Politics + Justice
Why are Brown students leading the opposition to their university’s tax deal with Providence?
Niyanta Nepal arrived at Brown University eager to join what she believed was a “liberal, socially-conscious institution.” That excitement quickly waned. One turning point weeks into her freshman year came during a meeting of the Students for Educational Equity (SEE), in which a fellow student and club leader shared a shocking fact: Brown does not […]
Government shutdown nears: U.S. House GOP fails to pass one-month spending plan
WASHINGTON — A sweeping government shutdown appeared inevitable on Friday, with the U.S. Senate stuck in a procedural holding pattern on its bipartisan stopgap bill and divided U.S. House Republicans unable to pass their short-term spending bill. Both chambers of Congress must approve and President Joe Biden must sign government funding legislation before midnight on […]
BOE director to retire in 2024
The administrative head of the state elections board is retiring next year. Chris Hunter, spokesperson for the Rhode Island Board of Elections (BOE), confirmed in an interview Thursday that Robert Rapoza, the agency’s executive director, will retire in 2024. The story was first reported by The Boston Globe’s Rhode Island bureau. Details of Rapoza’s retirement, […]
State offshore wind RFP: If at first you don’t succeed, try try again
After an initial attempt to buy more offshore wind power through a competitive solicitation failed, state leaders are trying again. Gov. Dan McKee on Thursday announced that the state, through utility operator Rhode Island Energy, will issue a new request for proposals (RFP) to buy up to 1,200 megawatts of wind-powered electricity. The news comes […]
Treasurer: State relationship with Washington Trust ‘under evaluation’
PROVIDENCE — The Washington Trust Company could potentially lose a significant customer after Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa announced Thursday his office is re-evaluating the state’s nearly $190 million relationship with the Westerly-based financial institution. Diossa’s announcement comes one day after Washington Trust agreed to a $9 million settlement with the federal government over […]
McKee vetoes roadway repair bill over objections from utility companies
A seemingly noncontroversial bill requiring utility companies to coordinate projects with the state transportation agency has been shot down by Gov. Dan McKee. McKee exercised his veto power Wednesday to prevent the bills approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly earlier this year from taking effect. In identical letters to House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi […]
Bank to pay $9 million in redlining settlement
PROVIDENCE — The nation’s oldest community bank will pay over $9 million to settle a federal lawsuit alleging it discriminated against Black and Hispanic borrowers in Rhode Island, the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) announced Wednesday. Washington Trust was accused of redlining, the name for the practice of avoiding providing credit services to people because of […]
Second lawsuit challenges R.I. shoreline access law
Less than a week after a federal judge threw out the first lawsuit against Rhode Island’s new shoreline access law, a new challenge has emerged. The Sept. 25 complaint from Westerly homeowners David and Linda Roth, and a limited liability company in their family’s name that owns adjacent property, again challenges the constitutionality of the […]
Legislative panel on plastic bottle recycling to hold first meeting Wednesday
How to minimize the plastic bottles overflowing the state landfill and collecting along streets, sidewalks and beaches will be the focus of an 18-member legislative panel that kicks off this week. The 18-member Special Joint Legislative Commission to Study and Provide Recommendations to Protect Our Environment and Natural Resources from Plastic Bottle Waste will hold […]
Contested Point Judith Pond aquaculture farm heads to CRMC Tuesday
Another day, another aquaculture war. This time, the fight centers on just over half an acre in Narragansett’s Point Judith Pond, where shellfish farmer Andrew Van Hemelriijck wants to grow oysters and quahogs. But waterfront property owners say the aquaculture farm will make it harder, and even unsafe, for them to boat, fish and enjoy […]
Biden administration to create new gun violence prevention office
WASHINGTON — The White House Thursday announced the formation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention that will help states and local governments as they implement a gun safety legislative package President Joe Biden signed into law last year. Lacking additional action in Congress to curb gun violence, “the Office of Gun Violence Prevention along […]
Documentary on election workers’ role in our democracy to screen Sept. 28 at RIC
Spoiler alert: The last scene of the documentary film “No Time to Fail” features Cranston Director of Elections Nick Lima renewing his oath to continue serving the city. Lima took the oath on Jan. 3, 2021. “The whole audience understands what’s to come,” Providence filmmaker Sarah Archambault said of the Capitol riots of Jan 6, […]