After more than two years without a permanent director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, Gov. Dan McKee has nominated Dr. Jerome M. Larkin to fill the post. Larkin, 61, is the medical director of inpatient infectious diseases consultation services at Rhode Island Hospital and an associate professor of clinical medicine at Brown University’s […]
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Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 10, 2024
If April showers bring May flowers, what do May showers bring? You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: Rhode Island House […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk
RISD sit-in ends
Yesterday, after RISD President Crystal Williams told students their barricades were a fire hazard and sent in facilities managers and Department of Public Safety security officers to break them down, the students say they made the voluntary decision to leave the building and were escorted out by their supporters. Luca Antonio Colannino, a spokesperson for […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
On a lopsided vote, the Rhode Island House passes a bill to overhaul police discipline
A bill overhauling how Rhode Island police departments handle misconduct cleared an important hurdle Thursday, clearing the House of Representatives on a 58-to-14 vote, although supporters and critics clashed on whether the legislation goes far enough to ensure public accountability. Efforts to change the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, or LEOBOR, were a non-starter […]
Posted inHealth, Local
Rhode Island is using a new smartphone app to help people stay off drugs. But is it reaching those most in need?
They are college-educated professionals who own a three-story Victorian home in Providence, drive a BMW and regularly work out at a gym. Dominic and his fiancé, Samantha, are also struggling with drug addiction. (They asked that only his middle name and her first name be used because their employers don’t know they’re in drug treatment.) […]
Posted inHousing, Local
Advocates, outreach workers pressure Mayor Smiley to delay plans to clear homeless encampments
Advocates gathered at Providence City Hall on Wednesday to pressure Mayor Brett Smiley and other officials to delay plans to evict the residents of two encampments in the city. “This is a violent process,” said Karen Andes, director of the Master of Public Health program at Brown University. “Removing people by police and bulldozer is […]
Posted inEducation, Health, Local
Child poverty is down but disparities remain, according to Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook
Transcript: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: There’s some good news and some bad news in a new report that examines how Rhode Island children are doing when it comes to safety, education, health and economic well-being. The Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook shows that, overall, child poverty is down, […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
Rhode Island GOP lambasts Democrats for handling of Washington Bridge
With the demolition and replacement cost for the westbound Washington Bridge rising to more than $400 million, Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers staged a news conference Tuesday to sharply criticize how a string of Democratic leaders have handled the situation. The administration of Gov. Dan McKee disclosed the $400 million figure on Monday – […]
Posted inHousing, Local, South County Bureau
Narragansett approves short-term rental restrictions, affordable housing bond
The town of Narragansett has adopted a new ordinance that has significant implications for property owners and summer vacation renters in the beach town. Under the new rules, property owners will be prohibited from renting out a unit for less than seven nights at a time. The rules were approved in a 3-1 vote, with […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk
23 RISD students are occupying the Prov-Wash building
A group of 23 pro-Palestinian Rhode Island School of Design students and one University of Rhode Island student have sequestered themselves in RISD’s Prov-Wash building, where they spent Monday night. The students are calling on their school to be transparent about its investments, and to divest from any companies with ties to Israel. RISD president […]
