Hundreds of striking workers at Butler Hospital, on Providence’s East Side, received notices that their health benefits will be terminated at the end of the month. The psychiatric hospital operated by Care New England said in a May 16 letter to nurses, mental health workers and other staff who are members of the SEIU1199 New […]
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Posted inLocal, South County Bureau
Jury finds former high school basketball coach not guilty of sex crimes
After a trial that lasted a month, the jury deliberated a little over 8 hours before finding a former North Kingstown High School boys basketball coach not guilty of two felonies — second degree child molestation and second degree sexual assault. But the same jury found Aaron Thomas guilty of two misdemeanors — two counts […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Sen. Whitehouse says Republicans are just better than Democrats at politics
Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says Democrats need to do a better job at politics. With Republicans in full control in Washington, Democrats hope voters will vent anger at President Donald Trump in the 2026 midterm elections. But that’s cold comfort for Democrats today. Whitehouse spoke with The Public’s Radio political reporter Ian Donnis […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Tensions flare as Palestinian flag is raised at Providence City Hall
A Palestinian flag was raised on Friday at City Hall, but the flag-raising ceremony turned tense as a crowd of several dozen pro-Israel protestors attempted to drown out the speeches by making loud noises, chanting into a megaphone, and playing loud music. The flag was raised to commemorate the Nakba, when Israel officially declared itself […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 16, 2025
There’s still time for the Sox to shape up, but who thought the team would be battling to play .500 ball at this point? You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. A quick program note: my column is taking next week off and it will return on May 30. Here […]
Posted inImmigration, Local, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford man arrested in ICE road stop is released on bond
Juan Francisco Méndez is being reunited with his family after nearly a month at the Strafford County Department of Corrections in Dover, N.H. He was released Thursday on a $1,500 bond, according to his attorney, Ondine Galvez-Sniffin. Méndez was detained in April after ICE agents smashed through his car window with an axe. He was […]
Posted inHealth, Labor, Local
Butler Hospital workers picket in the rain and mud for higher wages, more staff
Workers at Butler Hospital began chanting, cheering and trudging in the mud out front of the psychiatric hospital at 6 a.m. Thursday morning and remained on strike by the end of the day. Members of the union’s bargaining committee say the workers are fighting for higher wages across the board and better staffing. They began […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Technology
RI considering legal action against Deloitte after cyber-breach
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha is considering possible legal action against state contractor Deloitte following a third-party review into a cyber-breach that put the personal data of more than a half-million Rhode Islanders at risk. “The state is pursuing all available remedies at this time,” Neronha spokesman Tim Rondeau told The Public’s Radio. Gov. […]
Posted inEducation, Local, Politics
DOGE copycat at Brown cleared of wrongdoing
Defiant and undaunted, Brown sophomore Alex Shieh celebrated the fact that he won’t be sent down for breaking university rules. “I’m happy that I’m not being charged anymore, but I’m upset,” Shieh said. “I’m upset that I was charged in the first place.” Earlier this year, Shieh used AI to scrape contact details of all […]
Posted inArticle, Local, On Sports
Former Mount Pleasant athlete completes homecoming journey by coaching Brown softball to Ivy League title, NCAA Tournament
Spring athletes are the ignored stepchildren in the college sports family here in the Northeast. But first, why call them spring sports? Bryant played its first baseball game on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, at Davidson in North Carolina. Last time I checked, February was still winter. Second, when spring weather finally arrives in early May, […]
