The debate about when to reopen the economy is growing louder by the day. It’s a hot topic in Rhode Island, where jobless claims have soared since early March. The extreme rhetoric that has become a growing part of U.S. politics marks the debate about trade-offs between the economy and public health.
jobs
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Coronavirus Roundup For March 20
Question of the week: how much will things change once the crisis is over? As always, I welcome your tips and comments, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. 1) While no one can say how long the coronavirus crisis will be with us, it’s already sending shock […]
Skyrocketing RI Unemployment Claims Due To Coronavirus Are Unprecedented In Recent History
Mounting unemployment claims in Rhode Island are unprecedented in recent history, representing an additional cost that will complicate the state’s effort to eventually recover from the economic fallout of the coronavirus. More than 6,000 people have filed for unemployment for each of the three first days of this work week, with the high (8,408) coming […]
Wexford Innovation Center Opens In Providence
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo cited the opening Wednesday of the Wexford Innovation Center in Providence as a vote of confidence in the state’s future. Speaking before a gathering of business people ahead of a ribbon-cutting, Raimondo repeated her view that the state is in the early innings of an economic comeback. At the same […]
One Square Mile Pawtucket: Mayor Grebien Wrestles With A Series Of Challenges
Our series One Square Mile Pawtucket continues with a look at the city’s mayor, Don Grebien. He’s led Pawtucket as it confronts a series of challenges, including the closing of Memorial Hospital and the impending departure of the PawSox. The question now is, how much difference can a mayor make in sparking a brighter future […]
RI Senate Unveils New Effort To Bolster The State’s Economy
The Rhode Island Senate unveiled on Wednesday a multi-faceted two-year effort meant to improve the state’s economy. During a Statehouse media event, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said the effort was inspired in part by how Rhode Island is expected to lose one of its two congressional seats around the time of the 2022 election. Speaking […]
Bonus Q&A: Raimondo On Jobs Numbers, Education, Superman Building, Beach Fees & More
RI Gov. Gina Raimondo joins Bonus Q&A to discuss whether the state’s unemployment numbers are a misleading indicator, whether there’s any hope for the Superman Building, the outlook for improving public education, and much more.
Westerly Job Training Program Receives Naval Grant
The Westerly Education Center said it’s been awarded $750,000 from the U.S. Office of Naval Research . The grant is intended to boost the center’s capacity and equipment for workforce training and education, specifically to train people to build submarines. The Education Center was launched in 2017 to provide job training for the General Dynamics […]
Q&A: Raimondo On Budget, Schools, Providence Pension, Marijuana & More
A year-end interview with Gina Raimondo.
Political Roundtable: Mattiello On Rebel Democrats, Harassment & Improving RI’s Economy
Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello joins Political Roundtable to discuss whether he’ll toss an olive branch to the 21 Democrats who voted against him last week; whether he properly handled an allegation of sexual harassment involving two lawmakers; and what steps he’ll support in 2019 to improve RI’s economy.

