally
The crowd outside the police headquarters came prepared with lists of recent incidents where they say homeless people were illegally searched or had their belongings seized by police, especially outside of Mathewson Street United Methodist Church in downtown Providence. “On February 12 at 2 p.m., a police car came down to Mathewson Street and stopped […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Metro Desk
Incarcerated Muslims accuse RIDOC of religious discrimination in new lawsuit
A group of Muslim men incarcerated at the state’s high security prison complex in Cranston filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday, alleging the facility is placing illegal restrictions on their ability to practice their faith. Lawyer Jared Goldstein with the Roger Williams School of Law and attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of […]
Posted inImmigration, Local, Metro Desk
New England mayors show unity on immigration policies
A group of mayors and some of the police chiefs of 22 New England cities met in Providence Wednesday to discuss issues affecting the region. The mayors tried to present a unified message about policies on immigration amid uncertainty about the Trump administration. When asked whether their cities have policies similar to Providence, where an […]
Posted inEducation, Local, Metro Desk
RI ACLU calls suspension of Brown student group ‘chilling’
The Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union today released a letter it sent to Brown University, criticizing school leaders over the suspension of a campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Steven Brown, the executive director of RI ACLU, said the school’s decision is a blow to free speech on campuses […]
