Tony Silva has stepped down as Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s chief of staff amid a growing controversy over conflict of interest questions involving a proposed land deal in Cumberland. “Tony and I reached a mutual agreement that it is in the best interest of the Administration for him to retire from State government effective […]
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Posted inArticle, Politics
McKee says his top aide did not use undue influence on Cumberland proposal
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee acknowledged Tuesday that the involvement of his chief of staff, Tony Silva, in a Cumberland development proposal justifies public scrutiny, but he said Silva did not use undue state influence in advocating for the project. “No it’s certainly not a non-story,” McKee said, after downplaying the significance of the situation […]
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
‘It could have been a lot worse’: South County begins to bounce back from Tropical Storm Henri
Southern Rhode Island was getting closer to business as usual on Monday following the damage left by Tropical Storm Henri. Road crews cleaned debris, National Grid worked to restore power to thousands of customers, and business owners began reopening.
Posted inArticle
Hurricane watch in effect, as Henri makes its way toward Southern New England
The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane watch for most of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, as Tropical Storm Henri makes its way northward, with expected landfall in Rhode Island Sunday night.
Posted inArticle, Environment
Wading into an urban river: What lives in the Woonasquatucket?
The water was running high on this recent muggy afternoon, as a group of volunteers in hip waders prepared to step into the Woonasquatucket River. The banks were lush and green, with a bike path running along one side. Under the trees, coffee cup lids, bottles, and plastic bags littered the ground. Broken glass mingled […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Special Roundtable: Elorza on Providence; Escobar on Millennial RI; Geoghegan on baseball
A string of violent episodes has sparked heightened concern about crime in Rhode Island’s capital city, Providence. Police say most categories of crime are down. But there are a lot of guns on the street, things always get worse in the summer, and the city has struggled to resolve problems with ATV and dirt bike […]
Posted inArticle, Health
R.I. will mandate vaccinations for nursing home staff and other health care workers
Rhode Island will require all employees of nursing homes, hospitals and other state-licensed health care facilities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 1., Gov. Daniel J. McKee said Tuesday. Until then, workers at those facilities who are not fully vaccinated will have to be tested twice weekly, McKee said, in addition to complying […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Hearing officer overturns RI Health Department’s approval of Johnston rehab facility
A state hearing officer has overturned Rhode Island Health Department Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott’s approval of a planned $42 million inpatient rehabilitation facility in Johnston, ruling that “there is no legally competent evidence to support a finding of public need” for the facility.
Posted inArticle, Education
Providence teachers approve new contract
The Providence Teachers Union overwhelmingly approved a new contract on Friday, ending a year-long battle between the district’s teachers and the state of Rhode Island, which has controlled Providence schools since 2019.
Posted inArticle, Health
Working in a Rhode Island hospital does not require a COVID-19 vaccination – yet
Rhode Island’s major hospital systems are continuing to encourage – but not mandate – vaccinations against COVID-19 for its employees. But that could change in the wake of rising infections driven by the spread of the more contagious Delta variant and growing pressure from health professional associations recommending mandatory vaccinations for health care workers to […]
