During a hearing on Wednesday, Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Brian P. Stern made attorneys Mark Russo and John Dorsey of the Rhode Island-based law firm Ferrucci Russo Dorsey the permanent receivers of the Providence Place Mall. The pair had served as temporary receivers since Nov. 1. The mall had to enter court-appointed receivership […]
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
More than a third of Rhode Islanders are facing food insecurity, according to a new survey
A report from the Brown University School of Public Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island shows that 38% of Rhode Island households–a five year high–are experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity is more prevalent for families of color than white families, with 55% of Rhode Island Latino households and 47% of Black households experiencing […]
Posted inEducation, Local, Metro Desk
Providence finalizes deal with state over funding for its public schools
Under the terms of a deal announced Friday, the city must contribute an extra $15 million of funding for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. The city is also committing to $11.5 million more in fiscal year 2026 and additional funding after that. With the agreement in place, Providence Schools Superintendent Javier Montañez says unpopular […]
Posted inEducation, Local, Metro Desk
City and state reach agreement on Providence school funding
The city of Providence likely owes Rhode Island somewhere between $11 million and $55 million to help fund its schools. In a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Brett Smiley said Providence homeowners will have to reach into their pockets to help pay for the money owed to the state. Smiley said he is likely to […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local, Metro Desk
Parts of Rhode Island are experiencing severe drought conditions
The National Weather Service today upgraded the drought status in the northeastern corner of Rhode Island from moderate to severe drought. Most of the rest of the state continues to be in a moderate drought, and although Newport County and Bristol County, Mass., have not yet reached drought status, the National Weather Service still considers […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Politics
Hopkins clinches mayoral victory in Cranston
Incumbent Republican Ken Hopkins won Cranston’s mayoral election last night with 51.6% of the vote. During his victory speech at the fluorescent-lit St. Mary’s Feast Society, Hopkins focused on thanking all of his fellow Republicans for their support and for running in other local races. Voters in Cranston said they appreciated that Hopkins prioritized lower […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
2024 Election Live Coverage
NATIONAL OVERVIEW Live updates Polls closed at 8 p.m. in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Race calls are based on reports from the Associated Press, unless otherwise noted. Results are preliminary and subject to certification by the Board of Elections. Last updated at 11:30 p.m. Nov. 5. RACE CALLS RHODE ISLAND ELECTION RESULTS MASSACHUSETTS ELECTION RESULTS
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Stories
Referendum shows most undergraduate respondents oppose Brown University leadership
According to a referendum distributed by Brown’s Undergraduate Council of Students, 73% of undergraduate respondents are unhappy with Brown University’s corporate leadership and would like at least one person on the Brown Corporate Board representing undergraduates. Twenty-six percent of the undergraduate student body responded to the referendum. The students who conducted the referendum say it […]
Posted inHousing, Local, Metro Desk
For advocates, homelessness is the key issue in Woonsocket election
On most Saturdays in Woonsocket, the Milagros Project runs a free store aimed at assisting people experiencing poverty and homelessness in the city. Volunteers hand out everything from clothing to fresh farm vegetables, and CEO Bonnie Piekarski says she does not require that anyone “prove their poverty” with paperwork. Last Saturday, the hallways of the […]
Posted inEducation, Local, Metro Desk
Jewish students at Brown face possible discipline for sleeping in a religious structure
At Brown University, administrators are determining whether to discipline 17 Jewish students who were found sleeping in a temporary structure as a part of a Jewish holiday on campus early on Tuesday morning. The students, who are members of an unofficial campus group called Jews for Ceasefire Now, say their religion commands them to sleep […]
