What better way to celebrate Sleep Awareness Week than with a nap? 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: “Don’t tax you, don’t tax me, […]
Politics
Posted inLocal, Politics
Washington’s love/hate relationship with the Ivy League
President Trump’s crusade against higher education is not without precedent. Campus politics have long been a source of contention, especially among conservatives. For nearly a century, in one way or another, parents and politicians have raised concerns about the ideological extremes of the ivory tower. For their part, universities have long struggled to find the […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, Politics
New bill would combat efforts to ban and censor books in R.I.
Since 2021 there have been over 30 book challenges in Rhode Island. In fighting these lawsuits, schools and libraries across the state are being forced to use precious financial resources that would normally be used to serve their communities and curate their collections. New legislation in the State House and Senate would protect schools and […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Economic Progress Institute’s Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies on Trump, payday lending, and more
Advocating for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders can be an uphill battle during the best of times. Now, with the Trump administration cutting various federal programs, the challenge is steeper. When it comes to promoting economic fairness, progressives have argued for years that the richest Rhode Islanders should pay a little more in taxes. They say their latest proposal would deliver much-needed revenue as Rhode Island once again confronts annual budget deficits far into the future. Executive director of the Economic Progress Institute Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies is among those supporting this approach. But the state budget has grown dramatically over the last 10 years, so should the focus be on finding savings and efficiency before considering new taxes? How will Rhode Island respond if Trump administration policies pose a wallop for low- and moderate-income people? And with legislative leaders unwilling to consider new taxes on the rich, what would it take to convince them to support a change? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with head of the Economic Progress Institute Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies.
Posted inLocal, Politics
United Way to offer new grants to nonprofits facing federal funding uncertainty
The United Way of Rhode Island is announcing plans to help local non-profits struggling amid continued uncertainty about federal funding. President and CEO Cortney Nicolato says at least $500,000 in grant money will be made available through a special round of funding later this month. “We’re anticipating grants will be between $25,000 and $50,000, and […]
Posted inHousing, Local, Politics
Johnston sued over its plan to stop affordable housing complex
Hours after the town of Johnston said Monday that it planned to take a 30-acre plot by eminent domain to build a new municipal complex, the plan was challenged in federal court. The libertarian-leaning nonprofit the Pacific Legal Foundation says it’s suing the town on behalf of the landowners, who want to build an affordable […]
Posted inHealth, Local, Politics
Rhode Island lawmakers call on Congress to defend Medicaid
Stephanie Manfredo, a Rhode Island mother of three, says Medicaid was a life saver for her family after several of her children were born at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence with significant health complications. She said she worries about cuts Republican lawmakers in Washington are now considering. “The cuts being proposed could absolutely cripple […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Immigration, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Trump’s science cuts, fear of ICE raids in Central Falls hurts businesses, and more
The Trump administration’s cuts in science research have led to lost jobs and stalled research in the Ocean State. Protesters showed up to the State House on Friday as part of a national movement called Stand Up For Science. We hear from one of the protest’s organizers. Also, there is a lot of fear and anxiety in the majority-Latino city of Central Falls. Business owners say they’re already feeling the impact because people without legal status are avoiding public places. Plus, the campus of UMass Dartmouth is built in the architectural style of Brutalism. We’ll take a look at why that style was used and why it’s gonna cost the school hundreds of millions to fix up its campus. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 7, 2025
I’ll take the deal if an hour less sleep brings more daylight. 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: Tariffs “will always tend to crush […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, Politics
Arts groups sue Trump administration over ban on ‘gender ideology’
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island on behalf of several arts organizations over new requirements from the Trump administration that prohibit federal funds being used to “promote gender ideology.” Applicants for National Endowment for the Arts grants must now tick a box on their application […]
