Rhode Island officials on Wednesday touted the unveiling of the first members of the state’s new life science incubator as a sign of economic progress. The incubator, due to open next year, is meant to spur the growth of innovative companies by bringing together researchers, investors and entrepreneurs. The project is to be housed in […]
Business
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
Hasbro to move HQ from Pawtucket to Boston
In a psychic blow that will take hundreds of jobs out of Rhode Island, the iconic toymaker Hasbro announced plans Monday to relocate its longtime headquarters from Pawtucket to Boston’s Seaport District. Hasbro hailed the change as “a new era of play” and said seven floors in the new office “will house teams that power […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, Labor, Local, New England News Collaborative, Politics, South County Bureau
Rhode Island lawmakers tilt at windmills, hoping to save Revolution Wind
Revolution Wind, the massive offshore wind farm under construction off the Rhode Island coast, appears to be dead in the water for now. Citing unspecified security concerns, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued an immediate stop-work order Friday. Now, Rhode Island lawmakers are pushing back, insisting that mothballing the project would cost thousands […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS are offering buyouts to employees to close a budget gap
Employees of the joint organization that operates The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS are being offered voluntary buyouts due to the recent loss of $1.1 million in annual federal funding. “This is a significant and painful cut, and it’s not unique to us here in Rhode Island — it’s reshaping public media organizations across […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, Local, Politics
AG Neronha decision expected to expedite hospital sale
A financing gap delaying the sale of two cash-strapped Rhode Island hospitals is expected to be resolved under a decision announced Thursday by Attorney General Peter Neronha. More than two years have passed since the Atlanta-based Centurion Foundation submitted an application to buy CharterCARE Health Partners, composed mostly of Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
Steinberg set to leave as chair of RI Life Science Hub
Neil Steinberg has resigned as the voluntary chairman of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub, as the fledgling sector seeks to build on initial successes in the state. While Rhode Island has long lagged Massachusetts in developing a life sciences sector, the effort took on more energy after becoming a priority of House Speaker Joe […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Business, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Payday lending reined in, fish processors face fines for underage workers, and more
Earlier this month, Rhode Island lawmakers finally passed a bill aimed at ending the predatory practices of payday lenders. We’ll look at what the new law means and how it took 15 years to get it passed. Our reporting on underage undocumented children working in New Bedford fishing houses has at least one Massachusetts lawmaker looking at ways to end the practice. Our reporter Ben Berke will describe what he’s found and the response from the fishing industry. On Artscape, a conversation about the fusion of Afro Cuban, Puerto Rican, and New Orleans jazz.
Posted inBusiness, Local
Alan Hassenfeld, Rhode Island businessman and philanthropist, dies at 76
Rhode Island businessman and philanthropist Alan Hassenfeld has died at age 76. Hassenfeld spent 15 years as chief executive officer of Hasbro, the Pawtucket-based toymaker that was founded by his grandfather and grand-uncle. He later served as company chairman. Author and journalist G. Wayne Miller, who has written extensively about Hasbro over the years, says […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
New state health lab taking shape in Providence’s 195 District
During a hard-hat tour of the new state health lab on Tuesday, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee motioned to a scene a short distance away on Richmond Street in Providence’s 195 District, where construction crews are building a life sciences building for Brown University. McKee’s message: the two nearby structures dovetail with the state’s effort […]
Posted inBusiness, Labor, Local
Rhode Island lawmakers approve minimum wage hike
In Rhode Island, both the House and the Senate approved hikes to the state’s minimum wage on Thursday. Under the legislation, the current $15-an-hour minimum wage would go up to $16 next year and $17 in 2027. Providence State Rep. David Morales says while he supports the wage hike, $17-an-hour works out to just under […]
