Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said Wednesday that the city is bracing for the impact of Hasbro’s decision to relocate its headquarters from Rhode Island to Boston next year, a move he described as disappointing, but not surprising. In an interview with The Public’s Radio’s Luis Hernandez, Grebien recalled finding out about the move only after […]
Metro Desk
Posted inEducation, Local, Metro Desk
DOJ sues Providence public schools over loan forgiveness for ‘educators of color’
The U.S. Department of Justice accused Providence public schools and the Rhode Island Department of Education of “blatant race discrimination” in a lawsuit filed in federal court on Tuesday over a loan forgiveness program for teachers of color. The Providence Public School District’s “Educators of Color Loan Forgiveness Program” offered “teachers of color” up to […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Politics
Rhode Island State Rep. David Morales announces run for mayor of Providence
With a message emphasizing the high cost of living in Rhode Island’s capital city, state Rep. David Morales announced a challenge on Monday to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in next year’s primary election. “It’s time City Hall worked for us,” Morales said in a video announcing his campaign. “For too long, politicians like Brett Smiley […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Politics
Potential progressive rival not concerned about Smiley’s big fundraising edge
State Rep. David Morales faces an uphill battle if he challenges Providence Mayor Brett Smiley next year, although Morales said Tuesday he is not fazed by Smiley’s big advantage in campaign fundraising. Morales had about $68,000 in his campaign account at the end of June, a fraction of the $1 million in Smiley’s campaign account. […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, Metro Desk
Why Curt Columbus plans to step away from Providence’s Trinity Rep
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 […]
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 inEconomy, Local, Metro Desk
Redevelopment of Providence’s ‘Superman Building’ to continue after owner’s death
The company that owns the so-called “Superman Building” in downtown Providence said Friday that it remains committed to redeveloping the property, even after the recent death of the company’s president. In a statement, High Rock Development announced that the Massachusetts-based company will now be led by its legal counsel, Michael Crossen, and that he will […]
Posted inImmigration, Local, Metro Desk
Their husbands were deported to Laos. Now they’re picking up the pieces together
When two Providence men were detained and deported to Laos in May, their wives were left feeling helpless and without a path forward. The two women – Cassie Souvannaxa and Tina Phommachan – didn’t know each other well until this year. That changed when they started visiting their husbands at the Wyatt Detention Center in […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local, Metro Desk
How an innocent mistake left a Cranston lake strangled by invasive plants
It may look beautiful, but the sacred lotus has been taking over Cranston’s Meshanticut Lake. When the plant native to East Asia (scientific name Nelumbo nucifera) sinks its roots into the lake bottom, it spreads a blanket of green lily pads and purple flowers across the water at a rate that can crowd out native […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Metro Desk
Providence police explain their role in Sunday’s ICE arrest
After Providence police officers were filmed at the scene of an ICE arrest this weekend, the city’s police chief held a press conference on Monday to explain his department’s role in the incident. Col. Oscar Perez, the city’s police chief, said Providence police officers do not assist federal agents with immigration enforcement or share information […]
