With rising costs hitting consumers everywhere from the gas pump to the grocery line, President Biden recently declared that fighting inflation is his top domestic priority. The impact of soaring expenses can be especially hard on people with tighter budgets and families to support. As part of a new series on inflation’s impact on Rhode Islanders, reporter Joe Tasca introduces us to a single mother from Ashaway who’s struggling to keep up with her bills and looking for a second job.
joe tasca
Posted inArticle, Business
Fidelity Investments expected to bring 1,000 new jobs to Rhode Island
Rhode Island is benefiting from a major hiring surge at Fidelity. The investment management firm says it plans to add nearly 1,000 jobs at its Smithfield campus this year.
Posted inArticle, Health
New panel seeks to combat rise in domestic violence in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has signed an executive order creating a Domestic Violence Working Group. The announcement was made last week following a roundtable discussion amongst stakeholders on how to combat the increasing prevalence of domestic violence in the state. Panel member Lucy Rios, who serves as interim executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, spoke with reporter Joe Tasca about the group’s purpose and the disturbing trends that prompted its creation.
Posted inArticle, Business
High gas prices not expected to impact summer travel in Rhode Island
Triple A Northeast says Rhode Islanders haven’t changed their driving habits significantly because of the recent surge in gas prices. If that continues, it could mean good news for the approaching summer tourism season.
Posted inArticle, Business
Rhode Island economy not expected to benefit from increase in defense spending
Military manufacturing experts say the war in Ukraine will not likely have a significant impact on defense production in Rhode Island.
Posted inArticle, Business
‘Let’s hope that we’re ready’: URI economist says Rhode Island should be able to withstand the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are being felt across the global economy, including right here in Rhode Island. URI economist and author of the Rhode Island current conditions index Len Lardaro says the impact has been especially hard on families, small businesses and the state’s manufacturing sector. But despite the challenges, Lardaro thinks the state’s $1.1 billion share of federal pandemic relief money will help stimulate overall growth in 2022. Reporter Joe Tasca spoke with Lardaro about Rhode Island’s economic outlook.
Posted inArticle, Politics
‘It’s soul-crushing’: Ukrainian pastor in Woonsocket says Russian invasion is another chapter in his country’s bloody history
Ukrainians in Rhode Island are watching as events unfold following Russia’s invasion of their native country. Father Borislav Kroner is the pastor at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Woonsocket. He spoke with reporter Joe Tasca about the implications of the Russian attack and his hopes for a speedy end to the conflict.
