Two of the companies being sued by the state of Rhode Island over the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge say the state did not tell them about concerns engineers raised about the bridge decades before they were hired for a rehabilitation project. The joint-venture of Barletta Heavy Division Inc. and Aetna Bridge Company – […]
Economy
Posted inEconomy, Local, Politics
New Washington Bridge expected by November 2028
The westbound Washington Bridge that carries I-195 is expected to be rebuilt by November 2028, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said Friday, setting a target for a return to normalcy for Rhode Island drivers. McKee identified Chicago-based Walsh Construction as the firm that will complete the new span — at a cost of up to […]
Posted inEconomy, Local, Politics
McKee rejects call for higher taxes on RI’s richest
State revenue in Rhode Island is running about $80 million ahead of expectations for the fiscal year starting July first. Does that make it less likely that state leaders will support a broad-based tax increase, or how about a tax increase for the wealthiest Rhode Islanders? The Public’s Radio political reporter Ian Donnis sat down […]
Posted inEconomy, Education, Local
JWU cuts 91 jobs
Like many New England colleges and universities, Providence-based Johnson & Wales University has been hit hard by declining enrollments. But university officials say their efforts at cost cutting haven’t kept pace with the smaller student body. On Tuesday, university officials announced they are laying off 52 faculty members and 39 staff people — 91 people […]
Posted inEconomy, Local, Politics
Amid tariff battle, support for Trump remains strong in his best Rhode Island community
Don Fox has a front row seat to the trade war between the Trump administration and China. That’s because his Burrillville, Rhode Island-based company, Alashan Cashmere, imports cashmere sweaters made in China. Now, tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump threaten to bring Fox’s business to a standstill for the fall season. The tariffs on the […]
Posted inEconomy, Local, Metro Desk
Smiley outlines tax increases for property owners
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley on Tuesday released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, which begins on July 1. “This year’s City budget was exceptionally difficult to balance,” he said. According to the mayor, the city had to dig into its finances this year to find funding for its public schools, due to a lawsuit […]
Posted inEconomy, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Federal food aid cuts hit RI, economic impacts of Washington Bridge issues, and more
More than 80,000 Rhode Islanders depend on food from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its network of food pantries. But the Trump administration’s recent cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture put that food aid at risk. Also: Rhode Island PBS Weekly co-host and correspondent Pamela Watts tells us about the very different ways the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge has impacted the economy in Providence and Bristol County. Plus: we talk with the directors of “La Tempestad” at Trinity Rep and “Fat Ham” at the Wilbury Theatre Group – two fresh takes on Shakespearean classics. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inEconomy, Local
A silver lining to Trump tariffs?
At a time when a trip to the grocery store is bound to come with some sticker shock, the idea of paying 10-25% more is unpopular, to say the least. But, for some things, there may be a work-around. “Buy more local food by shopping at your local farmer’s market,” said Nessa Richman, network director […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Economy, Local
Secret Mall Apartment pays homage to Providence’s creative underground
On a freezing cold December day 25 years ago, Raphael Lyon and I watched as salvage crews took what they could from the demolition of the Silver Springs Bleaching and Dyeing complex — a sign of the growing threat to the creative ecosystem offered by old mill buildings in Providence. “We have this chance that […]
Posted inEconomy, Local, Politics
Rhode Islanders caught in the crossfire of trade war
A trade war between the U.S. and Canada will likely be costly for Rhode Islanders. That’s because Canada is by far the state’s largest international trading partner, accounting for 22% of Rhode Island’s exports to the world. Rhode Island exports $487 million in goods, plus another $166 million in services to Canada every year. Canada, […]
