The state House of Representatives this week approved legislation to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines for children in Rhode Island even if the Trump administration rolls back federal approvals. The House voted 58-10 to approve a bill (H-5427A) to allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to children age 3 or older. The bill, introduced […]
Politics
Posted inLocal, Politics
Opponents, supporters debate R.I. ban on ‘assault-style’ firearms
A fierce debate over whether new sales of “military-style” firearms should be banned in Rhode Island took center stage during a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Supporters including bill sponsor state Rep. Jason Knight (D-Barrington) argued that so-called “assault weapons” guns are too lethal and increase the risk of a mass shooting. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
Georgia congressman moves to impeach R.I.’s chief federal judge
U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Georgia Republican, followed through on an earlier vow by filing articles of impeachment Monday against Rhode Island’s top federal judge, John J. McConnell Jr. Clyde makes two claims in his filing, the latest in a long line of conservative criticism against McConnell, who was a Democratic fundraiser and activist before […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 21, 2025
April 1 is approaching, so don’t let yourself get Rickrolled along the way. 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? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: As we roll into the […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
Newport Pell Bridge on national list for new safety assessment
The Newport Pell Bridge is one of 68 bridges nationally being recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board for a vulnerability assessment due to a possible vessel collision. The Pell Bridge, which links Newport and Jamestown, was built in 1969 and it spans the east passage of Narragansett Bay. It is named for the late […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Thousands of federal workers now in paid limbo
In late February, President Donald Trump’s administration fired close to 24,000 probationary federal workers in the name of government efficiency. In response to a judicial order that found the mass termination unlawful, the administration began rehiring those workers and reassigning them to a form of paid leave this week. In a series of interviews, many […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
RI Secretary of State Gregg Amore on Trump, how Democrats should respond and more
One person on the frontlines of the issue is Secretary of State Gregg Amore. His office works with the state Board of Elections and local cities and towns to administer elections. Amore is an East Providence Democrat who was a history teacher, coach and state representative before winning election as secretary of state in 2022. […]
Posted inHousing, Local, Politics
RI House GOP leader raps ‘culture of secrecy’ on cost for pallet shelter
Rhode Island House GOP Leader Michael Chippendale says Gov. Dan McKee’s administration is stonewalling the release of public records explaining why the Echo Village pallet shelter in Providence wound up costing close to $5 million. Chippendale used an image of a Winnebago on social media last month to make a point — how pallet shelters […]
Posted inEnvironment, Politics, The Weekly Catch
How NOAA cuts may harm local fishermen, protecting the ‘Freedom to Read,’ and more
Recent job cuts by the Trump Administration could have a negative impact on New Bedford’s huge fishing industry. Our South Coast Bureau reporter Ben Berke tells us how. Also, Rhode Island has spent millions battling lawsuits from people challenging books. Since 2021 there have been more than 30 such challenges. We’ll learn about a bill before the General Assembly that would protect schools and libraries from litigation and censorship. And in the midst of a trade war between the U.S. and Canada sparked by the Trump administration, a local museum is celebrating ties between the Ocean State and French Canadian culture. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics, South Coast Bureau
Fishermen could face stricter catch limits as Trump slashes NOAA
The federal agency that studies the ocean and manages fisheries lost about 1,200 employees in February. But for the fishermen regulated by the agency, it’s still business as usual on the docks. On a recent Wednesday, many crews on New Bedford’s fishing piers were doing gear work for their next trip, as Eric Hansen repaired […]
