Maine’s 176 craft breweries are already feeling the impacts of tariffs on aluminum and other packaging materials from Canada. Canadians’ reservations at Vermont hotels are down by 45%. And in Massachusetts, where nearly 2,400 Canadians study each year, Gov. Maura Healey is wondering about the impacts on research institutions and teaching hospitals. Governors shared those […]
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Posted inEducation, Local
Rhode Island lawmakers pass legislation to ban cell phones in schools
The Rhode Island House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved a bill that would ban student use of cell phones during school hours. The state Senate passed an identical bill in May, leaving Gov. Dan McKee’s signature as the final hurdle for the policy. Under the legislation, Rhode Island school districts would have to craft […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
RI House GOP raps Neronha’s plan to use millions in settlement money to address dental care for needy Providence kids
Two Rhode Island House Republicans say Attorney General Peter Neronha’s move to steer $10 million in settlement funds for improving dental health for poor Providence children is against the law. Neronha announced the plan last month as part of construction firm Barletta Heavy Division’s agreement to settle a case involving the unlawful dumping of contaminated […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Politics
Thousands of Rhode Islanders demonstrate against President Trump
Thousands of Rhode Islanders participated in protests against President Trump on Saturday, expressing hope that their dissent will send a loud message against the president and his policies. “It’s important to show that people all over the country are furious with the way in which his arrogance and his tyranny has taken over,” said Rick […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for June 13, 2025
The General Assembly session is almost all over but the crying. 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? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: In some ways, the $14.3 billion budget […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
RI Senate President Lawson and GOP team up to deal possible death-blow to ‘assault weapons’ bill
The tiny four-member Republican caucus in the Rhode Island Senate made the difference in a vote Thursday that may have killed a proposed “assault weapon” ban in the current General Assembly session. On a 20-to-17 vote, senators effectively rejected an effort by Sen. Pam Lauria (D-Barrington) to move the AWB bill from the Judiciary Committee […]
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 […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local
Matunuck Oyster Bar may reopen al fresco this summer
Rhode Island’s Take It Outside law was a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing restaurants to keep serving customers when indoor spaces were considered unsafe because of contagion. Now, with Matunuck Oyster Bar in mind, state lawmakers are looking to expand Take It Outside to cover restaurants forced to close due to a flood, fire, […]
Posted inEconomy, Local
Two companies being sued over the Washington Bridge claim the state never flagged the bridge’s problems
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 – […]
Posted inLocal, On Sports
Rhode Island high school grads shine in sports, leadership and legacy in Class of 2025
Graduation season is ending, and with it the many stories of heartwarming success written by the Class of 2025. Here are a few to carry us to beach season. THE SAPOLSKY SUCCESSION Barrington High School boys tennis capped its second consecutive undefeated season and state championship on June 1 with its 4-2 triumph over East […]
