Higher Ground International, a nonprofit that provides services to West African immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities in Rhode Island, is preparing to move into its new headquarters in Providence. The RUKIYA CENTER, located in the city’s West End, will replace the organization’s current space at 21 Peace St. “We are thrilled to open the […]
Local
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for July 25, 2025
Bark at the moon, eh, Ozzy? I’ve heard worse ideas. Welcome back to my Friday column. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: With the lazy days […]
Posted inEconomy, Local, Transportation
RIPTA proposes largest cuts to bus service in its history
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority proposed service reductions to nearly all of its bus routes on Thursday as it tries to balance a budget deficit. The proposed cuts, which are laid out in detail on RIPTA’s website, would affect 58 routes total, 17 of which would be eliminated entirely. In an interview after announcing […]
Posted inHealth, Local
Butler Hospital’s president on the ongoing strike: ‘I have a responsibility to the future of the hospital’
Roughly 800 unionized workers at Butler Hospital entered the twelfth week of a strike on Thursday. They are striking over wages, benefits and workplace safety at the psychiatric hospital on Providence’s East Side. The hospital’s President and Chief Operating Officer Mary Marran spoke with Lynn Arditi, health reporter at The Public’s Radio, about the strike’s […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local
City of Woonsocket agrees to pay a half-million dollars to settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by the ACLU
The City of Woonsocket has agreed to pay $550,000 to settle a lawsuit by the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union for wrongfully arresting and incarcerating a homeless man for a 2022 break-in. The federal civil rights lawsuit alleged that Mack Blackie’s civil rights were violated when he was twice arrested and […]
Posted inLocal, South Coast Bureau, Stories
Despite budget cuts, New Bedford’s Casa da Saudade library will remain open
A week after New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said he would close the Casa da Saudade library in response to $10.2 million in budget cuts for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, he announced that the library branch will remain open but with reduced hours. According to the mayor’s press release, Casa da Saudade’s new operating hours […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, South Coast Bureau
Medical oxygen, smoking materials may have caused Gabriel House fire, investigators say
Investigators believe the deadly fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River started in a resident’s room from either a failed oxygen concentrator or smoking materials later found in the room. “During this past week, investigators have retrieved and recovered more evidence, reviewed video footage, and spoken to witnesses,” Bristol County District […]
Posted inEconomy, Housing, Local
David Sweetser, owner of Providence’s Superman Building, dies at 70
The head of the Massachusetts company that owns the “Superman Building” in downtown Providence has died. David C. Sweetser was 70 years old. “A devoted family man, beloved friend to many, and a titan in the real estate development industry,” said Bill Fischer, a spokesman for Sweetser, in a statement on Tuesday. “He will be […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Speaker Shekarchi on the state budget, RIPTA, a potential run for governor, and more
Rhode Island’s 2025 legislative session is in the books. But the focus for many politics-watchers remains firmly on Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. Rhode Island PBS reporter Jim Hummel sat down with Shekarchi to reflect on the progress and pitfalls of the legislative session. They discussed several topics, including the state budget, funding for […]
Posted inHousing, Local
Can a new land bank help produce more affordable housing in Rhode Island?
The state of Rhode Island has a new strategy to spur development of housing: a “land bank.” The goal: make it easier for municipalities to identify unused property that can be used for housing projects, while reducing land acquisition costs for developers. The General Assembly created the land bank during the 2025 legislative session. It […]
