The theater scene in Rhode Island got some big news this month: The Trinity Repertory Company in Providence will be looking for a new artistic director. Curt Columbus will step down next fall. At that point, he’ll have been artistic director of the Trinity Rep for two decades. Morning Host Luis Hernandez sat down with […]
Local
Posted inEducation, Local, Politics
After suing the Trump administration, Rhode Island to get $29 million in delayed federal education money
A lawsuit by a coalition co-led by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has unlocked about $29 million in frozen federal education money for the state. Twenty-three Democratic attorneys general and two governors joined the suit after the Trump administration froze at the end of June almost $7 billion in funding for programs administered by […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, Labor, Local, New England News Collaborative, Politics, South County Bureau
Rhode Island lawmakers tilt at windmills, hoping to save Revolution Wind
Revolution Wind, the massive offshore wind farm under construction off the Rhode Island coast, appears to be dead in the water for now. Citing unspecified security concerns, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued an immediate stop-work order Friday. Now, Rhode Island lawmakers are pushing back, insisting that mothballing the project would cost thousands […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Transportation
RIPTA considers reducing bus frequency on most routes to close budget gap
Rhode Island’s governor announced a new plan on Monday to resolve RIPTA’s budget shortfall. The proposal would reduce bus frequency on 46 routes, increase fares, and introduce more advertising across the public transit system. Gov. Dan McKee said these changes would help the system avoid eliminating bus routes in their entirety. McKee and leaders from […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Newport Bureau
Rhode Island state prosecutor Devon Flanagan gets six-month suspension for Newport incident
The Rhode Island state prosecutor whose arrest after declining to leave a Newport restaurant went viral on the internet is getting an unpaid six-month suspension. “On August 14, Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan mistreated the Newport Police Department and embarrassed herself, the Office, and frankly me,” Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement […]
Posted inEducation, Local
Has Rhode Island Gov. McKee’s ‘Learn365RI’ initiative been effective?
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is making a big bet on his Learn365RI initiative, a state program that funds out-of-school learning opportunities for students to complement their traditional schooling. McKee is hoping it can help him at the polls next year in what is shaping up to be a competitive gubernatorial race. Two years into […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local
Trump halts construction on nearly complete wind farm off Rhode Island
President Trump’s administration has ordered a developer to halt construction on a nearly complete offshore wind farm off Rhode Island’s coast, casting the future of the state’s largest renewable energy project into doubt. In a stop-work order issued on Friday afternoon, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said it is seeking to address national […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Aug. 22, 2025
For my money, late summer/early fall is the most beautiful time of the year. 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 right here *** 1. STORY OF THE […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Newport Bureau
Rhode Island prosecutor who told police to turn off body cameras to be placed on unpaid leave
A Rhode Island state prosecutor arrested on a trespassing charge outside a Newport restaurant on Aug. 14 is being placed on unpaid leave, the Attorney General’s Office said Friday. Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan was arrested after declining with a friend to leave the outside of the Clarke Cook House restaurant. Police-worn body camera […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
RI ACLU says new surveillance center in Providence requires more safeguards
The Rhode Island ACLU contends the City of Providence is moving too quickly in implementing an integrated surveillance center, adding that without additional safeguards, the system poses an Orwellian threat. In a letter to Mayor Brett Smiley and Police Chief Oscar Perez, the civil liberties group calls on city officials to enact a municipal ordinance […]
