At 8 a.m., just before the first class of the day, students poured into the hallway at Thompson Middle School. Their voices buzzed and bounced off the ceiling and floor as they talked about the girls’ basketball team’s big win then slammed their lockers and headed to class. Eighth-grade social studies teacher Katie Behan stood […]
Local
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Transportation
Here’s what bus riders think of RIPTA’s proposed service cuts
Eighteen-year-old Angela Sarmiento is a regular on RIPTA bus 18. She uses it to get from her home in Cranston to school, or to her job at a retirement home on the East Side of Providence. She says it’s pretty reliable. “It comes on time. It’s never late,” she said. But Sarmiento’s commute might get […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Feb. 16, 2024
The more chocolate that can be worked into legislative publicity efforts, the better, I say. 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 […]
Posted inLabor, Local, Metro Desk
ABC6 workers announce union campaign
Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts workers at local news station ABC6 are launching union organizing efforts, according to two employees with the unit’s organizing committee. The workers, who want to join the Communications Workers of America’s broadcast arm, The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET), say they are calling for a union because […]
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice, Local, South Coast Bureau
Judge rejects appeal based on misconduct claims made in anonymous letters
Anonymous letters accused a New Bedford judge of having an inappropriate relationship with a prosecutor whose cases he oversaw. A man seeking to overturn his conviction on those grounds saw his appeal dismissed on Wednesday due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the allegations.
Posted inLocal
Rhode Island man charged with setting fires at predominantly Black church in North Providence
A Rhode Island man was arrested Thursday, accused of setting multiple fires around the Shiloh Gospel Temple in North Providence on Sunday. The majority of the congregation is Black, the church’s administrator told investigators. Kevin Colantonio of North Providence is in federal custody and charged under a federal arson statute, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha […]
Posted inArticle, Local, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
ACLU represents beach access advocate sued by Weekapaug Fire District
The Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union is defending a Westerly resident and beach access advocate being sued by the Weekapaug Fire District for advocating that the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council designate a public right-of-way to the Quonochontaug Barrier Beach. The ACLU is working with former Rhode Island Assistant Attorney […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Rhode Island Ukrainian pastor describes ‘fear and uncertainty’ among local Ukrainians as war drags on
Transcript: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: Father Boris, it’s really a pleasure. Thank you so much for your time. Boris Kroner: Thank you for having me on. Hernandez: Father Boris, what are your thoughts and your emotions right now as we approach this anniversary of the war in Ukraine? […]
Posted inHealth, Housing, Local
To prevent lead poisoning, Central Falls is turning up the heat on landlords
Property owners filtered into the multi-purpose room in the Central Falls public works building on a hot September night, settling into plastic chairs. Attorneys for the city printed off dockets, stacked up manila case files, and set up a tape recorder, all in preparation for the monthly meeting of municipal housing court. Many of the […]
Posted inHealth, Housing, Local
RI landlords are required to ensure their units are safe from lead paint. But who checks?
An investigation by the Public’s Radio found landlords rarely face consequences for failing to comply with state laws meant to protect children from exposure to lead paint.
