President Trump’s U.S. Justice Department notified Rhode Island on Wednesday that it is opening an investigation of whether the state engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race or other protected aspects of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The notification came in a letter to state Attorney General Peter Neronha […]
Local
Posted inHealth, Labor, Local
Butler Hospital could struggle to hire permanent replacements for striking nurses and other health care workers
Butler Hospital has raised the stakes in its standoff with unionized employees, announcing plans to hire permanent replacements for about 800 workers in their third week of a strike. But filling all those open positions with permanent hires at the psychiatric hospital on Providence’s East Side will be tough, labor experts said, given hospital staffing […]
Posted inHealth, Local
Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ could worsen child hunger and racial disparities in RI
President Trump’s budget proposal, which has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, includes cuts to several programs that benefit Rhode Island children. This all comes at a time when child poverty, homelessness, and the number of children without health insurance Is on the rise in the Ocean State. That’s according to the latest […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
RI House Judiciary Committee approves assault weapon ban bill
In a historic vote, the Rhode House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would ban guns defined as assault weapons as of July 2026, sending the legislation to the House of Representatives for a vote on Thursday. If the measure becomes law, guns purchased before the effective date will still be legal. The […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Six big questions about Rhode Island’s 2026 race for governor
The Rhode Island General Assembly is set to approve a budget and recess later this month, signaling the approach to the next statewide election season. With that in mind, here are some of the top questions looming over the race for the state’s top job. 1. CAN DAN MCKEE WIN? If you’re not a fan […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, South Coast Bureau
Nonprofit plans community process to reimagine New Bedford’s Star Store
The Star Store began as a humble dry goods shop in New Bedford’s whaling era, evolved into a grand downtown department store that died when the malls arrived, and re-emerged as a state arts college, only to close abruptly in 2023 with little notice. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell recalled this winding history as he […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local
What’s on in June at the Community Libraries of Providence
The Community Libraries of Providence offer a slew of programming every week for kids and adults at their nine locations around the city – from book clubs, to concerts, to classes on things like cooking and coding. We highlight a few of these events in our monthly community libraries segment. For June, morning host Luis […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford’s Star Store sold for $1 to developer of artists’ housing
The Star Store, a former university arts campus in downtown New Bedford that closed abruptly in 2023, has been sold to a nonprofit that develops housing and workspace for artists. The Arts & Business Council Of Greater Boston purchased the Star Store for $1 on Thursday, according to a deed filed with the Bristol County […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, South County Bureau
South County event takes sand castles to a whole new level
If you’ve ever built a sand castle before, Atlantis Rising will certainly bring some humility. And a sense of wonder. Ten artists from around the globe are competing in Rhode Island’s first and only international sand sculpting competition, now in its third year. They’ve come from Russia, South Korea, Lithuania and elsewhere to work their […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 30, 2025
There’s no truth to the rumor that the Red Sox’ mojo was MIA when the latest time capsule was unearthed on the former site of McCoy Stadium. 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 […]
