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Senate approves bill seeking class size limit for K-2 students
Providence Teachers Union President Maribeth Calabro can only imagine the relief if a bill to limit class sizes from kindergarten to grade 2 in public schools that passed the Senate last week became law. “I don’t know if you’ve ever been in a room with 26 five-year olds,” Calabro said. “It makes a big difference.” […]
CCRI President Meghan Hughes announces plan to step down
After eight years leading Rhode Island’s state two-year degree school, the first female president of the Community College of Rhode Island has announced she will step down from her post on August 31. “Serving as CCRI’s president has been the greatest professional honor of my lifetime, and I am profoundly grateful to all the faculty, […]
Carson: Short-term rental regulations aim to “maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods”
A packed House Municipality and Housing Committee hearing at the State House overflowed into the Bell Room Thursday night as property owners made sure their voices are heard on a series of bills that could change how short term rentals are managed in Rhode Island. Around 400 pieces of written testimony were submitted, many dealing […]
Sobering housing report outlines challenges for R.I. renters with extremely low incomes
About 60% of Rhode Island renters are severely cost-burdened, spending over half their income on housing, according to a report released Thursday by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes” found that a housing supply shortage was the main contributor to the state’s crisis, with only 27,547 homes available […]
Governor appoints new chair to Council on Behavioral Health
The chief impact and equity officer for the United Way of Rhode Island has been appointed chair of the Governor’s Council on Behavioral Health. Gov. Dan McKee announced Wednesday the appointment of Larry Warner to lead the 22-member council, made up of representatives from a variety of interests within the mental health field. Warner replaces […]
URI expands higher education access for Indigenous students
Twenty-nine University of Rhode Island students who are members of the Narragansett tribe are receiving state tuition waiver as part of a broader effort to expand Native access to higher education and recognize the history of the land upon which the Kingston campus is located.
Noncitizen voting rights bill puts focus on R.I. Constitution
H5461 would allow boards of canvassers in municipalities to set up their own rules and systems within legal bounds to open up voting if they choose. The bill sponsored by Providence Democrat Rep. Enrique Sanchez leaves it to local governments to decide which non-citizens would be allowed to vote.
Looking for labor: RIPTA struggles to recruit new drivers
Candy, little pink paper hearts and job postings were displayed on a table on Valentine’s Day at the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s Elmwood Avenue headquarters, waiting for the public to come. Only eight people did over the four hours the agency held its monthly career fair, officials said. The event was advertised on RIPTA’s […]